2023 Marco Bortolozzo "1993" SP/ZR

This 2023 Marco Bortolozzo "1993" is a spruce and ziricote classical guitar made in Milan, Italy, named for the year Marco discovered the importance of music in his life.

Why "1993"?

Marco affectionately named this guitar "1993" to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of a pivotal personal moment: 1993 was the year he received his first portable radio for his birthday – a gift he remembers to this day, because it was the first time he realized the importance of music in his life.

Inside the Design

As a starting point for this model, Marco used the plans for Andrés Segovia's iconic 1937 Hermann Hauser. He chose a thick spruce top, thicknessed with a variable pattern, and lowered the pitch of the guitar through changes to the structure and overall weight, adding a low-depth tornavoz. The thicker soundboard brings great clarity to the trebles with good sustain, and the lowered resonance (around E) gives deep basses; all adjustments and measurements were made with a microphone and special software to monitor the frequencies. A hidden adjustable titanium rod inside the neck provides stability. The aesthetic is Marco's own, though some inspiration from the style of Manuel Ramírez can be seen, and the hard, "modern" edges of the inlays and headstock reflect his industrial-design background and the architecture of Milan.

Sound and Playability

As bold in sound as in looks: the lightweight, efficient build produces a powerful, explosive sound with deep, resonant basses and singing, voice-like trebles. The response is immediate and fast, making it incredibly easy to play – particularly for the right hand – while each note keeps a solid firmness that reminds us of the lighter guitars of Hauser I and II. Very thin double sides add power, sustain, bottom end and brilliance, and the smooth neck and easy action make it comfortable for both hands. Absolutely delightful to play and hear.

Photos of this guitar taken during construction

From Industrial Design to Lutherie

Marco Bortolozzo was born on April 5, 1983, in San Vito al Tagliamento, in the province of Pordenone in northeastern Italy, in the midst of vineyards, vegetable gardens and dismantled engines, and learned early in life from his father how to hold every type of tool in his hand. He played guitar and electric bass as a teenager – his first instrument was a bass he built himself – and later studied industrial design at university, where he learned about materials, production processes and design.

Inspired by Torres

Towards the end of his studies, Marco picked a luthier at random from the yellow pages and met Dario Pontiggia, who shared the story of Antonio de Torres. After an hour of conversation, Marco knew that being a luthier was what he wanted to do in life. He has been a professional guitar maker since 2010, and his guitars are easy to play, with correct intonation, deep basses, brilliant high frequencies and broad dynamic capabilities.

From Milan to Portogruaro

For many years Marco built his guitars in Milan, one of the great design capitals of the world, whose architecture still shapes much of his aesthetic. In 2026 he began moving his workshop to Portogruaro, near Venice – not far from the town where he was born. GSI represents Marco Bortolozzo in the USA.