2025 Antonio Zwirn "Aroma" SP/CO

Built by Croatian luthier Antonio Zwirn in Zagreb, this 2025 "Aroma" classical guitar pairs a European spruce soundboard with a very dramatic set of cocobolo for the back and sides – and it is THE actual guitar that won Second Prize in the classical category at the VIII Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition in Granada, Spain, in July/August 2025.

Antonio Zwirn and GSI

We are extremely thrilled to have this guitar here, especially since we have known Antonio for many years – visiting him in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as in his hometown of Zagreb – and have for many years wanted to offer his guitars here in the USA. Now we finally have one, and it was definitely worth the wait!

Inspired by Daniel Friederich and Gernot Wagner

Antonio's approach to guitar making has a firm foundation in the modern European school, strongly inspired and influenced especially by Daniel Friederich and Gernot Wagner – an unusual pair at first thought, however one can easily detect elements from both of these makers in this guitar, and they fuse elegantly: the bold and dark cathedral-like presence found in Friederich is matched by the big power and fast response found in Wagner. This is due in part to his interesting and flexible bracing system under the soundboard – 5 highly symmetrical fans that alternately pass under and over a central bar below the bridge. The two outer fans are extra long at either end, and extend through the slanted (in the treble direction) harmonic bar into the rosette support. This system creates added flexibility and potential energy in the top that gives it an explosive responsiveness, with great agility for tonal coloration and dynamic range. This is almost more of a "musical" instrument than simply a guitar!

Rosette, Headstock and Craftsmanship

The craftsmanship is also meticulous in design and perfectly executed. This has one of the most elegant rosettes we've seen in a very long time – a diamond motif in the mosaic flanked by long-grain bands of a greenish-colored wood called "Flamed Catalpa" (which came from a tree that Antonio and his father harvested 25 years ago in the middle of Zagreb) that sparkles with a 3-D relief effect when viewed at shifting angles of light. The headstock has a rosewood veneer with added ebony relief, which beautifully matches the black rollers and buttons on the Alessi tuning machines. It has a graceful and smooth "slightly" elevated fingerboard for improved left-hand access to the higher positions.

Why "Aroma"?

It took some time for us to receive this guitar from Antonio after he took his prize in Granada, as he did some additional reinforcing of the back and sides with Spanish cypress and some finish touch-up before sending it to us. So although built in 2025, it was really "completed" in 2026! Antonio has named this guitar "Aroma" – after the very fragrant cocobolo and Spanish cypress (interior), which, due to their strong scent, gave Antonio the feeling that this strong flavor was somehow transmitted to the sound... so, in essence, it also sounds "aromatic"! Overall a fabulous guitar by all measures, this will easily satisfy the needs and wishes of any professional player.

Photos of this guitar taken during construction and while on display at the 2025 Antonio Marín Montero competition

Antonio Zwirn: A Family Workshop in Zagreb Since 1894

Antonio Zwirn comes from a family business established in 1894 – the oldest luthier workshop in Croatia that is still active. The name comes from his paternal grandmother's side of the family, hence the name "Stjepan M. Gilg" on his labels. Antonio's own journey in lutherie started in his teenage years (the late 1990s) as an apprentice in the Zagreb workshop of his late father, Velimir Zwirn, where they made all kinds of Croatian folk instruments, mandolins and more, and also did restoration and repair work.

Classical Guitars Inspired by Friederich and Wagner

In 2009 Antonio began to focus specifically on classical guitar making, with the tutelage and support of his father, finding his primary inspiration in the instruments of Daniel Friederich and Gernot Wagner. He remains focused on the never-ending pursuit of refining his sonic and aesthetic identity with each guitar he makes.

Prize Winner in Granada

After several years of working at his craft, Antonio was awarded Second Prize in the classical guitar category at the prestigious VIII Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition held in Granada, Spain, in July/August 2025.