2026 Francesco Baccaglion SP/IN

This 2026 Francesco Baccaglion classical guitar, with a spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides, made in Turin, Italy, is the ACTUAL guitar that won First Prize in the classical category at the ninth Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition, held in Granada, Spain, from July 30 to August 1, 2026 – and we are of course thrilled to have it here.

Inspired by Segovia's 1924 Santos Hernández

The instrument was inspired by a Santos Hernández guitar that was built for Andrés Segovia in 1924. After making several replicas of this instrument, Francesco gradually arrived at his own interpretation of the model, making adjustments to certain aspects of the original construction, particularly the bracing of the soundboard and the dimensions of the body. These modifications stem from his desire to preserve one of the qualities he has most consistently found and appreciated in his replicas – the presence of deep, round and powerful basses. At the same time, his aim was to achieve an overall balance in the instrument's voice, so that the response and character of the bass register blend harmoniously with the upper registers.

A Natural-Wood Rosette and a Santos-Shaped Headstock

As for the aesthetic considerations, Francesco has sought to develop a visual language that maintains a connection with the tradition of the classical guitar. The mosaic was conceived from a desire to evoke the traditional mosaics of the early twentieth century. Over the years, he has drawn inspiration not only from the work of Santos Hernández and the great luthiers of his generation, but also from more contemporary makers, allowing these influences to gradually become part of his own personal approach. For the rosette, he uses exclusively natural colors of wood (no dyes), to bring out as much as possible the distinctive characteristics and subtle variations of the natural material itself; it incorporates several species, including sycamore, boxwood, maple, mahogany, ebony and walnut. For the headstock, Francesco has retained the shape used by Santos Hernández, while modifying its proportions and adding a boxwood purfling that helps define and accentuate its lines – a different visual architecture that preserves the characteristic Santos shape.

Sound and Playability: An "Orchestra in a Box"

For playability, the comfortable neck shape combined with the springy responsiveness and openness of the top make it very friendly to the hands. It has a rich palette of tone colors, from creamy tastos to brassy ponticellos, which make it a true "orchestra in a box". Overall a masterful instrument – beautiful and austere in appearance, with a huge, bold (yet also subtle) voice that makes an excellent companion for the player seeking to maximize his musicality.

Francesco Baccaglion: Music and Woodworking in Turin

Francesco Baccaglion was born in Turin, Italy, in 2000, and from an early age had a natural aptitude for working with his hands, together with a strong curiosity and fascination for woodworking. At the same time, music has always played an important role in his family: his father plays several instruments, including the guitar, and as Francesco grew up, his father passed on to him his passion for music and his love of the guitar.

The Accademia di Liuteria Piemontese and Valerio Licari

In 2019, after graduating from high school, Francesco discovered the Accademia di Liuteria Piemontese San Filippo in Turin. He saw in the Academy an opportunity to bring together his two passions, music and woodworking, and enrolled in the two-year course in the construction of plucked-string instruments – initially with the idea of building a guitar for his father. It was during these very intense years that his passion for lutherie took a permanent grip on his vocational aspirations: once the guitar for his father was finished, Francesco simply could not stop building instruments. After completing his studies, he was awarded an internship funded by a foundation, which allowed him to spend six months in the workshop of his latest teacher, Valerio Licari. Today he builds guitars in Turin, and GSI is proud to be Francesco's exclusive dealer in the USA.

First Prize in Granada

In 2026 Francesco won First Prize in the classical guitar category at the prestigious ninth Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition, held in Granada, Spain, from July 30 to August 1, 2026.