This 2026 Marco Bortolozzo "Furore" is a cedar and Indian rosewood classical guitar made in Portogruaro, near Venice, Italy – the first of Marco's new streamlined concert model, handmade entirely by Marco himself.
The "Furore": A Professional Concert Guitar, Streamlined
The "Furore" is an exciting new model from Italian luthier Marco Bortolozzo, conceived with a very specific goal in mind: to create a professional-quality concert guitar at a more accessible price, without sacrificing the sound, responsiveness and playability that distinguish his higher-end instruments. Drawing upon his background in industrial design, Marco approached this project with the philosophy that a well-designed functional object should achieve the highest possible quality through the most efficient means of production. In the case of the Furore, this means eliminating unnecessary ornamentation and simplifying certain aspects of construction, while preserving everything that contributes to the instrument's musical performance.
Importantly, the Furore is not a factory-made or student-level instrument. Every guitar is built entirely by Marco himself in his workshop, without the use of prefabricated components, and receives the same meticulous attention to sound and playability as his more elaborate creations. The savings are achieved through a more streamlined design and construction process, rather than compromises in craftsmanship. As Marco puts it, the idea is to remove everything unnecessary and concentrate on what matters most: the sound.
Built on the 1937 Hauser I Segovia Guitar
The design itself is rooted in one of the most celebrated classical guitars ever made: the Hermann Hauser I instrument built for Andrés Segovia in 1937. Marco employs the same fundamental body geometry, drawing upon a design renowned for its balance, clarity and musical versatility. The Furore features traditional fan bracing and is offered with either a spruce or cedar soundboard (this particular guitar being the cedar version, of course!), paired exclusively with Indian rosewood back and sides. Its understated appearance reflects the philosophy behind the model: an elegant, purposeful instrument in which musical performance takes precedence over decorative extravagance.
Sound and Playability
In terms of sound and playability, this guitar is an absolute delight. Exceptionally lightweight and responsive, it has a wonderful sense of physical resonance, with a noticeable "pulsation" through the back that connects directly with the player's body, creating an unusually intimate and engaging playing experience. The instrument feels remarkably agile under the fingers, responding effortlessly to subtle changes in tone color, articulation and dynamics, giving the player an exceptional degree of expressive control. The cedar top produces a rich, thick and satisfying sound, yet the fundamental remains clearly defined, preserving excellent clarity, separation and balance across the registers. The setup is extremely comfortable, and the guitar has an effortless quality that makes it a genuine pleasure to play. Despite its more economical design philosophy, there is nothing modest about its musical capabilities.
Why "Furore"?
Even the name "Furore" has special significance. It comes from the Italian title of John Steinbeck's celebrated novel The Grapes of Wrath, and is a word that conveys tremendous energy, intensity and passionate conviction. For Marco, it captures the spirit of this project perfectly: a guitar stripped down to its essentials, yet conceived with all the passion and ambition of a first-rate concert instrument.
The result is a particularly compelling offering from one of Italy's most creative contemporary guitar makers: a fully handcrafted concert guitar with a distinguished historical foundation, a refreshingly straightforward aesthetic and a price that makes Marco's work accessible to a wider range of serious players. We are delighted to introduce this new model and look forward to many more!
