Guitar Salon International
+1 (310) 586.1100 | +1 (877) 771.4321
Museum
Classical Guitars
Classical Guitars
Flamenco Guitars
Flamenco Guitars
Cleveland Collection
Cleveland Collection
Luthiers
Luthiers
Your Cart

Your shopping cart is empty!

Sub-Total: $0.00
Total: $0.00
Edit cart
Checkout
Sold - SKU: GUCLLIC-07803 - Valerio Licari

2021 Valerio Licari "Classical Zen - Fusion" SP/MP

Year 2021
Top Spruce
Back & Sides Maple
Scale Length 650 mm
Nut width 48 mm
Finish Lacquer
Country Italy
Condition New
Exchange ExchangePlus
Luthier Valerio Licari
Do you want to try this guitar?

$6,500.00

- Sold
Applicable sales tax and shipping charges will be added at checkout.
Description

Inspired by Stradivarius violin making and the Italian style of artisanship, Valerio Licari employs both the use of mathematical, geometric proportions and a simple and minimal design aesthetic for this model. One of the more notable features is the double soundhole system fitted in the upper reaches of the upper bout. The theory behind this design is that the positioning of the soundhole(s) as far as away from the bridge area leaves a larger vibrating surface of soundboard area – indeed in the 1920s, Francisco Simplicio made use of this design, as have several contemporary makers for precisely the same reasons. See this article for a photo of Simplicio’s 1929 example, as well as what looks like a black and white X-ray rendering (called an interferometric holographic analysis), which demonstrates how vibration does not reach the upper bout area of the soundboard. This guitar sounds excellent either plugged in or even played acoustically, in either case they have a balanced sound and rich sustain. Licari builds these with a Piezo undersaddle pickup and contact mic, and the pickup system plugs into a Phantasma EQ controller by Acus Sound Engineering. This is the "Fusion" version of this model due to the narrower neck and lower action. Overall, this is perfect for the gigging musician needing amplification who seeks a natural nylon sound with no feedback.

Photos of this guitar being built.

Videos

2021 Valerio Licari "Classical Zen - Fusion" SP/MP

Baden Powell's "Só Por Amor" performed by Ashley Lucero on a 2021 Valerio Licari “Classical Zen”

2021 Valerio Licari "Classical Zen - Fusion" SP/MP

Isaias Elpes performs his composition "Elephant" on a 2021 Valerio Licari “Classical Zen”

Description

Inspired by Stradivarius violin making and the Italian style of artisanship, Valerio Licari employs both the use of mathematical, geometric proportions and a simple and minimal design aesthetic for this model. One of the more notable features is the double soundhole system fitted in the upper reaches of the upper bout. The theory behind this design is that the positioning of the soundhole(s) as far as away from the bridge area leaves a larger vibrating surface of soundboard area – indeed in the 1920s, Francisco Simplicio made use of this design, as have several contemporary makers for precisely the same reasons. See this article for a photo of Simplicio’s 1929 example, as well as what looks like a black and white X-ray rendering (called an interferometric holographic analysis), which demonstrates how vibration does not reach the upper bout area of the soundboard. This guitar sounds excellent either plugged in or even played acoustically, in either case they have a balanced sound and rich sustain. Licari builds these with a Piezo undersaddle pickup and contact mic, and the pickup system plugs into a Phantasma EQ controller by Acus Sound Engineering. This is the "Fusion" version of this model due to the narrower neck and lower action. Overall, this is perfect for the gigging musician needing amplification who seeks a natural nylon sound with no feedback.

Photos of this guitar being built.
Background
Valerio Licari was born in Rome, Italy, in 1981. As a teenager, his musical studies began with the classical guitar but he later learned to play other styles including acoustic fingerstyle, blues and ragtime, and eventually even started taking violin lessons. His academic work was entirely focused on music, including work in ethnomusicology, musical art and performance. He even enrolled in the International School of Violin Making "Antonio Stradivari" in Cremona and did an internship in bow making, ultimately receiving his diploma from this respected institution. In 2012, after working for six months as guitar wood production manager at Tonewood International in Cremona, he moved to Malaga, Spain, for a six-month apprenticeship with classical guitar maker Daniele Chiesa. It was at this time that he decided to settle in Spain - in order to more deeply study its traditional methods in classical and flamenco guitar making. He set up his workshop in Granada where he has remained until late 2019, when he decided to move back to his come country of Italy.

Feel free to contact us with any questions. It’s what we’re here for!

Guitars by Valerio Licari