testimonials
Luca Waldner's guitars represent one of the highest artistic achievements in the world of guitar making in our day. Within the whole range of contemporary makers of all styles, concepts and tendencies, Waldner's guitars distinguish themselves by their marriage of a real and conscious rediscovery of the sensibilities and skills of the great guitar makers of the past (Torres, above all, who has been the subject of in-depth study by Waldner) and the restlessness of the creative artist who is very much a man of his own times. They are instruments which, be it in the choice of shape, materials or dimensions, have a unique tendency towards “sound”; instruments whose raison d'être, beyond purely hedonistic guitaristic concerns, is to serve the creativity of the performer by those expressive means that music inspires them to, to be able to move forward through the complex drama that is the music.
Luca Waldner is a master luthier and a magician. His restoration of the famous Torres guitar (ex.Torres/Tárrega) is nothing short of a miracle. His love of fine instruments, passion for musical integrity and consummate skills have combined to bring this historical profound and wonderfully voiced instrument back to life.
Luca Waldner's guitars have, in my judgement, apart from their obvious sound qualities, a spirit and personality all of their own. Having recently had the opportunity to play one of them for hours, I had the impression that they, much like princesses in fairy stories, are simply awaiting the kiss of a prince who knows how to bring forth all the magic that is housed therein. Even though they have an “ancient” feel to them, they are in fact, timeless, in much the same way emotions are.
Stefano Aruta
I met Waldner several years ago or so, when I first became interested in the historical handmade guitar thanks to a study he carried out, alongside Grondona, in the book "La Chitarra di Liuteria - Masterpieces of Guitar Making". I got to know his work, to visit his studio in Ponte, and see his dedication and almost mystical attention while studying the sound of the guitar, which he carries out by looking back at the great string instrument makers from the past and trying to remain faithful to an idea that before being constructive, it is poetic. For all of these reasons, I consider him to be one of the most sensitive and true guitar makers now working in the world of handmade guitars and I feel an affinity with his work.
