R.A. Raoul Aldrovandi Luthiery

The Guitars of R.A. Liuteria

R.A. Liuteria is the artisanal workshop founded by Raoul Aldrovandi in Budrio, near Bologna. After extensive experience in artistic woodwork—from sculpture to traditional carpentry—Raoul discovered a passion for the classical guitar and decided to dedicate himself to luthiery, shaping his technical identity between the Spanish school and contemporary scientific approaches.

His journey began with teachings from master luthier Pablo Requena, evolving through the study of techniques by Garrone, Cuzzucoli, and Trevor Gore, achieving a refined balance between artisanal intuition and rational analysis. This results in a slow, conscious, and deeply personal production: instruments that speak with the voice of wood, designed to resonate in harmony with the musician.

The Collection

R.A. Liuteria produces custom classical guitars in limited runs. Each guitar is the result of focused study and entirely handmade construction, where every element—from curves to bracing—is designed to ensure an acoustic outcome consistent with the artisan’s sonic vision and the musician’s needs.

Construction Philosophy, Techniques, and Materials

Raoul’s philosophy is a meeting of tradition and innovation. Classical techniques are respected—such as French polishing with natural resins—but integrated with a scientific approach in design: measuring flex, monitoring soundboard frequencies, targeted distribution of stiffness and weight.

Each guitar is built entirely by hand, with no prefabricated components. Materials are chosen based on rigorous acoustic criteria, especially the soundboard, selected for physical parameters like density, stiffness, and tap tone. For the neck, back, and sides, precious woods like mahogany, cedar, rosewood, wenge are used, but Raoul is also open to using sustainable domestic woods. Currently, a new model with radial bracing is under development, designed to offer a more modern tone.

Collaborations and Recognitions

R.A. Liuteria collaborates with the renowned international dealer Siccas Guitars, a reference point for high-end classical guitars. Despite the project’s young age, the rigorous approach and evolution of the fan bracing model are already attracting interest from an increasingly discerning and demanding audience.

Direct Experience

Although the workshop is not open to the public, Raoul’s approach involves close dialogue with clients: from material selection to defining the desired sonic response, each guitar is born from direct interaction, based on listening and shared vision.