Giacomo Margiacchi: signature violins and Cremonese tradition

The journey of Giacomo Margiacchi develops as a rigorous synthesis of theoretical disciplines and the highest artisanal manual skills. Entering the workshop by a happy coincidence of life, Margiacchi dedicated himself to lutherie with constancy and passion, leading him to decode the workflows of the great masters of the past. His philosophy defines lutherie as an exquisite combination of physics, mathematics, geometry, chemistry, history, and refined manual skills.

Faithfully following the classical Cremonese method, Liuteria Margiacchi treats the instrument as a dynamic, individual, and customized acoustic machine to express a warm, intense sound endowed with an unrepeatable personality—exactly what a musician seeks in an instrument.

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The catalog and historical models

The production of Giacomo Margiacchi focuses on philological reproduction and direct inspiration from the greatest masterpieces of 18th-century Baroque and classical lutherie, with a portfolio of renowned models:

• Guarneri del Gesù Inspiration: Notable are the reproductions of the legendary “Cannone” Violin (executed in both the one-piece and two-piece back variants), famous for its thrust and dramatic power, alongside the Kreisler, Plowden, Sainton, and Lord Wilton models.
• Antonio Stradivari Inspiration: Models characterized by absolute polyphonic clarity and geometric balance, including “Il Cremonese” Violin, the “Contessa di Polignac”, the “Castelbarco”, and the “Strad” model.
• Other Great Historical Schools: The collection includes replicas taken from Giovanni Battista Guadagnini and Santo Serafin, as well as the Ysaÿe, Aros, Lady Violet, The Big models, and the commemorative “Triennale” model.
• Concert Cellos: Monumental platforms for the low range, represented by the Gore-Booth Cello and the cello built on the Ornati Model.

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Construction philosophy, techniques, and materials

Giacomo Margiacchi focuses his technical attention and experience on respecting the dynamic parameters of organic matter:

• Wood Selection and Acoustic Properties: Margiacchi personally selects only wood with very long natural aging, evaluating its stiffness and density. For the back, ribs, and neck, exclusively Balkan Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) is used—a wood known for its excellent mechanical response and deep figure (flame) that reflects light. For the soundboard (the main vibrating plane), the choice falls on Val di Fiemme Spruce. In terms of acoustic physics, resonance spruce acts as a miracle of natural engineering: it possesses a very low specific weight combined with an extremely high longitudinal modulus of elasticity, properties that allow such a small instrument to compete in terms of projection and sound power with modern amplified instruments.
• Thickness and Dynamic Parameters: Margiacchi highlights that the crafting of the soundboard and back cannot follow fixed industrial thicknesses. Depending on the specific stiffness of that individual piece of wood, the luthier must vary the thickness of the arching down to the millimeter. This process optimizes the resonance frequency of the soundbox, distributing vibrational nodes to avoid the onset of “wolf tones” (spurious resonance frequencies that stifle the note) and ensuring uniform and immediate emission across the entire fretboard.
• 18th-Century Oil Varnishes: A fundamental sector of Margiacchi’s research is dedicated to the formulation and experimentation of oil varnishes. The goal is to emulate the physical characteristics, refraction, and classic colors of 18th-century violins. Unlike industrial polyurethane varnishes, which create a plastic film that “embalms” vibrations, the laboratory-formulated oil varnish penetrates minimally into the surface pores, remaining elastic over time. This elasticity protects the wood from humidity without stiffening it, acting as an acoustic filter that favors the birth of warm, soft, and intense sounds.

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Collaborations

The value and prestige of Giacomo Margiacchi are internationally recognized within elite concert circuits. The second-place win at the Pisogne competition in 2022 serves as an organological seal of quality that positions the brand at the pinnacle of modern bowed instrument production. The meticulous nature of his philological study attracts violinists, violists, and cellists from national and foreign orchestras and conservatories to the workshop, all seeking the exact reproduction of the dynamic responses of historical masterpieces (such as the Strad or the Cannone) adapted to their own playing styles and contemporary solo repertoires.

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Direct experience

Luthier Giacomo Margiacchi works in close contact with the client. The relationship with the musician is configured as an atelier for listening and discussion about the instruments, available by appointment.