Montina Guitars: lutherie that innovates

The operational philosophy of Montina Guitars, officially inaugurated in 2021 in Udine, represents the pragmatic and technological evolution of contemporary Italian lutherie. Marco Montina converted his childhood dream of ‘being an inventor’ into a rigorous work methodology. Since adolescence, the experience gained in his home garage—dismantling appliances and assembling racing bicycle frames from special alloys—shaped a forma mentis oriented toward precision material processing.

Trained in the construction and restoration of plucked instruments in Milan, Montina entered the market seeking to differentiate himself. He specialized in plucked instruments and the 100% manual construction of bespoke classical guitars, alongside electric models designed through CNC automation. The guitar is understood as a complex acoustic machine in which design, proprietary lines, and material innovation coexist to guarantee maximum performance and longevity, both in the recording studio and on stage.

The collection

Every Montina guitar is developed entirely in-house, customizing specifications based on the musician’s or collector’s repertoire, playing style, and biomechanical needs:

• Bespoke Classical Guitars, Ànemoi Line: High-end concert instruments 90% handcrafted. Featuring a proprietary bracing system devised by Montina, they present a soundboard arching structured to maximize the natural resonance of the wood.
• Anemone Model, Extended Range: A 7-string platform with custom configurations, equipped with an innovative internal air circulation system that amplifies its acoustic projection and sound. As a philological and ethical tribute to his homeland, the inside of the body houses engravings of poetry in the Friulian language.
• Katana Model, Ergonomic Series: The first guitar in the world to implement a neck-body joint entirely 3D-printed in-house using recycled polymer waste. Conceived with markedly ergonomic shapes, it is designed for serial production that maintains the character of an artisanal artifact.
• Custom Electric Guitars: Solid-body instruments processed via CNC machines for high-precision geometric roughing, manually finished, and optimized around the choice of components.

Construction philosophy, techniques, and materials

Montina delves into every aspect of his creations with a scientific approach.

When selecting tonewoods (such as local Spruce from Val di Fiemme, Cedar, Rosewood, and Ebony), Montina scientifically calculates three fundamental physical parameters for optimal sound wave propagation: specific weight, cell density, and longitudinal-transverse stiffness.

In 2021, Montina filed his first patent concerning a revolutionary neck-body attachment system, the super rapid neck removal system. This mechanism allows for the complete removal of the neck by loosening just one screw, while ensuring perfect alignment, structural rigidity, and controlled vibrational transfer without insertion loss, drastically facilitating instrument transport for touring musicians.

Consistent with his experience in competitive composite materials, the luthier integrates the use of noble local woods like Walnut with advanced structural composites, 3D-printed components, titanium, and ultra-high modulus fibers like Dyneema (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene), selecting each element exclusively for its mechanical properties and tangible contribution to the instrument’s stability.

Collaborations and recognitions

Marco Montina’s prestige is evidenced both by official recognitions, such as his inclusion in the Ministry of Education’s Book of Excellences for his mechatronic projects with special alloys, and by the international market’s response. In a short time, the global word-of-mouth generated on social channels has saturated the workshop’s production capacity, pushing the waiting list for an order to up to a year and a half. The brand has become a benchmark for a transoceanic clientele of professional musicians and enthusiasts.