Sylvain Balestrieri - 2025
Sylvain Balestrieri - 2025
Overview
Overview
About the luthier
After graduating in classical guitar, Sylvain Balestrieri pursued further studies at the École Normale de Musique de Paris, immersing himself deeply in both performance and craftsmanship. He gained valuable experience in renowned London workshops, including Andy’s Guitar and Graham Noden, before founding his own workshop in Grenoble in 2008. There, he focuses exclusively on building a single concert model and restoring fine antique instruments. His annual output is limited, with a waiting list of several years, reflecting his philosophy of quality over quantity.
Sylvain’s work is rooted in the French lutherie tradition, shaped by the influence of Robert Bouchet, Daniel Friederich, and Dominique Field. In the spirit of Friederich, Sylvain pursues a scientific and precise approach to guitar making. He meticulously measures the density, weight, and deformation under compression of each soundboard, both longitudinally and transversely, at various stages of construction. This analytical process enables him to produce guitars of consistent quality while continually pushing the boundaries of his craft.
About the guitar
This 2025 concert guitar reflects Sylvain Balestrieri’s mission to unite the rich tonal tradition of French lutherie with the power, projection, and responsiveness demanded by modern concert stages. At the heart of this instrument is a spruce top supported by Sylvain’s own diamond-shaped bracing system, inspired by the traditional 7-fan layout. Designed to optimize the stiffness-to-weight ratio, this system allows for a thinner, more responsive soundboard, offering longer sustain, enhanced projection, and excellent sensitivity to the player’s touch.
The back and sides are reinforced with a complex internal structure. The back features nine braces, tall and slim, arranged transversely to enrich the upper harmonics while remaining lightweight enough to allow high-frequency resonance. The sides follow a similar philosophy: instead of doubling, Sylvain uses an intricate yet light bracing layout that promotes clarity, voice separation, and resonance across the frequency range. This compartmentalized design enhances polyphonic texture and tonal depth, much like how segmented walls in a concert hall enhance acoustics.
Tonally, the guitar is colorful and lyrical, with excellent separation between voices and effortless projection. It performs with remarkable consistency across all dynamic levels, making it ideal for both expressive solo work and intricate polyphony. The use of stainless steel frets contributes not only to longevity but also adds a subtle brilliance, particularly noticeable in the upper register.
Equally striking is the guitar’s visual refinement. Sylvain considers form and sound to be inseparable in artistic expression. The instrument features harmonious proportions throughout, from the elegantly contoured body to the cohesive headstock design. The understated rosette, made from black and white elements, forms a seamless visual dialogue with the purfling and is complemented by tuning buttons made of polished black buffalo horn. Up close, the attention to detail is remarkable: purfling strips worked to just 0.18 mm, a herringbone motif executed on a fine scale, and double dot rings of 0.3 mm veneers. Each detail is crafted to achieve unity, balance, and grace, both acoustically and visually.
Take a look at the presentation video of this special guitar below, where you’ll find plenty of additional information about its playability and sound.
| Luthier: | Sylvain Balestrieri |
| Construction year: | 2025 |
| Construction type: | Traditional |
| Top: | Spruce |
| Back and sides: | Indian rosewood |
| Finish: | French polish |
| Air body frequency: | G / G# |
| Scale: | 650 mm |
| Nut: | 51 mm |
| Weight: | 1820 grams |
| Tuners: | Klaus Scheller |
| Strings: | Knobloch - EDC 34.0 |
| Condition: | New |
| Case: | Hardshell |
Details about GPSR:
Classical Guitar
Sylvain Balestrieri
Siccas Guitars GmbH, Roonstr. 31, 76137 Karlsruhe, Germany, www.siccasguitars.com, info@siccasguitars.com
Note: For antique guitars, the GPSR does not apply.
Video overview
While this one is sold, these are ready for you
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Classical Guitar
The classical guitar, with its soft nylon strings and characteristic timbre, has become a symbol of chamber music, Spanish tradition, and concert repertoire. Its modern form was shaped by Antonio de Torres in the 19th century, setting the standard for the body, fan bracing, and the 65-centimeter scale length that are still used today. Instruments in this category open up a rich palette from the refined Romantic miniatures of Tárrega to the majestic concertos of Rodrigo. Here you will find guitars that preserve historical continuity and at the same time inspire new interpretations.Look all products of the collection -
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