Sebastiano Fracasso - 2024 Caparbia - 64cm
Sebastiano Fracasso - 2024 Caparbia - 64cm
Überblick
Überblick
About the luthier
Sebastiano Fracasso is an Italian guitar maker who graduated from the Civica Scuola di Liuteria di Milano, where he studied the construction of traditional plucked instruments. He now works in his workshop in Chiampo (Vicenza, Italy). Sebastiano had the opportunity to work directly with masters Roberto de Miranda in Milan and Ennio Giovanetti in his Gropparello (Piacenza) workshop, focusing on the construction and restoration of classical guitars. This experience provided him with a deep immersion in the traditions and knowledge of classical guitar making. Additionally, he collaborated with steel string guitar maker Emanuele Faggion in his Trissino workshop, where he worked on repairs and gained experience with other types of guitars.
About the Guitar
This guitar is crafted with the goal of being lightweight and highly projecting, designed to fill the vast silence of a theater while delivering the tonal quality, colors, and richness sought by both guitarists and listeners. The Alpine spruce soundboard, sourced from Val di Fiemme, is both light and stiff, making it ideal for producing a deep, satisfying sound. Its construction features a five-strut reinforcement system that allows the top exceptional freedom of movement while controlling vibrations with a fan brace system, a thin bridge plate, and a small cedar "supportive bar." This combination enhances projection and creates a resonant, full-sounding top. The back and sides, made from dark and stiff Indian rosewood, are meticulously braced and adjusted to match each panel’s density and dimensions, while the thin, reinforced sides form a rigid yet lightweight structure, ensuring a resonant box that complements the top. The neck, carved in a comfortable C shape, is crafted with attention to wood density and grain direction, offering excellent playability and ergonomic comfort.
Aesthetically, the guitar features a clean, elegant design that reflects simplicity and balance. The rosette is a personal homage to Enrique Garcia, inspired by his mosaic motif resembling an alpine mountain chain, and echoes Garcia’s focus on lightness and refined decoration. This guitar also incorporates lessons and techniques from the luthier’s collaborations with European masters: the plantilla is derived from a 1964 Friedrich studied with Ennio, while the five-strut bracing pattern takes inspiration from a Bouchet built alongside Roberto De Miranda. Combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative ideas, this instrument is the result of the luthier’s dedication to creating a guitar that bridges the past and present, offering superb tonal quality, projection, and playability.
In the words of the luthier, "This is what guided me during the design and building phases of this guitar and this model, Caparbia, which in Italian means 'Stubborn' or 'Stubbornness.' Inside every instrument, I write something special and unique, inspired by the moment. In this particular guitar, I included a text from the mirror of Gabriele D’Annunzio’s house, which I visited this summer at Lake Garda. D’Annunzio, a unique and somewhat eccentric poet, had inscribed on a mirror in his waiting room the words:
‘Al visitatore / Teco porti lo specchio di Narciso? / Questo è piombato vetro, o mascheraio. / Aggiusta le tue maschere al tuo viso / ma pensa che sei vetro contro acciaio.’
This text is fascinating because it is essentially a warning to entering guests, supposedly created just before Mussolini visited the house. It is said that D’Annunzio, through this subtle act of defiance, conveyed that the dictator was not welcome in his home—a brave and risky move for the time. Despite the potential danger, the poet survived the visit, proving that art and imagination can challenge the power of brutality." This blend of history, poetry, and courage adds a layer of meaning to the Caparbia, connecting its craftsmanship to a story of resilience and creativity.
Take a look at the presentation video of this special guitar below, where you will find plenty of additional information about its playability and sound.
Gitarrenbauer: | Sebastiano Fracasso |
Baujahr: | 2024 |
Bauart: | Traditional |
Decke: | Spruce |
Boden und Zargen: | Indian rosewood |
Finish: | French polish |
Eigenresonanz: | F # |
Mensur: | 640 mm |
Sattel: | 52 mm |
Gewicht: | 1480 Gramm |
Mechaniken: | Schaller Grand Tune |
Saiten: | Knobloch - EDC 34.0 |
Koffer: | Hiscox Pro II “Siccas Edition” |























Video Übersicht

