I create contemporary classical guitars for discerning musicians.
My instruments are built entirely by hand, individually, in Maffe (Belgium). They are a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary lutherie: lattice bracing for exceptional acoustic sensitivity and expressiveness; an elevated fingerboard and an arm rest for uncompromising playing comfort.
I use wood sourced from sustainably managed forests (FSC, Crelicam ebony) and I prioritize the use of indigenous species such as walnut, maple, cherry, etc.
This is a question of individuality. There is an essential difference between an instrument that comes off a production line and one that is born in the hands of a craftsman.
Even if two planks come from the same tree, each piece of wood is unique in its appearance and physical properties.
Mass production must work with an average, a standardized value for the thickness of the soundboard. The same goes for the bracing. These dimensions are decided beforehand, and they do not change, nor do they adapt to the specific piece of wood that will become a musical instrument. This method is necessary for industry, but it limits the potential of the final instrument.
My work is precisely where the industrial approach stops. I study and measure the wood I have on the workbench. My role is to exploit the precise characteristics of that specific piece to get the best possible acoustic output from it. It is this individual ’listening’ to the wood that allows me to guarantee an instrument that is not only optimized but also tuned to your own sonic desires.
Entrusting the creation of your instrument to a luthier is to ensure it will be shaped to be the natural extension of your hands and the faithful echo of the sonic idea taking shape in your mind (cf. my guarantee of results on the “Shop” page).
Together, we define every detail: the scale length, the neck profile and width, the harmony of the wood species, and all the aesthetic touches that will make this piece a totally personal creation.
It’s the confidence of custom-made work, done with the time and respect that the material deserves.
