Raffaele Dantone 2025
NEW ARRIVAL

Raffaele Dantone: a talented young guitar maker with a voice of his own, who grew up and works in the northern part of Italy, in Trentino, among mountains and tonewood.

Raffaele Dantone is one of the most outstanding guitar makers of the new generation in Italy in our opinion, and one who stands out especially for us at Madera. We are impressed by his instruments, his aesthetic sensibility, and above all, his innate talent for guitar making. Despite his youth, his meticulous craftsmanship —as can be seen in the images— and natural inclination for precision and detail are qualities we deeply value in a guitar maker. This constant pursuit of perfection is, for us, an essential hallmark.

His guitars radiate aesthetic balance, the result of a coherent approach to every aspect of the instrument. The selection of tonewoods, in perfect harmony with the ornamental elements, results in a visually striking guitar. The original rosette, in particular, is a superb example of his dedication: crafted with mastery, it brings solidity and character, conveying a visual strength that aligns not only with the identity of the instrument, but even with its sound. It is a rosette with coherence and presence—one that speaks the same language as the guitar as a whole.

Dantone hails from Trentino, in the heart of the northern Italian mountains, a region known for producing some of the finest tonewoods used in guitar making, spruce. Growing up among these ancient trees seems to have given him a special sensitivity toward the material he works with. Wood is part of his environment, part of his daily life, and that deep connection with nature is reflected, in some way, in his guitars. There is a tangible link between the landscape that has surrounded him since childhood and the way he transforms wood with his hands. His work conveys that intimacy with the raw material, that reverence for its essence and beauty.

The quality of the woods he uses is another of the defining virtues of Dantone’s work. His selection of top-grade materials—as clearly seen in the images—extends to every part of the instrument, always in line with the refined and distinctive aesthetic he strives to impart in each of his guitars. Particularly noteworthy, in our opinion, is his choice of purfling for this particular MADERA guitar, where he has incorporated satinwood—a wood that adds a subtle yet elegant visual accent—beautifully combined with the ebony binding. This subtle detail elevates the guitar, giving it even more character and a unique beauty. The satinwood can also be seen on the central part of the head, continuing the visual harmony that runs throughout the instrument—between its various aesthetic elements: rosette, bridge, purfling, binding, head, and wood. This subtle yet impactful satinwood purfling choice once again highlights the creativity, originality, and personal vision that Dantone has so successfully infused into this instrument. On that note, what a remarkable job and level of precision Dantone has achieved in the construction of the bridge—one of the most challenging parts of the guitar to craft. The perfection Raffaele has attained here clearly shows his great mastery and the skill of his hands.

From a tonal perspective, Dantone has achieved an instrument with generous projection and very good balance. He has managed to sculpt a sound full of nuance, with a rich palette of colors and a dynamic range that allows the performer to explore their expressiveness freely. It is a guitar that responds, that communicates, that invites you to play due also to its exceptional playability.

Its structural foundation is inspired by the Hauser tradition, both in plantilla (template), bracing, and overall construction. Yet Dantone’s personality is already clearly evident: his aesthetic vision and tonal quest give rise to a distinctive signature that is beginning to take shape as a true “Dantone tone”—a character of its own that excites us.

This is a modern guitar, conceived for the concert hall, with powerful projection that does not compromise the beauty or expressiveness of the traditional Spanish sound. We love the approach Raffaele Dantone has taken to define his Spanish Traditional approach and style: clear, determined, and deeply musical.

Dantone has established himself as one of the most promising names among Europe’s young guitar makers—a talent that is already a reality and one that will undoubtedly continue to make waves in the years to come. His work has been received with enthusiasm by musicians and professionals who have had the chance to play his guitars, and we feel fortunate to accompany his journey here at Madera.

Raffaele wrote for us at MaderaGuitarras.com:

“I was born in Bolzano in 1993, and I currently live in the Fassa Valley, in the heart of the Dolomites Mountains. Growing up surrounded by forests, I naturally developed a passion for woodworking.

After working for a few years as a carpenter, I attended a guitar-making workshop with luthier Mirko Borghino, where I built my first classical guitar. That experience sparked something in me, and I decided to enroll in the Civica Scuola di Liuteria in Milan.

After completing my studies, I joined luthier Daniele Marrabello in his workshop, where I spent several years refining my construction techniques and attention to detail.

Today, I work independently in my own workshop in the Dolomites.”