Welcome!

No woman is asleep so soundly that the sound of a guitar wouldn’t lure her to the window.
Spanish proverb

I started my career as a luthier in 1991. Ever since I passed my journeyman's examination in 1995, I have been focusing on the classical guitars, building, repairing and restorating them.

My passion is building classical guitars in various sizes and tunings. As far as strings are concerned, there is no limit! So far, I have built guitars with up to 18 strings, from octave to bass octave guitars.

The following pages offer some insight into my life as a master luthier. You will also find various information on, photography of and news about my work.

We are currently working on the Spanish version of this website which should be available soon.

We hope you enjoy browsing our website.

All the best,
Kerstin and Daniel Zucali

Events and news from
“Gitarrenbau Daniel Zucali” on Facebook:

My wife Kerstin and I will update this platform to keep you informed about interesting concerts and events, as well as my exhibitions and workshop activities.

Instruments

If one day I die, bury me with my guitar under the sands.
Federico Garcia Lorca (1898 -–1936)

Anyone who works in a creative profession, knows the feeling of being connected to his work. Every guitar tells its own story from the very beginning of its existence. My instruments are custom-made and all bear a soul within them.

Since all of my guitars are handmade, it is possible for me to attend to many special wishes of my customers.
I always consider the playing habits and preferences of the individual guitarist. Therefore, to this each instrument is built using the appropriate timber and is individually modified to the players’ desires.

It is best if the guitarist visits my workshop for a detailed discussion before I begin working on his instrument, and upon completion collects it personally so I can make any finishing touches.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are interested in one of my guitars. I appreciate the personal contact with my clients highly.

Elia

... The appropriate full-bodied and well-carrying sound meets any modern requirements and even makes the instrument feel at home in a concert hall.

Aline

Her excellent, far carrying and rich sound fills any concert hall with ease up to the last rows. The ability of varying so many colours of tone and timbre throughout any pitch truly excites ...

Santino

A robust, stage-ready build and fine sound quality characterize this guitar along with it’s unusual and individual sound ...

Multi-stringed guitars

Through intensive preliminary discussions, the number and tune of the strings, the size and shape of the instrument are developed and individual requirements and desires of the player are considered. This way "special" instruments for "exceptional" musicians emerge ...

Special sizes

Besides traditional instruments, there are unlimited possibilities to manufacture instruments specific to the requirements of a guitarist. And ... there are Terz guitars, Baritone guitars, Bass guitars etc., which inspire many musicians to develop new ideas ...

Marketplace

You want to try out a guitar, order one or take it home with you straight away? Come visit me in the Austrian city of Haag ...

Opinions

Without music, life would be a mistake.
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

Many guitarists and friends have known me and my instruments personally for many years. Some of them have also written a few words about these encounters.

Here you can read comments and opinions of various musicians and friends.

Kosho

... Daniel Zucali has done much more than just amplify a nylon-string guitar - he has managed to give the instrument greater strength!

Andrea De Vitis

“It is always a pleasure to play a Zucali, they are very precise instruments with great volume, cantability, a lot of different colours and extremely easy playability ...”

Scott Tennant

“Daniel has to be one of the most creative luthiers I have met. He always dreams up great designs and I always look forward to seeing what he has in store next!”

Stephanie Jones

“Zucali's guitars are full of sound and sport a wide range of exquisite tone colours, ...”

Pavel Steidl

“I consider him to be one of the most original luthiers of his time; he continually surprises me with his enthusiasm and his guitars.”

Simon Riedlecker

“The guitars by Daniel Zucali have enchanted me for various reasons ...”

Joachim Csaikl

Kanahi Yamashita

“The varying transparency of his guitars develop the sound I yearn for ...”

Julio Azcano

“Meeting and getting to know Daniel Zucali was truly inspiring. The results of his remarkable experience are truly excellent instruments.”

Michael Winkler

"The tone-balance and response of both latticed braced guitars from the “Aline Series” are reminiscent of Steinway Concert grand pianos ...”

Duo Siqueira Lima

“It was a great surprise for us to meet the luthier Daniel Zucali ...”

Harold Gretton

“Combining fine craftsmanship with attention to detail and innovative design. He is equally at home with historically inspired instruments, as with modern concert guitars ...”

Claus Boesser Ferrari

“His instruments resonate a distinct and esthetic sound with full body. Very inspiring to me ...”

Cecilio Perera

“The guitars of Daniel Zucali create a sound with depth and expression ...”

Bob Bonastre

“The baritone guitar of Daniel Zucali is one of the most incredible instruments I have ever played ...”

Workshop

... True mastery is in the details and their organic fusion respectively creating harmony between sound construction, the best possible materials, contemporary designs and artisan craftsmanship. Daniel Zucali proves to have it all ...
Franz Holtmann (Akustik Gitarre 2/2011)

”Playing” an instrument already begins while it is being created. In order to achieve the desired result, the instrument maker has to become one with his instrument. While I am conceptualizing the way the instrument will be constructed, and while searching for the right materials, I already identify myself closely with the emerging instrument.

The art of woodworking goes beyond pure structure, acoustics and handicraft. My ”game with the instrument” takes place in a cosy workshop far away from the stress of the city. Taking time for what’s important, feelings from nature and the demands of performance, emotion and music are – all this is incorporated into guitars.

Material

Generally not many things are needed to build a guitar: wood, frets, lacquer, bone, tuning mechanisms and strings.

Guitar building

Anyone who works in a creative and constructive profession knows the feeling being closely connected to his work.

Repairs / Restoration

One important component of my work is repairs and service. Restoration of old instruments is rather rare, yet all the more exciting …

Life

The one who has no music within him, who is not touched by the harmony of sweet sounds is only good for betrayal, robbery and trickery…never trust such a one!
William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

It was clear from my youngest years that my destiny was closely tied to music. With time my talent for handicrafts took over and my ambition to make music fell behind.

However, my fascination with music and everything associated with it finally made me connect my crafty talent and my love for music.

After working as a professional luthier in other workshops, I eventually opened my own workshop. The basis for a life with, and for music, is my ever developing creativity. My qualification as a Master Luthier, and the decision to open my own workshop, have inspired me in this lifelong project.

Daniel Zucali

… I was born in 1977 in the Bregenzer Wald (Vorarlberg, Austria), the second child in a musically oriented family. I was surrounded by music from birth …

Stations

… The world-renowned name of Bubenreuth and its instrument builders finally lured me to Germany. This was a good decision as I was able to absorb all the abilities that are of utmost importance for a luthier …

Inspiration

… from daily breakfast, listening to music, playing with my kids …