Innovative Handcrafted
Acoustic Guitars
“Each new instrument I build is a testament to my dedication to pushing the boundaries of guitar design.”
About the sound
“My life is dedicated to designing and building instruments that serve music, following my inspirations and experimenting with new possibilities without limitations or concerns. I aim to create your perfect guitar—one that feels like an extension of your hands and speaks directly to your soul.”
Giuliano NIcoletti
Iulius Guitars boasts several unique design features, both structural and acoustic.
These instruments masterfully combine traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, resulting in exceptional performance and a truly unique playing experience.
The Seicorde model was awarded the Innovation Prize at the Paris Guitar Festival 2023.
Cantilevered neck
For the best tone, playability and stability over time, I designed the original Cantilevered Neck.
Crafted from a single billet of wood, the neck is directly integrated into the gently radiused upper bout of the soundboard, on the headblock. This design eliminates the heel block, significantly enhancing the guitar body’s structural strength and providing superior access to higher frets.
By cantilevering the design, I also decoupled the fretboard from the guitar’s soundboard, improving its mechanical behaviour.
The sound is balanced and powerful all over the fretboard. A beauty not just to see, but to be played and to be heard.
Drop Port
The asymmetric upper port is maximizing the radiating surface of the soundboard’s monopole, to increase dynamic, responsiveness and expressivity.
The Drop Port also enhance the power at the low end without the typical muddy signature of the standard sound holes, and simplifies positioning of microphones in studio environnment.
External Tuning Slot
An innovation unique on the market, the ETS system tunes the main resonances perfectly between the notes, minimizing wolf notes.
The result is a coherent, harmonic and juicy sound, plenty of sustain and balance across the whole fretboard.
Each Iulius Guitar model includes an individual specification sheet with a frequency response report. This data helps you track the instrument’s evolution and aging, and the ETS system allows for fine-tuning the main resonances to maintain peak acoustic performance.
T-Fan Bracing
The original bracing scheme I developed for my instruments optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio of the soundboard, for a very low equivalent mass of (less then 60 grams for the Orchestra, instead of the 80 grams of a standard X-Braced OM), and an exceptional mobility value of 16 s/Kg (12 s/Kg for a standard OM). The guitar is highly responsive, rich and expressive, while ensuring long-term reliability.
The handcrafted fan-shaped bracing pattern also enhances the amplitude of dipoles and tripoles, resulting in an exceptionally rich spectrum of overtones and balanced response over the first strings.
Each instrument is meticulously tuned using a proprietary process, to avoid wolf tones on all main resonance modes. To offer a consistent sound all over the fretboard and an exceptional sustain at all frequencies.
My journey as a luthier is rooted in both tradition and acoustic engineering.
Discover how acoustic science and intuition come together to shape my guitars.
Michael Watts - Luthier Stories
Discover the Collection
Handcrafted to demand with innovative design solutions, each Iulius guitar blends acoustic science with artistic expression. A unique playing experience.
Orchestra
The Pinnacle of Tone, Playability, and Versatility. Introducing the Orchestra guitar, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and innovation.
Blending timeless craftsmanship with modern innovation to create an instrument that inspires and captivates.
Seicorde
Whether you’re a classical guitarist seeking a modern instrument with enhanced playability or a discerning player looking to expand your sonic palette, the Seicorde offers a captivating blend of tradition and innovation.
Its rich, resonant voice and effortless response make it an ideal companion for both intimate performances and expressive explorations of the nylon-string guitar’s vast repertoire.
Settecorde
With its captivating blend of tradition and innovation, the Settecorde is a testament to Iulius Guitars’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of acoustic guitar design.
It’s an instrument that invites exploration, empowers creativity, and celebrates the rich musical heritage of Brazil.
A micro scraper for a micro bevel.
I love shaping the subtle bevel that wraps around my guitars’ bodies — and this tiny scraper (don’t be fooled by its size!) is perfect for the job. A relaxing and rewarding moment in the build that I’m happy to share with you. 😊
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Measuring the deflection of the soundboard monopole before gluing the bridge gives a clear insight about how these two elements interact to define the final parameters of the most important resonance of the acoustic guitar: the soundboard monopole.
Here is a Lirica body waiting for sound hole binding, in European Spruce and Exotic ebony. ❤️
In this phase the Cantilevered Neck bolt-on neck pocket is not completed yet, but its geometry is very clear in this picture, together with the upper bout soundboard bent, that gives strength to the whole structure.
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#intentionaldesign #acousticguitarworkshop #innovativeguitars #handcraftedguitars #acousticguitars #classicalguitars #madeinfrance #guitarporn #handmadewithlove #scientificmethod #howdoesitwork #acoustics #sounddesign #boutiqueguitars #customshop
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Explore Acoustic Guitar Physics on Iulius Guitars website. From resonators interaction to string harmonics, mechanical impedance, and standing waves. These are some of the tools I use during my acoustic courses, to help visualise abstract concepts and better understand the basics of sound production; available for free on my website, link in bio. 😎
For more in-depth about the guitar`s acoustic theory, grab a copy of my book "Mastering the sound of the acoustic guitar" on @stewmac_guitar catalog, and if you`re interested in a workshop on acoustics and "Intentional Design" check out the workshop calendar on my website; links are in bio.
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#AcousticGuitar #GuitarSimulator #Luthier #GuitarBuilding #GuitarDesign #Acoustics #Physics #Simulation #InstrumentDesign #IuliusGuitars #innovativeguitars #handcraftedguitars #acousticguitars #classicalguitars #madeinfrance #guitarporn #handmadewithlove #scientificmethod #howdoesitwork #acoustics #sounddesign #boutiqueguitars
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Please welcome the Iulius Guitars Flexural Rigidity Calculator, a free engineering tool that quantifies the stiffness of a braced soundboard. Instead of guessing, it allows you to input your specific material properties and dimensions to calculate the exact Flexural Rigidity (EI) of your design.
The app models the plate and bracing as a unified structural section, visualizing the neutral axis and calculating the active mass of the soundboard monopole. It helps luthiers understand the trade-off between geometry and weight, allowing you to optimize for the highest stiffness with the lowest possible mass. 😉
Dive in and explore this and other essential tools on the Luthier Tools page on my website (Link in bio). For more in-depth knowledge on the guitar`s acoustic theory, grab a copy of my book "Mastering the sound of the acoustic guitar" on @stewmac_guitar or check out my workshop calendar for sessions on acoustics and `Intentional Design` (Links are always in bio).
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#intentionaldesign #acousticguitarworkshop #innovativeguitars #handcraftedguitars #acousticguitars #classicalguitars #madeinfrance #guitarporn #handmadewithlove #scientificmethod #howdoesitwork #acoustics #sounddesign #boutiqueguitars #customshop #handmade #luthiery #whatsonyourbench #artistsofinstagram #guitarsofinstagram #woodworkersofinstagram #customguitars #customwoodworking
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Binding my guitars is a complex process, demanding high precision. I use extra-thick binding to accommodate a subtle mini bevel around the entire guitar edge, which makes the material much harder to bend.
The challenge is then amplified by the soundboard curve on the upper bout. The binding must be perfectly shaped to mirror the body`s contour, ensuring a seamless and reliable joint. This external binding alone takes me one full day per guitar... 😳
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Beautiful flamed french walnut back and sides here, and french spruce from the Jura mountains, both from the stock of @le_bois_de_lutherie. Hand selected for their acoustic qualities through my proprietary analysis system, the TPC. More info on the website, links in bio.
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#intentionaldesign #acousticguitarworkshop #innovativeguitars #handcraftedguitars #acousticguitars #classicalguitars #madeinfrance #guitarporn #handmadewithlove #scientificmethod #howdoesitwork #acoustics #sounddesign #boutiqueguitars #customshop #handmade #luthiery #whatsonyourbench #artistsofinstagram #guitarsofinstagram #woodworkersofinstagram #customguitars #customwoodworking
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The Acoustic Guitar Tone Profiler is the missing link between the technical fingerprint of a guitar and its sound signature, specifically designed to perfect complement my courses in acoustics of guitar.
Insert the data of the guitar soundboard`s Equivalent Mass and Stiffness - and the degree of the back activity - to instantly calculate Monopole Mobility and Resonance Frequency. And visualize the instrument in a chart of tyoical playing styles, from fingerpicking to strumming or live applications.
Dive in and explore this and other essential tools on the Luthier Tools page on my website (Link in bio). For more in-depth knowledge on the guitar`s acoustic theory, grab a copy of my book "Mastering the sound of the acoustic guitar" on @stewmac_guitar or check out my workshop calendar for sessions on acoustics and `Intentional Design` (Links are always in bio).
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Many thanks as usual to the one and only @michael.watts.guitar for the lovely tune played on my Orchestra model. 🙂
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#luthier #guitarmaking #guitardesign #acousticguitar #tonewood #toneprofiler #free #intentionaldesign #acousticguitarworkshop #innovativeguitars #handcraftedguitars #acousticguitars #classicalguitars #madeinfrance #guitarporn #handmadewithlove #scientificmethod #howdoesitwork #acoustics #sounddesign #boutiqueguitars
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Custom orders
This is more than a commission, it’s a collaboration. When you choose to build an instrument with me, you’re not just acquiring 250 hours of meticulous craftsmanship and acoustic precision. You’re entering a creative partnership where your musical identity meets my expertise in acoustic design. Together, we’ll explore the principles of sound, using proprietary tools and a deep understanding of lutherie to shape an instrument that resonates with your voice.
This journey isn’t just about creating a beautiful object, it’s about deepening your connection to the music you make.
Acoustic Guitar Design Solutions
Supporting the technical development of the luthier community worldwide.
Webinars, workshop, measurement tools, base knowledge about acoustic guitar design and evaluation.
Sustainability
While Iulius Guitars maintains a small-scale production, I believe in the importance of responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship. I am dedicated to minimizing my ecological footprint by utilizing sustainable materials and adhering to the principles of a circular economy.
