Voicing your vision
A Iulius Guitar is born from a dialogue.
It’s a partnership where your musical identity and my knowledge of acoustic design converge. When you commission an instrument, you aren’t just a customer; you become a part of the creative process. Together, we will explore the principles of sound, making choices that shape not just a beautiful object, but an instrument that truly understands you. This journey is about deepening your connection to the music you make.
The Discovery Session
The journey to your signature guitar begins with a formal commitment. A 20% initial deposit secures your place in my build queue and officially initiates our dedicated, one-on-one process. This act of reservation ensures that my time and creative energy are fully devoted to you as we move into the crucial design phase.
With your spot secured, we dive into the heart of the matter. Our Discovery Session is a deep conversation about your playing style, sonic goals, and aesthetic tastes. From there, I craft the Acoustic Blueprint: a detailed specification sheet including the Iulius model, a curated tonewood palette, digital mock-ups, and a final quote for the instrument.
The art of creation
With the blueprint finalized and approved, your project has its place in the build queue. When your slot becomes active, an additional 30% deposit (bringing the total pre-build commitment to 50%) is made. This payment formally dedicates my bench time to your instrument. I then select the specific billets for your guitar from my curated collection of aged tonewoods, and the physical craft—the manual work of shaping your vision—begins.
The Unfolding Dialogue
The 6-8 month build time is not a silent wait. It is an ongoing conversation. You will receive regular photo and video updates, but more importantly, we will discuss the process as it happens. You’ll see how the top is braced and hear how it’s tuned. You’ll learn why a certain wood combination is producing a specific resonance. This continuous exchange not only keeps you informed—it invites you into the luthier’s world, enriching your understanding of the instrument and its acoustic journey.
The Final Voicing & Calibration
Once the construction is complete, the finish is buffed to a perfect shine, and the initial mechanical setup is done, the most crucial stage begins. This is where the instrument transcends craftsmanship and truly becomes a Iulius Guitar.
I undertake the final, meticulous voicing of the instrument after it is fully assembled. Using a deep knowledge of acoustic physics, my proprietary tools, and unique Iulius Guitars innovations such as the ETS (External Tuning Slot) I am able to interact with and refine the guitar’s complete resonant system. This post-assembly tuning allows me to sculpt the instrument’s harmonic response, balance, and sustain with precision—achieving a level of refinement that traditional methods cannot match.
It is this final, signature calibration that imbues the guitar with its soul and defines the Iulius character: a voice that is rich, complex, and exceptionally responsive to your touch.
Following this process, the final 50% balance is settled. Your instrument—now a part of your story and fully awakened—is then securely shipped within a hard case to be defined, a certificate of authenticity and a detailed specification sheet documenting its acoustic profile.
Tonewood Selection
Choose from a selected variety of responsibly harvested and sustainable tonewoods, including French or Italian spruce, walnut, ash, maple, eucalyptus, and more.
Please note that my tonewood selection is based primarily on acoustic criteria. I do not use for my builds endangered species or customer-supplied materials.
Finish options
Select from a range of finishes, dyes, and bursts to personalize the look of your guitar.
Aesthetic combinations
Customize the visual elements, such as inlays and bindings, to create a guitar that reflects your preferences and style.
Neck shape, nut dimensions
Adapt the neck shape and nut dimensions to suit your specific playing needs for optimal comfort and performance.
A beautiful spanish eucalyptus side, French Spruce and nitrocellulose finish.
Additional customizations
While I offer a high degree of personalization, I do not provide unlimited customization of other parameters to ensure the integrity and superior quality of each instrument. My focus is on delivering a guitar that not only looks beautiful but also performs exceptionally.
For any specific requests or further customization options, please contact me directly to discuss your needs.
External Tuning Slot, Cantilevered Neck Cover
These unique features are included in the standard version for every Iulius Guitar model. Under specific request it is possible to simplify the design of the instrument.
Sustainability
At Iulius Guitars, each soundboard is meticulously selected based on aesthetic and acoustic criteria. All materials are individually graded and selected through our proprietary Tonewood Parameter Characterization system, which evaluates the most important mechanical and acoustic parameters, including damping.
My soundboard usually adopt French or Italian spruce, either naturally aged or torrified, chosen through careful analysis of mechanical parameters to ensure the best balance for each instrument. The back of my guitars is also active, contributing significantly to the acoustic projection. Each piece is individually measured and selected for its unique properties.
I prioritize responsibly harvested and sustainable tonewoods. The only tropical species I use are exotic ebony from Cameroon and FSC-certified mahogany from South America. My catalogue also features a beautiful selection of European tonewoods, including walnut, ash, maple, and eucalyptus, all chosen for their mechanical and acoustic properties, stunning appearance, and sustainability.
I do not use endangered species or tonewoods from uncertain sources.
Ordering & Timeline
Custom-commissioned Iulius Guitars start from €16,200 (VAT excluded). The final price is determined by the specific tonewoods, hardware, and any additional custom appointments detailed in your final Acoustic Blueprint and quote.
Your Commission Includes:
A fully bespoke, handcrafted Iulius Guitar, voiced to your vision.
Our one-on-one Discovery Session and Acoustic Blueprint design process.
A curated selection of prestigious, acoustically graded and aged tonewoods.
Regular photo updates and personal dialogue throughout the entire build.
A premium, flight-ready hard case (TDB).
A signed Certificate of Authenticity with your guitar’s full specifications.
- A first servicing and acoustic check after one year of aging of the instrument (excl. roundtrip shipping).
Payment Milestones
The investment is broken down into three clear stages that align with the progress of your instrument:
Reservation & Discovery (20% Deposit): A non-refundable 20% deposit reserves your spot in the build queue and formally begins our one-on-one Discovery Session and acoustic design process.
Commencement of Manual Work (30% Deposit): When your build slot becomes active and the design is finalized, an additional 30% deposit is made (bringing the pre-build total to 50%). This payment formally dedicates my workshop time to your instrument and commences the manual build.
Completion & Delivery (50% Balance): The final 50% balance is due upon the completion of your guitar, prior to the final voicing, setup, and shipping.
Build Timeline
The typical build time for a Iulius guitar is approximately 6 to 8 months, beginning from the commencement of the manual work (Milestone 2). This timeframe is essential to ensure meticulous attention to every detail, proper wood acclimation, and the unhurried voicing process that defines my work.
Warranty
My instruments have a limited 5 years warranty extended to the original owner only. The warranty does not cover any damage due to extremes in humidity or temperature, alterations or modifications, accidents or improper handling and misuse, and normal wear and tear. The cost of roundtrip shipping for warranty work is the responsibility of the owner.
Commission Your Guitar
The journey to your custom instrument begins here. Please provide some details about your desired build, and I will personally get back to you to discuss the project.
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