Scharpach Classical Guitar Maker - Luthier

Classical guitar builder Theo Scharpach has established the atelier of ScharpachGuitars in 1975.
Since 2001 the guitar maker Menno Bos works together with Theo Scharpach and runs the daily business of the workshop. This partnership has become very beneficial for the further development of SCHARPACHguitars. Since 2004 the production of exclusive handmade guitars had been focused on classical concert guitars and archtop construction.

Classical Guitar Maker Theo Scharpach

Classical Guitar Maker: Theo Scharpach

Theo Scharpach is born near Vienna, Austria. He has been a classical guitar maker for more then 25 years.
Currently, the workshop is in Groessen, the Netherlands. Theo is educated in the fine art of wood handcrafting. In addition, he also graduated as an antique furniture restorer.

“Over the past 25 years, I have searched in every new instrument, again and again, to develop a unique quality and improvement of sound. Our atelier now presents the result of a long time research for improvements, a journey that still continues, connecting acoustic science with our creative working method.

In a particular way, I feel connected with the approach of the artists/artisans of the renaissance, who did not accept knowledge as granted. They truly had an open mind that helped them to connect Art with Science without loosing Creativity. My mind is always restless and filled with curiosity, with an excited feeling inspiring the creation process during the making of a new instrument. I feel simultaneously an old world style luthier and a progressive modernist.

My quest is a desire to develop the unusual, by searching for improvements of the acoustic and aesthetic design of the modern guitar. The result should be an engaging experience and discovering journey for the player to communicate with music. I truly hope that my devoted approach may unveil the beauty of this instrument by presenting great power however such with great subtlety.

I am convinced that it is possible to develop the art of classical guitar making. If I would truly not believe that, I would never have started my workshop. This is not without respect for those before me. They have inspired me and now challenge me to try to be better. I believe that it is possible to develop powerful instruments however without the loss of their original beauty: the colourful richness of subtle sounds and deep warm voice the guitar originally has.

I am pleased that our brand presents a guitar that delivers a recognizable, high quality and unique sound.”

“I am most grateful to all my clients of the past, for putting their trust into my hands.
You educated me and helped me to develop my incredible career. Thank you so much!”

Guitar Maker Menno Bos

Classical Guitar Builder: Menno Bos

Guitar builder Menno Bos grew up among church organ and choral singing. As such, the guitar is not the most obvious instrument you would expect him to be attracted to. Menno was about 16 years old before he was touched by the sounds of the classical guitar. The fascination is probably due to the intimate character and the innumerable possibilities of sound colours that this instrument is able to produce.

Menno started the study of playing the classical guitar with full dedication. After some years of private lessons Menno studied at the conservatorium in Arnhem where he concluded his schooling successfully in 1987.
During this study he was absorbed in the historical development and the structure of the instrument.
The moment he took the chisel in his own hands and set off to work by himself might be due to the fact that his father built his own sailing boats.

The type of guitars Menno built before I started to work together with Theo Scharpach are:

  • the vihuela,
  • the baroque guitar,
  • the flamenco guitar,
  • the classical guitar,
  • the acoustic guitar,
  • the acoustic bass guitar,
  • the electric bass guitar and
  • the electric guitar

 

Menno Bos about working with Theo:
“I have worked with Theo Scharpach together now since 2001 and it has been an incredible experience for me. It has never been my intention to improve the guitar as an instrument and I always relied on the experiences of the famous builders. Theo, however, during all the years as a classical guitar maker, has tried to further develop the guitar and he succeeded to give the instruments their own identity and soul without ignoring the history and the experiences of other instrument builders. The hundreds of instruments he has built and his consequently search has constituted a solid basis for the instruments we produce together now.”