On Sunday a package arrived here that looked like it could have traveled to China and back and still arrived safely. The reason for my first thank you -- the care you took in wrapping Renata.
After I opened the package, there she lay, more beautiful than ever. Please thank Domingo and the other luthiers for their skill and then yourself, for the care, devotion, and expense you put into building her. A few months ago you wrote "we will make this come out better than before" and you are certainly a man of you word. She is perfect.
Just waiting to be held and loved. The reason for my second thank you.
I tuned her and then let her rest and get acclimated to our humidity and today I will let my fingers accustom themselves to her specifications, which will be a loving task, but one I will approach with humility. I can see that she has a sweet side, but there is a boldness about her. I will have to over come my timidity to approach her courageously. This is the reason for my third thank you.
You see in taking on Renata I will have to grow and learn. Move out of my comfort zone. I have already learned a lot from you. You are a great man and l call our acquaintance one of the great treasures of my life. I have nothing to offer you but my prayers and you can count on a daily rosary forever for your family, your concert tour, your business, your health...
Please ask Belén to give you two huge hugs, one from Renata and then one from me.
Love,
Sister Barbara
bbambergerihm <at> gmail <dot> com
July 31, 2018, PA, USA
Bruce, Boise, ID, USA
Hello Renato,
Regarding Aphelia the beautiful Bubinga:
She is so beautiful and so well made -that alone would be reason for praise.
After playing her every day now for a month, I feel that Aphelia is a beautiful work of craftsmanship, art and performance.
I have come to understand that she has great character. From the very first, I could hear magnificent resonant lows; and her trebels were clear like the most beautiful of bells, but over time I have learned more. When alternating between playing her and my other guitars during one session, I have become very aware that she is different -and that she is very much superior.
Her sustain is spectacular and lasting, yet ghost notes are not an issue and that is not something I can say about my other guitars. Renato, your double-top construction technique is awesome.
Typical of a truly great instrument, her sounds are very much her own: spectacular and true, and yet uniquely hers -simply put, it makes me smile every time I have played her. When I set her down to play other guitars, I miss her.
I am very glad that I decided to order this guitar from you; it was a month in ship time to Boise but now I know it was well worth the wait. I also know what a really well-made, hand-made guitar can be; and no guitar I have ever held even comes close to being as good as Aphelia.
Renato, thank you again. You are an honest and amazing Maestro, and your guitar is far better than any I have ever touched.
The work of your hands is amazing and it is good that you dedicate this work to the Glory of the God.
Best regards, Bruce Hedge, Boise, Idaho
Renato, you may edit and use any part or parts of my email as a reference or testimonial.
Bruce, Boise, ID, USA,
Bruce is retired CEO of National Tech Labs, Inc., his life and forte for many decades was quality-control assembly and infinite fine-tuning of inventions. God only knows how much your review means to me.
bfhedge <at>netzero<dot>com
S.D.G.
April 14, 2018
Jose Velez, USA
Maestro: Llegó "Campana" y estoy sumamente complacido. Ha sido Ud. paciente y sumamente desprendido. La primera impresión es que la guitarra es espectacular. Sobre todo me gusta el sonido. La maquinaria comparada con la otra guitarra es como montarse en un Mercedes después de estar en un Chevy. Mucho mas fácil de tocar que la otra guitarra, la forma del brazo, el diapason, en fin estoy encantado de la vida. Lo otro es que le había cambiado el estuche y la mando Ud. en el de cuero repujado, y me he quedado de una pieza, es una obra de arte. Estoy de prisa, pero solamente quería decirle que llego La Campana, sana y salva. Después me comunico con mas calma. Como decía Don Pedro Vargas: "Muy agradecido, muy agradecido, muy agradecido".
Un abrazo, Jose
javelez6249<at>bellsouth<dot>net
PD. Informele a Roberto que estoy mas que agradecido y admirado de la calidad de su trabajo.
Gonzales, LA, USA, March 7, 2018
Debra, Grayson, KY, USA
The mail lady delivered the case & she wanted to stand & talk, normally I do too, but not today ! I wanted her to leave so I could open the case.... lol I very carefully peeled back each layer & I finally got to see a master piece. It is amazing. Thank you, thank you. I will do my best to keep it a secret until Christmas. Now my only problem is when are you flying here to re-wrap it?? Ha Ha I'll probably keep it hidden until he has opened all presents & just throw a huge blanket over it & have my husband carry it out. I am so glad I randomly found you on the internet. You have made my day & will make my son's Christmas!
Debra, USA
debragordon@windstream.net
Debra, August 21, 2017
Prof Dan Flickstein, Augst 21st, 2017
Dear Renato,
I hope you and yours are healthy and happy. Have been in Colorado for a month now. Can't imagine what it would have been without my newest Bellucci addition. It sounds as beautiful as it looks. After playing it the other night I said to my wife that our entire apartment seemed filled with guitar music, and she agreed. I miss all my other Bellucci's, but I'll have to wait until October to hold and play each one. When we get home we will take a good photo of those wonderful guitars for your web site.
Of course it goes without saying that the guitar was delivered today. It is beautiful and worth far more than what I paid for it. The sound is beautiful, but I have not had an opportunity to do it justice, yet. My very grateful thanks for the more than expected work which you have done. I am overwhelmed. All the Best.
Mike Sigman
mikesigman < at > earthlink < dot >.net
Mike Sigman, Durango CO, USA
Prof. Dan F., Nov 4, 2016
Renato,
Although the guitar did not arrive in your usual crate, the packaging was excellent. A thin layer of wood on front and back of the case was surround by thick foam, with packaging paper and plastic to top it off - very secure. I'd say that this guitar is the most beautiful I own, except I can't because I own six other Bellucci's. Two are cocobolo, two are Brazilian rosewood, one is Hawaiian koa, and one is tamarind. It is impossible to say which is most aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It's a matter of individual taste. This is the first guitar I have ever owned which has inlay on the fretboard. It is stunning, but I'll need to adapt to it while playing.
In my eagerness, I tuned and played her already. I love its sound. We have artwork on all of our walls, much of it done by my wife, who is a fine water-colorist. But we have other types of art as well. Some of our furniture is also artistically created.
I wish I lived in a climate which allowed me to display my guitars you designed. They are each artistically created, and I play each with equal time and love. They motivate me to become a better guitar player. I do not refer to myself as "guitarist" because I am an amateur who plays for his own enjoyment. But part of every day of my life is spent playing music on the instruments I have obtained from you. They each bring me great joy. If I could only look at them and were unable to play, I would experience joy. My classical guitar teacher (a true guitarist) is coming for a visit in about six weeks. I can't wait to show him my Belluccis. He will make them sound as good as they look. Thank you for another masterpiece.
The 7-Strings guitar has arrived on Saturday! It was a great surprise to get her already and it made my weekend. She is absolutely beautiful and I am looking forward to getting to know her, getting used to playing seven strings...
I will send a picture and a recording soon. Thank you very much for this outstanding masterpiece: true guitar artwork.
The Tiger I have now been playing for about half a year and it has developed impressively in these months. Everybody loves the warm and rich sound and clear treble. I planned time for recordings during the Christmas break and am looking forward to it.
With my best regards, Marius
--
Dr. Marius Messerli
Hanflandstrasse 91
8125 Zollikerberg
You were right - neither photos nor words do her justice. I won't even try. I played her this AM, and loved her sound. She will occupy a place in my home and in my heart with the five other Bellucci guitars I own.
If I continue to visit your web site, I may ultimately run out of room in my house. I will continue to sing your praises. Thank you.
Dan professor flick < at > aol <dot >com
Dan F., USA, August 2, 2016
Marius, Switzerland
Dear Renato,
The Tiger has arrived yesterday. It is a true masterpiece, very beautiful and a very clear sound!
I am happy to start playing her. Here is a little thank you video from Switzerland:
Oh my goodness. She is so beautiful I can't even believe it! You're such an amazing artist and craftsman, God has truly given you a wonderful gift. I just want you to rest assured I will take such good care of her, and I know I will enjoy playing her for the rest of my life. The wood is so gorgeous, and all the special "pretty things" you added to her, the rosette, the purfling, or trim around the edges, the tuners, everything!! Wow. My mind is completely blown. Oh yes, and also, the case. That is the most amazing case I have ever seen, truly worthy of the guitar inside. Really, I'm at a loss for words. It's everything you said she was and more!! In the future I will be back to buy more cases, I have many guitars God has blessed me with. Also, as we said before, sometime I will have you build me a custom guitar with inlay all over the place and other things, but first I must save my money. In the meantime, I will be playing this dream guitar I was so lucky to find on your website. I can't thank you enough for everything. I am truly blessed to have met you. Thank you dear Renato. I wish I could come to Paraguay and shake your hand and give you a big hug.