garda guitars

EST. 2021 | italy

Baritone | Bass | Electric Guitars

Frederico cherubin & filippo pavaN | Co-founders

Close-up of a green Garda electric guitar with a glossy finish, focused on the body, neck, and strings, against a dark background.

In the heart of Italy, where creativity and innovation thrive, Garda Guitars was founded in 2021 by lifelong friends Federico and Filippo. United by their passion for music and design, they set out to craft instruments that embody both the artistry of Italian craftsmanship and a deep respect for the environment.

With Federico’s two decades of experience in fine guitar construction and repair, and Filippo’s background in engineering, 3D design, and global business management, Garda Guitars merges tradition with technology in perfect harmony.

Each instrument reflects its mission to create guitars without compromise—combining elegant design, functional innovation, and eco-conscious materials. Locally sourced woods, recycled components, and sustainable composites come together to produce guitars that not only look beautiful but sing with distinctive tonal character.

From the semi-hollow body construction to the conical neck joint and in-house developed electronics, every detail serves both sound and sustainability. Garda Guitars stands as a true expression of Italian ingenuity—where craftsmanship, design, and environmental responsibility resonate in every note.

“craftsmanship, design, and environmental responsibility resonate in every note.”

Garda Guitars

demo

Italian Craftsmanship in Motion

Renowned bassist Franco Testa introduces the new Garda Benaco 4-String Bass, handcrafted in Italy by Garda Guitars. Discover its semi-hollow resonance, effortless playability, and versatile tone born from sustainable design. A perfect harmony of tradition, innovation, and Italian elegance.

Co-founders

Frederico cherubin

FREDERICO CHERUBIN, smiling with a beard, wearing a leather apron, in a workshop or studio setting.

“Every guitar tells the story of its maker — my goal is to let that story be heard in every note.” 

  • His formal training began at the Civic School of Luthiery in Milan (2006–2010), followed by an overseas apprenticeship in the USA with master builders Steve Spodaryk, Bill Tippin, and Robert Benedetto, refining his expertise in steel-string and archtop guitars. He continued his education under Mirko Borghino of Borghino Guitars and attended numerous seminars with renowned luthiers including Tiziano Rizzi, Enrico Bottelli, Kevin Ryan, and Richard Hooverof Santa Cruz Guitars.

    As both craftsman and musician, Federico bridges art and sound. He holds a degree in Jazz Guitar from the Conservatorio Pollini in Padova and has studied under artists such as Scott Henderson, Robben Ford, and Bob Brozman. His dual mastery as a luthier and player gives Garda instruments their soul: meticulously built to inspire the musician’s touch.

filippo pavan

FILIPPO PAVAN, with a beard, wearing a brown T-shirt, stands with his arms crossed in a workshop, smiling at the camera.

“Design is our bridge between creativity and precision — the tool that transforms vision into vibration.” 

  • Filippo’s professional path led him into the corporate world, where he gained extensive experience across After Sales, Product Management, R&D, and Business Development in Southeast Asia and Oceania between 2012 and 2021.

    Returning to Italy, he combined his love for music with his expertise in design and technology, contributing a modern engineering approach to the ancient art of luthiery. His work in 3D design, CNC programming, and structural optimization ensures precision and innovation in every Garda instrument.

    Together, Filippo and Federico have built more than a brand—they’ve created a vision:
    to unite passion, craftsmanship, and sustainability in instruments that honor tradition while embracing the future.

gallery | garda guitars

White electric Garda guitar with a black pickguard and brown fretboard, set against a black background.
Close-up of a Garda guitar with a dark wooden neck and a white body set against a black background.
Close-up of the neck joint of a Garda guitar showing wood, metal strings, and a side view of the body against a black background.
A blue electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top and natural wood neck, set against a black background.
Close-up view of a blue electric Garda guitar with a wooden background.
A blue electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple pattern finish, black pickups, and control knobs, set against a black background.
A wooden Garda electric bass guitar with a modern, angular design, black pickups, and control knobs, set against a black background.
Back of a Garda electric guitar with a natural wood finish and black accent, mounted on a black background.
Close-up of a Garda wooden electric guitar with black pickups, knobs, and a black background.
Close-up of a Garda green electric guitar with a wooden neck and fretboard, set against a black background.
Close-up of a Garda guitar headstock with a green and brown finish, six tuning pegs, and a logo on the headstock against a black background.
Close-up of a Garda electric guitar with a green body, wooden fretboard, and a vintage pickup against a black background.
Close-up of a pink electric Garda guitar with a wooden neck and gold hardware, set against a dark background.
A close-up of a Garda electric guitar with a sunburst finish, featuring a maple neck, black pickups, and control knobs against a black background.
Close-up of a Garda electric guitar showing the control knobs, strings, and part of the fretboard.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar with a white woodgrain finish, copper-colored pickups, and control knobs.
A yellow electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top leaning against a Fender amplifier on a patterned rug.
Close-up of a Garda electric guitar with pickups, black body, and strings.
Close-up of a Garda guitar neck with frets and fret markers, partially obscured by darkness.
The back of a Garda electric guitar body made of light-colored wood with black mounting plates and hardware on a black background.
Close-up of the back of a Garda guitar showing the neck joint, wood grain, and metal strap button.
A wooden electric Garda bass guitar with a natural finish, black pickups, and black control knobs on a black background.
Close-up of a Garda guitar with a natural wood finish and a black carbon fiber pickguard labelled 'GARDA'.
Close-up of the bridge and tail end of an electric Garda guitar with a natural wood finish, showing tuning pegs, bridge, and strings.
Close-up view of the headstock of a black guitar, showing tuning pegs with rose-colored details and the brand name 'Garda' engraved on the wooden surface.
Close-up of a Garda guitar headstock with tuning pegs, set against a black background, featuring the brand name 'Garda' on the headstock.
Close-up of a Garda guitar headstock with six tuning pegs against a black background.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar with a green flame maple top, gold hardware, and dual humbucker pickups.
Close-up of a black electric Garda guitar with copper accents and a bow resting on its strings.
A natural wood electric Garda guitar with black pickups, knobs, and a black fretboard, set against a black background.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar body in a sunburst finish with black control knobs and pickups, on a black background.
Close-up of a Garda bass guitar's body, strings, pickups, and bridge with a wooden finish.
Close-up of a Garda guitar body with a black pickup cover labelled "GARDA" and visible guitar strings.
Close-up of a person playing a Garda guitar, focusing on their hands on the fretboard and strings.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar neck showing frets and strings, with part of the guitar body visible in the background.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar with a black textured body, brown fretboard, and metal strings, against a dark background.
Close-up of a black Garda guitar headstock with tuning pegs and a signature logo, set against a black background.
Blue electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top, positioned against a black background.
Close-up of a guitar's headstock with tuning pegs, featuring a metallic feather logo and the word 'GARDA' partially visible on the wood.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar showing strings, pickups, and control knobs.
A wooden electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top, set against a black background.
Close-up of the back of a Garda electric guitar showing the neck joint, screws, and part of the body with a sunburst finish.
Close-up of Garda guitar control knobs and strings.
Close-up of a Garda guitar headstock with six tuning pegs and signature, against a black background.
Close-up of a Garda guitar with wood grain finish and metallic control knobs, showing parts of the guitar's body, knobs, and switch.
Close-up of a Garda guitar neck joint showing screws and part of the white guitar body with a textured finish.