garda guitars

EST. 2021 | italy

Baritone | Bass | Electric Guitars

Frederico cherubin & filippo pavaN | Co-founders

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

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

  • 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.

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 Padua 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 a man with a beard and a shaved head smiling with arms crossed in a workshop background.

“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

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 with wood grain finish and metallic control knobs, showing parts of the guitar's body, knobs, and switch.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar with a white woodgrain finish, copper-colored pickups, and control knobs.
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 a guitar's headstock with tuning pegs, featuring a metallic feather logo and the word 'GARDA' partially visible on the wood.
Close-up of a black Garda guitar headstock with tuning pegs and a signature logo, set against a black 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 Garda electric guitar with pickups, black body, and strings.
Close-up of a black electric Garda guitar with copper accents and a bow resting on its strings.
Close-up of a Garda guitar headstock with six tuning pegs against a black background.
Close-up of an electric Garda guitar showing strings, pickups, and control knobs.
Close-up of a Garda green electric guitar with a wooden neck and fretboard, set 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 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 an electric Garda guitar with a green flame maple top, gold hardware, and dual humbucker pickups.
A wooden electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top, set against a black background.
A blue electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple pattern finish, black pickups, and control knobs, set against a black background.
Close-up view of a blue electric Garda guitar with a wooden background.
Blue electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top, positioned against a black background.
Close-up of a Garda guitar headstock with six tuning pegs and signature, against a black background.
A yellow electric Garda guitar with a quilted maple top leaning against a Fender amplifier on a patterned rug.
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 neck joint showing screws and part of the white guitar body with a textured finish.
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.
Close-up of a Garda guitar neck with frets and fret markers, partially obscured by darkness.
White electric Garda guitar with a black pickguard and brown fretboard, set 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 of a Garda electric guitar showing the control knobs, strings, and part of the fretboard.
Close-up of Garda guitar control knobs and strings.