Reza Safavian - 2025 - Doubletop

About the luthier

Reza Safavian is a German luthier of Iranian descent whose reputation has grown steadily within the world of elite double-top concert guitars. Born in Iran and based in France since the early 1980s, Safavian originally trained as a classical guitarist. A televised concert by Wilfried Halter had a lasting impact on him, prompting his move to Germany to study with Halter at the Frankfurt Conservatory of Music (Dr. Hoch’s Konservatorium). Alongside his musical career, Safavian developed a strong interest in luthiery, especially after struggling to find guitars that met his tonal expectations. He met Matthias Dammann in 1996, purchased one of his guitars, and soon began building his own. His first classical guitar with a double-top soundboard was completed in 2001, and by 2003, he had begun constructing guitars full-time. Today, he lives and works in Eppsteinhausen, a small town near Frankfurt am Main, where he produces a limited number of guitars each year, placing strong emphasis on wood selection, tonal balance, and projection. His collaboration and friendship with Dammann continue to influence his work, and the two even share the same tonewood supplier. Aesthetically, his guitars are classically styled but marked by subtle personal touches such as rosettes inspired by antique Persian motifs and carefully matched decorative veneers. Safavian’s instruments are built for concert use and reflect a clear focus on tonal sophistication and acoustic control. Their responsiveness and projection allow players to explore a wide dynamic range without losing clarity or richness. Reza’s guitars have found a growing audience among musicians who value their ability to deliver both power and nuance with equal refinement.

About the guitar

This 2025 double-top model by Reza Safavian exemplifies his mature and distinctive approach to modern concert guitar building. Featuring a cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides, the guitar integrates the hallmark attributes of a world-class double-top, including lightweight construction, excellent acoustic efficiency, and finely tuned dynamic response. The tonal balance is impressive: the basses are deep and clearly defined, while the trebles are articulate, projecting with both brilliance and warmth. Each note carries full-bodied sustain and a refined timbre that invites expressive phrasing across the entire register. Polyphonic clarity is particularly notable, supporting complex harmonies without loss of detail. Whether at home, in solo performance, or chamber contexts, this highly refined guitar is ideally suited for players seeking projection without sacrificing nuance.