Swiss luthier Claudio Pagelli celebrates 30 years of guitar building in 2009. From his workshop looking out on the Swiss Alps, Pagelli creates his unique and beautifully stylish instruments, often co-designed with his wife and business partner, Claudia Pagelli. Pagelli guitars have a reputation for warmth, sustain and high playability, as much as for craftsmanship and high design. Congratulations and happy anniversary!
 The Gitane Nouveaux Gypsy model: Gypsy-style done Pagelli’s way, this guitar shocked traditionalists at the Django Reinhardt Memorial (a Gypsy guitar conference in Augsburg), but Django’s nephew, David Reinhardt, immediately endorsed it. With a Swiss Alpine spruce top and flamed European maple back and sides, it’s a stunning asymmetrical creation. The fingerboard is Indian rosewood, and the headstock plate, bridge and tailpiece are all ebony. Built in 2005. |  Pagelli’s Ultra Zero Reduced Three Octave Comfort Balanced Body Fretless Bass (with Hyper Access) or U.Z.R.T.O.C.B.B.F.B (H.A.!) or simply, The Golden Fretless Bass. The ebony fretboard is one piece from top to bottom on a mahogany neck and body. The finish is a thin layer of real gold, processed with acid to give it a rusted iron look. Electronics are custom made by Schertler. Built in 1997. |  The Tim Ray Archtop: A Swiss Alpine bearclaw spruce top meets Oregon myrtle back and sides and ebony fretboard, headstock overlay, finger-rest, bridge and tailpiece. This model includes tuners made by Schertler, a custom Harry Häussel neck pickup and a Schertler Bluestick bridge pickup, and a shoulder soundport. A special 30-year Anniversary model made for jazz guitarist Tim Ray in 2009. |  Sporting a “sandwich top,” the Pagelli 30 Years Guitar is made with a top of Swiss Alpine spruce and Nomex, wenge back and sides and ebony fretboard, soundhole/ soundport appointments, bridge and binding. Schertler tuners and Bluestick pickup in the bridge. Built in 2009. |
