Hailing from Solero, Italy, Pietro Gallinotti (1885–1979) holds a distinguished place among Italian luthiers, often compared to the renowned Ignacio Fleta of Spain. At just 10 years old, Pietro began an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in Genoa, dedicating nearly two decades to mastering his craft. Shortly before World War I, he moved to Savigliano to work in a factory that produced railway coaches. However, the onset of war interrupted his career, and he was conscripted, eventually becoming a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia.

While imprisoned, Pietro’s exceptional skills as a cabinetmaker caught the attention of the camp commandant, who provided him with a violin and tasked him with creating a replica. After the war, Pietro returned to Solero and established his workshop, initially focusing on instruments of the violin family. He crafted classic models inspired by Stradivarius, Guarnerius, Rocca, and Oddone, steadily gaining recognition and accolades. His artistry earned awards at prestigious competitions, including Geneva in 1927, Rome in 1933, Bologna in 1936, and Turin and Modena in 1953.

In addition to violins, violas, and cellos, Gallinotti ventured into making mandolins and recreating guitars by Gaetano Guadagnini and Gatt. A pivotal moment came when he encountered a Simplicio guitar, which inspired him to explore the Spanish guitar-making tradition. To deepen his understanding, Pietro restored guitars by legendary Spanish makers such as Santos Hernández, Simplicio, and Julián Gómez Ramírez. By 1933, he had successfully replicated a Julián Gómez Ramírez guitar.

Gallinotti’s career took a transformative turn in 1949 when Andrés Segovia visited Alessandria for a concert. During this visit, Pietro was entrusted with a minor repair on Segovia’s 1937 Hauser guitar. The opportunity to closely examine this masterpiece profoundly influenced Gallinotti’s approach to guitar making. His reputation quickly grew, attracting numerous prominent guitarists to his instruments. One of his most enthusiastic supporters was Alirio Díaz, who used Gallinotti’s guitars in recordings and performances.

In the 1960s, Pietro presented one of his guitars to Segovia, who was deeply impressed by its craftsmanship and wanted to leave a note of appreciation on it. Though Gallinotti passed away in 1979, his legacy endures. In 2006, the Museum of Savigliano honored his contributions with a guitar exhibition and concert series, accompanied by the publication of Pietro Gallinotti Liutaio di Solero, a book by Mario da Ara and Mario Grimaldi. This comprehensive work includes diagrams, photographs, and testimonials from students, musicians, and artists, cementing Gallinotti’s status as a master luthier and an enduring influence in the world of guitar making.