Testimonials

• Translation:
  “Without music, life would be a mistake.”

Many guitarists and friends have known me and my instruments for years. Some have even written a few lines about them …

Here you can find comments and voices from various musicians and personalities.

• Translation:
  “I first fell in love with it for its looks, and I’ve stayed in love with it for its sound. The Daniel Zucali crossover guitar is not just an instrument—it’s a partner that evolves with me, regardless of the genre I play, from Baroque to Bossa Nova”

Thu Le is an internationally award-winning classical guitarist from Vietnam. With her expressive playing style and versatile repertoire, she captivates audiences on international concert stages and at renowned guitar festivals.

I met Thu at a wonderful concert evening during the 15th International Lulo Reinhardt Guitar Festival. Thanks to Lulo’s special gift for bringing people and music together, Thu, Kosho, Lulo, and I sat together long into the night after the concert.

During that time, I got to know Thu not only as a musician but also as an exceptionally warm-hearted person. This encounter sparked the idea for her personal ZUCALI signature model.

In 2026, Thu took her guitar on the International Guitar Night tour through North America, where she performed in 36 concerts.

Since then, this guitar has been her faithful companion time and again, and I am especially delighted when a spontaneous encounter leads to a personal connection.

The picture in the background shows Thu Le with the Santino model guitar.

Stephanie Jones is an “internet acquaintance”: her YouTube videos had caught my attention on several occasions, and finally, in May 2017, I had the chance to meet her in person. When we met, I could immediately sense her passion for playing the guitar – watching her play one of my guitars, it seemed as if she had become one with the instrument.

Stephanie’s musical journey began at a very early age. Growing up as a multi-instrumentalist, she initially studied piano and went on to play and appreciate the violin, viola, saxophone, and flute. Eventually, however, it was the guitar – with its captivating variety of sounds and enormous expressive range – that became her main instrument. After studying in Australia and at the FRANZ LISZT School of Music Weimar, she has established herself as an internationally acclaimed concert guitarist.

Today, Stephanie performs worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician, captivating audiences with her musical versatility and distinctive stage presence. She has released several successful solo albums and, alongside her concert career, is also dedicated to teaching and nurturing young talent. As Artistic Director of the Guitar Festival of the Pacific in Australia, she is also actively involved in promoting the classical guitar.

Adam Rafferty is known for his groove, his focused enthusiasm while playing music, and of course, always with a smile on his face. A man and his guitar …

Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Adam began playing guitar at the age of 6 with the now sadly deceased Woody Mann. At 12, he played hard rock, and at 15, he was cheated out of the payment for his first gig. At 18, he landed a gold record as a rapper with his band ‘Edelweiss.’

In 2006, he was so inspired by Tommy Emmanuel that he dove into the world of fingerstyle guitar, which ultimately helped Adam make a name for himself worldwide. Over 20 million views on his YouTube channel show his steadily growing popularity. For the past few years, Adam has been living near me, and over time, a friendship has slowly but surely developed … I always enjoy spending time with Adam!

You can find his online school at “studywithadam”

• Translation:
  “The Zucali Crossover is an incomparably fine instrument for my electro-acoustic performances, I have only rarely heard such a faithful reproduction of my natural sound through a pickup system. This instrument doesn’t seem to have any disturbing feedback issues, and goes above-and-beyond expectations in the delivery of percussive effects. Daniel Zucali has done much more than just amplify a nylon-string guitar – he has managed to generally strengthen the instrument.”

Michael Koschorreck, better known by his stage name “Kosho,” has a remarkable ability to blend a wide range of musical styles while creating a sound that is unmistakably his own.

With more than 45 years of experience on stage and in the studio, both as a solo artist and alongside internationally renowned musicians and bands such as André Heller, Nena, Les McCann, Söhne Mannheims and many more, he has developed into a versatile and highly expressive musician. He also performs in a duo with guitarist Augustin Wiedemann, with singer Katja Ohde in the project “Bar Kody,” and in various other musical collaborations.

Kosho shares his extensive knowledge as a lecturer at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, the Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium, the Bundesakademie Trossingen, and through workshops in Germany and abroad. As a guitarist, he can be heard on well over 140 CD productions and numerous other recordings. As a singer-songwriter, he has released three solo albums: Snapshot Music Box, Tinggal, and All Sides Love.

Kosho continues to work across a wide range of musical fields, moving between the concert stage, the recording studio, teaching, and his own projects.

• Translation:
  “The varying transparency of his guitars creates the sound I yearn for. I visited Daniel Zucali and discussed the results he is striving to achieve with his guitars. I was deeply impressed by his concentration and could see the honorable effort and creative ideas he brings to his work.”

In Hungary, I had the pleasure of meeting the entire Yamashita family, who were performing there as the “Kazuhito Yamashita Family Quintet.” I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the remarkable musical understanding between the family members when they tried out my instruments.

Kanahi Yamashita was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1997 and began her musical training with her parents, guitarist Kazuhito Yamashita and composer Keiko Fujiie. She gave her solo debut in Turin at the age of 13 and has since established herself internationally as a soloist and chamber musician.

Kanahi has lived in Berlin since 2015. In 2026, she completed her concert examination with distinction. She is now an internationally sought-after guitarist, performing regularly throughout Europe and beyond. Alongside her solo career, she is deeply involved in chamber music and her own musical arrangements. In 2025, she won the Gerhard Vogt Chamber Music Competition together with flautist Malin Sieberns. In 2026, she was also awarded the prestigious Idemitsu Music Award.

Her new solo album “Nocturnal Journey” marks another step in Kanahi’s artistic development and once again showcases her remarkable musical versatility.

• Translation:
  “It is always a pleasure to play a Zucali; they are very precise instruments with great volume, cantability, a lot of different colors, and extremely easy playability. The aim of this meticulous guitar construction is always the purity and beauty of the sound.”

Andrea and I have crossed paths many times over the years at various festivals. With each encounter, we gradually got to know each other better. Today, I value Andrea not only as a musician, but also as a warm and open friend. When he plays, there is a wonderful sense of ease and confidence – even the most demanding passages seem effortless, always delivered with great musicality and composure. Listening to him is a pleasure every time, and his concerts have repeatedly earned standing ovations.

After studying with Leonardo De Angelis, Paolo Pegoraro, Adriano Del Sal, and other renowned guitarists, as well as attending numerous masterclasses, Andrea has won more than 40 prizes at international competitions. In 2013, he received the “Golden Guitar Award” as Young Guitarist of the Year at the International Guitar Congress “Michele Pittaluga.” His debut album, Colloquio with Andrés Segovia, was also highly acclaimed and received the “Golden Guitar Award” for Best CD in 2016.

Today, Andrea is active internationally not only as a concert guitarist but also as a highly respected teacher. Since 2023, he has been Professor of Guitar at the University Mozarteum Salzburg, while continuing to perform and give masterclasses throughout Europe and beyond. He is also actively involved in expanding the guitar repertoire, publishing his own transcriptions, and collaborating with contemporary composers. His recordings include the complete works for guitar by Alexandre Tansman, as well as works by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

Scott Tennant is one of the world’s most renowned guitarists and a founding member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ), with whom he has performed around the globe for decades. He has also established himself as an outstanding teacher, author, composer, and arranger. His book Pumping Nylon is considered one of the most influential standard works on classical guitar technique.

Over the years, our paths have crossed many times on my travels through the guitar world, giving me the opportunity to get to know Scott personally. I value him not only as an exceptional musician, but also as a dedicated and inspiring teacher.

Here, Scott is pictured with a seven-string Santino guitar. This unique instrument was given its artistic finish by visual artist Matthias Claudius Aigner.

• Translation:
  “For a long time, I have had the honour of witnessing how the work of my dear friend Daniel has developed. He has a very fine artistic vision for the design and sound of his guitars. I consider him to be one of the most original luthiers of his time; he continually surprises me with his enthusiasm and his guitars.”

I really like Pavel Steidl, for he is always smiling as he travels the world. Our conversations are to the point, with well-chosen words and his wonderful sense of humour, which is ever-present and reflected in his music and virtuoso concert performances. It’s nice that our paths cross often.

In 1982, Pavel Steidl won first prize in the “Radio France International Competition” in Paris and became one of the most celebrated guitarists of his generation. Over the years, he has evolved into one of the most important performers of 19th-century music.

In addition to his wonderful solo concerts, where he also plays his own compositions, he is part of the world-famous European Guitar Quartet.

• Translation:
  “The guitars by Daniel Zucali have enchanted me for various reasons. Most importantly, the rich and colorful tones. The separation of different tones happens almost on its own.”

I have known Simon since I opened my workshop, 2008 in Strengberg (lower Austria). At the time, he was just beginning his studies in classical guitar. Since then, I have had the pleasure of watching this remarkable musician develop, and I am happy to now call him a friend as well. I have seen Simon grow from a young guitar student into a virtuoso and highly versatile guitarist. I am constantly impressed by the determination, dedication, and commitment with which he pursues his passion for the guitar.

In the background of the picture, Simon can be seen with his first ZUCALI guitar. Today, he plays a guitar from the Aline series, made of applewood and spruce, featuring lattice bracing and a monitor soundport in the side.

Over the years, Simon has developed into an independent musician who does not like to be confined to any particular style. His joy of playing, technical confidence, and openness to different musical influences make him a truly special guitarist in my eyes.

• Translation:
  “The guitars by Daniel Zucali have enchanted me for various reasons. Most importantly, the rich and colourful tones. The separation of different tunes happens nearly on its own.”

Since 2005, Joachim has worked intensively on playing the contra guitar, its use in different styles, and the associated technical challenges.

Due to this work, our paths have crossed, and a fruitful cooperation has developed. When planning the contra guitar Santone 54-17, created in 2017, Joachim incorporated all his expertise into the design of the instrument, ensuring that it also meets the modern requirements of a guitarist.

• Translation:
  “Meeting and getting to know Daniel Zucali was truly inspiring. The results of his remarkable experience are truly excellent instruments.”

It was not until 2015 that I had the opportunity to hear the Eos Guitar Quartet live. The concert was absolutely captivating and a wonderful experience. It was also finally a chance for me to meet the individual members of the quartet in person.

Julio Azcano was a member of the Eos Guitar Quartet from 2013 to 2025. As a soloist and through his cross-cultural collaborations with musicians from a wide range of backgrounds, he has built an international career. He has shared the stage with artists such as Dino Saluzzi, Leo Brouwer, and Carmen Linares. His collaborations with musicians including Latin Grammy winner Quique Sinesi, violinist Volker Biesenbender, tango double bassist Juan Pablo Navarro, saxophonist Javier Girotto, and jazz guitarist Sid Jacobs have also become an important part of his diverse musical work.

Today, Julio is focusing increasingly on his own musical and academic projects. His work brings together classical guitar, jazz, tango, and improvisation, reflecting his openness to a wide range of musical styles.

In the photo, Julio is playing a seven-string guitar from the Santino series. The instrument has been given a unique artistic finish by visual artist Matthias Claudius Aigner.

• Translation:
  “Daniel Zucali’s guitars are built to the very highest standards. The tone balance and response of both lattice-braced guitars from the Aline Series are reminiscent of Steinway concert grand pianos. The sustaining power over the entire range of the instrument is also perfectly consistent, with no note sounding louder than any other. Despite the absolutely crystal-clear quality of every chord, the sound characteristics of these guitars come across as silk-like in texture and colour. As a guitarist, these are precisely the qualities I look for.”

Since the founding of the Eos Guitar Quartet in 1988, Michael Winkler has been a member of this renowned Swiss guitar quartet, which I first had the opportunity to hear live in 2015. I was absolutely captivated by the concert – it was varied, engaging, and a real pleasure to listen to. I also finally had the chance to meet the individual members in person.

Michael is a virtuoso who moves effortlessly between classical music, jazz, and world music. He has a particular passion for J.S. Bach, as he demonstrated so impressively with his 1996 CD “Michael Winkler plays J.S. Bach.”

In addition to his work with the Eos Guitar Quartet, Michael performs as a soloist and in various chamber music ensembles. Of particular note is his long-standing collaboration with singer Andreas Winkler. Together, they explore Scottish and Irish music, ballads, and whisky songs. In 2023, they also released the album “BURNS,” featuring original compositions based on texts by the Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Michael teaches guitar in Zurich.

• Translation:
  “It was a great surprise for us to meet the luthier Daniel Zucali. We tried out a few of his models and can only emphasize that all his instruments are of the absolute highest quality. His perfectionism and passion enable him to continuously come up with new innovations. The results are amazing, both in terms of aesthetics and sound. It was a fantastic experience to play his guitars.”

The Siqueira Lima Duo consists of Cecilia Siqueira (born in Uruguay) and Fernando de Lima (born in Minas Gerais, Brazil). Together they form a unit rarely seen in a duo. Their Latin-American rhythms, combined with ease and joy, make it nearly impossible to remain seated during a performance.

The picture in the background shows Cecilia with a Santino Terz and Fernando with a Terz Classic guitar of mine.

I first met Harold Gretton in 2011 at the guitar festival in Mikulov, and we have stayed in touch ever since. Originally from Australia, Harold has made a name for himself through numerous first prizes at international guitar competitions. He is now an established concert guitarist, teacher, and musician.

After many years in Europe, Harold has returned to Australia. Alongside his concert career, he teaches guitar and is involved in various chamber music projects. We still keep in touch from time to time, and it has been a pleasure to follow his musical journey over the years.

• Translation:
  “To me, Daniel Zucali is an innovative and border-crossing luthier. His instruments resonate with a distinct and aesthetic sound that has a full body. Very inspiring to me, they offer unbelievable tone variation and dynamics.”

Even though Claus Boesser-Ferrari is known for his performances on a steel-string guitar, our paths cross quite frequently. He is also very comfortable on a classical guitar, and every time we meet, he takes one of my instruments to tell a musical story of his own.

This picture shows Claus Boesser-Ferrari with the Aline guitar model.

• Translation:
  “Daniel Zucali’s guitars produce a sound with depth, sonority, and volume that can fill any concert hall.”

Cecilio Perera is one of Mexico’s best-known guitarists and a prizewinner at numerous international guitar competitions. He has been living in Austria for many years, and I have had the pleasure of meeting him on various occasions and following his musical development over time.

As an internationally sought-after concert guitarist, Cecilio performs around the world as a soloist and chamber musician. His versatile repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque music to contemporary works and Latin American music. What I particularly appreciate is his musical openness and the natural, confident way he brings the guitar to life.

Alongside his concert career, Cecilio is deeply committed to teaching and passing on his knowledge to the next generation of guitarists. He currently teaches at the University Mozarteum Salzburg, where he shares his extensive experience and expertise with his students.

• Translation:
  “The baritone guitar by Daniel Zucali is one of the most incredible instruments I have ever played. Its sound is incomparable. My first feeling was as if I had always held it in my arms. The tone is perfect, and it makes you sound as though you were playing a medieval lute in a contemporary jazz ensemble! A fine instrument that gives the best it has. This guitar makes you give your best.”

Bob Bonastre was born in Senegal (Africa). At the age of 15, he fell in love with the guitar and has been faithful to it ever since. I am delighted that Bob was invited to the Guitar Festival in Hersbruck in 2011. This gave us the opportunity to meet and make music together throughout the night. I look forward to meeting him again at the next possible opportunity …

The picture in the background shows Bob Bonastre with the Santino model guitar.