A trip to the Valdichiana Senese to learn about local crafts and the golden hands of the area’s artisans
Toni De Stefano, the Luthier Who Brings Music to Life in Chianciano Terme
«The decorations and finishes of a musical instrument are extremely important: they represent a luthier’s “signature” when you first encounter one of his creations. They should never compromise the instrument’s functionality, though, so you must always be very careful about how and where to include them in a design». Toni De Stefano is speaking, a luthier specializing in plucked instruments. He has been working for years in his workshop, where each creation is crafted entirely by hand and refined with meticulous care. But behind the craft lies a story of passion, inner exploration, and love for music.
A passion born in the streets of Milan
«I became a luthier mainly because of a deep passion for music» Toni explains.
He grew up just a few steps from the Conservatory of Milan, surrounded by the sounds drifting from the practice rooms—guitars, violins, ancient instruments. Those sounds sparked a curiosity in him, pushing him to pick up a guitar and teach himself how to play.
Although he tried various jobs, Toni felt something was always missing. He longed for an activity that could offer personal satisfaction and creative freedom.
«I’ve always loved working with my hands, and I wanted to find a way to combine craftsmanship and music».
Discovering the art of lutherie
The turning point came almost by chance, through a beginner’s course called “Build Your Own Guitar.”
It was the beginning of a path that opened up an entirely new world: the world of craftsmanship.
«I had never held a chisel or a hand plane before, but I was incredibly motivated. It’s not an easy trade: it requires patience, consistency, and a lot of passion. Every instrument demands study, planning, and long hours of work».
To deepen his understanding, Toni began studying and reproducing historical instruments, trying to discover what made their sound unique.
«Woods, bracings, thicknesses—these elements taught me the properties of each material, first to recognize them, then to imagine them, and finally to create my own designs.»
Working closely with ancient instruments—observing their proportions, woods, and construction techniques—allowed Toni to understand the true soul of this craft.
«Even today, when I build instruments for early music, I use only natural materials: woods, glues, varnishes. Every detail matters, because an instrument, beyond being beautiful, must above all sound».
The philosophy of sound
For Toni, every instrument has its own soul, its own voice, its own way of vibrating. And everything begins with choosing the right wood and grain for the specific project.
«A luthier can only channel his knowledge—shaped by years of study, restorations, experiments, and refinement of technique—toward obtaining the sound he seeks from the instrument he is building».
His goal is clarity of sound: bright trebles, strong but not muddy basses, and uniformity across the entire fretboard.
«I look for sustain and projection, of course, but without sacrificing color and timbre. It’s precisely these nuances that make an instrument alive and capable of moving people».
Between music and wood: a workshop that feels like home
«It happened by chance: I didn’t even know Chianciano before coming here. The moment I arrived, I took a walk through the old town and immediately fell in love» the luthier recalls.
Since then, he has chosen to settle here and open his workshop—an intimate, welcoming space filled with music and the scent of wood.
Inside those walls he keeps instruments from different eras, from early 19th-century guitars to contemporary electric models. This variety of shapes and styles is for him an endless source of inspiration, study, and constant research. It reflects in his daily work and in the projects he carries forward.
Every instrument, he explains, is a unique creation: the luthier can guide the sound through his craftsmanship, but the final result is always a surprise. And it is precisely this unpredictability that fuels his passion and drives him to continue creating.
Every decoration, every finish is handmade—never at the expense of functionality.
Creating an instrument is a constant dialogue between art and music, between technique and sensitivity.
«The most important thing about an instrument is obviously the sound,» Toni concludes. «Learning to control it and refine its quality is a pursuit that, I believe, occupies a luthier’s entire life».
A land of artisans
Toni De Stefano’s workshop is just one of the many artisan realities thriving in the Valdichiana Senese.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to share the stories of other master artisans who, every day, open the doors of their workshops to create ceramics, musical instruments, jewelry, and much more.
And if you missed it, take a look at our video to watch the artisans at work.
If you’re curious to meet Toni De Stefano and the other artisans of the Valdichiana Senese in person, book the Valdichiana Living Artisans Tour.
For a full-immersion experience, we have also created a three-day stay dedicated to discovering the Valdichiana Senese: visiting artisan workshops, exploring the territory, and enjoying its traditional foods. Take a look here.