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Carlo Vettori was born in 1940 in Firenzuola, a mountain village between Florence and Bologna.
The son of master violin maker Dario Vettori I, known as ’the violin maker of the mountains,’ he began his training at a very young age in his father’s workshop. Later, both father and son refined their skills under the guidance of master luthier Giuseppe Ornati.
An early talent, in 1956, at just 16 years old, he won a gold medal with one of his violins at the National Competition of Pegli (Genoa). Three years later, after leaving his father’s workshop, Carlo settled in Florence. In those early years, he worked alongside his brother Paolo Vettori, and together they became two of the city’s most renowned violin makers.
He acquired in-depth knowledge of the various schools of historical violin making thanks to the teachings of master luthier S. V. Paoletti. For a short period, he restored double basses in the workshop of master luthier C. Bargelli. On commission from master luthier Carlo Bisiach, he carried out restoration work on important instruments. He also received valuable advice from master luthier Lapo Casini regarding varnish restoration.
Throughout his career, he received numerous awards, including six gold medals, three silver medals, and other prestigious prizes. In 1982, in Bagnacavallo, he was awarded the ’Violino d’Oro’ (Golden Violin) prize.
Throughout his life, he built an impressive number of instruments: 220 violins, 55 violas, 24 cellos, 10 guitars, 4 viole d’amore, 7 violas da gamba, 2 lutes, 4 archlutes, 2 hurdy-gurdies, 2 double basses, 5 quartets, 1 quintet, in addition to numerous modern and historical bows.
His works have been appreciated by musicians, collectors, violin makers, and experts all over the world. He was a member of the National Association of Italian Artistic Violin Making (ANLAI) expert panel and was elected vice president of the association when master luthier G. Lucci was president.
In 1985, he founded the magazine Arte Liutaria and authored several texts, including ’Linee classiche della liuteria italiana,’ ’I maestri del Novecento,’ among others.
He taught violin making courses in Italy and organised several international exhibitions, also overseeing the publication of their catalogues.
The family legacy of violin making continues through Vettori’s brother Paolo, and his three children Dario, Sofia and Lapo as Paolo Vettori & Sons.
Vettori’s funeral will be held on 22 July 2025 in Livorno, Italy in the Church of S. Jacopo at 11.00 am.
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