Angela Waltner

Berlin-based luthier Angela Waltner is deeply committed to the art of sound. Since founding her workshop in Prenzlauer Berg in 2002, she has been building traditional classical guitars that are appreciated by musicians worldwide.

Growing up in Oberstaufen, in the Allgäu region of southern Germany, her early experience playing the zither shaped her preference for a clear, overtone-rich sound – a defining characteristic of her instruments.

After training as a plucked instrument maker at the renowned violin making school in Mittenwald (1992–1995), she gained experience in restoration work on guitars from the collection of the Swiss violin and guitar maker Kuno Schaub, followed by studies in musical instrument making in Markneukirchen (1997–2001). The wealth of influences she encountered during this period laid the foundation for the ongoing development of her classical guitars. Of particular significance was her in-depth engagement with early 20th-century German guitar making.

In 2001, she received her master craftsman’s certificate from the Chamber of Crafts in Chemnitz and established her own workshop in Berlin the following year. Since then, she has focused on building classical guitars in continuous dialogue with distinguished musicians and other experts.

Her understanding of guitar sound deepened through instrumental lessons with Prof. Frank Hill (2011–2016), followed by a Master’s degree in Acoustics and Musical Instrument Technology in Markneukirchen (2016–2017). Her aim was to investigate, through scientific research, the acoustic principles underlying body resonances and sound projection of the guitar.

In 2019, a small series of guitars was built under her artistic guidance by the research and development department of the Spanish manufacturer Alhambra. In 2023, she served as a jury member at the 1st International Guitar Making Competition in Daegu, South Korea.