At Guitar Show 2025, vintage wasn’t just a highlight—it became an integral part of the event’s identity. This was thanks to Vintage Authority, which for the third year running has brought consistent and meaningful collaboration to the show, enriching it with valuable content, extraordinary instruments, and an authentic celebration of the golden age of the guitar.
This year, their presence went far beyond a traditional display: it offered an immersive experience rooted in the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of vintage instruments. Alongside Rock and Vintage, and with the participation of more than thirty leading Italian and international collectors, Vintage Authority curated one of the most extensive vintage areas ever seen in Italy. A journey through the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, featuring rare and often unique guitars and basses, presented directly by those who know their stories inside out.
Notable contributors included Flavio Camorani, Vincenzo Atzori, Hannes Schwienbacher, and the Guitar Sauce store, which showcased a selection of some of the finest vintage and custom instruments on the market today. Among the collectors were Andrea Cesarini with his renowned Andy’s Guitar Collection, Bruce Fan, The Vintage Guitar Guy, newcomer Guitars Explosion, The Vintage Choice, and the long-established Furio Pozzi.Claudio Cardelli also stood out with a selection of Gretsch instruments from his collection, paired with a live performance by Rangzen, his family band.
One of this year’s new initiatives, “Chitarre per un giorno” (“Guitars for a day”), opened up space for private owners and enthusiasts who wished to exhibit and offer their own vintage instruments for sale. It was a pilot project with an eye to the future, aiming to make the vintage area increasingly inclusive and community-oriented.
On the artistic side, Vintage Authority was instrumental in organizing the clinics held by Chris Buck, one of today’s most respected guitarists. The Sunday session also featured Niccolò Bossini, a regular presence in the association’s activities, and Leo Barbieri, who led a technical demo focused on the tones associated with Eric Clapton. Complementing the program were “Silent” masterclasses by Raffaello Indri and Flavio Paludetti, designed to enhance the listening experience through headphone-based sessions.
The presence of CPM – Centro Professione Musica – added an educational layer, bringing Italy’s most renowned music academy to the Guitar Show for the first time. Through a dedicated stand and clinic, the CPM introduced its training programs to the Bologna audience and fostered a dialogue on musical education, technique, and career development for emerging musicians.