2018 AGS Magazine

Five Minutes with
Mirko Borghino of Borghino Guitars
Artisan Guitar Show:
Many little boys dream
of becoming fireman,
policeman, doctors,
and lawyers. Our lives
don’t often turn out to be what we imagined or expected.
How did you realize that your life would be dedicated to
hand-crafting magnificent musical instruments and when
were you aware of that interest?
Mirko Borghino: As a child, I didn’t have a real dream
about what I could become. I simply spent my whole youth
doing what I enjoyed doing, and I have never stopped doing
that. Since I was a child my area of interests has always
been around drawings, creating something and, in general,
manual games. When I was 10 years old I started to study
the piano and later the guitar but I have never reached
excellent results.
My skills were not suitable to make it a full-time job but
good enough to understand that the world of music would
be the axis around which my whole life would revolve.
Meanwhile I studied to become a surveyor but I found
the real connection between music and my primal instinct
when I found out the school of Lutherie in
Milan. I was 22 years old when I realized that
becoming a Luthier would be my main goal,
but I only had the confirmation that I was on
the right way when I was asked to teach in
the same school on my graduation day.
Artisan Guitar Show: The Italian culture
is revered for craftmanship and style. This
is evidenced in many ways ranging from
the violins crafted by Antonio Stradivari to
the beautiful merger of form and function
mastered by Battista “Pinin” Farina and Enzo
Ferrari. Your instruments are referred to as
being “exquisitely Italian.” Do you feel that
at its heart the craft of instrument making has
its roots very much in Italian culture?
Mirko Borghino: When you are born and
live in Italy, you are used to being surrounded
by so many small and big details of style
to become an unconscious part of your
being. From ancient buildings and churches
to paintings, from the fashion world to sports
cars, every detail is deeply studied. The
world of Lutherie has had the same influence
of style as many other sectors of activity and
this is what everyone of us is naturally drawn
to.
Artisan Guitar Show: You have a presence in the United
States through attending shows and presenting your beautiful
instruments. Do you see many differences between
the American and European guitar making cultures?
Mirko Borghino: If I had to answer rashly, I’d say that
the main difference I found between Italy and the United
States is that, while we are strongly connected to our great
past, you are looking toward an ambitious future. The difference
may be in your courage to dare even if sometimes
at the expense of style. Both are, however, only partially
true and I’ll tell you why. The United States are so big and
heterogeneous to diversify guitar making cultures as well.
What I love of your country is exactly this, the huge number
of cultures that you can recognize in every instrument.
For example, many of your great guitar makers have
an Italian origin or are deeply influenced by our style,
which makes us really proud, while others are closed to
the American folk music and even completely “crazy”
(my favorite ones). On the other hand, there are loads of
Italian makers who are turning a bit toward your “why not”
thought, trying to make instruments far from our traditions.
Let’s not forget that every single Italian teenager grows up
watching hundreds of American movies.The only real difference
I found is in your deep will of sharing information
and cooperate with each other. This is one of the reasons
the Americans still are one step ahead in a large number of
fields.
Artisan Guitar Show: You are a young, but greatly respected
craftsman. Magazines and players alike have great
appreciation for the instruments that you make. When
you look back on your career, are there any moments that
stand out as being particularly important?
Mirko Borghino: Thank you so much for
your words.
I have had too many special moments that
have helped my career to mention them
all. Every time I have met musicians and
colleagues who I have always considered
as references has been an important moment
to go ahead, thanks to their encouragement
and positive energy. Every time
I have chosen to do something against
my economical interest, but only following
my passion and instinct, has given
me the right smile on my face. The most
important moment was when I decided
to follow my own direction but, above all,
my personal speed. I never do something
I am sure I am not ready to, but I never
stop before something I am only scared
to do. Have the patience to wait the right
moment and when you recognise it, face
it. For this reason my career has never
had peaks or drops but just a slow steady
growth. I perfectly knew that the American
market would be a hard field for me, so I
waited years and only when I felt up to it, I
decided to have a bash.
Artisan Guitar Show: Please name three
recordings that you think would be a great addition to any
music library or collection.
Mirko Borghino: The music I’m used to listen to is pretty
far from the music played by my instruments.
Three of my favorite recording are:
-“Golden Heart” by Mark Knopfler,
-“Pornograffitti” by Extreme
and my favorite Italian musician and singer: Fabrizio De
Andrè.
-“Anime Salve” is in my opinion one his best recording.
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