Founded in 2019 after years of study and experimentation, it stands out for its dedication to fine materials, refined craftsmanship, and sonic evolution. Specializing in multiscale instruments, it has earned the trust of international artists with innovative designs and a timeless aesthetic.
Each creation is crafted to be not only played but admired and experienced: an instrument with a soul, built to tell stories. Nile Guitars is a journey between art and engineering, past and future. It is luthiery that becomes poetry.
Builder/owner
Nicolò Lenoci
When you began building:
I started building musical instruments in late 2019.
What inspired you to become a luthier?
It may sound unusual, but my inspiration came from a simple desire: to play a headless guitar. At the time, I couldn’t afford one, so I decided to build it myself. The first attempt was far from perfect, high action, less-than-comfortable playability… but that experience brought me an implacable passion. Over the years, I kept experimenting, refining my craft, and deepening my understanding of materials. It was with multiscale instruments that I truly found my path, a balance between innovation and tradition that now defines most of my creations.
What kind of customer do you build for?
Nile instruments are designed for musicians who seek more than just a tool, but for an extension of their artistic identity. My customers are artists who value craftsmanship, aesthetic distinction, and sonic innovation. Whether they are professional performers or passionate enthusiasts, they all share a deep appreciation for the purity of fine woods, the elegance of design, and the endless possibilities of sound.
All my customers are important to me, but watching Tim De Gieter (ex-Amenra, Doodseskader) playing with one of my instruments was a truly life changing experience that brought me immense pride.
Favorite materials and finishes to work with?Walnut is the wood I feel most connected to, not only because it was the first material I ever worked with, but because I find it perfect for handcrafted luthiery. It has a natural beauty, elegant grain patterns, and a workability that enhances the direct relationship between the raw material and myself.
For finishes, I prefer oil and wax. I love the natural look of wood and strive to preserve it as much as possible in my builds. This type of finish not only enhances the material’s depth and richness but also provides a warm, organic feel to the touch.
When did you discover Nordstrand and why you use Nordstrand
in your builds.I discovered Nordstrand in 2020 when I built my very first commissioned bass. I was immediately drawn to the striking aesthetics of the
Zen Blades and decided to give them a try. That decision completely changed my perspective on tone, what I had been looking for until then was redefined, opening up new sonic possibilities.
The impact was so profound that it not only shaped me as a luthier but also turned me into a bass player. Those pickups ignited an effervescent passion for the instrument, and from that day on, Nordstrand became an essential part of my bass builds. Today, almost every bass I craft carries the signature of that sound that transformed me.
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