The Anastasio brothers came from a family of luthiers from Catania, staying behind in Sicily during the first Italian diaspora. As trained instrument makers, the Anastasio’s were both building classical guitars and mandolins. Due to the resurrection of mafia together with the devastating economic effects of World War II, the brothers moved to Paris in 1947, as part of the second Italian diaspora of workers immigrating to France,
François (Francesco, 1906-1983), like many other Sicilian workers, received training at Busato’s atelier at Cité Griset, while his brother Nino (Antonino) received his training from Joseph Di Mauro in Gallesi’s atelier at Rue Guénot.
In 1955, after Di Mauro had taken over the Gallesi atelier and Busato had changed his focus outside of the guitar business, François opened a family workshop in Montreuil (Paris) at 103 Rue du Moulin-à-Vent, under the Anastasio brand, where both brothers crafted superb sounding, affordable steel-string (jazz) guitars under François’ name.
François’ son Pierre (Pie(t)r(o), 1937-2007) starting working in his father’s workshop sometime in the 1960’s, after having been trained at the young age of 14 at Antoine Di Mauro’s workshop from 1951 onwards. In 1972, Pierre took over the entire family business and shop. With the help and drawings of Pierre Larouy, he started building guitars under his own name until the early 1990s.
Anastasio guitars are still being appreciated under numerous contemporary gypsy jazz guitarists and collectors today. Notable players are: Angelo Debarre, Emmanuel Kassimo (Am Ketenes), Serge Camps, Dorado Schmitt, Didi Duprat, Boulou Feré, Raphael Faÿs, among others.
As can be seen from the label, this guitar was once build for Alain Colussi.
Brand Pierre Anastasio
Year 1987
Serial Number # 0071
Sound Hole Oval
Fret Neck 14 Fret
Condition Very Good
Size 15 7/8″
Scale Length 675mm
Nut Width 1 3/4″
Body Depth 3 7/8″
Top Spruce
Back and Sides Flamed Maple
Neck Walnut
Fingerboard Ebony
Binding Ebony
Tailpiece DR (Dupont)
Tuners Schaller, 3 on a plate Gold
Action 3mm
Strings Argentine 1610
Weight 4.35 lbs