Born in Reggiolo respectively in 1893 and 1898, the two brothers Dante and Alfredo Guastalla first worked separately, but more frequently made their instruments jointly, being rather productive. Although the city of Reggiolo (and not Reggio Emilia, which is often mistakenly cited as their location) is in fact in Emilia Romagna, the proximity to the river Po and to the city of Mantua meant that influences from Lombardy were for them very important. Both defined themselves as pupils of Stefano Scarampella, who in fact could have given them some advice even without hiring them as his apprentices.
The work of the Guastalla brothers is therefore inspired by the style of the Mantuan luthier, especially in the typical patterns from that city and in the design of the scroll profile. However their instruments lack the strength and spontaneity of their predecessor, even if their workmanship is more careful and accurate; sometimes the treatment of the outline, with rounded edges and a narrow fluting, is actually closer to other makers from Emilia Romagna from the same period.
