7
Selected luthiers
3000
Euros for each selected luthier
2
Soundboards provided free
2027- 2028
A documented adventure
April 2028
Finished guitars handed over
WHAT THE CHALLENGE OFFERS LUTHIERS
One material. One land. One adventure.
Taking part in the Swiss Moon Spruce Challenge means privileged access to Risoud tonewood, along with a creative setting, encounters and international visibility throughout the project.
A PRIZE FOR YOUR FUTURE
A tool to go further.
The Swiss Moon Spruce Challenge wants its prize money to be more than a reward. It should become a tool to go further.
The association will award one or more prizes totalling €10,000, shared among the winners as decided by the independent evaluation committee.
This support can help grow their business: investing in a new tool or machine, attending a trade show, developing a new series of guitars, pursuing research, improving their communication or bringing to life a project that helps their workshop evolve.
In the application form, simply tell us what this support could help you achieve.
10000 EUROS
in prize money
Immersion in the Risoud forest
In April 2027, the selected luthiers will be invited to Switzerland to discover the Risoud massif, meet the people behind the project and personally choose their two soundboards.
Two appearances at MIGS
The luthiers will take part in the Montreux International Guitar Show in 2027 and 2028. In 2027, they present their work and launch the adventure; in 2028, they return with their finished guitar.
Two soundboards and build support
Each luthier will receive two free Risoud resonance spruce soundboards. A contribution of €3,000 will be granted towards the cost of building the guitar.
International visibility
The Challenge will be documented throughout the project. Luthiers will be involved in the content produced for the website, social media, press and other communication channels.
TWO STAYS IN SWITZERLAND
At least four days on site each time.
Taking part in the Swiss Moon Spruce Challenge requires the selected luthiers to come to Switzerland twice.
April 2027
Discovering the Risoud forest, meeting the people behind the project, selecting soundboards, documentation and the Montreux International Guitar Show 2027
April 2028
Handover and presentation of the finished guitar, documentation, evaluation of the instruments and the Montreux International Guitar Show 2028.
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the project, as set out in the rules and the participation contract.
TWO STAYS. ONE CREATION.
The Challenge journey
April 2027
The Risoud & MIGS
Meeting in Switzerland, discovering the Risoud forest, selecting soundboards and the Montreux International Guitar Show 2027.
Before MIGS 2028
Handover
The finished guitar is handed to the organisers early enough for documentation, preparation and evaluation.
MIGS 2028
The reveal
Return to Switzerland for a stay of at least four days, presentation of the collection, evaluation of the instruments and MIGS 2028.
2027 → 2028
Workshop
Designing and building the guitar. Regular documentation of the process and updates on the project’s progress.
Visit Switzerland
Take part in the 2027 and 2028 programmes, staying at least four days each time.
Create
Build an acoustic guitar with one of the Risoud soundboards, in line with the specifications.
Document
Work with the Challenge team to tell the story of each stage of design and building.
Share
Share the project on your own social media and contribute to the Challenge’s communication.
Return in 2028
Present the instrument, take part in its evaluation and attend MIGS 2028.
Pass it on
Transfer ownership of the instrument to the Swiss Moon Spruce Challenge so its story can continue.
AFTER THE CHALLENGE
A guitar made to be played.
The presentation at MIGS 2028 is not the end of the story.
The instruments may be entrusted to musicians and emerging talents, played in concerts, shown at trade fairs or included in other Swiss Moon Spruce Challenge activities.
The aim is to make them living guitars: played, heard, seen and passed on.
Instruments that will keep telling the story of the Risoud forest and of the luthier who made them.
Before you apply
Read the Challenge framework.
This is where the story of Swiss Moon Spruce begins.