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about nicola brand strings. . .

A Family Owned Business were everyone has A Musical Background

Nicola Sfarzo
Naples Italy - 1903

Nicloa Sfarzo

Nicola Sfarzo was a talented musician and the patriarch of the Sfarzo family, whose legacy has significantly influenced the music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Born in 1903 in Naples, Italy, Nicola's family later moved to Isola di San Pietro in Carloforte, Sardinia, where his father served as the prison commander.

At the age of 15, Nicola became a merchant marine, bringing his mandolin and guitar with him as he sailed to America..

Upon arrival, he impressed customs agents by playing his instruments, leading to a warm welcome into the country

Nicola eventually settled in San Francisco, where he married Francis Ageno, also from Carloforte.


He became an active member of the local music community, performing at various Bay Area events and being a long-time member of the Aurora Mandolin Orchestra.

Legacy and Nicola Brand Strings

To honor Nicola's enduring impact on music, his son, Ron Sfarzo, founded Nicola Brand Strings in 2017. This family-owned business specializes in crafting high- quality, handmade acoustic strings for instruments such as guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and fiddles. The company prides itself on being "made by musicians for musicians," reflecting the family's deep-rooted musical heritage.

Musical Family

Nicola's passion for music was passed down to his children:

    • Angelo Sfarzo: Born in the early 1930s in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, Angelo became a renowned accordionist. He founded Angelo's House of Music in the early 1950s, where he sold and taught accordion, later expanding to pianos and organs.
    • Ron Sfarzo: An accomplished arranger-composer and multi-keyboardist, Ron also serves as the CEO of Nicola Brand Strings.
    • Don Sfarzo: In 1979, Don founded Drum World in San Francisco, which became one of the most renowned retail drum stores in the United States.

Nicola Sfarzo's legacy lives on through his family's continued contributions to the music industry and their dedication to high-quality musical craftsmanship.

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video story. . .

about Nicola Sfarzo's life's journey

"The Blind Man That Could See"

Nicola Brand Strings is named after a very special person named Nicola Sfarzo. Nicola was a talented musician who played the mandolin and guitar. He was also a hardworking family man who supported his loved ones. We’re so grateful to have this musical tribute to Nicola Sfarzo. It’s a beautiful reminder of his incredible talent and the impact he had on everyone around him. Thanks a bunch, Robert Barry, for creating this tribute. It means the world to us.

the video

the owners. . .

owned and made by "musicians for musicians. . ."

Ron Sfarzo

CEO and musican

The following interview with our CEO, Ron Sfazo, was conducted by the NAMM Oral History. Ron’s father, Nicola, made a living and supported his family by playing stringed instruments. Both of Ron’s brothers were also involved in the music industry, as was Ron himself. This is why Nicola understands the importance of music to musicians and players, unlike other manufacturers.


Link to Ron Sfarzo's LinkedIn Page Link to Ron Sfarzo's Facebook Page Link to Ron Sfarzo's YouTube Page Link to Ron Sfarzo's Website

Chris Sfarzo

sales & artist relations and drummer

“Nicola Brand Strings, Made by Musicians for Musicians” is merely a slogan. Virtually every member of Nicola Brand Strings actively engages in musical performance and contributes to the ensemble’s overall sound.

Watch Nicola's Chris Sfazo, Sales and Artist Relations person for Nicola, playing drums for the Mick Donovan Band.