Yanuziello Jet Black Electric, Pre-owned

The Yanuziello Electric--that’s the name. Joe makes one style of electric guitar, and this is it.  And it is simply a fantastic electric guitar. Everyone I know who owns one adores it, and considers it a desert island guitar.

There are a number of reasons why. Joe’s a master luthier - and has concentrated most of his work on acoustic guitars. When he decided to make an electric guitar, he decided to take, as DNA, a guitar that few builders had considered an idea worth taking to its absolute perfection. Basically his guitar is based on the hollow body "Stratotone," an early, very inexpensive guitar that had a very unique, earthy quality. It had its own sound - not Fender, not Gibson. Unique. But he just used that as a pattern. What he built was a master’s version of that design’s DNA--what it would be like if you made that guitar as good as it possibly could be.

My analogy is this: Joe’s version of this guitar would be like giving Jimmy D’Aquisto a Kay Barney Kessel archtop, and saying, make me a master builder’s version of this: A glorious instrument that exceeds anything out there.

That’s what he’s done. The guitars are gloriously handcrafted. He uses the absolute finest materials available. Flamed or curly maple. Honduran mahogany. Brazilian rosewood or ebony fingerboards. He hand makes his tailpieces and bridges. You can see Joe’s mastery at work simply by looking at how the headstock melds into the beautifully medium C shaped neck. A work of art. Even the way he attaches the neck to the body is spectacularly machined and executed.

Joe’s guitars have heart. They’re woody, and rich with character. And they have a singularly unique sound that you hear, even when playing the simplest notes. They’re just so alive. They are not generic. They’re Yanuziello. Hearing one, you can understand why Bill Frisell and Kevin Breit (Norah Jones’ guitarist) play them. Their character rings out.

I feel very fortunate to be able to offer this excellent ++ condition 2013/14 pre-owned Yanuziello for your consideration. This jet black stunner sports a modded Bigsby tailpiece. As with all Yaz’s, the workmanship, playability and materials are top notch. A unique feature on this guitar is the use of Fralin Johnny Smith mini humbuckers, which give the guitar a hum free boldness while still retaining the chime-like transparent quality that makes Joe’s guitars sound so unique. The sound is clear with in your face harmonic overtones and wide dynamic range. From the electronics to the modified Bigsby, to the wonderfully carved maple / Brazilian neck profile, this Yaz speaks volumes to me. I’d also like to add that the handmade compensated aluminum bridge is a fine work of craftsmanship in itself. No detail is overlooked on a Yaz. I found this guitar so special that I’ve included an additional review by my good friend and amazing guitarist Mark Dziuba. I deeply respect Mark’s guitar observations and like to share them with you. Check out his review below.

"I was teaching at a guitar workshop in Montana when I first played a Yanuziello guitar. One of my students had this very interesting yellow and white guitar the likes of something I'd never seen before. I asked about it and played it and thought, 'this is a real instrument made with a lot of skill and vision!' Ever since that time I've had Joe's guitars on my radar. Well, fast forward a few years and guess who carries Yanuziello's creations, CR Guitars and right in my neck of the woods. In fact, my first visit to CR Guitars was to check out a Yanuziello.

"This particular Yanuziello is the coolest guitar offering I've seen and played from Joe. It's worth the price just to have and look at! A real functional work of art. Yanuziello's attention to detail is mind blowing. I love the Bigsby vibrato and the way this one's been incorporated into the design of the guitar is just stunning. It's actually set into the top of the guitar with the result being a phenomenal representation of what this type of vibrato is capable of doing. It's smooth, subtly expressive and has a rich played-in feel. Together with the custom made compensated metal bridge it goes beyond any Bigsby-fitted guitar I've ever played. There's also what I consider to be the perfect amount of sustain the guitar possesses with this seamlessly integrated system. Not too much, not too little, just perfectly right. If you're a player that taps into multiple nuances like dynamics and vibrato you'll be in heaven. It prods you to be creative in every musical way. The black with chrome is beautiful. The neck is the perfect carve and feels like an old baseball glove. The custom Lollar mini hums work like a charm with this guitar. It's like getting the carbs on your vintage Triumph motorcycle jetted just right. I'm a big fan of the two volume, two tone "Les Paul" control layout but Joe's two knob controls with ultra sensitive tone taper produces a surprising variation of possible sounds. I absolutely love this guitar because it stands on its own. It's unique and it's made by one of the truly gifted and visionary guitar makers of our time. Thank you Joe Yanuziello and thank you Craig Snyder for your constant guitar design stewardess.” -- Mark Dziuba, guitarist

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT YANUZIELLO INSTRUMENTS
It certainly doesn't take a genius to realize that guitar builder Joseph Yanuziello is the real deal. What's "the real deal" you say? When it comes to luthiers, it means someone who has built a meaningful full-time career over a long period of time, developed the craft/art/voodoo of instrument building to the highest level, carved out their own niche in an overcrowded sea of brand names, you know, the real deal! There is something about a Yanuziello that is both plain-and-simple and somehow luxurious at the same time. In fact, Yanuziello's background in design and wood/metal fabrication has served him well in producing what he would describe as "modern vintage instruments." His interest in many musical genres is reflected in the different electric and acoustic instruments he produces. "The challenge is to keep it fresh and new and a continuous learning experience...the players have a lot to do with this." - JY