Yanuziello Ala F Black Spruce Top

Many luthiers in this era are creating instruments that grow directly from historic designs, but relatively few develop a dynamic relationship with the past, expanding their thinking to designs beyond the iconic Fender and Gibson guitars. This is not a criticism, but there are other really great designs out there, even if not as fully realized as the big names.

Joe Yanuziello is a luthier based in Canada who was interested in other styles, and years ago had a particular love for vintage Danelectro and Harmony instruments with the old DeArmond gold foil pickups. For anyone out there who has ever asked the question what would happen if one of those cool old designs was evolved into a modern instrument by a world class guitar maker? This guitar is your answer.

This spruce top beauty is very similar to the model that Joe made for Bill Frisell. We have sold quite a few of these "Ala F" models over the last few years. To change things up a bit I decided to have this particular guitar finished with a jet black top cap. Simply stunning!

Joe is an especially unique luthier, bringing to his guitars decades of passion and commitment to the art, but with a very individual aesthetic. His guitars don't fit into standard categories, and his electric design, while inspired by the guitars mentioned above, is distinctively his own. The shape of the guitar and headstock were developed in the early 1980s, and have remained true all these years, but Joe has advanced the precision of his craft to mastery, and these very special guitars are resonant and warm, with rich overtones and a very musical voice.

This guitar is hollow, and very light (4.7 lbs). It has an airy electric tone with nicely balanced acoustic qualities, which is the likely reason Bill Frisell owns one. Of course, the guitar can deliver a broad range of tones, but I can practically hear Bill's sustaining notes and chords when I play the guitar. The small body also makes it incredibly comfortable to play, standing or sitting.

The fit and finish is first rate, as you expect from Joe. The pickups are custom single coil Lindy Fralins that capture the spirit and warmth of the old gold foils Joe loves, but with a more balanced tonal pallet and better clarity, and they are reverse wound for hum cancellation. I love the hand made fluted tortoise shell knobs which look very cool and have a nice feel.

There really isn't anything else out there like this instrument. It is a super lightweight, warm and resonant sounding guitar, made to perfection by a master, eminently comfortable, and with a vintage vibe unlike most any guitar you will see. It would be a great instrument for roots music, country, jazz, working with a singer or other acoustic musicians, even rock music. If you want to make an individual statement as a guitarist, this guitar would be a perfect partner.

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