Yanuziello Black Top Deluxe, 2021

There's a reason Joe Yanuziello's electric guitars stop people in their tracks. Joe is a master luthier who built his reputation by crafting exceptional acoustic instruments. When he turned his attention to electrics, he didn't chase the usual suspects. Instead, he went back to the DNA of the hollow body Stratotone, an early, inexpensive guitar with a unique, earthy quality all its own. Not Fender, not Gibson. Something singular. Joe took that blueprint and asked himself: what would this guitar become in the hands of a master builder using the finest materials and decades of hard-won skill?

My analogy has always been this: imagine handing Jimmy D'Aquisto a Kay Barney Kessel archtop and saying, "Make me your version of this." That's what Joe has done. His electrics are gloriously handcrafted instruments that surpass anything else in this space.

This particular Yanuziello was originally built for me. I asked Joe to do a jet-black gloss top paired with a faded russet toner on the body and neck, a combination inspired by some of the vintage custom-ordered archtops that Gibson did back in the day. The result is elegant and reserved, a classic look that lets the craftsmanship do the talking. The figured mahogany body and neck provide that warm, woody foundation Joe's guitars are known for, and the select Sitka spruce cap under that black top adds its own resonant character. Look closely, and you can see Joe's mastery at work: how the Macassar ebony headstock melds seamlessly into the neck, the handmade polished ebony bridge with its bone cap, how the modified Bigsby is fitted with precision, how every joint and curve reflects a builder who simply does not cut corners. The guitar is in excellent condition with a few light dings and pick marks from playing and no fret wear.

The Fralin/Yanuziello reverse-wound single coils are a fantastic match for this guitar. They capture that chime-like transparency and harmonic richness that makes Joe's instruments sound so alive, with a clarity and directness that lets the wood speak. There's a wide dynamic range here, from whispery cleans to something with real bite when you dig in. These guitars have their own voice, and you hear it even when playing the simplest notes. They're not generic. They're Yanuziello.

Joe's guitars have heart. They're woody, rich with character, and so responsive that they reward every nuance of your playing. It's no wonder Bill Frisell and Kevin Breit play them. This one has been a personal favorite of mine, and it carries all of that Yanuziello magic.

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