Fano Guitars is an American manufacturing company founded by luthier Dennis Fano[1][2] in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, producing electric guitars. Fano is a brand of Desert Son Musical Instruments, LLC.[3]
Industry | Musical instrument |
---|---|
Founders | Dennis Fano, Founder |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Electric guitars |
Owner | Desert Son Musical Instruments, LLC |
Website | fanoguitars.com |
Fano has acquired a reputation for building boutique guitars; among its more unconventional models is the Fano Stratosphear, with a body made of plexiglass covered with aluminum.[4] Fano's "Alt de Facto" guitar line blends characteristics of Fender, Rickenbacher, Gretsch and Gibson guitars.[5] The affordable Fano Standard line of guitars was launched in 2016 and includes the JM6, SP6, TC6 and RB6.[6]
History
editDennis Fano, founder of the company, repaired guitars at Matt Umanov Guitars in New York until 2001, when he decided to pursue guitar building full-time. Originally, Fano repaired and modified bass guitars, with one of the first models Fano modified were his Fender Jazz Bass and a Harmony bass.[7]
Models
editAlt de Facto
editFano's flagship guitar model is the Alt de Facto, which is available in a range styles and configurations, including a "distressed" finish which gives the guitar the appearance of being well-worn.[8] The Alt de Facto has been reviewed by a wide range of guitar publications, including: Vintage Guitar.[9]
Standard Series
editFano introduced the Standard Series line of guitars, made up of the JM6 and SP6 models, in January 2016.[10] The Standard Series is "...an affordable line of signature guitars from one of the industry's most respected custom builders.[11] The Standard Series "...feature many of the attributes that have made Fano Guitars world renowned, including beautiful designs that are new yet familiar, superior craftsmanship, and unique 'distressed' finishes that make these guitars ultimately playable and recognizable.[12] In 2017 the RB6 and TC6 Standard models were added to the line along with a total of 8 vintage colors and 2 different styles of nitrocellulose finishes, medium "distress" or "NOS".
On 12 January 2018, Fano introduced the Standard Series bass guitar, JM4-FB. The guitar will be launched at the winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California and shipped to the authorized Fano dealers in January and February 2018.[13]
Critical acclaim
editOf the Fano Standard Series JM6 guitar, reviewer Chris Loeffler of Harmony Central said, "The Fano Standard JM6 really is a workhorse of a guitar...well-appointed without being flashy, comfortable, and unique-looking without ever getting too far from what most players expect."[14]
Musicians who play Fano guitars
editFano Guitars are played and endorsed by a wide range of professional guitarists, including: Jared Scharff (Saturday Night Live),[15][16] Walter Becker (Steely Dan),[17] Scott Sharrard (Gregg Allman Band),[18] Eric Jason Brock (Three Across and The Eric Jason Brock Band), and Conor Oberst[19]
Fano JM6 was used by Gary Clark Jr.[20] and Matthew Followill of Kings of Leon. Followill is also known to play PX6, TC6, SP6, RB6 and GF6.[21][22][23][24]
References
edit- ^ Rodgers, Jeffrey Pepper (2000). Rock Troubadours. Hal Leonard. p. 154. ISBN 9781890490379.
- ^ Saufley, Charles (March 2011). "Fano Guitars JM6 Electric Guitar Review - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
- ^ Thompson, Art; Darrin Fox; Michael Ross. "Six High Value 6-Strings". Guitar Player. pp. 96–109.
- ^ "Opening Shots". Guitar Player. March 2012. pp. 24–25.
- ^ Hunter, Dave (2012). The Fender Telecaster: The Life and Times of the Electric Guitar That Changed the World. Voyageur. p. 209. ISBN 9780760341384.
- ^ Saufley, Charles (March 2016). "Fano Guitars Announces Launch of Standard Series Line - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ "Interview: Fano Guitars | Tone Report". tonereport.com. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "TEST". Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ Smith, Sean (February 2014). "Fano Alt de Facto RB6 - Vintage Guitar". Vintage Guitar. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ^ Saufley, Charles (March 2016). "Fano Guitars Announces Launch of Standard Series Line - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ Saufley, Charles (March 2016). "Fano Guitars Announces Launch of Standard Series Line - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ Saufley, Charles (March 2011). "Fano Guitars Announces Launch of Standard Series Line - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ "Fano Guitars Announces Launch of Standard Series JM4-FB Bass". Retrieved January 13, 2018.
- ^ Loeffler, Chris (July 2016). "Fano Standard JM6 Electric Guitar-A Comfortably Different, Uniquely Familiar Electric Guitar - Harmony Central". Harmony Central. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Fanelli, Damian (July 2015). "'SNL' Guitarist Jared Scharff Adds "Unnecessary Shredding" to "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj — Video - Guitar World". Guitar World. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Dirks, Rebecca (November 2012). "Rig Rundown - Saturday Night Live's Jared Scharff - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Shadrick, Jason (November 2011). "Rig Rundown - Steely Dan's Walter Becker - Premier Guitar". Premier Guitar. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
- ^ Molenda, Michael (January 2015). "Scott Sharrard Details His Sound for the Gregg Allman Band - Guitar Player". Guitar Player. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ "Equipboard Fano Alt Defacto". Guitar Player. January 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- ^ Guitars, Fano (June 30, 2015). "Gary Clark Jr with his Fano JM6 at Bonnaroo". @fanoguitars. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ Guitars, Fano (February 11, 2016). "#tbt to Matt Followill of Kings Of Leon playing his Fano PX6 in Firemist Gold. #fano #guitars #altdefacto #p90..." @fanoguitars. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "Instagram post by Matthew Followill • Aug 27, 2016 at 10:47pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "Instagram post by Matthew Followill • Sep 3, 2016 at 1:26am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
- ^ "Instagram post by Matthew Followill • Aug 28, 2016 at 1:23am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2018.