Fano Guitars
American guitar manufacturer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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, Rickenbacker, 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
Dennis 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
Alt de Facto
Fano'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
Fano introduced the Standard Series line of guitars, made up of the JM6 and SP6 models, in January 2016.[10][11] 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.[12]
Critical acclaim
Of 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."[13]
Musicians who play Fano guitars
Fano Guitars are played and endorsed by a wide range of professional guitarists, including: Jared Scharff (Saturday Night Live),[14][15] Walter Becker (Steely Dan),[16] Scott Sharrard (Gregg Allman Band),[17] Eric Jason Brock (Three Across and The Eric Jason Brock Band), and Conor Oberst[18]
Fano JM6 was used by Gary Clark Jr.[19] and Matthew Followill of Kings of Leon. Followill is also known to play PX6, TC6, SP6, RB6 and GF6.[20][21][22][23]
