Got me a Fano..whoa! [Archive]

gdcx

07-07-2007, 07:32 PM

Ok, so I have been checking out some of the Fano line and have generally been very impressed with each of the guitars, but not quite enough to buy one. Then, I stumbled upon this one..whoa... "i'll take it"!

Mine is an Artifact SP-6. Most of the others of this model that I have seen have had "relic" jobs that just did not do it for me. This one, however, is only lightly aged and has a nice dark-burst stain..even on the back of the neck.

It is made of Korina wood (neck and body), and has a chambered body.

It is LOUD...rings like a bell and the sustain is tremendous. Feels great to play.

I know that these things are not for everyone, but I tend to like "odd duck" guitars :AOK.

IMHO..the build quality of this guitar just superb.

Here are some photos that I would like to share.

Greg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t176/GDCX/FnoFace.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t176/GDCX/FanoFront.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t176/GDCX/FanoBack.jpg

Zelmo

07-07-2007, 08:17 PM

Damn! Me likey. P-90, Tele bridge plate and PU, string through....I'll be that sucker screams.

George Johnson

07-07-2007, 11:44 PM

Fabulous. :AOK

gdcx

07-08-2007, 05:22 AM

that website has been down for almost a year now

???? i'd like to check out some of his stuff--where'd you find it?

I live in the NYC Metro Area, and two of the three dealers listed on the website (the one that currently says it will be up and running in March 2007:rolleyes:) are close to me. I have had the good fortune of being able to try out quite a few different Fano Guitars in the stores.

I found this one at Alto music in Middletown, NY - great store!

staplek

07-09-2007, 06:56 PM

i played a couple at 30th st. guitars earlier this year and thought they were very nice guitar though i cant recall the exact model. i'd like to own one someday!

RDM

07-09-2007, 07:31 PM

That's cool... It's a Jr meets a Tele. Where were those guitars made?

gdcx

07-09-2007, 08:22 PM

That's cool... It's a Jr meets a Tele. Where were those guitars made?

This is what I have been able to figure out: this guy Dennis Fano used to work at matt umanov guitars in NYC and started building his own stuff. It seems that he used to work out of Bloomfield, NJ ...but the phone number has now gone dead, his website is down and he does not return emails (at least any of mine). I have been told that he is in the middle of setting up a new shop at a new facility...somewhere in the USA.

Vibrolucky

07-09-2007, 08:36 PM

I have been looking at those myself....I love that combination of LP Special/Tele thing he's got going....

Enjoy!

Guitarzan

07-09-2007, 11:31 PM

I played a bunch of these at 30th street and they were really good. Great feel and vibe. Hope to check out more.

philtone

07-10-2007, 06:50 AM

I just talked to Dennis Fano last week. I'll give him a heads up to check out his contact info/availability.

Sometimes being technology dependent can be a bear. I've lost data in hard disk crashes. Verizon has had me mislisted for years as a retailer - they are just so big and can be slow to correct. Sometimes net searches can bring up old info that is still on other sites.

Dennis' stuff is pretty nice, definitely worth checking out.

redgold

07-10-2007, 08:32 AM

Hi Greg, Excellent guitar! I played a Fano that I thought was really nice (I think it was at Matt's).

If you ever want to get together to check out some gear (just got a Carr Vincent from Black Creek), I'm in Dutchess... shoot me an email.

Best, Ray

KRosser

07-10-2007, 08:55 AM

Wow - interesting, very interesting....

I assume that's Gibson scale? Forgive me if this is rude, but what's the *general* price range on something like that?

gdcx

07-10-2007, 09:00 AM

gdcx

07-10-2007, 09:05 AM

Wow - interesting, very interesting....

I assume that's Gibson scale? Forgive me if this is rude, but what's the *general* price range on something like that?

I need to check..but I believe the scale was 24 or 24.5". CONFIRMED: 24 3/4" scale - 22 frets

Most Fano Guitars that I have seen are in the 1500 - 2200 price range.

This one was approx 2k ...Up charges for korina wood and burst finish on the neck I was told.

muddy

07-10-2007, 09:08 AM

i've been lusting after the dave gregory model (which is no longer in the fano lineup) for yonks now! i really love dennis' work. he's one of my fave builders.

ml

KRosser

07-10-2007, 09:15 AM

I need to check..but I believe the scale was 24 or 24.5".

Most Fano Guitars that I have seen are in the 1500 - 2200 price range.

This one was approx 2k ...Up charges for korina wood and burst finish on the neck I was told.

I was hoping you'd say that! I will be attempting to get in touch with him...

nsps

07-10-2007, 12:27 PM

Hi all, been lurking for a while but this is my first post (although I may be posting again soon to settle my pickguard quandary).

Dennis has been moving his workshop to PA, and has been very busy. Hopefully he'll get his website up soon (it used to say "January '07).

But he is still reachable and I am in the process of finalizing a custom guitar (based on his Satellite model—also getting it in (black) Korina). He sent me a bunch of pics of his new models (SP6, JM6, RB6 and TC6), and they're all quite lovely.

ford

07-10-2007, 08:29 PM

nsps

07-11-2007, 01:35 AM

That guitar is the cooliest!
What's the best way to get in touch with him? These are right up my alley. I am very intrigued.

Best way to do it is drop him an email. I know he's been really busy the past couple weeks, so he might not get back to you right away. But if you have a good idea of what you want he can probably start chatting with you about options. (This is just based on my experience—by now he may be holding off on more jobs until he's settled and the web page finally gets up.)

Here are the guitars from his artifact series:

http://www.30thstreetguitars.com/images/fanogroupshot.jpg

EDIT: Obviously this pic doesn't include gdcx's model, the SP6, or the Tele-style model, the TC6. The JM6 and RB6 are self-explanatory, but I can't quite place what SP stands for.

And the Satellite, mentioned earlier, that he did for David Gregory:

http://www.guitargonauts.com/pix/fano.jpg

nsps

07-11-2007, 02:05 AM

he had a semi with one f-hole that had a large body reminiscent of a 335 that was really cool

That's the Tonestar. First picture I found is on a Bare Naked Ladies fan site:

http://www.rockitoldschool.com/guitars/e-tonestar.htm

He still makes it, and his Andy Partridge model, but the custom options aren't as expansive as they once were. I get the impression that the artifact series has been the most financially successful and thus will be his priority.

I'm sure that I have now given way more info than anyone needed. Sorry.

gdcx

07-11-2007, 07:49 AM

Best way to do it is drop him an email. I know he's been really busy the past couple weeks, so he might not get back to you right away. But if you have a good idea of what you want he can probably start chatting with you about options. (This is just based on my experience—by now he may be holding off on more jobs until he's settled and the web page finally gets up.)

Here are the guitars from his artifact series:

http://www.30thstreetguitars.com/images/fanogroupshot.jpg

EDIT: Obviously this pic doesn't include gdcx's model, the SP6, or the Tele-style model, the TC6. The JM6 and RB6 are self-explanatory, but I can't quite place what SP stands for.

And the Satellite, mentioned earlier, that he did for David Gregory:

http://www.guitargonauts.com/pix/fano.jpg

Just my guess...but I bet that the "SP" on the SP-6 model that I purchased (and shown above) is a reference to the Les Paul Special :cool:

ford

07-11-2007, 08:46 AM

The Sea foam green model up there makes me smile....I also like the SP6 model. I like the blue teleish model in the shot above from 30thstreet, but I'd like it more less relic'd! Some of the relics are pretty extreme, although I do acknowledge that they look cool.

I emailed him just asking about the different models and what build time might be if I don't find one I like at one of the three stores. I told him I understand he's busy and it might take some time to get back to me. I'm patient like that! :AOK

rock

bford

jtw

07-11-2007, 10:41 AM

I reeeeaaaly dig the vintage Ric-looking ones :AOK

Pa'ani

07-11-2007, 11:13 AM

Cool guitar!
How does it play and sound?

gdcx

07-11-2007, 11:59 AM

Cool guitar!
How does it play and sound?

Fantastic! ..sounds like a tele on steroids to me (fatter..thicker...even darker). As i said in the original post..very LOUD with tremendous sustain.

This is very subjective, of course.

I find this guitar to be a real treat. I own, and have owned, many Gibsons and Fenders. This thing is just a nice combination of features that I have certainly seen/heard before...but just not on the same guitar...how's that?:messedup

ford

07-11-2007, 04:42 PM

Fantastic! ..sounds like a tele on steroids to me (fatter..thicker...even darker). As i said in the original post..very LOUD with tremendous sustain.

This is very subjective, of course.

I find this guitar to be a real treat. I own, and have owned, many Gibsons and Fenders. This thing is just a nice combination of features that I have certainly seen/heard before...but just not on the same guitar...how's that?:messedup

I'd say that is very cool! :AOK

rock

bford

muddy

07-11-2007, 05:05 PM

http://www.guitargonauts.com/pix/fano.jpg

YESS!!! but with a whammy (trem-king?)

ml

nsps

07-11-2007, 08:10 PM

I like the blue teleish model in the shot above from 30thstreet, but I'd like it more less relic'd! Some of the relics are pretty extreme, although I do acknowledge that they look cool.

Heh. When looking at the photo, I somehow went passed the TC-6 and said it wasn't in the pic. Don't know how I missed it. I think the extreme relics look pretty cool, but the one I'm having made won't be relic'd at all, because I'd rather have an '07 Fano and let it age from there.

KRosser

07-11-2007, 08:22 PM

Heh. When looking at the photo, I somehow went passed the TC-6 and said it wasn't in the pic. Don't know how I missed it. I think the extreme relics look pretty cool, but the one I'm having made won't be relic'd at all, because I'd rather have an '07 Fano and let it age from there.

I don't require a lot of extreme relic-ing myself, I really only relate to it as that applies to 'feel' more than cosmetics, but I'll tell you - I suspect that guitar in the OP is right up my alley in a big way....

TomK

07-12-2007, 08:55 AM

About 4 years ago I was in regular communication with Fano about building a satellite in Seafoam / tortoise guard with Filtertrons and a bigsby but got involved at a new job and kind of lost track of the project and then ended up moving to Dallas.....yada yada yada.

Anyway - I got the fano bug after a couple of pro guys I knew recommended his guitars. (AJ Dunning / Verve Pipe among others.)

I really liked Dennis and love the guitars...I will definitely put that project back on the front burner once I get a few career things settled. (In between situations just now.)

dennyman

07-14-2007, 08:21 PM

I've played several of the Artifact guitars. I liked all of them. They have a cool vibe and have unique combinations of body shapes, paint, neck contours, pick-up choices, etc.). Dennis builds great guitars...

ford

07-14-2007, 10:42 PM

Yep, I'm hoping to pick up an Artifact JM6 soon.

rock

bford

ford

07-18-2007, 10:30 PM

I put a Fano JM6 in Fiesta Red on layaway today from Alto Music in NY. Can't wait to send in the rest of the money soon. Phil, or PK from Alto Music has been great to deal with also.

rock

bford

KRosser

07-20-2007, 11:42 AM

BUMP!

For those of you who know Mr Fano - I sent him an e-mail a week ago and ahven't heard anything back. I know he's busy (and moving his shop?)...What seems to work better with him, patience or persistence?

nsps

07-20-2007, 01:12 PM

If he doesn't reply, he probably can't give you much attention at the moment. But it's probably a good idea to drop him a line every couple weeks to make sure you don't fall through the cracks.

I think his shop is in order now, but he's got some stuff to catch up on.

ford

07-21-2007, 11:13 PM

I emailed Dennis and received a reply from Neil Ziesing who I am guessing is heading up sales for him with his dealers. His email is ziesing@earthlink.net

He's been helpful to me.

rock

bford

gdcx

07-22-2007, 07:23 AM

Neil has been very helpful to me too.

nsps

07-28-2007, 02:01 AM

Dennis has stopped taking builds on personally and now requires sales to be done through his dealers, or I guess by talking to his sales rep, this Neil fellow. I didn't know that earlier, but it explains things a bit.

It's probably a good move, as he can now devote more time to the guitars and not have to worry about neglecting customers during hectic weeks, since they'll be able to get updates from their rep at the dealer. The date on the web page has finally been set to the future again (with a new pic), so hopefully August is the lucky month.