Fano Guitars is an American manufacturing company founded by luthier Dennis Fano in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, producing

electric guitar An electric guitar is a guitar that requires external amplification in order to be heard at typical performance volumes, unlike a standard acoustic guitar (however combinations of the two - a semi-acoustic guitar and an electric acoustic gu ...

s. Fano is a brand of Desert Son Musical Instruments, LLC. 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. Fano's "Alt de Facto" guitar line blends characteristics of Fender, Rickenbacher,

Gretsch Gretsch is an American company that manufactures musical instruments. The company was founded in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant, shortly after his arrival to the United States. Friedrich Gretsch ...

and Gibson guitars. The affordable Fano Standard line of guitars was launched in 2016 and includes the JM6, SP6, TC6 and RB6.

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.

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. The Alt de Facto has been reviewed by a wide range of guitar publications, including: Vintage Guitar.

Standard Series

Fano introduced the Standard Series line of guitars, made up of the JM6 and SP6 models, in January 2016. The Standard Series is "...an affordable line of signature guitars from one of the industry’s most respected custom builders. 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. 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

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and shipped to the authorized Fano dealers in January and February 2018.

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."

Musicians who play Fano guitars

Fano Guitars are played and endorsed by a wide range of professional guitarists, including: Jared Scharff (''

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''),

Walter Becker Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 – September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He was the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz rock band Steely Dan.Russonello, Giovanni,Listen t ...

(Steely Dan),

Scott Sharrard Scott Sharrard (born December 28, 1976) is an American musical artist widely known as the lead guitarist and musical director of the Gregg Allman Band. A prolific songwriter and talented singer, he has also released several soul-influenced alb ...

(Gregg Allman Band), Eric Jason Brock (Three Across and The Eric Jason Brock Band), and

Conor Oberst Conor Mullen Oberst (born February 15, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, the Faint (previously named Norman Bailer), Commander V ...

Fano JM6 was used by

Gary Clark Jr. Gary Lee Clark Jr. (born February 15, 1984) is an American musician from Austin, Texas. He is known for his fusion of blues, rock and soul music with elements of hip hop. In 2011, Clark signed with Warner Bros Records and released ''The Brig ...

and Matthew Followill of Kings of Leon. Followill is also known to play PX6, TC6, SP6, RB6 and GF6.

References

External links

* {{Guitar brands Guitar manufacturing companies of the United States Manufacturing companies based in Pennsylvania Companies based in Berks County, Pennsylvania Companies with year of establishment missing