Although the first FV guitar was born in 1990 out of the necessity of replacing a broken instrument, the concept of building guitars with the intent of improving on the quality of what I was playing at the time didn’t come till 1998. Because I had no previous experience in the trade, it took me a while to cross the threshold and produce a desirable instrument. But needless to say, it turned out substantially better than my big-name axe. I thus realized that in order to achieve what I was after, only batches of six or less guitars could realistically be made at a time by a single builder. As to today, I have simplified the task to one instrument a month and my sanity is all the better for it.
A few years ago, I entered in a partnership under FJ Coyote Guitars, but the project was doomed from the start and there isn’t much in terms of history there. I was the master builder and the partner in charge of sales. To say that I created way more guitars than those sold is an understatement. In the end, I simply walked out.
Grain fillers and nitrocellulose finishes may be the norm among top builders, but I can’t justify their place in my shop. As a philosophical matter, I can’t justify perfection either, as each guitar is built as a unique project where some of the handwork is intentionally present as a mark of authenticity. I find the result much more pleasing and inviting.
My favorite guitars have always been the ones that begged to be played, such as teles, strats, and juniors; thus, they are essentially the ones I gravitate towards, albeit with taking the liberty of adding a few personal touches to their design. No two necks are ever alike, yet they all instill the same sense of comfort and ease of playing. Overall, I aim for my guitars to convey an air of rustic elegance teamed with tonal individuality; and as such, I love them all.
The first FV guitar
FJ Coyote Natural in northern ash
S/N 3005 J-Style
Neck: Honduran Mahogany, Indian Rosewood fingerboard, 12" radius, MOP dot inlays, nickel frets, 5° non-scallopped headstock, 2.2° neck/body joint, set neck.
Scale length: 24 5/8"
Body: Honduran Mahogany.
Pickguard & back plate: figured Pacific Maple
Tuners: Hipshot, open-gear, locking.
Bridge: Gotoh 510 UB, adjustable wraparound, chrome.
Pickups: Rio Grande Jazzdawg neck, 9.8 K, Rio Grande Bluesdawg bridge, 11.5 K.
Weight: 8.3 lbs
PRICE: $ 2,200.00 (Includes hard-shell case)
Please, contact me for details.
S/N 3001 J-Style prototype
Neck: Honduran Mahogany, Indian Rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, MOP dot inlays, nickel jumbo frets, 5° non-scallopped headstock, 2.2° neck/body joint, set neck.
Scale length: 24 5/8"
Body: African Mahogany.
Tuners: Gotoh Vintage
Bridge: Graphtech wraparound, chrome
Pickup: Lollar, 9.4 K
Weight: 7.3 lbs
PRICE: $ 1,250.00 (Includes hard-shell case)
Please, contact me for details.
S/N 3002 J-Style, Worn Antique
Neck: Honduran Mahogany, Indian Rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, MOP dot inlays, nickel jumbo frets, 5° headstock, set neck.
Scale length: 24 5/8"
Body: African mahogany
Tuners: Gotoh Vintage
Bridge: Golden Age adjustable wraparound, chrome
Pickup: Dominger Vintage, hand-wound, 8.4 K
Weight: 7.5 lbs
PRICE: $1,800.00 SOLD!
S/N 2020 TS-Style
Neck: Cocobolo, Indian Rosewoode fretboard, 12" radius, MOP dot inlays, nickel frets, bolt-on.
Scale length: 25 1/2"
Body: Pacific Maple
Tuners: Gotoh Vintage
Bridge: Gotoh compensated.
Neck pickup: Vintage Fender, 5.6 K
Bridge pickup: Dominger special hand-wound, 9.8 K
Weight: 9.0 lbs
PRICE: $1,400.00 SOLD!
S/N 3004 J-Style
Neck: Honduran Mahogany, Indian Rosewood fretboard, 12" radius, 12° scallopped headstock, 2.2° neck/body joint, set neck.
Scale length: 24 5/8"
Body: Sapele, highly figured Bubinga top.
Tuners: Gotoh Vintage.
Bridge: Golden Age adjustable wraparound, nickel.
Pickup: Dominger Vintage, hand-wound, 8.0 K
Weight: 8.2 lbs.
PRICE: $2,000.00 (Includes hard-shell case)
Please, contact me for details.