Island Forty-Four # 35, Aged Orange Metallic

Montreal-based luthier Nic Delisle has been crafting some of the most unique electric guitars on the market for years. His love for famed catalogue guitars of the 50s and 60s shines through in his work, taking those wonderful mid-century concepts into the modern era with taste, refinement, and a keen eye for artful design that tows the line between familiar and fresh.
Arguably his most notable model is the Forty-Four. The Forty-Four takes the compact single-cut design of the original Harmony H44 Stratotone and elevates it from mail-order to luthier-grade, all while retaining what made the originals so special. From the reclaimed tonewoods and custom-made hardware to the handwound pickups and striking finish work, the Forty-Four is as captivating tonally as it is visually.

The large C/D neck and Aged Orange Metallic finish (a little bit of that aged Copper look is in there!) give a nod to the originals, while the MOJO Hersheybucker and custom-milled aluminum bridge and brass saddles offer wider tonal variety, more sustain, and precise intonation. The string-through design is a nice touch as well - we definitely feel the added resonance at play.

With many of the original H44 Stratotones relegated to slide guitars due to the bridge design and neck angle, the Island Forty-Four becomes an obvious choice for players wanting the style without the playability restrictions. These guitars are highly capable of covering some serious tonal ground!