Description

A few years ago we approached Joe Yanuziello with the idea of building an exclusive model for The Music Emporium. Turning design decisions over to a master luthier like Joe is a very cool experience because you know you're going to get something really special, but you're not exactly sure what he's cooking up. The resulting guitar, "The Continental", is a masterpiece.

What makes this guitar unique and only for TME? For starters, there is no body binding. The presentation grade Pommele Sapele top melds gracefully to the ivory colored, Western red alder body. Mirroring that transition is a gorgeous clear jewel-like pickguard that has the same bevel as the body and is sprayed on the bottom with the same ivory color as the body. Note the ivoroid bridge base, ivoroid bar / pearl dot fretboard markers, gorgeous ebony fretboard, fluted ivoroid knobs, and the polished aluminum tailpiece. Joe's brilliant eye for design is all over this unique guitar!

From the moment you first pick a Yanuziello up, you know you're holding a special guitar - the quality is obvious (as is the weight, or lack thereof). Spend 5 minutes playing one and you will find yourself reaching for your wallet. They're very addictive to play and just exceptionally musical and unique.

The fit and finish are world class. Some guitars that reach this level of build perfection can be a little lifeless -the pursuit of perfection at the expense of being soulful. Not so with Joe Yanuziello's instruments. There's a lot of heart and soul in these guitars and we regularly find ourselves digging deeper, playing new licks and ideas when we get a spare 15 minutes to sit with one.

The tones from the Fralin/Yanuziello single coil pickups are articulate, nuanced, fat, and warm. There is a complexity to the tone of these guitars that's very appealing to our ears. You can achieve Frisell-esq clean tones all the way to swampy, loose-bass, pushed blues tones with ease. Did we mention that these guitars weigh between 5-6lbs? Just an amazing playing experience overall.

We can assure you, you don't own a guitar like this. These guitars would make an exceptional addition to any collection! Don't hold out as these guitars sell quickly. Priced with a Yanuziello Ameritage case.