archtop – Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie

ICONA

shank — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:40:00 +0000

“The creation of this guitar represents, in many ways, the culmination of a journey that has unfolded over several years during which I explored the use of nylon strings and figured black poplar, a tonewood I’ve come to deeply appreciate for its unique acoustic properties in archtop guitar construction. At first, I sought to emphasize the wood’s full aesthetic potential by using a vibrant staining technique applying a mordant to enhance color absorption and highlight the natural grain with striking hues. Over time, this exploration led me to a more restrained approach, and with this latest instrument, I’ve chosen to showcase the wood in all its natural beauty. This guitar also marks a turning point in a challenge I set for myself, and shared with others who are passionate about this type of instrument, to recognize and celebrate black poplar as one of the finest woods for soundboards. That is, if spruce is willing to share the spotlight…”…. Let’s Play

Handcrafted nylon strings archtop guitar. Black figured solid wood quarter sawn Lombardy poplar.

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely handmade by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments are built according to the Benedetto method and both the soundboards and the backs are handcarved from solid quarter sawn boards.

Soundboard: quarter sawn black poplar, handcarved
Back: quarter sawn black poplar, handcarved
Sides: curly maple
Size: 35 cm (17″)
Height sides: 60 mm (2,3″)
Neck: flamed maple, C shape. Height 1st fret 0,8″ (22mm)
Fretboard: ebony, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 16″
Bracing: parallel, spruce
Diapason: 25 1/2″
Nut: 48,5 mm – Bone
Pickup: piezo MiSi – Acoustic Trio
Bridge: ebony
Finish: acrylic
Weight: 7.0 lbs (3,2 kg)

L'articolo ICONA proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

ROMA

shank — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:47:42 +0000

“Yet, many dream of leaving this city. They say it no longer gives unconditionally but instead takes something from those who live here. It’s the fate of many cities, and of many of us, if it were not for the stone we are used to believe in.”…. Let’s Play

L'articolo ROMA proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

BELUGA

shank — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 09:35:01 +0000

“Honestly, I don’t really know why I built this instrument. I’m not even sure where the inspiration came from, perhaps from the urge to push the conceptual boundaries we take for granted whenever we think of the guitar. That hunger for experimentation, that taste for a touch of madness can be a powerful force, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the real reason. Unknowingly going mad to explore the essence of the things we create and experience. A good reason, after all.”… Let’s Play

The instrument is new and classified as an ex-demo guitar. It is sold at a reduced price due to a small scratch on the edge of the body and a slight finish imperfection where the base of one tuning machine rests on the headstock. Photos of the area in question are available.

This guitar, in a super-jumbo format, is clearly inspired by the archtop acoustic instruments that appeared at the beginning of the last century, featuring a central round sound hole, prior to the advent of the flat-top acoustic guitars we commonly see today. The challenge was to create a model that is versatile in its acoustic performance while still oriented toward a Manouche and Gypsy jazz repertoire. I believe this goal has been achieved without sacrificing or limiting the expressiveness of the instrument.

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely handmade by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, founder of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments come with a lifetime warranty, and both the soundboards and backs are hand-carved from quarter-sawn solid wood.

Soundboard: spruce solid wood, handcarved
Back: mahogany solid wood, handcarved
Sides: mahogany
Size: 17″
Height sides: 4,7″
Neck: spanish cedar (cedrela), C shape. Height 1st fret 0,88″ (22,5 mm)
Fretboard: rosewood, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Bracing soundboard: X
Diapason: 25 1/2″
Nut: 1,75″ – Bone
Pickup: Surdo Pickups – Low impedance – XLR
Bridge: rosewood
Finish: acrilic satin
Weight: 7.0 lbs (3,2 kg)

L'articolo BELUGA proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

POPS

shank — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 15:41:01 +0000

“The tree in the photo is a common black poplar (Populus nigra), the kind you often see lining roads and fields in northern Italy, where I live and work. For centuries, it has shaped the landscape, its leaves bending to the wind before standing still again under the summer sun. It’s a tree we’ve always seen but rarely recognize for what it is—a prized tonewood, valued for the striking patterns in its grain. So well known abroad, in fact, that it earned the name ‘Lombardy Poplar’, a nod to the very region where I live and craft musical instruments.”… Let’s Play

Archtop model with nylon strings entirely made of solid quarter-sawn Lombardy black poplar. Flamed maple sides and Cedrella neck.

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely hand-built by the luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments are guaranteed for life and both the soundboards and the backs are handmade from solid quarter-sawn boards.

Top: solid figured poplar, handcarved
Back: solid figured poplar, handcarved
Sides: curly maple
Size: 14″
Side height: 2,7″
Neck: mahogany, D shape. Thickness at 1st fret: 0,88″
Fretboard: ebony, 24 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 16″
Bracing: parallel
Diapason: 25,5″
Nut: 1,9″ – Bone
Pickup: piezo – MiSi Acoustic Trio
Bridge: ebony
Finish: polyurethane
Weight: 5,5 lbs

L'articolo POPS proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

SIENA

shank — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 17:32:12 +0000

“While building this instrument, a phrase kept echoing in my mind—one I had heard a few times before but never fully understood. Yet, the mental connection I made with the color I needed to create turned out to be surprisingly accurate. I remembered the Tuscan city of Siena and its earthy hues, though I wasn’t sure if ‘Siena’ referred to a place, a landscape, or a product. Then it all clicked—the words in my head were ‘Lands of Siena.’ In Tuscany, this phrase describes natural pigments that range from ochre to burnt red, ending in warm yellow—shades deeply tied to the region’s countryside. An archtop model with nylon strings, inspired by the colors of Tuscany, seemed like the perfect match.”… Let’s Play

Nylon strings acoustic archtop model, entirely handcrafted. Curly maple solid wood, quarter sawn.

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely hand-built by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments are guaranteed for life and built according to the dictates of the Benedetto method and both the soundboards and the backs are handmade from solid quarter-sawn boards.

Soundboard: quarter sawn curly maple, handcarved
Back: quarter sawn curly, handcarved
Sides: curly maple
Size: 35 cm (17″)
Height sides: 60 mm (2,3″)
Neck: flamed maple, C shape. Height 1st fret 0,8″ (22mm)
Fretboard: ebony, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 16″
Bracing: parallel, spruce
Diapason: 25 1/2″
Nut: 48,5 mm – Bone
Pickup: piezo MiSi – Acoustic Trio Air
Bridge: Amara ebony
Finish: poliurethane
Weight: 7.0 lbs (3,2 kg)

L'articolo SIENA proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

OCEAN’S 12

shank — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:17:01 +0000

“It felt almost unreal to have the rare chance to create a blue guitar—ocean blue—with twelve strings. Twelve, just like the members of Ocean’s band. A one-of-a-kind opportunity, seized in an instant.”… Let’s Play

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely hand-built by the luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments are life guaranteed and built according to the dictates of the Benedetto method and both the soundboards and the backs are handmade from solid quarter-sawn boards.

Soundboard: poplar solid wood, handcarved
Back: poplar solid wood, handcarved
Sides: flamed maple
Size: 17″
Height sides: 2,3″
Neck: spanish cedar (cedrela), C shape. Height 1st fret 0,8″ (22mm)
Fretboard: ebony, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Bracing soundboard: parallel
Diapason: 24,75″ (Gibson)
Nut: 1,8″ – Bone
Pickup: piezo undersaddle
Bridge: ebony
Finish: acrylic
Weight: 8,1 lbs (3,2 kg)

L'articolo OCEAN’S 12 proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

100’s

shank — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:22:26 +0000

“A series of curious coincidences led me to name this guitar after a term once used for cigarettes that were just slightly longer than standard ones. They were called ‘100’s,’ and you had to ask for them specifically at the tobacconist. That small difference was still noticeable. The pack was longer, and in your mouth, the cigarette felt completely different. Here, I wanted to take inspiration from my Tangier model but make some subtle changes: a slightly larger body, slightly thicker sides, and a soundport. I discussed it with a dear musician friend to get his input, and from there, the instrument took shape. My friend, my collaborator on this project—whom I take this opportunity to thank—is named Gabriele Cento. A coincidence? Perhaps not.(Note for English-speaking friends: ‘Cento’ means ‘100’ in Italian…)”… Let’s Play

This entirely hand built instrument is substantially inspired by the lines of the body and the construction specifications of the “Tangier” model which you will find illustrated on the pages of this site both in the acoustic version with metal strings and in the version with nylon strings. The “100’s” model found inspiration in the desire and will to create an instrument with the same design but with a larger volume body, for greater power in terms of volume and for an improved depth of sound spectrum and projection, obtained from a perimeter with measurements increased with the same height of the sides. The soundport adds to the novelties of this model. The soundboard is made of hand carved solid spruce, the back and sides are made of mahogany. This model is also equipped with a piezo system under the bone bridge saddle.

Soundboard: solid quarter sawn spruce, handcarved
Back: mahogany, handcarved
Sides: mahogany
Size: 15″ low bout
Side height: 2,7″
Neck: mahogany, C shape. Thickness at 1st fret: 0,88″
Fretboard: ebony, 24 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 16″
Bracing: parallel
Diapason: 25,5″
Nut: 1,8″ – Bone
Pickup: piezo – MiSi Acoustic Trio
Tuners: Grover V97-18
Bridge: ebony
Finish: acrylic satin
Weight: 5,5 lbs

L'articolo 100’s proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

DOWN LOW

shank — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:53:40 +0000

“The pleasure of using an object that, when you really look at it, has never been obsolete. An object as anachronistic as it is timeless in its functional beauty, surprising after an initial, superficial glance. There are primitive and radical ways to use objects, and one of the most beautiful is never forgetting the joy of riding a motorcycle, always carrying the best smile possible.”… Let’s Play

A particularity of this instrument is the presence of three areas with “arm rest bevel”, obtained between the intersection between the sides and the soundboard/back in correspondence with the action area of the elbow and the chest. The design solution was appropriate, in my opinion, given the not negligible height dimensions of the sides which could have compromised, in the absence of comfort areas, the absolute comfort of the instrument.

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely handmade by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments are built according to the dictates of the Benedetto method and both soundboards and backs are handcarved from solid wood.

Soundboard: cedar solid wood, handcarved
Back: mahogany solid wood, handcarved
Sides: mahogany
Size: 17″
Height sides: 4 1/2″
Neck: mahogany, C shape. Height 1st fret 0,8″ (22mm)
Fretboard: rosewood, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 16″
Bracing soundboard: parallel
Diapason: 25 1/2″
Nut: 1,9″ – Bone
Pickup: piezo MiSi Acoustic Trio
Bridge: ebony
Finish: acrilic
Weight: 7.0 lbs (3,2 kg)

L'articolo DOWN LOW proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

M&M’s

shank — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 08:45:49 +0000

“Never has the name of a guitar been so apt. It is often my customers who come up with a name to give the instrument they ask me to make for them. They often already have a name in mind well before I start building it. You can see it in their faces as if they wanted to tell you right away, as if they wanted to imagine the feeling of holding it in their hands. That’s what happened this time too… “M”ahogany & “M”aple, for my friend from Florida”… Let’s Play

Particularity of this instrument is the presence of a light spruce bracing on the back as well. It was made with the intention of adding structural tension, with the same principle used for the soundboard, also to that part of the instrument so that it would restore greater resonance.

All the archtop models presented on these pages are entirely handmade by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments Milano brand. The instruments are built according to the dictates of the Benedetto method and both soundboards and backs are handcarved from solid wood.

The guitar is new and offered at a discounted promotional price

Soundboard: mahogany solid wood, handcarved
Back: mahogany solid wood, handcarved
Sides: flamed maple
Size: 17″
Height sides: 2,3″
Neck: spanish cedar (cedrela), C shape. Height 1st fret 0,8″ (22mm)
Fretboard: ebony, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Bracing soundboard: parallel
Bracing back: X
Diapason: 24,75″ (Gibson)
Nut: 1,7″ – Bone
Pickup: custom handwound humbucker
Bridge: ebony
Finish: poliurethane
Weight: 7.0 lbs (3,2 kg)

The owner demo

L'articolo M&M’s proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.

HABIBI

shank — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 20:23:01 +0000

“Taking a train… Jochen, the guitar owner, could not bear the idea of his instrument traveling in some random train container under the summer sun. Even I, at the very moment I was painting it and before I was even asked if it could be picked up directly at my workshop, was ready to propose my own trip for delivery. We were both already on a train before the guitar was even ready. Milan and Dusseldorf are close and the trains travel fast. Probably… As fast as the thoughts and desires to come up with the best excuses to travel…””

– – –

A variant of the “Tangier” model, of identical shape and piezo equipment but with a different interpretation of the aesthetic factor focused, in this case, no longer on alternating wood figures, but rather on the charm of natural spruce soundboard. Interesting, in my opinion, was the choice of yew, a customer request, again by hand carving from solid wood.

The challenge was to adequately size the body, especially in terms of thickness, to make the widest possible spectrum and depth of tone of the instrument given the size and overall volume definitely smaller than a traditional acoustic guitar. It must be said that the instrument was designed essentially for use in an amplified context via piezo and in this perspective has been developed from the beginning.

For the rest, the project refers to the traditional manufacturing technique of an archtop instrument. Soundboard hand carved by hand from solid figured spruce wood in this case, yew wood back and sides.

The neck size was meant to provide the musician with a support that would allow him to range rather easily between the different genres that can be expressed through an acoustic instrument, without sacrificing or affecting the overall feeling of a traditional neck with “classical” measures, although with different measures in terms of width at nut.

The goal, which I believe has been achieved, is to propose an instrument with a strong classical setting on a constructive and conceptual basis typical of archtop guitars with a look, that I hope will be appreciated, at innovative design.

All archtop models presented on these pages are entirely handmade by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, owner of the Shank Instruments brand. The instruments are built according to the dictates of the Robert Benedetto method, and both soundboards and backs are hand-cut from solid boards.

Project specs

Soundboard: spruce quarter sawn, handcarved
Back: yew, handcarved
Sides: yew
Size: 13″
Height: 2,7″
Neck: mahogany, C shape. Thickness 1st fret 22mm
Fretboard: ebony, 24 medium jumbo frets
Radius: 16″
Bracing: parallel
Diapason: 25,5″
Nut: 1,9″ – Bone
Pickup: piezo – MiSi Acoustic Trio
Ponte: ebano
Finish: polyhuretane
Weight: 5,5 lbs

L'articolo HABIBI proviene da Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie.