curly maple – Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie

SUNSET

shank — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:31:00 +0000

“This guitar takes its lines from the Aquafan model, an original Shank Instruments design to which I’m deeply attached. Once again, the top is made of figured black poplar from Lombardy, a wood I’ve been using extensively lately and one that I hold in the highest regard for its tonal response, visual impact, and workability. It’s a fine tonewood that isn’t always given the appreciation it deserves. The Italian ash body completes the semi-hollow construction. Ebony fingerboard and a modern-design flamed maple neck. The Italian-made Alnico 2 pickups are remarkable. A beautiful instrument to enjoy all day long — not only at sunset“… Let’s Play.”

All the models presented on these pages are entirely handcrafted by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, founder of Shank Instruments Milano.
Each instrument comes with a lifetime warranty and a certificate of authenticity.

Body: Ash- Semi hollow.
Top: Lombardy figured poplar
Neck: flamed maple, C shape. 1° fret thickness 22mm
Fretboard: ebony, 22 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Diapason: 24,75″ (Gibson)
Nut: 43,5 mm
Pickups: MAMA Hystoric Alinco 2
Wiring: 1 vol + 1 tone – 3 way toggle
Bridge: Gotoh
Tuners: Kluson
Finish: acrylic glossy
Weight: 3,2 kg

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

ELLA

shank — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:54:47 +0000

“A feast laid out with every delicacy imaginable. That was the feeling the instrument was meant to convey once in your hands — and that was the philosophy behind the project I was presented with. The goal was to achieve the greatest possible versatility in playability, and the widest assortment in terms of tonal variety. From this premise came the decision to use three custom-wound Alnico V pickups of our own making, a varitone switch, and coil-splitting on the humbuckers. There are many similarities with the Sonora guitar, which you can see on these pages under “Instruments,” but also many visual differences. An instrument to be played — and devoured.”… Let’s Play

All the models presented on these pages are entirely handcrafted by luthier Emanuele D’Alò, founder of Shank Instruments Milano. Each instrument comes with a warranty and a certificate of authenticity.

Body: curly maple, swamp ash. Semihollow
Neck: curly maple
Fretboard: rosewood, 22 frets jumbo
Radius: 12″
Diapason: 24,75″
Nut: 43,5 mm
Pickup: Custom wound humbucker- Alnico V
Varitone: 4 position custom made
Bridge: Gotoh roller
Tuners: Kluson
Finish: acrylic glossy
Weight: 6,1 lbs

L'articolo ELLA proviene da 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.

TAAN

shank — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 19:42:45 +0000

“Friendship can mature in different ways. The path I chose, alongside a musician I deeply respect, took shape through the creation of a guitar, following the clearest trail the forest could offer us. If there was a gesture of friendship, the forest itself set its boundaries. I’m grateful to have found a new friend, someone who understands cinema, forests, and the kind of routes that require just the right density.”…. Let’s Play

Body: black poplar. Semihollow
Top: maple
Neck: flamed maple
Fretboard: ebony, 22 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Diapason: 25 1/2″
Nut: 42,5 mm
Pickup: custom bridge, Lollar neck
Bridge: Gotoh
Tuners: Kluson
Finish: acrylic satin
Weight: 6,1 lbs

L'articolo TAAN 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.

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.

SONORA

shank — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 16:25:22 +0000

“I only knew it had to be as white as possible, thin, light, and adorned with generous doses of pearloid. Three pickups, a free-way selector, a Variatone, and, if possible, an extra compartment on the headstock to make bending easier. I had no idea what kind of music its future owner would play, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was the contagious enthusiasm my client poured into the project and the uniqueness of the idea—an irresistible challenge I couldn’t help but take on with equal passion. Then, when it was finally finished, I handed it over. And with just the first four notes, my client told me exactly where this instrument was meant to go and in which territory it would begin to make itself heard. That was the moment I wished I had brought a pair of boots to get dusty—at least once.“… Let’s Play

All the 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 delivered with a certificate of authenticity.

Body: curly maple, swamp ash
Neck: curly maple, C modern shape. Thickness 1° fret 22,5 mm
Fretboard: rosewood, 22 frets jumbo
Radius: 12″
Diapason: 24,75″
Nut: 43,5 mm
Pickup: Lollar Novel 90 (N), TV Jones Duo-Tron, Gibson ’71 (B)
Bridge: Gibson
Tuners: Kluson
Finish: glossy acrylic
Weight: 6,1 lbs

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

SILHOUETTE

shank — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:40:51 +0000

“It’s always difficult, if not impossible, to recreate the essence of an object we know so well through the creation of something else. And yet, I’m often asked to do just that. When it comes to a Telecaster, the challenge is almost not worth accepting unless you’re willing to let its lines guide you, much like a mannequin shapes the soul of the tailor crafting a dress upon it. It’s not easy to let an object shape your soul, but it can be done.”… Let’s Play

Body: black poplar solid body
Top: curly maple top grade
Neck: curly maple
Fretboard: maple, 22 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 10″
Nut: 42,5 mm
Diapason: 25″ 1/2
Pickup: Di Marzio Chopper – Twang King
Bridge: Gotoh
Finishing: poliurethane
Weight: 7 lbs

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

TUSCAN

shank — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 17:23:04 +0000

“That tobacco brown colour I’ve always been looking for… That of the famous “Toscanelli” cigars that left fragrant trails along the road, loved and hated because of the intense and rather sour taste they left behind. I think I saw, when I was a boy, how they were made from the typical tobacco leaves grown in Tuscany and I think I remember perfectly the deep brown colour, veined with yellow/green flames, that characterised them. It is a colour I have often tried to reproduce and this time I think I have succeeded as never before with the procedure of dyeing flamed maple with alcohol stain. To complete the range of shades of Tuscan tobacco, a beautiful pair of indian rosewood sides. This is written, as you may have guessed, by an ex-smoker luthier.”… Let’s Play

All the archtop models presented on these pages are completely 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 handmade from solid boards.

Soundboard: quarter sawn flamed maple, handcarved
Back: quarter sawn flamed maple, handcarved
Sides: rosewood
Size: 35 cm (17″)
Height sides: 60 mm (2,3″)
Neck: flamed maple, C shape. Height 1st fret 0,8″ (22mm)
Fretboard: rosewood, 20 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Bracing: parallel
Diapason: 24,75″ (Gibson)
Nut: 1,7″ (43,5 mm) – Osso
Pickup: Bill Lawrence A-400
Bridge: ebony
Finish: poliurethane
Weight: 7.0 lbs (3,2 kg)

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

RUTH

shank — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 13:17:16 +0000

I have never been seduced by ordinary beauty, nor by the clear pleasure that it provokes when looked at. Not even a guitar can make it. Still, with this one, I don’t know why I wanted a bit of ordinary beauty while I was making it. Just before I started wondering if I had to change it with some unconventional element. But finally shiny red came to adjust things and to explain me what I was actually looking for in ordinary pleasure. Let’s play.

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