poplar – Shank Instruments Milano: Chitarre, Bassi, Batterie

GIO’

shank — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:32:25 +0000

“This instrument, as you can easily imagine at first glance, carries with it a very particular story. It was conceived as a heartfelt tribute to an encounter between people who were able to profoundly influence each other’s lives. A Tango master who has passed away, and a friend who wished to honor his memory through the creation of this instrument. The references to Tango culture are evident, and there is little need for me to dwell on describing them. Particularly interesting was the approach to the project proposed by my client, with technical specifications aimed at creating an instrument with distinctive proportions. Starting with the neck dimensions, featuring a 47 mm nut width, and ending with the thickness of the body, which is 1 cm thicker than standard Gibson measurements, allowing for a richer response in terms of semi-acoustic nuances. A deeply passionate instrument, devoted to tango and to powerful emotions.”… 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 is lifetime guaranteed and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

An audio/video demo of the instrument will be published on this page shortly.

Body: Lombardy poplar. Handcarved semihollow
Neck: maple
Fretboard: ebony, 22 frets
Radius: 12″
Diapason: 24,75″ (Gibson)
Nut: 47 mm
Pickups: custom handwound
Wiring: series, parallel, split.
Tuners: Gotoh
Finish: acrylic glossy
Weight: 3,5 kg

L'articolo GIO’ proviene da 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.

NIHIL

shank — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 14:56:57 +0000

“Despite the name I gave it, ‘Nihil’ (‘Nothing’ – Latin), this instrument has everything. It features a pair of traditional humbuckers, a pair of split single-coil pickups covering the high and low strings, and a bridge fitted with piezo-equipped saddles. The entire setup is routed through three separate, independent output lines, offering maximum tonal flexibility. The body shape is based on an existing model I’ve always found appealing and full of character. Taking on this project was a welcome challenge, one I gladly accepted when the client brought me the idea. As I built it, following the client’s vision, I found myself imagining the different ways it might be used. And once it was finished, I was genuinely surprised by just how much this guitar can express. Not bad for something called ‘Nothing.’ With all due respect to Jean-Paul Sartre, to whom I’ve dedicated this page.”…. Let’s Play

Body: Lombardy poplar – Semi hollow.
Neck: flamed maple
Fretboard: ebony, 22 frets medium jumbo
Radius: 12″
Diapason: 25,5″
Nut: 43 mm
Pickup: Duesemberg hum / Custom single coils
Bridge: Fishman piezo
Tuners: Kluson
Finish: acrylic glossy
Weight: 3,4 kg

L'articolo NIHIL 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.

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.

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.