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Blackbird and Ferrari team up for carbon fiber acoustic guitar [w/VIDEO]
Lightweight. Compact. Exclusive. Carbon fiber construction. Red detailing. Built for the road. Beautiful sound. These are a few of the qualities listed on the special edition Blackbird Carbon Fiber guitar, but they could just as easily be talking about a Ferrari sportscar. And while the Prancing Horse marque has put its logo on everything from laptop computers to home gyms (and just about everything in between), here we give you the first Ferrari-branded musical instrument.The Blackbird Rider Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar is the brainchild of Joe Luttwak, a designer who spent some time working for Ferrari in Maranello. The Ferrari edition is further distinguished by a red interior, a red A string and a Scuderia shield on the head. Although prices and production numbers weren't released, the model on which it's based sells for a whopping $1,499.
The entire run – each individually autographed by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen – sold out shortly after it went on sale in Ferrari Stores. Which may be unfortunate, but we'll just have to content ourselves listening to Ferrari exhaust notes instead. Check out the video and press release after the jump, photos in the gallery below.
[Source: Blackbird Guitars]
PRESS RELEASE:
Blackbird Guitars releases a Ferrari version of the Iconic Rider Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar
San Francisco - Inspired by the technology, style, and spirit of the famed Italian "supercar" manufacturer, Blackbird Guitars' brings you the limited-edition Ferrari-branded "Rider". The ultra-rare Ferrari Blackbird guitars were sold at Ferrari Stores worldwide and signed by F1 drivers Philipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. Based on Blackbird Guitars' high-performance Rider travel guitar, it is the first instrument fit for the Ferrari namesake. Like Ferrari, it is a study in superlatives-among the most resonant, durable and lightest guitars in the world. The Rider travel guitar is compact enough to fit in the trunk of a sports car, but it plays and sounds like a much bigger instrument. It looks like nothing else on the market: sleek, black carbon fiber speaks to the high-tech materials and construction while the exclusive Maranello Red interior, accented red A string, and Ferrari Scuderia emblem highlights the passion of world-class Italian motoring.
Blackbird Guitars blends traditional guitar-making with design and construction inspired by Formula 1 race cars. The guitar features a one-piece, hollow neck, carbon fiber construction-and a unique sound port at the head directly influenced by F1 race car design. The high-performance Ferrari pedigree is more than just show-designer and Blackbird founder Joe Luttwak worked for the storied car manufacturer in Maranello, Italy. This experience laid the foundation for this thoroughbred of a guitar, inspired by Ferrari's unque commitment to technology, style, and performance. "Great acoustic guitar construction, like great race car construction, benefits from stiff and ultra light materials. Using carbon fiber, like Ferrari's Formula 1 race cars, for the guitar's uni-body design produces an instrument that sounds better and is much more durable than any travel guitar available today. Many ideas for Blackbird Guitar's models were inspired by my time at Ferrari, and it's wonderful to make a model that honors their unparalleled technology, ingenuity and success."
All Blackbird Rider models are built for the road with a virtually indestructible carbon-fiber body that is less than two-thirds the size of a standard acoustic, but has nearly an equivalent tone-so players no longer need to compromise tone for portability. Each Blackbird Rider is beautifully hand-crafted, with the carbon fiber expertly constructed to balance tone, weight and strength.
The first run of the exlusive Ferrari guitar series is now sold out, but Blackbird Guitars is accepting special, custom orders on the Rider model. Blackbird Guitars are made in San Francisco by a small team of luthiers by the Bay. The world's best travel guitars, the Rider steel and Rider Nylon, now start at $1499. The Blackbird family also includes the larger Super OM.
To learn more visit www.blackbirdguitars.com
Key Features of the Blackbird Rider:
* Exceptional Carbon Fiber strength and environmental stability
* Hollow neck with Stereo Sound Port® in head of the guitar
* Asymmetric Acoustic Design® with off-set sound-hole
* Ultralight for enhanced sound, comfort and balance
* Full scale length (24.5")
* 3D sculpted back for improved ergonomics, playability & durability
* Optional electronics for amazing amplified tone
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TheSteve 10:33AM (11/19/2009)
I usually prefer black g strings.
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Alex 10:34AM (11/19/2009)
Dear Ferrari;
Please jump the shark soon.
k, thx
Alex
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bssplayr 10:40AM (11/19/2009)
just my opinion, but this seems like the kinda thing that would get you kicked out of a band, or at least, have the guitar splintered over your head. Too special for a 'normal' guitar, are you?
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Shawn 10:48AM (11/19/2009)
$1500 is kinda cheap for an acoustic. The Carbon Fibre ones sound like garbage anyways, regardless of what badge it has on it.
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RicoChet 10:49AM (11/19/2009)
What kind of a poser do you need to be to buy a guitar with a Ferrari logo on it? Lame.
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tblack 10:51AM (11/19/2009)
I just have to say, I got a real kick out of the first three comments to this post. Hilarious.
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lorenzo 10:58AM (11/19/2009)
I think it is a really cool looking guitar - if you took off the Ferrari logo and those scribbles that are all over it.
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Stig2112 11:44AM (11/19/2009)
Doesn't look all that comfortable to play (sitting down at least). I'd rather save my money for a Guild or Martin.
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Bolide Italiano 12:31PM (11/19/2009)
Very "cheesy" with all those Ferrari logos, me don't like
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GiladDesign.com 12:42PM (11/19/2009)
I've heard these at a trade show and they actually sound pretty damn good. The youtube is pretty realisitic.
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MikeInNC 1:13PM (11/19/2009)
I don't own a CF guitar (but own a Larrivee, Martin, Gibson and a few others) and some of them sound down right amazing and I'm all about the tone wood. That said, I think this edition has a certain cheeze factor. Although I do get the small boxy body concept, I'd opt for a standard shape OO but made of CF.
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PumaGTO 2:34PM (11/19/2009)
JK is definetly buying one... Even if he never plays it.
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PJ 3:09PM (11/19/2009)
There's a guy in my neighborhood who will only drive his 360 Modena convertible while wearing his matching red Ferrari jacket, jumpsuit, and baseball cap.
Yep, there's a market for this, all right.
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