What do you get when you bring that high-brow Italian design into a guitar? My low-brow sensibilities expected a six-string with lines that resemble a Ferrari. Fortunately, the dude who styled the Di Donato are blessed with a bit more taste than me.
Made by Edoardo DiDonato, the instrument comes decked in flowing curves that look more at home in a Venetian Gothic costume than a modern electric axe. It looks a bit awkward to play with those gaping blanks in the body, but I can’t imagine a more appropriate nod to Italian design than this rig’s sheer originality.
The Di Donato has a cast aluminum alloy frame upon which the wooden body components are arranged onto. It works similar to a violin’s soundboard, transferring the vibrations throughout the various elements. According to the website, the handcrafted metal skeleton’s thickness is precisely calculated to enhance very specific frequencies that give the guitar a recognizable sound.
They use different varieties of wood for the axe’s non-metal parts, which include mahogany, korina, maple and alder, all chosen for their tonal qualities. Features include wood-encased hand-wound pickups with a 3-way selector, a 25-inch scale neck, ABM headless bridge tuners and Elixir nanoweb strings.
We’re not sure how it sounds in a capable musician’s hands, but the Di Donato sure looks like one head-turner of a guitar. Plus, the unusual shape makes for instant handles at various points in the body, so it can prove particularly convenient. Price is $5,000.