Vintage launch the ‘Virtuoso’ Rory Evans single cutaway, electro-acoustic guitar

Vintage guitars have partnered with the UK’s Rory Evans to create the ‘Virtuoso single cutaway, electro-acoustic guitaran instrument as unique as his playing style.  

 Seeing is believing, words definitely fall short to describe his playing style that spans a variety of genres, jazz, country, classical, blues and rock, whilst his forte lies within his incredibly fast fingerpicking style. 

For comfort, accuracy and speed, the new Vintage Virtuoso features a slim mahogany neck with a soft V profile and a pau ferro fingerboard – with maple dot inlays – chosen not only for its gorgeous looks, but for its naturally high silky lustre, warm tonal response and snappy attack. 

 I wanted a fastsmooth, fingerboard and neck and a slick action, featuring selected tonewoods that would also enhance natural sonic characteristics, says Rory. 

He was adamant that his choice of tonewoods for the construction of the new Vintage Virtuoso were of the highest quality, but remained adamant that his chosen timbers were sustainable and not endangered in any way.   

Grade A solid spruce is the choice for the soundboard, selected for its tight grain, broad dynamic range and popular with fingerstyle players for its articulation and note separation.  

For an extra warm, woody tone, the back and sides are constructed from acacia, also known for its high nuance and beautiful visual characteristics. Fine appointments include maple body bindings, black/white/black purfling and a charming maple/acacia soundhole rosette.  

 Both the spruce top and acacia body have an open-pore finish, as requested by Rory. also wanted an open-pore finish, he explains, “Which I feel has a dramatic effect on acoustic guitars, within sustain, clarity and most importantly, fast note transmission.”  

 The overall tone is warm and mellow, with an open midrange that can be sharp and crisp with a fruity liveliness in the upper register with notably loud harmonics. This natural resonance and bright balance is a fine showcase for the on-board Fishman Presys Blend Preamp System. Compact and unobtrusive, the Presys Blend Preamp offers the ability to mix the internal microphone with an undersaddle Sonicore pickup system. Controls include Anti-Feedback, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Brilliance, Blend, Phase switch and built-in tuner with LED Display.  

Hardware also includes gold plated Grover 102G Rotomatic smooth geared machine headsgold strap buttons1/4″ jack and XLR outputs.

Rory Evans is a shining example of today’s breed of guitar players, forever pushing boundaries and inspiring others. 

 Research the word virtuoso, and you get….an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in a particular art or field such as fine arts or music. 

 That said, the new Vintage ‘Virtuoso Rory Evans single cutaway electro- acoustic guitar. Aptly named. 

www.jhs.co.uk