Stephen Marchione MK1 LTD, 2018

This guitar is taking a second turn through our shop, straight out of a collection, and is in the same condition as when it originally left the shop in 2018. Below is the original write-up for this guitar.

This is normally where I'd give you my take on an instrument, but this is such an incandescent example of the guitar maker's art that I'm going to introduce it to you through Stephen's own characterization of its genesis.

Here's what Stephen has to say:

"The renaissance of the infamous Mark Knopfler carve top guitar (MK-1) began a couple of years ago when a prominent European collector and guitarist approached me about crafting a faithful replica of Mark's guitar based on my experience building the Pensa-Suhr guitars in the early 1990s, my subsequent work with my own Marchione carve-top electric guitars and his private collection that contains a number of Marchione and Pensa-Suhr guitars from that era that we could use as examples. Additionally, a trove of photographs of Mark's personal guitar were utilized in the precise 3D drafting of this remarkable instrument.

"What distinguishes this new MK-1 from other similar models is the meticulous research into all of Mark's guitars' unique specs that are significantly different from other carve-top electrics. Starting with the unique outline of the body, followed by the incredibly ergonomic geometry and lovely hand carved top, this model has a magical quality that pleases the eye, ear and heart. When playing the guitar, the absolute stability and resonance of the instrument are immediately apparent.

"This classic MK1 version is in itself an exciting re-interpretation of the Pensa-Suhr made for Mark Knopfler in the summer of 1993. Additionally, the new Marchione pickups are rich and vibrant while being noise free. The wood choices, old growth mahogany and maple for the body, maple and Brazilian rosewood for the neck all combine for a rich tonal experience. Aesthetically, the unique design is highlighted by the Knopler honey burst nitro-cellulose lacquer and true ivroid binding to create a sublime and perhaps perfect electric guitar."

I would simply add this: the carving of the top is totally hand done (you can sense the builder's soul here). The binding work is so precise, remarkably tight and right, as good as I have ever seen on any guitar by any builder. The nitro finish is deep and rich and is the perfect enhancement to the remarkable woods. This MK1 plays like butter with tolerances so exact that one could drop the action extremely low with no buzzing. This is without a doubt Stephen's Ferrari of electric guitars, the very top of his line and a guitar that - because of the time and precision it takes to craft - is only available in very limited numbers. Resonant, rich in tone, exquisitely built and an extremely fine player, this MK1 is just a thrill to have in the shop. Well done Mr. Marchione!

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT MARCHIONE GUITARS
At one time in his life, Stephen Marchione spent six hours a day playing the guitar. Now he makes them—in fact, since beginning his career as a guitar maker in 1989, Stephen has created more than three-hundred guitars for some of the best guitar players in the world. The journey from high-school jazz devotee to “the finest young guitar maker working today,” according to Chamber Music America, was a rich and complicated one. After establishing his own brand and working for several years in New York, Stephen Marchione moved to Houston, Texas, where he builds his entire family of guitars, but Marchione has also studied privately since 1994 with Manhattan-based violin maker Guy Rabut. "I try to build one violin a year to keep my chops up" Says Marchione. He feels that building classical guitars and violins broadens his understanding of top thicknessing, tap tuning, and surface preparation. On the other hand, building electric guitars has taught him the importance of the fretboard in a player's appreciation of a guitar. Marchione is considered one of a very few leading-edge pioneers in the design of guitars that combine elements of both jazz and classical construction. This well-rounded approach contributes to the magic one finds in a Marchione instrument, a magic that is at once very broad yet truly individual.