Yanuziello Red Velvet Cupcake

The Cupcake is a brand new model from Joseph Yauziello, designed for the guitarist who needs an easily transportable guitar - a pro guitar you can travel with. The Cupcake is a for the guitarist who yearns for the eloquence, crafted beauty and playability from one of the finest guitar builders in today's golden age of lutherie.

Every once in a while, I get a guitar in that twists my head around, that I can't seem to put down; the damn thing just calls me from across the room and screams PLAY ME. I have one of those little devils right here in the shop; crafted from the otherworldly hands of none other than Joseph Yanuziello. (You should be familiar with Joe's work, but if you're not, check out some of my previous Yanuziello POVs).

Originally conceived as a touring guitar for the brilliant and eclectic guitarist Kevin Breit (Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson among others) the Cupcake was designed to be something that could be taken on a plane without a hassle then played in the studio or stage without missing a beat. Kevin's Cupcake turned out to be such a success that he found no need to carry another 6 string electric on a gig. In other words: call Kevin and he shows up with the Yaz Cupcake, plays awesome, sounds great, no travel hassle and everybody's happy.  When Joe told me about his new creation I just had to order one for the shop in this yummy and wonderful red velvet finish.

Truthfully, I'm amazed. Its scale length is 22.5", shorter than my 1958 Byrdland but it's oh so playable. In fact, because it has Joe's standard nut width and neck profile, it is actually more comfortable to play than my vintage Gibson. Don't think of this as a travel guitar as much as a guitar you can travel with. It is professional all the way. From the fit and finish to the exquisite appointments to the sound, it is another masterfully built Yanuziello.

Tonally it is quite versatile. Because of the mini hums and shorter scale, I find it, surprisingly, to be a bit beefier sounding than Joe's standard electric. It can play crunchy - think Keith Richard, jazzy - think Bill Frisell, bluesy - think Ry Cooder. It can pretty much go anywhere sonically, but with the convenience of going anywhere physically - think the overhead in an airplane.

It really is an instrument that you need to explore - that's what I find so inspiring about it - to find out exactly how it engages and amplifies your personal style. Bottom line, I really love this Red Velvet Cupcake. It really is a guitar that every guitarist has at one time or another needed, wanted or wished for but wasn't available until now.

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 YANUZIELLO INSTRUMENTS
It certainly doesn't take a genius to realize that guitar builder Joseph Yanuziello is the real deal. What's "the real deal" you say? When it comes to luthiers, it means someone who has built a meaningful full-time career over a long period of time, developed the craft/art/voodoo of instrument building to the highest level, carved out their own niche in an overcrowded sea of brand names, you know, the real deal! There is something about a Yanuziello that is both plain-and-simple and somehow luxurious at the same time. In fact, Yanuziello's background in design and wood/metal fabrication has served him well in producing what he would describe as "modern vintage instruments." His interest in many musical genres is reflected in the different electric and acoustic instruments he produces. "The challenge is to keep it fresh and new and a continuous learning experience...the players have a lot to do with this." - JY