What is the history of Fano Guitars?

allen

Hi all,

I own a Fano (arroyo grande) and it's a great guitar. I'd probably like to purchase another one at some point. I saw a recent ad on ebay/reverb (can't remember exactly) and it said it had been built by Dennis in the advert. I sent an email to Dennis (the power of the internet!) and he was 100% clear that he had not been near the guitar because of the simple reason that it had the 'made in arroyo grande' sticker on the rear of the headstock. I didn't contact the seller on the basis that someone who makes false claims should generally be avoided.

I had a look around and the best thing I could find was this summary:

1. Until 2009: Dennis Fano independent
2. 2009-2016: Premier Builders Guild - Dennis Fano sells the company to PBG when it's founded in 2009; Fano becomes an employee of PBG and does prototypes and one-offs in his old shop. PBG also purchases Gene Baker's B3 company and set up shop in Arroyo Grande to build all PBG-built instruments.
   • Dennis Fano leaves PBG in 2014 to start Novo Guitars. By this point the only PBG brands are Fano, B3 and Koll.
   • In early 2015 Saul Koll leaves PBG - he had always maintained his solo shop, so the models that PBG built simply revert back to Saul's solo shop.
   • By Spring 2015 PBG shutters the Arroyo Grande facility; they farm out the Fanos to Grover Jackson's G2 facility; Gene Baker takes back his B3 brand and restarts them as his own company.
   • Fano Standard series starts - which I've read contradictory things about the bodies and necks possibly being MIJ and just assembled in the USA - while the Alt de Factos were always 100% USA during this era
3. 2016-present: Desert Son Music - PBG completely unwinds at the end of 2016, selling Fano to Desert Son Music (based in Scottsdale) and spinning back out Tone King Amps and Two Rock Amps. Desert Son builds all their instruments in-house; they use the name "Standard" for their small-batch production and "Alt de Facto" for custom ordered instruments.

I think when it says he worked in 'his old shop' it means his workshop on the eastern USA, not in california.

All of this means that if a guitar was made in arroyo grande then Dennis had nothing physically to do with it except the use of his design.

Is anyone able to shed any light or add any further info on this?

Hattigol

Erm, are you asking us or telling us?

allen

Bit of both. I did a bit of research and that was the best I could come up with.

I'm not one of those people who can't be bothered to google something and just asks in a forum because they are too lazy to look for themselves!

Now looking to the collective knowledge in this hallowed forum. Basically, I'm looking for confirmation or otherwise of what I found.

Whitecat

Most of that is accurate with the note that as of this year the Standards have been discontinued and “replaced” by the Omni series which is cheaper but is fully made in China. Alt de Factos are now the only USA-made-in-any-fashion Fano - and within their “menus” can be fully custom, and they make some builder’s choice versions too. 

Can’t help with your specific guitar situation, sorry - if Dennis said he didn’t touch it then he’s likely not lying. He was pretty hands-off for most of the PBG era - I think he remained in Pennsylvania doing prototypes and consulting before he sold up his interest completely. 

danishbacon

I’ve spoke to desert son and will add to this when I have time. 

Sassafras

If your current Fano is really good, it sounds like you need whoever made that, not Dennis Fano.

Whitecat

Interesting news. Looks like the Omnis were not replacing the Standards after all but sitting alongside a new midrange option - https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/fano-oltre-series/

stickyfiddle

Whitecat said:

Interesting news. Looks like the Omnis were not replacing the Standards after all but sitting alongside a new midrange option - https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/fano-oltre-series/

I wonder if Guitar.com have jumped the gun on that - there's no mention anywhere online, even Fano's website!

stonevibe

Actually, I spoke with Fano today and have some overall spec details of the new range here

DougCoda

build time on these is 120-150 days and the options list is very impressive for the price and they’ll be a little more than the Standards were.
If the pound doesn’t tank the selling price here should be around the £2000 mark with Lollar pickups and a gig bag for most models, we put our orders in last week so hopefully should get some of the first ones.

Collings

I,d have no problem buying any guitar built by the PBG. I have owned a couple and still own a B3 which is great. Gene Baker did a great job looking after construction and quality was consistently high.

grungebob

This news sounds expensive for my wallet. 

allen

stonevibe said:

Actually, I spoke with Fano today and have some overall spec details of the new range here

Thanks. good info.

allen

DougCoda said:

build time on these is 120-150 days and the options list is very impressive for the price and they’ll be a little more than the Standards were.
If the pound doesn’t tank the selling price here should be around the £2000 mark with Lollar pickups and a gig bag for most models, we put our orders in last week so hopefully should get some of the first ones.

Is there a px6 with a trem in your order?

DougCoda

No options for trems on this series, that would have to be an Alt De Facto. First ones through will be JMs and SP’s