The V-Wing model is an extreme example of AM Guitars’ Doc Brown-style crazy-kooky ingenuity. It’s made out of a recycled aluminum grid and
frame-plate of a vintage vacuum cleaner. Now looking more like a gladiator’s
weapon than a vacuum cleaner, this battle-worthy axe features a 25 1/2"
scale maple neck matched with an ebony fingerboard. The V-Wing also has
a custom bridge and tailpiece, and is loaded with EMG pickups because he
considers active pickups well suited to projects lacking wood “where I can’t
count on the resonance of the wood to deliver solid tone.”
The Ricken
With its big, voluptuous body reminiscent of a ’60s Rickenbacker 330,
the Ricken is a perfect name for this subdued-but-quirky AM Guitars creation. The body features maple and cherry woods that were recycled from
old neighborhood floors. The skeleton is shaped out of aluminum, which
is also used for the AM Guitars headstock logo. The Ricken also features
Seymour Duncan humbuckers, custom electronics, a Schaller bridge, a
custom-made tailpiece, and Sperzel tuners.
Mistorni’s handbuilt, one-off guitars range anywhere
from $5000–$20,000 depending on the value of
the guitar’s materials and the hours spent building
them. AM Guitars is a one-man shop so Mistorni
welcomes all challenges and ideas from players. “I
try to make each guitar a one of a kind piece of art,”
says Mistorni. “I use customers’ input and materials
so even if I’m using similar materials or objects, the
guitars are constantly evolving in new directions
both sonically and aesthetically ensuring each project
is unique and different.” Currently, AM Guitars’
wait time is five months.
