Blackbird Guitars releases a Ferrari version of the Iconic Rider Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov. 18, 2009 - San Francisco - Inspired by the technology, style, and spirit of the famed Italian "supercar" manufacturer, Blackbird Guitars' brings you the limited-edition Ferrari-branded "Rider". The ultra-rare Ferrari Blackbird guitars were sold at Ferrari Stores worldwide and signed by F1 drivers Philipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen. Based on Blackbird Guitars' high-performance Rider travel guitar, it is the first instrument fit for the Ferrari namesake. Like Ferrari, it is a study in superlatives—among the most resonant, durable and lightest guitars in the world. The Rider travel guitar is compact enough to fit in the trunk of a sports car, but it plays and sounds like a much bigger instrument. It looks like nothing else on the market: sleek, black carbon fiber speaks to the high-tech materials and construction while the exclusive Maranello Red interior, accented red A string, and Ferrari Scuderia emblem highlights the passion of world-class Italian motoring.

Blackbird Guitars blends traditional guitar-making with design and construction inspired by Formula 1 race cars. The guitar features a one-piece, hollow neck, carbon fiber construction—and a unique sound port at the head directly influenced by F1 race car design. The high-performance Ferrari pedigree is more than just show—designer and Blackbird founder Joe Luttwak worked for the storied car manufacturer in Maranello, Italy. This experience laid the foundation for this thoroughbred of a guitar, inspired by Ferrari's unque commitment to technology, style, and performance.  "Great acoustic guitar construction, like great race car construction, benefits from stiff and ultra light materials. Using carbon fiber, like Ferrari's Formula 1 race cars, for the guitar's uni-body design produces an instrument that sounds better and is much more durable than any travel guitar available today. Many ideas for Blackbird Guitar's models were inspired by my time at Ferrari, and it's wonderful to make a model that honors their unparalleled technology, ingenuity and success."

All Blackbird Rider models are built for the road with a virtually indestructible carbon-fiber body that is less than two-thirds the size of a standard acoustic, but has nearly an equivalent tone—so players no longer need to compromise tone for portability. Each Blackbird Rider is beautifully hand-crafted, with the carbon fiber expertly constructed to balance tone, weight and strength.

The first run of the exlusive Ferrari guitar series is now sold out, but Blackbird Guitars is accepting special, custom orders on the Rider model. Blackbird Guitars are made in San Francisco by a small team of luthiers by the Bay. The world's best travel guitars, the Rider steel and Rider Nylon, now start at $1499. The Blackbird family also includes the larger Super OM.
To learn more visit www.blackbirdguitars.com

Key Features of the Blackbird Rider:
- Exceptional Carbon Fiber strength and environmental stability
- Uncanny sustain and responsiveness from 1/16th" (1mm) thick soundboard
- Hollow neck with Stereo Sound Port® in head of the guitar
- Asymmetric Acoustic Design® with off-set sound-hole
- Ultralight for enhanced sound, comfort and balance
- Full scale length
- 3D sculpted back for improved ergonomics, playability & durability
- Optional electronics for amazing amplified tone

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Blackbird guitars started innocently enough with the typical design process: produce as many ideas as possible and prototype them. It helped having all the latest tools such as three-dimensional CAD (computer-aided design), computer controlled laser cutters and routers as well as advanced materials such as carbon-fiber, and structural foams. Also being based in the San Francisco Bay Area meant access to many of world's great steel-string luthiers who consulted and encouraged the project along so development continued. It quickly became clear that their non-traditional backgrounds were resulting in radically new directions. The result was part mountain dulcimer and part F1 race car that harmoniously balanced technology with traditional craftsmanship. All Blackbird Guitars are built in our shop in San Francisco overlooking the Bay.