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Luthier Mateo Rufini is a builder of many fine handmade stringed instruments in Italy. He builds everything from violins to classical guitars and of course his own line of electrics. This is his Montefalco Semi Hollow Body model. The Montefalco is essentially Rufini's take on the offset American guitars of yesteryear mixed with beautiful tone woods and a hint of Italian guitar heritage from the past tastefully blended in. The pickguard is made from true Italian Celluloid. This is not your typical inexpensive plastic pickguard. This particular Pearl celluloid has a beautiful yellowed off-white color to it. Many Pre-CBS Fender guitars had true celluloid pickguards as well, though not always in pearl.

The binding on this particular Rufini is also made from Italian Celluoid, further adding to the Montefalco Semi Hollow's eye-catching appearance. The Monefalco is a curvy and elegantly contoured modern offset guitar, adding comfort and eye catching details to its appearance. You'll also notice the specially contoured cutaways which are more pointed in shape than a vintage American offset. Aside from the body, the neck is made out of gorgeous AAAA Birdseye figured Maple. It has a great and full feeling C-shaped profile that would satisfy even the most discerning players who are looking for a modern instrument with a neck that truly feels like an L-Series Fender from the 1960's. The setup is also spot on, with a low 3 1/2 & 4 64th" action at the 12th fret high E to low E sporting a set of 10's.

The Duesenberg vibrato works effortlessly. Due to the design of the vibrato this guitar can also be setup as a hardtail instrument. The hand-wound Rufini pickups make this a very tonally versatile guitar. You also have a High Pass Filter mini slide switch like on a Fender Jaguar. This switch is useful for brightening up the pickups to help cut through a mix. The pickups deliver great vintage Gold Foil clarity mixed with PAF-like fullness.

All in all this is an outstanding piece by luthier Mateo Rufini. The Montefalco Semi Hollow blends together some of the best aspects of both American and Italian guitar culture in a seamless and timeless design. For those who are just discovering the guitars of Mateo Rufini, these are very high-end and incredibly well built instruments with tons of vibe. We couldn’t be more impressed.

Specs:

• Body Color: Aztec Gold / light relic

• Body Wood: African Mahogany (aka Khaya)

• Neck: AAAA Birds Eye Maple

• Board: Indian Rosewood (slab fingerboard)

• Scale: 25.5"

• Frets: 21 Jescar Jumbo Stainless Steel

• Radius 12"

• Vintage truss rod / adjustment at headstock

• Nut Width: 1 11/16"

• Hand cut bone nut

• Med-Chunky C-shaped neck profile .84" - .96"

• MOP fingerboard dots

• Italian Celluloid binding

• Italian Celluloid Pickguard

• Aluminum Knobs

• Gotoh 510 Tuners

• Steel Saddle Roller Bridge

• Duesenberg Vibrato Tailpiece

• 2 x Rufini Gold Foil PAF Humbuckers

• Controls: Master vol, master tone, HPF (high pass filter) mini-switch, 3-way toggle switch

• Finish: Nitro (Gloss Body / Satin Neck)

• Weight: 7lbs 12oz

• HSC included