Moffa Maryan

**David B** · 11-22-2012, 08:15 AM

I am just back from spending two days in Pescara, Italy, with master luthier Domenico Moffa and his family. I am thoroughly delighted with the Maryan archtop Nico Moffa has made for me. It is by some considerable distance the best instrument I have ever played. I was able to spend some time watching Nico at work and I can say that the finished instruments reflect his stunning craftsmanship.

If they read this, many thanks again to Nico and Lara for their hospitality!

'Bear claw' spruce top. X braced. Hand-applied violin varnish finish.

Unreal maple back. The back is sprayed with one final coat of nitro for extra durability.

Floating humbucker with volume and tone controls. Oil-in-paper capacitors.

**David B** · 11-22-2012, 08:18 AM

Satin finish on the neck. Compensated radius. Asymmetrical neck carve.

The headstock is designed to even out tension between the wound and unwound strings.

**David B** · 11-22-2012, 08:21 AM

Bindings protude violin-style.

Decoloured body edges.

**jorgemg1984** · 11-22-2012, 09:06 AM

David it's gorgeous... what amp are you using it with?

**disco~juice** · 11-22-2012, 09:08 AM

That's perfect! Happy ngd! Soundclips please...

**IbanezAS100** · 11-22-2012, 09:12 AM

Congrats David and enjoy in good health! Moffas are strong contenders for the 'best looking contemporary archtop' award in my book.

If and when you get the time, I'm sure we'd all like to hear your Maryan.

**carlescountry** · 11-22-2012, 09:20 AM

Amazing!!! I love it. Congratulations.

**mangotango** · 11-22-2012, 10:35 AM

But you didn't mention anything about that on Sunday....oh waitaminnit...it just might have crept into the conversation at one point....

Great guitar Dave, wish you well to play it, can't wait to hear it.

**marcwhy** · 11-22-2012, 11:06 AM

Freakin' beautiful!! Congrats!!

I love the color -- what does he call that, amber, honey, what??

**fumblefingers** · 11-22-2012, 11:21 AM

um. would you believe - honey blonde?

**amusiathread** · 11-22-2012, 11:22 AM

That's a stunning instrument. I'll look forward to hearing sound samples when you have the time to post them.

**David B** · 11-22-2012, 11:34 AM

Thanks for the feedback folks!

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

David it's gorgeous... what amp are you using it with?

Through Strymon delay and reverb pedals (set for subtle) into a pair of '80s Roland Cubes. I loved the Twin Reverb at Moffa's workshop but the weight would kill me.

Originally Posted by marcwhy

Freakin' beautiful!! Congrats!!

I love the color -- what does he call that, amber, honey, what??

It's listed as amber on the website but in our correspondence we referred to it as honey as well.

Originally Posted by IbanezAS100

If and when you get the time, I'm sure we'd all like to hear your Maryan.

A webcam and an iPhone are the extent of my recording equipment I'm afraid. I'll try to get a little something recorded soon.

This is a bright sounding guitar. All the clarity you could want, even with the tone control right down. Not for those wanting a classic Gibson type sound. Think Van Ruller / Bernstein rather than Martino / Hall.

**marcwhy** · 11-22-2012, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

um. would you believe - honey blonde?

Well, I dig it.

**jorgemg1984** · 11-22-2012, 12:29 PM

Those 80s cubes are nice but since you're in London you now need a Mambo to pair up with that Strymon / Moffa combination

**Bryan T** · 11-22-2012, 12:35 PM

Beautiful! The neck looks like it would feel great. I love the violin-style bindings.

**Patrick2** · 11-22-2012, 12:49 PM

What a beautiful guitar. Stunningly flawless craftsmanship . . as far as I can tell from the photos. It's minimalist . . . yet it's not . . if that makes any sense at all.?.? Laid back elegance might be more appropriate.

There's a consistent elegance through the design. Gorgeous!

**NSJ** · 11-22-2012, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick2

What a beautiful guitar. Stunningly flawless craftsmanship . . as far as I can tell from the photos. It's minimalist . . . yet it's not . . if that makes any sense at all.?.? Laid back elegance might be more appropriate.

There's a consistent elegance through the design. Gorgeous!

Yep. That's exactly what I was thinking. minimalist but it's not.

Truly, don't know how it sounds, but this is the most beautiful guitar I have seen here, in terms of aesthetics and color. This was the blonde I referred to that I remember seeing on old 1950s ES-225s. "Honey blonde".

Absolutely love the binding. Wow.

**David B** · 11-22-2012, 01:56 PM

**2bornot2bop** · 11-22-2012, 01:58 PM

Gorgeous archtop! And Italian!

Is that a Kent Armstrong floater?

CONGRATS!!!!

**Arnesto** · 11-22-2012, 02:04 PM

BEAUTY!! Congrats!

**David B** · 11-22-2012, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Is that a Kent Armstrong floater?

Moffa makes his own pickups. Each is tailored to the specific guitar it's destined for. This pickup has punch equal to a good PAF. It's very balanced top to bottom.

**coolvinny** · 11-22-2012, 02:38 PM

That looks fantastic (reminds me of my instrument, so I am biased) and I'm sure it sounds great. The violin-type bindings are similar to Chuck Wayne's Benedetto.