BUILDER PROFILE
[ RIGGIO TANGO IN PAISLEY | Bruce Adolph ]
A Riggio Custom guitar stands out amongst the
skyline of modern day electric guitar luthiers.
TANGO PAISLEY SPECS
In the Seattle-Tacoma region of Washington Finish: Paisley Red Nitro
state, Joe Riggio was already a household Body: Alder
name in guitar repair services. He was also a Neck Profile: .880 “C”
worship leader for many years and has played
Neck Wood: Maple
in many church bands as well. But in the last
Fingerboard: Maple
few years he has started to get national acclaim
as an electric guitar maker that builds guitars Fretwire: 6105
from a purist vantage point… closer to the Radius: 9.5
original Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters Bridge: Vintage Brass Saddle
than the bevy of other builders out there. And Nut: Bone
now in Japan, his guitars are being held in
Pick-ups: Riggio “Route 66”
high esteem too.
Pickguard: Clear
Tuners: Gotoh Vintage
We received the very first Riggio Tango Paisley
finished guitar Joe has made for this feature Pots: CTS 250K
and it simply plays, looks and sounds great! Switching: 3-way
End of story. But instead of me telling you about
Price $3,199.00
Joe’s fine luthier work, I thought I would pepper
www.riggiocustomguitars.com
Joe himself with the questions that you might
that’s the target outcome for your product. It’s
want to know.
important to me because it’s unapologetically
[WM] Why is it important to study and know what I’m striving to re-create for the player that
how the original solid body guitars were made doesn’t necessarily have the budget to own an
by Leo Fender? What does it matter to modern original, but fully appreciates and understand the
day luthiers? way they feel, sound and present themselves.
It’s why I continue to surround myself with
[Joe Riggio] Well, it only really matters if
46
November 2017
original examples, whether it be one that I’m
WorshipMusician.com