authenticating, servicing or restoring. You must Paisley finish: one in the original Paisley Red
be intimately familiar with the originals to be (Pink) and one in a Purple version. They didn’t
able to make something that feels that way. bother to ask if I offered it, so the fire was lit
Once in a while, someone who just doesn’t get to have it manufactured on my own. I now
it will ask why I make these guitars that emulate have it available in 7 different color variants
someone else’s design and if I plan to design and offer it separately to other builders.
something more original. I have no problem
telling them that this is what I’ve always [WM] Describe to us how your own Riggio
wanted to make and never tire of doing so. brand pick-ups are made?
[WM] What is the historical significance of the [Joe] All the Riggio Pickups are made in very
Paisley design on guitar bodies? small batches by my dear friend John Carlsen,
exclusively for Riggio Guitars and are also
[Joe] The Paisley design, in my opinion, available separately. They have really caught
was a company’s response to a changing on for me and my guitars and now are found
culture and a slight lull in sales. They in almost every Riggio Guitar. John is a very
were trying to appeal to a new hip new talented pickup maker and has nailed every
movement thereafter, model we have developed together, including;
sales were revived by a post-Hendrix era. 2 Tele sets, 2 Strat sets, PAF’s, Filtertrons,
in
fashion.
Shortly
P-90’s, Jazzmaster, and Jaguar. I’m elated
[WM] Why did you decide to incorporate it that these pickups hit the mark every time and
into your new Riggio Tango? I no longer wonder which brands to use. I do
still honor the few orders that want something
[Joe] I had been trying to source the paper, else specifically, but that’s really become the
similar to the wallpaper that was used on the rare case.
originals. The other manufacturers that were
using it were very closed-mouth about it and [WM] That is remarkable, you offer premium
were unwilling to share their sources 100% custom electric guitars for discerning players as
of the time. After almost 5 years of failed well as custom wound pick-up sets for sale so
attempts, a dealer of mine in Japan placed guitarist can pop your specialized pick-ups in
an order for 2 Riggio basses in the original their current guitars... and now you are offering
exact replicas of Paisley paper for luthiers and
guitar building enthusiasts to place on their own
guitar bodies. You have quite a lot of offer here.
Tell us how your Christian faith influences your
work ethic and creativity in what you make?
[Joe] Well, I guess the answer to that is kind
of two-fold. God is the ultimate creator and
certainly the most colorful, imaginative and
diverse artist ever! We commonly focus on the
other amazing aspects of who He is and how
to be like Him, but the creative aspect is where
I draw a lot of inspiration from. Secondly, in
response to Col. 3, I try my best to treat every
job and customer as if I am working for God
Himself. Whether it be building a custom guitar
or merely serving someone a general repair, I’m
called to look at it that way.