Plato famously said that “necessity is the mother of invention.” This is how the story of Ciari Guitars evolved. Founded in 2016 by musician and medical patent attorney Jonathan Spangler, he found that with his busy work travel schedule, the travel guitars available left something lacking. Most guitarists have endured the stress, lack of concern, and utter inconsistency that airlines display when flying with their precious instrument. Spangler saw a need to address the challenges of traveling with a full-sized, premium quality guitar.
Working with engineers, luthiers, and industry heavyweights like Joe Glaser and renowned Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens, Spangler and Ciari developed a folding electric guitar featuring a patented mid-neck hinge and a concealed actuator lever that allows it to fold in half for convenient transport in airline-compliant bags. The mid-neck hinge is made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. The actuator system precisely detunes the strings for folding and re-tensions them for playing. The Ascender comes with two bags—a quilted travel bag which fits into a well-made backpack. The two bags together fit underneath an airplane seat. The entire design focuses on maintaining premium instrument quality.
MC received their flagship instrument, a Steve Stevens Ascender Premier Electric Travel Guitar, for testing. The quality and ingenuity of the guitar was immediately apparent. There is a feeling of precision and modernness to the guitar. The patented folding mechanism in the back is an impressive piece of technology. It’s visible as you unfold the guitar from its case what needs to happen next-a label on the locking assembly that says “lift here” firmly snugs the guitar neck in place. The mechanism and floating tailpiece keep the strings securely in place during transit.
There is a clarity, power and cleanliness to the sound of this guitar that is fantastic. MC had the opportunity to test the guitar in multiple live music settings, and the Bare Knuckle Ray Gun pickups sound amazing. Both single coil and humbucking tones are switchable individually for each of the two pickups.
Ciari Guitars’ headquarters is in Nashville. Each Ascender is luthier-assembled in Nashville with globally sourced parts, Plek technology, hand-crafted neck construction and set up for pro playability. Overall, the Ascender premier is an outstanding guitar that can be used in any professional setting, stage or studio. Available in Josie Pink, Jet Black Gloss, or Olympic White Gloss, paired with trapezoid inlays and distinctive Ray Gun-inspired details. $3,499
