The Guitar Player's Resource
The Smithsonian Called - They Want Their Guitar Back
Some luthiers chase tradition. Others chase innovation. Mark Lacey grabbed both by the throat and forced them to dance together in ways that shouldn't work but absolutely do. With complete artistic freedom and a reputation solid enough to land guitars in the Smithsonian's Blue Guitar Collection, Lacey looked at that legendary 1953 Alpha Romeo Bat-5 concept car and thought, "What if this could make music?"
That silver grey finish isn't just automotive-inspired paint - it's liquid sculpture that seems to shift and flow depending on stage lighting. The entire instrument radiates that same aerodynamic tension as Bertone's original concept car, like it's perpetually on the verge of achieving lift-off velocity. Every curve serves both aesthetic and ergonomic purposes, creating visual drama while maintaining playing comfort that defies the unconventional shape.
You've held plenty of guitars that prioritize looks over playability. This Lacey creation destroys that compromise entirely. Those Schaller hardware appointments aren't just premium components - they're precision engineering that maintains perfect balance and mechanical reliability while contributing to the overall futuristic aesthetic. The neck profile feels intuitive despite the radical body shape, proving that innovative design doesn't require sacrificing fundamental playability.
The automotive theme extends beyond surface decoration into functional details that reveal themselves during extended playing. String routing, control placement, even the way the instrument rests against your body - everything reflects that obsessive attention to detail that earned Lacey national recognition. This isn't just a guitar disguised as art; it's art that happens to function as a guitar.
The space-age styling creates visual impact that photographs simply cannot capture, while the 1950s retro elements ground the futuristic elements in familiar aesthetic territory. This represents what happens when a master craftsman receives complete creative freedom and the technical skills to execute any vision he can imagine.
