Handbuilt pedigree. Head-turning looks. A guitar for someone who wants more than the ordinary.
Some guitars catch your eye. This Marchione keeps it. Its vivid transparent-red finish reveals beautifully rippling maple figure, framed by a sleek double-cutaway body, a matching headstock, and gold-accented hardware. The dark ebony fingerboard, free of face inlays, provides a striking contrast. There’s no pickguard hiding the wood and no unnecessary ornamentation...just an exceptionally handsome instrument with a confident, unmistakably boutique identity.
The craftsmanship behind the name
Stephen Marchione brings serious pedigree to the workbench. He began building instruments in 1990, trained under John Suhr at Pensa-Suhr, and established his own New York workshop in 1993 before returning to Houston. His background also includes private study with violin makers Guy Rabut and Charles Rufino, bringing traditional stringed-instrument craftsmanship into his approach to modern guitars. His client roster includes acclaimed guitarists Mike Moreno and Mark Whitfield...a compelling endorsement of the musical company his instruments keep.
Purposeful design, not just beautiful wood
The neck-through construction is central to this guitar’s appeal. Marchione developed the design in pursuit of long, clear sustain, using a continuous central section rather than a conventional neck joint. On this example, that construction is beautifully visible, while the sculpted neck-to-body transition and deep cutaways create an inviting route to the upper frets. It’s craftsmanship you can appreciate from either side of the instrument.
Two direct-mounted humbuckers, a Marchione-branded fixed bridge with string-through-body construction, and gold Sperzel locking tuners complete the package. Master volume, master tone, and a three-way pickup selector keep the controls straightforward and the presentation clean. Everything about the layout says player’s instrument—focused, uncluttered, and thoughtfully executed.
For perspective, Marchione currently lists new Neck-Through builds at a $19,500 base price. At this listed price, this pre-owned 2011 example offers a compelling opportunity to enter the world of Marchione craftsmanship without commissioning a new instrument.
Condition: This is a played, pre-owned guitar with visible finish scratches and swirling, wear and tarnish to the hardware, and a noticeable chip along the fingerboard edge near the neck/body transition. These areas are documented in the close-up photographs; please review them carefully.
If you’ve been looking beyond the usual factory and custom-shop offerings for something distinctive, this Marchione deserves your attention. Beautiful enough to admire. Purposefully designed to play. Special enough to make room for.
