MotorAve Guitars
Mark Fuqua was born and raised in Northern California. He, like many of his peers, picked up the guitar at a young age. He played in bands throughout his adolescence and young adulthood in Eugene Oregon and Seattle Washington. He was good with his hands and had some basic woodworking skills, but he had not translated that to the guitar until he started working for Chandler Industries in San Francisco, in 1990.
During Mark's two years with Chandler, he began his first guitar repair operation. He started freelancing for an infamous guitar store, Black Market Music, where he eventually worked for five years. The sheer volume of gear that passed through that store was an education in itself, and greatly influenced Mark's design aesthetic.
In 1998 Mark moved to Paris to work with James Trussart, whom he continued to build guitars for when he returned to the States. During the next few years Mark got married and spent a while in North Carolina, where he worked for Terry McInturff and refined and gained the skills that made Mark the master luthier that he is today.
Mark was still helping James Trussart on and off in 2002, when he opened his first MotorAve shop on Venice Blvd. in LA. At this point Mark was just doing a little work for JT. (Painting Trussart necks and Steeltop bodies/fabricating bridge support blocks and tension bars for the Bigsby on Trussart thinline guitars) But by the time the first BelAire rolled off the line, Mark and James had professionally parted ways. They still remain great friends.
Mark moved the shop to Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood CA and continued to slowly build MotorAve guitars while juggling an ever increasing repair business. In 2007 the decision was made to concentrate on building, and MotorAve guitars was relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where MotorAve Guitars are made today.
McQueen Goldtop |
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| MSRP: $4025.00 | FAT PRICE: $4025.00 | AVAILABILITY: On Hold |
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SN. 0047 Weight: 7.6 pounds Nitrocellulose Goldtop finished Maple top over light, honey toned Mahogany back. The fact that I'm also a car nut and know about Steve McQueen's penchant for racing his Jaguar XKSS......one of my dream cars.....up and down the streets of LA....like Motor Ave. after dark only added to the appeal of this guitar for me. Coincidentally this quote from a Motor Trend article that I've read a hundred times regarding Mr. McQueen and his love affair with street racing in the Hills of LA after dark fits this new model for MotorAve Guitars guitar to a T: "He could be kindhearted one moment, evil-spirited the next. He exhibited a wicked sense of humor and a violent temper." Now if that ain't rock-n-roll.......tell me what is. And it also is the perfect descriptive sentence for the new MotorAve "McQueen" Mark builds each guitar entirely by hand using no CNC machinery, yet his fit-and-finish is as good as any CNC guitar I have seen. This level of craftsmanship, time and perfection come at a cost both in terms of price and lead times. Mark builds about 25 guitars per year. As of 12-15-09 the lead time for this model is about 18 months......expect it to be 3 years very soon. About the McQueen: It is rare that I buy a guitar or amp for my personal collection simply because I am fairly inundated with cool gear that flows in and out of my shop on a constant basis, but every once in a while I'm handed a guitar or plugged in to an amp that I know immediately is something special and that I must own. That was my reaction to my McQueen Prototype. I first was drawn to the phenomenal aesthetic design of the instrument, but thoughts of rock-n-roll stage presence and Hot Rods quickly faded in to the subconscious as I realized I held in my hands one of the most meticulously built, incredible sounding and smoothly playing guitars I've experienced in my nearly 40 years as a guitarist. Specifications:
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McQueen Model (Prototype #1) |
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| MSRP: $4250.00 | FAT PRICE: $4250.00 | AVAILABILITY: Reservations Required |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: The personal guitar of Fat Sound Guitars' owner Stu Carter | ||
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Weight: 7.4 Pounds Above guitar has $250.00 Golden Ivoroid Block inlay options. Base model is $4,000.00 The guitar pictured above is the prototype for Mark's new McQueen model. This is my personal guitar and not for sale, but of course, we are accepting reservations. Available in a variety of colors, neck carves etc... The only changes to the production guitars will be the addition of the "McQueen" text to the headstock. The fact that I'm also a car nut and know about Steve McQueen's penchant for racing his Jaguar XKSS......one of my dream cars.....up and down the streets of LA....like Motor Ave. after dark only added to the appeal of this guitar for me. Coincidentally this quote from a Motor Trend article that I've read a hundred times regarding Mr. McQueen and his love affair with street racing in the Hills of LA after dark fits this new model for MotorAve Guitars guitar to a T: "He could be kindhearted one moment, evil-spirited the next. He exhibited a wicked sense of humor and a violent temper." Now if that ain't rock-n-roll.......tell me what is. And it also is the perfect descriptive sentence for the new MotorAve "McQueen" Mark builds each guitar entirely by hand using no CNC machinery, yet his fit-and-finish is as good as any CNC guitar I have seen. This level of craftsmanship, time and perfection come at a cost both in terms of price and lead times. Mark builds about 25 guitars per year. As of 9-19-09 the lead time for this model is about 8 months......expect it to be 3 years very soon. About the McQueen: It is rare that I buy a guitar or amp for my personal collection simply because I am fairly inundated with cool gear that flows in and out of my shop on a constant basis, but every once in a while I'm handed a guitar or plugged in to an amp that I know immediately is something special and that I must own. That was my reaction to my McQueen Prototype. I first was drawn to the phenomenal aesthetic design of the instrument, but thoughts of rock-n-roll stage presence and Hot Rods quickly faded in to the subconscious as I realized I held in my hands one of the most meticulously built, incredible sounding and smoothly playing guitars I've experienced in my nearly 40 years as a guitarist. Specifications:
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McQueen Flame Top (Prototype #2) |
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| MSRP: $4500.00 | FAT PRICE: $4500.00 | AVAILABILITY: Sold |
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SN. Prototype #2 Weight: 7.2 pounds A freakin' phenomenal guitar!!! This is prototype #2. I personally own prototype #1. This is the first McQueen to be built with the McQueen script on the headstock. These first two McQueen models are destined to be valuable Collector pieces in my opinion. The backlog for these guitars is close to 2 years, but this one is actually available. The top is Eastern Red Maple and is finished in a gorgeous, vintage style Sunburst. The fact that I'm also a car nut and know about Steve McQueen's penchant for racing his Jaguar XKSS......one of my dream cars.....up and down the streets of LA....like Motor Ave. after dark only added to the appeal of this guitar for me. Coincidentally this quote from a Motor Trend article that I've read a hundred times regarding Mr. McQueen and his love affair with street racing in the Hills of LA after dark fits this new model for MotorAve Guitars guitar to a T: "He could be kindhearted one moment, evil-spirited the next. He exhibited a wicked sense of humor and a violent temper." Now if that ain't rock-n-roll.......tell me what is. And it also is the perfect descriptive sentence for the new MotorAve "McQueen" Mark builds each guitar entirely by hand using no CNC machinery, yet his fit-and-finish is as good as any CNC guitar I have seen. This level of craftsmanship, time and perfection come at a cost both in terms of price and lead times. Mark builds about 25 guitars per year. As of 12-15-09 the lead time for this model is about 18 months......expect it to be 3 years very soon. About the McQueen: It is rare that I buy a guitar or amp for my personal collection simply because I am fairly inundated with cool gear that flows in and out of my shop on a constant basis, but every once in a while I'm handed a guitar or plugged in to an amp that I know immediately is something special and that I must own. That was my reaction to my McQueen Prototype. I first was drawn to the phenomenal aesthetic design of the instrument, but thoughts of rock-n-roll stage presence and Hot Rods quickly faded in to the subconscious as I realized I held in my hands one of the most meticulously built, incredible sounding and smoothly playing guitars I've experienced in my nearly 40 years as a guitarist. This guitar, prototype #2, is even better sounding than my personal McQueen and that's a strong statement. Specifications:
Comment from the new ownerGOOD GAWD!!!! Kim A.
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LeMans Model in Nassau Blue with Adeson neck pickup and Soft Stop tailpiece |
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| MSRP: $3500.00 | FAT PRICE: $3500.00 | AVAILABILITY: Reservations Required |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: Fat Sound Guitars owner's personal guitar | ||
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**Reservations are required** The above pictured guitar belongs to Fat Sound Guitars owner Stu Carter and is not for sale, but of course, we are accepting reservations for identical or similar guitars. Shown here in Nassau or "Corvette" Blue Metallic. The LeMans P-90 models remind me of a mid-50's Les Paul Junior in terms of the sonic qualities. Immensely fat, yet defined low end with huge punch and girth yet an ability to clean up nicely. These guitars actually sound 50 years old. Available in a variety of colors, neck carves etc... Since every MotorAve guitar is built by hand, by Mark Fuqua with no CNC work and lots and lots of hand cutting, sanding, metal work etc......each guitar takes about 30 days from start to finish and Mark only works on one guitar at a time. As a result lead times are literally getting longer by the day as we continue to take orders so call us toll free at 888-328-7686 or email me directly at Stu Carter to begin the process of spec'ing your guitar and reserving your spot in Mark's rapidly growing queue. About the Le Mans: This is a stripped down rock-n-roll machine with simply jaw-dropping tone. Lightweight, balanced, defined, meaty.....potentially aggressive with an incredible girth to the overdriven tones. It's truly phenomenal sounding, playing and looking. There are many color, bridge, pickup, etc.....options available. Base Price: $2850.00 A few option examples: Handmade aluminum pickguard $150.00 (As seen on the guitar above) Racing Stripes $200.00 Custom MotorAve "Soft-Stop' tailpiece $300.00 (As seen on the guitar above) Adeson, "Burns" style neck pickup $200.00 (As seen on the guitar above) Korina construction $150.00 Translucent finishes $100.00 Left-handed $250.00 The guitar comes standard in solid African Mahogany or Spanish Cedar with an East Indian Rosewood board, a single Lollar, Wolftone or Bareknuckle P-90 in the bridge and a Lightning Bar tailpiece. Pigtail style tailpiece also available as well as Mark Fuqua's ingenious Soft Stop tailpiece as featured here. Mark will also install the Tone Cut mod with switches, as seen on the control plate of the guitar above, for no additional charge. These work in series with the switch closest to the volume knob providing a very useable, mild top end cut, the second switch providing additional cut and the two combined rolling off quite a bit of top end for a woolier tone. Mark is also working on a three pickup models using the "Burns" style Adeson pickups in all three positions which based on the tone of the Adeson in the neck position should be fantastic! A little bit about the Adeson "Burns" style pickup: It also just looks really, really cool! Standard Features/Specs:
Highly Recommended!!™ |
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LeMans Model in Korina with Soft Stop tailpiece |
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| MSRP: $3300.00 | FAT PRICE: $3300.00 | AVAILABILITY: Reservations Required |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: Pre-Sold on Arrival. Thanks Chris! Enjoy! | ||
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SN. 48 Weight: 6.4 pounds LeMans single humbucker model in Korina. An amazing sonic combination of the most girth I have ever heard with perfect clarity and definition Specifications:
Feedback from the owner of this guitar:"If the devil were a Sexy Exotic Women and came up from Hell by way of a 1960 nightclub turned herself into a beautiful golden honey brown curvy guitar and said "Do you wanna play" You would have my Korina Lemans. Chris G., NYC
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LeMans Model in Ice Blue Metallic with Silver Racing Stripes |
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| MSRP: $3200.00 | FAT PRICE: $3200.00 | AVAILABILITY: Reservations Required |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: MotorAve Guitars are built one at a time, entirely by hand. All are pre-sold on completion so reservations are required. Current lead time is about 12 months. | ||
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SN. 0045 Incredibly striking LeMans in Ice Blue Metallic with Silver Racing stripes and Aluminum pickguard option. Specifications:
Beyond description.........one of the most amazing, all hand-built guitars you could dream of owning. Highly Recommended!!™Feedback from the owner of this guitar:"Absolutely love it! Plays great, the tone is SO cool, not just another P90/Junior type of tone. It reminds me of a killer Esquire with the guitar volume slightly backed off, then it morphs into a beefier Esquire on steroids tone. I like that it doesn't approach a humbucker in its tone. I've had several P90 guitars that with some gain almost sounded like a humbucker, but this one still sounds like a P90. It still has a unique "growl" in the midrange that my korina LeMans has, it must be the body style. I love both of them in that they are not a clone of something, they have their own vibe! What Lollar is in it? [Standard Lollar P-90 - Stu] I love the tone switches, I use all the setting. I can't wait for rehearsals. Anyway, thanks AGAIN for another stellar guitar. BTW, it looks Gilbert T. |
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LeMans Model in "Syffert Green" Metallic |
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| MSRP: $2850.00 | FAT PRICE: $2850.00 | AVAILABILITY: Reservations Required |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: The personal guitar of Fat Sound Guitars' manager Mike Ayers | ||
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**Reservations are required** The above pictured guitar belongs to Fat Sound shop manager Mike Ayers and is not for sale, but of course, we are accepting reservations. Shown here in "Syffert" Green Metallic. Available in a variety of colors, neck carves etc... Since every MotorAve guitar is built by hand, by Mark Fuqua with no CNC work and lots and lots of hand cutting, sanding, metal work etc......each guitar takes about 30 days from start to finish and Mark only works on one guitar at a time. As a result lead times are literally getting longer by the day as we continue to take orders so call us toll free at 888-328-7686 or email me directly at stu@fatsoundguitars.com to begin the process of spec'ing your guitar and reserving your spot in Mark's rapidly growing queue. About the Le Mans: This is a stripped down rock-n-roll machine with simply jaw-dropping tone. Lightweight, balanced, defined, meaty.....potentially aggressive. It's truly phenomenal sounding and playing. There are many color, bridge, pickup, etc.....options available. A few option examples: Handmade aluminum pickguard $150.00 Racing Stripes $200.00 Custom MotorAve "Soft-Stop' tailpiece $300.00 Korina construction $150.00 Translucent finishes $100.00 Left-handed $250.00 The guitar comes standard in solid African Mahogany or Spanish Cedar with an East Indian Rosewood board, a single Lollar P-90 in the bridge and a Lightning Bar tailpiece. Pigtail style tailpiece also available. Mark will also install the Tone Cut mod with switches, as seen on the control plate of the guitar above, for no additional charge. These work in series with the switch closest to the volume knob providing a very useable, mild top end cut, the second switch providing additional cut and the two combined rolling off quite a bit of top end for a woolier tone. We are also working on dual and three pickup models using the Burns style Adeson pickups in the neck only or neck and middle positions in conjunction with a Lollar P-90 bridge or for all three positions depending on your needs/desires. Standard Features/Specs:
Highly Recommended!!™Comments from the guitar's owner (Mike Ayers - Manager, Fat Sound Guitars)"Mark Fuqua brought this LeMans by the shop a few months ago for us to use as a demo for our customers. Of course I flipped out immediately over Years ago, I had a '61 Les Paul Junior that sounded phenomenal but for some reason I never bonded with it. It was neck-heavy, which drove I asked Mark if he minded if I borrowed the guitar for a big show I had coming up with my band, just to get a feel for it live. (Plus, I look really cool with, and The next day I called Mark and bought it from him. I disguised the request as wanting it as a "demo" for the shop; the selfish truth, Mike Ayers - manager Fat Sound Guitars, guitarist for The Connells and Mommie
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BelAire Model |
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| MSRP: $4250.00 | FAT PRICE: $4250.00 | AVAILABILITY: Reservations Required |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: MotorAve Guitars are built one at a time, entirely by hand. All are pre-sold on completion so reservations are required. Current lead time is about 12-18 months. | ||
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This is a truly astounding instrument with a solid mahogany back in a medium honey toned nitro-cellulose back and solid mahogany top in glass, black nitro that looks deep enough to dive in to. Accented by Mark's handmade, aluminum pickguard and truss rod cover Specifications:
Top and back bound Built entirely by hand with no CNC work, yet possessing as high a level of fit and finish as I have ever seen, the BelAire is simply a classic example of functional art. This guitar possesses the ability to range from fat, full Jazz tones to full on rock-n-roll without batting an eye. The overdrive tones will actually surprise you as they are very thick and meaty. The notes release from compression at just the right instant and feedback is highly controllable. There are three tailpiece options as seen in the photo's above:
Other options:
Dimmensions:
It looks and feels fantastic. I'll play the (expletive deleted) outta this guitar since it will cover pretty much anything, and looks cooler than a 335 and is more flexible with those Dr. V Wolfetones and the single f-hole (less feedback). PS. And I ain't kiddin' about the 335 or Gretsch of our generation. I've seen no other guitar with similar designs that even comes close, including Gibson." Dewey M., Chapel Hill, NC |
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MotoVox Limited Edition - By Invitation Only |
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| MSRP: $3250.00 | FAT PRICE: $3250.00 | AVAILABILITY: Sold |
| ADDITIONAL INFO: All five slots have been sold. Current MotorAve owners will have a chance to be included in the next limited run in 2011. | ||
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The first in a series of limited run, invitation only, annual offerings from MotorAve. You must already own, or have on order, a MotorAve guitar to be considered for invitation. Mark Fuqua of MotorAve Guitars has agreed to do a limited run of 5 of the "MotoVox" guitars as seen in the photo's above. This is Mark's interpretation of the 70's Univox Hi-Flier that was recently built as a one-off guitar for Tim Ristau, a mutual and dear friend of Mark and myself. I have played Tim's MotoVox and it is a truly amazing, jaw-dropping and inspirational instrument. The old, 70's Univox Hi-Flier, which was essentially a cool/cheap knock-off of a Mosrite Ventures model is a guitar that Tim Ristau of Raleigh's Superfine Ampworks has been passionate about since owning one as a young guitarist. The Hi-Flier was also the very first electric guitar that I personally owned having purchased one second-hand in 1977 for $40.00 at Finklestein's Music and Pawn in Wilmington, NC at age 11. Mark agreed to build a guitar for Tim that was essentially the aesthetic equivalent of the Univox, but with MotorAve's level of fit and finish, wood, hardware and electronics quality. The MotoVox is made entirely by hand of solid mahogany, has a glue-in neck joint (versus the Univox's bolt-on neck), a hand-made aluminum pickguard and truss rod cover, Marks flawless scarf joint headstock, vintage correct 24.625" Gibson scale length with modern radius and fretwire and will be available in either Sunburst with matching burst back and neck, White, Black or Metallic Orange nitro-cellulose lacquer. Pickups are Lollar P-90's. Each guitar will come with an inlaid, flush, aluminum plaque on the back of the headstock which will be numbered sequentially and read "1 of 5 MotoVox" This is a phenomenal, huge sounding guitar that, as mentioned above, was initially intended strictly as a one-off built on a lark for Tim. Of course Mark being the amazing luthier and extreme perfectionist that he is, the guitar became something more than just a fun copy of a Hi-Flier; it became a serious guitar that is absolutely stunning and sounds truly amazing. Upon completion, Tim brought this guitar by my shop for me to play and to photograph and I immediately fell in love with it. A combination of nostalgia, retro-cool looks and amazing Rock-n-Roll tones caused quite a stir at my shop while the MotoVox had its brief, 24 hour stay for its photo shoot. My first inclination was to ask Mark to build one more for myself and then my business head kicked in and my second inclination was to ask Mark to make the MotoVox a permanent offering in his lineup.....much to the unspoken, but obvious chagrin of Tim Ristau who was present when this idea began to take shape. After discussing this with Mark it quickly became clear that he does not want to become a copier of previous designs since he has his own, very clear vision of what MotorAve Guitars are and is adamant about building instruments that are original designs and he initially declined to build more of these guitars, but after much cajoling (i.e. begging) on my part, Mark has agreed to do a limited run of five of the "MotoVox" guitar which I feel is a guitar that is way too cool to build just one of, that my best clients and loyal MotorAve owners should have access to and is also a guitar that I desperately want for myself. To qualify to purchase one of the four available MotoVox guitars (#5 is going in to my personal collection) you have to already own a MotorAve or have a MotorAve on order and be invited to be a part of this limited run. Fat Sound's usual 20% deposit is required, but I am passing these deposits along to Mark so they will be non-refundable. However, if after receiving the MotoVox you are less than 110% thrilled with it I can certainly find another MotorAve fanatic (a rapidly growing group) who will take it, but these will never be offered, as new, for sale to the general public. The lead time for these guitars will range from 8-12 months depending on where you are in line for one of the five. |
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(Previously Owned) LeMans Korina |
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| MSRP: $N/A | FAT PRICE: $2550.0 | AVAILABILITY: On Hold |
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SN. 29 Weight: 7 pounds, 3 ounces Condition: Very Good (see photos above for three dings on butt end of guitar. The photo of the one on the corner shows that ding in the worst possible light due to the high-resolution of the camera used and macro lens) Street Price New: $2950.00 Savings: $400.00 and a year and a half wait versus a new order. This is a relatively early Lemans, #29 actually. The latest versions of this guitar are slightly thicker and have more pronounced contours and carves, but this guitar is a monster of a player with immense tone. Check out the photo (#5) above that shows the extremely long neck tenon. This has a lot to do with the incredible tone of these guitars. We have taken and posted photo's of the guitar both with the aluminum pickguard as well as the off white guard (which we prefer on the natural Korina). Both guards are included There are three dings at the butt end of the guitar. Two are almost not worth mentioning while the one on the edge is a bit more noticeable, but not nearly as bad as the photo above might lead you to believe. This photo was taken with a very high-rez Nikon DSLR D2Xs with a top-of-the-line Macro lens which actually amplifies the ding. A fantastic, highly sought after guitar. We have so many of these pre-sold that the lead time is about a year and a half for a new reservation. Here's your chance to get one right now! SN. 48 Weight: 6.4 pounds Le Mans single humbucker model in Korina. An amazing sonic combination of the most girth I have ever heard with perfect clarity and definition Specifications:
Comment from the guitar's new owner"This is the most impressive guitar I have played in 20 years" Kim A.
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