Veleno Aluminum Guitar

1975 model custom made for me by John at his shop in St. Petersburg, FL. 22 fret neck, two DiMarzio Dual Sound humbuckers with coil tap switches, chrome body, shipped in a Harptone hard case. Mine was the first model ever to feature Dual Sounds, since previous models used the Super Distortion or Fender or Guild humbuckers. Two volume and two tone knobs, in concert with a three way selector as well as two 2 way mini toggles for each pickup. This switched the guitar into a thinner, more Fender like tone which is still hum cancelling. In 1975, this was seldom seen and very progressive!

This guitar sounded like a decent SG in full humbucking mode. I played rock, pop, country, some blues and even metal and it did a good job on all of them. Having the cleaner alternative tone along with a traditional humbucking roar made it a very versatile guitar, especially for its day. The instrument was shielded and sounded good on a Hiwatt DR-504( 50 watt w/412 cabinet), Fender Twin Reverb and a Mesa Boogie Super 60 combo. No noise or anything like that.

The guitar's design looked great. The neck felt liked a shaved down Telecaster. However, the instrument was quite neck heavy, so balance while playing onstage was always an issue. I would have to rock the guitar back up with my shoulder while playing, so the headstock wasn't pointed at the ground. The actual setup was excellent, with low fast action and perfect intonation. The pointed headstock could hurt someone if they bumped into it, and it ended up tearing up the front end of the guitar case over a period of 4 years.

Here is a major problem. The neck was plated with a black finish John called AlMag-35. It was an aluminum- magnesium compound spray painted onto the neck and fingerboard. He claimed it was the hardest surface he'd seen. Maybe he didn't look long enough. My guitar fingerboard and neck started to peel and come off in my hands! I wiped the guitar down with Windex each time as instructed with no success. I even shipped the guitar back to him, had it replated, and still the same result! The guitar itself was well built, but the neck problems ultimately forced me to sell the guitar for a loss in 1980.

John was and is a nice guy. The actual concept of the guitar was great and it was and perhaps is the ultimate flashy rock guitar. I dealt with him directly as did my Mom while I was on the road gigging. We tried but were unable to get any satisfaction with the finish problems. He didn't like the fact that the instrument didn't do what he claimed it would. Perhaps had the finish held up, I might still own one. He eventually went out of business making the guitar.

I've been playing guitar since 1966, professionally since 1973 and been a teacher and writer since 1985. I've owned more than six dozen instruments and reviewed and played dozens more. The Veleno was the super model of guitars. Perfect to lust after before you own it. High maintenance, unreliable and costly once you do. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants to play the instrument more than once a week for a few minutes at a time. If you must indulge, bring plenty of Windex!

Veleno guitar, serial number 40. Great, unique sound as detailed in other reviews. 2 Gibson humbuckers, 2 volume, 2 tone controls, with tele-type knob. 1 out-of-phase switch, really turns the sound upside-down in an amazing way! Tune-o-matic style bridge. The metal on the saddles seems a bit "soft", so I have kept the original bridge, but had another built that is identical, but a bit stronger. Schaller tuners - it stays in tune perfectly. Thin neck, but easy to acclimate to, and it IS a bit neck-heavy. I recommend a wider strap if you're playing it all night. The original case that I received with it when I got it in '78 was nice looking - Fenderish with silver furry lining - but it fell apart within 2 years. I still have it, but s Fender case fits fine. I had the neck laquer (not the chrome) re-done in 1989. It's my pride and joy, you might say!

The guitar is very versatile sound wise. Very high gain as you might expect, but is a very effective guitar to play dynamically. Low volume and high volume playing result in very clear, voice-like tone.
I use it with a Vox AC30 TBR, with no effects, actually. Also I like it through my '69 Kustom 200 B4, with the 2-15 cab, using an Expandora distortion. I've been happy with it no matter what rig it runs through, because the sound from the guitar is strong and clear; if the amp stinks, whatcha gonna do?

This is a machined, detailed, finely crafted instrument. No gaps, sqeaks, rattles, groans, buzzes anywhere. From zero fret, to the top, it plays in tune, and easily.

It will withstand live playing, and it has for me, since 1978. I would love a backup, but I don't want a second martgage!

I spoke with Mr. Veleno in 1979 and '80. He was very helpful, but he had discontinued his guitar a while earlier, so I didn't want to bug him too much. I did however, thank him profusely for building these beasts, and he wished me luck!

I've been playing since about 1970. I have a '69 Blonde Tele, a Gibson Blues Hawk, amps by Vox, Kustom, Fender, etc. One good thing about being a "geezer" is all my stuff is OLD, except the Gibson!
My Veleno was stolen in 1980, but I got it back in 3 days, because Velenos being so rare, everyone the guy who took it was trying to sell it to, knew me! I was vveerryy lucky...!
I also noticed that on this review list, we have Veleno #39 and 41 listed. That's cool, because I'm #40! I wonder how many consecutive #'s can be located?

#39. It has 2 Gibson "Patended" pick-ups, Chrome finish & a phase switch.

The Gibson pickups in this sound excellent. The guitar has a lot of natural resonance.

Action - perfect...I like thin necks. Fit - a little neck heavy. Finish - it needed replating when I got it. I just had the front half done. Now it looks GREAT!

Havent owned it long enough to say truthfully. I play it out occasionally...and no problems yet.

Long been out of production, but got an email from the man himself (John) saying he saw it listed on my website!

If you can afford one...buy it.

This Veleno Aluminum Guitar (officially the "Veleno Original") was built c.1973 by John Veleno. It bears the serial "NO 41" (hand etched). The body is milled, front and back, from two aluminum billets, which have been joined together from the back with allen bolts. The neck/headstock/fingerboard are cast in one piece (aluminum/magnesium compound), and this is attached to the body with four more bolts. Veleno's full street address (w/Zip but no phone number like some) is hand-engraved into the back of the GORGEOUS v-shaped headstock, which also has a tiny engraved "TM" next to the inlaid ruby on its face. There is no control cavity cover on the back of the body; the entire back must be removed to gain access to the electronics. This guitar is loaded with the original early DiMarzios (PAF neck and Super Distortion bridge). There's a standard 3-way selector toggle, and a phase switch, along with V-T-V-T controls. The original transparent pickguard has been removed and replaced with a black/white/black layered, symmetrical butterfly-shaped pickguard. Here's the extra-cool part: the ENTIRE guitar (body, neck/head/fingerboard, tailpiece, nut & string guide) is plated in real (10k?) gold. The plating has begun to pit and bubble in places, but for the most part is as shiny and reflective as a mirror. Bridge is a chrome plated tune-a-matic type, made by Veleno. The 22 frets (plus a zero-fret) are pretty small. Tuners are icky black-plastic-bodied chrome Schaller Minis (replacements). The neck is incredibly shallow, only about 3/4" deep from the fingerboard to the back of the neck. This guitar may have been previously owned by Pete Haycock of the Climax Blues Band, as John Veleno recalls him sending a guitar back to be gold plated, and veleno has stated the butterfly pickguard shape was definitely designed by Haycock. If true, this would NOT be the guitar on the back of Climax's "Gold Plated" Lp, but a second, similar instrument. While about 3 Veleno bodies were plated in gold, Veleno believes he has never plated a NECK in real gold (only anodized), but this was 25 years ago, so who knows? Well, regardless of how it ended up gold, it sure looks incredible, and it's most likely one-of-a-kind.

Guitar sounds at least as good as any other guitar I've owned, if not better. Lotsa overtones, and INCREDIBLY sensitive. The rhythm pickup kicks out tons of bottom end; the bridge pickup cuts like a razor with the tone up, and gives a nice grind with the tone down. The phase switch works best with any outboard gain devices backed-off a bit.

I have this guitar set up with .008 strings; the strings are only 1/16" away from the 22nd fret. It doesn't buzz. This is far-and-away the easiest guitar to play that I've ever touched. You get used to the super-shallow neck after about five minutes, and then, LOOK OUT!! The instrument was shipped to me in Ohio from New Jersey, and it arrived in tune. It stays perfectly in tune through normal playing with fresh eights on it, no problem. And the fret placement and intonation are as precise as humanly/physically possible. Simply a joy to play. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

Guitar was built to last, and it certainly has lasted. I don't forsee any problems - I've "opened" the guitar, and it looks well-assembled in there... Of COURSE the finish will eventually wear off - it's real GOLD!! But it's in mighty good shape at this point. A couple of flakes off the fingerboard, but who's complaining?? I certainly ain't scared to use this thing live. I've wanted a Veleno for twenty years, so I'm gonna play it and play it, and then play it some more! (And clean and clean and clean it - fingerprints eventually will cause some tarnishing if not removed, because of the silver content in the harder 10k gold.) It had better be durable, anyway, as I'm keeping it for the rest of my life!

John Veleno has answered my questions to the best of his recollection. He seems like a pretty cool guy!

Let me put it this way: I sold a Travis Bean Wedge (one of 45), a Travis Bean Artist, a refinished '63 SG Junior AND a mint '74 ES-150D to pay for this Veleno - and I'd do it over again without a moment's hesitation. I would say you could pay a lot more than I did for one of these (I paid PLENTY) and still get your money's worth. We aren't kidding around. These guitars really are that great. I have found my holy grail. Hey, if ANYONE thinks they know more about this specific gold Veleno, plese get in touch... Anything else I'd like to share? Just this: "YYYYESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!"

After having seen it in a local music store, a friend bought it and I told him to sell it to me if he ever tired of it. I've had it for about 15 years. Mark Farner had one, There's a picture of one on the Cars Panorama album I believe, and my friend Steve Albini has one. The sound is quite nice, but I don't care much for the Guild pickups. Also, mine has a Bigsby vibrato, which is useless.
You can hear mine on the Rifle Sport Complex EP.
I can't say I have such high praises for the playability, I have owned just about every type of guitar, and I find it slightly difficult to play because of the extremely skinny neck. I am needing to get it replated, the chrome started lifting off the body around the pickups.
It is real cool though, and I'll never sell it.

The "Velino" was manufactured in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1974/75 I purchased it new in June 1975. The Construction of the body is Sand-Cast aluminum, and the neck is Extruded Aluminum. Because the neck of the Velino is all aluminum, it is thinner that the wooden counterparts, and the manufacturer adjusted the action so that it is the finest fast-action lead style guitar ever, ever, EVER manufactured. The colour of the body is dark grey and the neck is mottled grey/black. I had it refretted by a Fender Authorized repair facility in San Jose, California in 1991 or 92. Also the pickup tone & volume controls were replaced (I still retain the original ones, though) because newer ones recommended extended the tone and linear volume scale of the amplified Guild Humbucking pickups. There is a Phase-Shifter switch and another tone switch (both are toggle -2pole).
My Understanding is that Mr Velino only created one-model. His "Signature" can be found at the head of the guitar where the neckhead/single piece forms a "v" beyond the string-keys and a 5-carat industrial ruby is placed within the "apex" of the "v" signature. I purchased the Velino in Pasadina, California. and later, my brother, Tim, purchased a gold one (His had a etched serial # of 103 etched within the side of the body just where it was joined to the neck, and mine is #74; the Velino Instrument Co. & its St. Petersburg address is etched into a piece of aluminum where the 6-String keys are attached to the guitar's head). I believe that Mr. Velino, an ex-NASA metalurgical engineer- layed off in the 1970 Republican-Gov't cutbacks from Cape Canaveral, had died completing only 166 of his fine featured guitars. My Guitar shop-steward in Pasadena told me in the 1980's that Mr. Velino had passed away, and his wife struck and destroyed the molds, thus insuring an extremely limited-edition of his only guitar model: the solidbody aluminum-electric, bearing "His-Signature".
On shear playability, the instrument is unsurpassable, even Travis - Bean guitarists give it highest praise. It is a studio recording musician's dream-instrument. When I have brought the Velino into any music / guitar store, or teaching establishment, the Velino immediately draws a crowd, which remains until the instrument is placed back in its original (non-velino-manufactured) hardshell case. Any musician, blessed enough to play the Velino almost immediately declares that it is the easiest guitar to play in the world. Truly, it is so unique...that it is practically priceless.
I do regret that I do not have the original instruction manual, but I do have an added piece of Velino paperwork, recommending only Glass cleaner to cleanse the instrument. My Warrantee card was properly filled out, endorsed and sent to the factory in 1975.
My Name is Cajun Mike

I have used Marshall 80-Watt amps, and currently use the Fender solid state Amp

The finest instrument anyone (who has ever played it) has ever played! No flaws on the finish. Guild humbucking twin-pickups flawless. And no fret buzz when fully adjusted for lightening-lead-fingering.

I have played the Velino live and it is still as good as when it was newly purchased.
Dependable No backup ever necessary.
The finish can be gouged with something metal... but wasn't.

Never had the need to consult with the Velino Family. The warrantee was "Lifetime".

I've had the Gibson Gold top 1958 Solidbody new in '58- Great Guitar, I even put "flames-stickers" below each cream-colored pickup. But the Velino is supurb-er. I've had the Blue finish- Fender 1962 Stratocaster - new in 1962, but the Velino rockets by it. I do have the 25-th Fender Anniversary Silver limited edition #23 - of 25, and it is a honey, fresh from the fender custom shop, but the Velino is easier to play lead on- by a whole continent. I also have a 1991 Gibson Flying-V with luscious purple lined Canadian-made Case, but the Velino is "Unstoppable". Nothing can compare that I've ever played. Its "Catagory" is Stand-Alone

Made in the USA by Veleno himself in the 70's. 2 humbuckers,4 knobs,2switches and a 22 fret neck. Very standard stuff except for the phase switch which is a popular 70's item.What features do you need for a guitar?

Simply the best guitar I've ever played. And I've had Les Pauls,Strats, Telecasters(aluminum one even),Jaguars,Jazzmasters(5 of them),Firebirds, Travis Beans(every model) etc.. It plays better than any guitar I've ever played and sounds simply amazing. It sounds like the guitar is about to explode at any given time, the most dynamic guitar ever. If you like aluminum guitars, this is truly the king no doubt!!I've had them all and until now I was always searching for something else.Don't judge the guitar by the Hole guitarist, he doesn't put it to any use whatsoever.As a matter of fact he puts it to shame. This guitar is beautiful to look at, true but it must be played to be believed. Best ever!! It's a little bright, given that it's aluminum, but it's also very warm sounding w/ alot of sustain.And the phase switch is surprisingly useful, I never usually use these things because it just makes your guitar disappear or sound really lame but w/ this guitar it's a whole different story. But really the most amazing thing about this guitar is the dynamics, I swear it's so friggin sensitive it's not real. Can't say enough good things about this guitar. I've stopped hunting.

Flawless!! It's handmade by the master of aluminum guitars, not a buzz to be found and the action is incredably low. The pickups are great. And the aluminum is a mirror like finish. I can shave w/ this guitar it's that reflective.

I know this, the neck will not warp. It's so beautiful I do worry about getting scratches on it, I haven't taken it to a show yet but soon. I'm sure it's pretty durable, it's been around over 25 years and it looks and plays better than any guitar I've seen or played.

No idea whatsoever, though I have his address.

I've been buying and playing guitars for around 10 years, never have I been so excited about a guitar and so satisfied. It's a gift from god.I would buy this guitar over and over again, if it's ever stolen you better run fast and far because I will track you down and kill you. That's no joke.