Question 1

What is Fernandes Guitars, and how did it start?

Accepted Answer

Fernandes started in Tokyo in 1969, building flamenco guitars. It grew fast and became one of Japan’s biggest guitar makers, mixing traditional building with a real appetite for new ideas.

Through the 1970s and ’80s the company moved into electric guitars, basses, amps, and accessories, working with well-known Japanese factories such as Matsumoku, Tokai, Kawai, and Dyna Gakki.

Question 2

What is Burny, and how is it related to Fernandes?

Accepted Answer

Burny was Fernandes’ sister brand, focused on high-quality replicas of classic Gibson designs. The late-’70s and ’80s Japanese Les Paul-style Burny models earned a strong reputation for their build and tone, and collectors still seek them out on the used market today.

Question 3

What is the Fernandes Sustainer?

Accepted Answer

The Sustainer is a built-in electromagnetic system that holds any note or chord for as long as you want, with feedback and harmonic control, and no pedals or external devices needed. Because it is built into the guitar and driven from the neck pickup position, it works naturally while you keep both hands on the instrument, which is what sets it apart from a handheld E-Bow.

Question 4

Who played Fernandes guitars?

Accepted Answer

Fernandes turned up in a lot of hands across a lot of genres. Billie Joe Armstrong played a well-worn blue Fernandes for years, and Kirk Hammett reached for Fernandes in the studio for clean, atmospheric parts. Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Neal Schon, Brad Gillis, and Reeves Gabrels all used Fernandes at various points, often specifically for the Sustainer. In Japan, players like hide of X Japan, Hisashi Imai of Buck-Tick, and Ken of L’Arc-en-Ciel made Fernandes a main stage and studio guitar.

Question 5

What models is Fernandes best known for?

Accepted Answer

The Ravelle is a modern carved-top single-cut with bold contours. The Monterey Deluxe is a versatile LP-style guitar, frequently loaded with a Sustainer. The Vertigo is the angular, aggressive shape favored by rock and metal players. The ZO-3 is the cult-favorite mini guitar with a built-in amp, and on the Burny side the Les Paul-style RLC series is prized for its tone and build quality.

Question 6

What happened to Fernandes Guitars?

Accepted Answer

Fernandes ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy in July 2024. Reporting at the time pointed to financial pressure and a shift toward the used and boutique guitar markets. It was a quiet end for a brand that spent decades pushing electric guitar design forward.

Question 7

Is Fernandes completely gone?

Accepted Answer

Not really. New production has stopped, but the guitars live on through the used market, modding communities, and a loyal fan base. The Sustainer in particular still has a devoted following among custom builders and tone chasers, and there have been reports of parts of the brand’s intellectual property changing hands, which leaves the door open for a possible revival.

Question 8

Can I still buy Fernandes or Burny guitars?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on the used market. Reverb is the most reliable place to find them, with sellers who ship internationally. Before you buy, read up on the specific model and check the serial and country of origin, because the Japanese-made instruments are the most collectible and tend to command higher prices.

Question 9

How can I tell if a Fernandes or Burny is Japanese-made?

Accepted Answer

Dating and origin vary a lot by factory and era, so treat any single rule with caution. A few things point toward the sought-after Japanese-built instruments: a "Made in Japan" stamp or decal, tidy details like bound fret ends, quality hardware such as Gotoh tuners, and well-figured tops. Serial number formats are not consistent across the brand’s history, so cross-check the serial against seller photos and community resources rather than relying on the number alone.

Question 10

Is the Sustainer still available or installable today?

Accepted Answer

Fernandes no longer makes new Sustainer systems, but used units and spare parts still change hands among enthusiasts, and some luthiers will fit one into a different guitar. Modern alternatives exist, though many players feel none match how cleanly the original system was integrated.

Question 11

Why did Fernandes appeal to so many different genres?

Accepted Answer

Because the guitars were genuinely versatile. Punk, metal, ambient, jazz-fusion, and film scoring players all found something to like, and the mix of familiar feel and forward-looking features, especially the Sustainer, made them easy to reach for in almost any setting.

Question 12

What is this website?

Accepted Answer

This site is a fan-run archive. After Fernandes closed, a group of players picked up the domain to keep the brand’s history in one place: model information and specs, the story of the Sustainer, artist history, and tools like our string tension calculator. We are not affiliated with the former company. We are just enthusiasts who think Fernandes is worth remembering and keeping useful for the people who own and play these guitars.

Question 13

Where can I connect with other Fernandes owners?

Accepted Answer

The community is still active. Forums like Reddit (r/guitar, r/Luthier, r/Offset), The Gear Page, and dedicated Facebook groups are good places to trade advice, history, and troubleshooting tips with other owners, collectors, and modders.

Question 14

Where were Fernandes guitars made?

Accepted Answer

The most sought-after Fernandes and Burny guitars were built in Japan, often at or alongside respected factories like Dyna Gakki, Tokai, Matsumoku, and Kawai. Over time, more affordable models were also produced in other Asian countries, which is part of why country of origin matters so much to value.

Question 15

What is the ZO-3?

Accepted Answer

The ZO-3 is a small, egg-shaped travel guitar with a built-in amplifier and speaker, so you can plug in headphones or just play unplugged and still hear it. It became a cult favorite for practice, writing on the road, and its sheer novelty, and clean examples still trade actively among fans.

Question 16

Did Fernandes build guitars for other brands?

Accepted Answer

Fernandes worked closely with major Japanese factories that also produced instruments for other well-known names during the same eras. That shared manufacturing base is one reason the Japanese-built Fernandes and Burny guitars are held in such high regard for their quality.

Question 17

What do the Elite, Deluxe, Pro, and X model names mean?

Accepted Answer

They are tiers within a series. Elite (and the JP Elite line) sits at the top, with premium woods and usually a Sustainer. Deluxe is a strong mid-tier, often with EMG pickups. Pro is the more affordable Sustainer-equipped line, and X models are the entry-level bolt-on versions. So a Ravelle Elite and a Ravelle X share a shape but differ a lot in spec and price.

Question 18

Are Fernandes guitars good quality?

Accepted Answer

The Japanese-built models have a strong reputation for build quality, comfortable necks, and reliable hardware, which is why they still hold their value on the used market. Quality varies by tier and era, so the flagship Elite and Deluxe models are generally a safer bet than the cheapest entry-level runs.

Question 19

What are the most collectible Fernandes and Burny models?

Accepted Answer

Sustainer-equipped Elites (Ravelle, Monterey, Dragonfly), signature and limited runs, the mini ZO-3, and Japanese-made Burny Les Paul-style RLC models tend to be the most sought after. Original condition, a Japanese build, and rarer finishes all push value up.

Question 20

How much are Fernandes guitars worth today?

Accepted Answer

It depends heavily on the model, tier, era, and condition, so prices range widely. Entry-level models are modest, while clean Japanese-built Elites, signatures, and desirable Burny replicas command a premium. The best way to gauge current value is to compare recent sold listings for the exact model on the used market.

Question 21

What woods and pickups did Fernandes typically use?

Accepted Answer

Common woods included mahogany and alder bodies, maple and mahogany necks, and rosewood or ebony fingerboards, with quilted maple tops on the higher tiers. Pickups ranged from Fernandes’ own designs to EMG actives (60, 81, 85) and Seymour Duncan humbuckers, alongside the Sustainer driver on equipped models.

Question 22

Who owns the Fernandes brand and Sustainer technology now?

Accepted Answer

After the 2024 closure there were reports of parts of the brand’s intellectual property, including the Sustainer, changing hands. Nothing has been confirmed as a full relaunch, so for now the brand lives on mainly through existing instruments and its community, with the door left open for a future revival.

Question 23

Did Fernandes make basses, amps, or acoustics too?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alongside its electric guitars, Fernandes built a full line of bass guitars (Atlas, Gravity, Tremor, Vertigo and more), plus amplifiers and accessories over the years. The basses share the same shapes and build philosophy as the guitars, including signature models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking to buy one?