Ciari Founder and CEO Jonathan Spangler joins us to discuss the company’s unique partnership with Steve Stevens on “The Ascender” guitar.
In a groundbreaking fusion of innovation and artistry, Ciari Guitars has partnered with rock legend Steve Stevens to unveil their first-ever Signature Series model—“The Ascender.” This collaboration, cooked up by Ciari Founder and CEO Jonathan Spangler, marries Ciari’s patented folding technology with Stevens’ unparalleled musical vision, resulting in a guitar that redefines performance and portability.
From the initial spark of inspiration to the meticulous design process, this interview with Jonathan delves into how a shared commitment to excellence and a passion for the craft brought this revolutionary instrument to life.
Steve Stevens with Ciari Guitars, photo by Bruno Talledo
Ciari Guitars just announced its first-ever Signature Series with the legendary Steve Stevens. How did this partnership come to life?
Jonathan Spangler: “I first met Steve in 2019 after the launch of our first iteration of the Ascender folding electric. He saw videos from Summer NAMM 2019 and wanted to check it out in person. He liked it, but certain aspects did not meet his satisfaction. While it hurt to hear ‘your baby is ugly,’ it truly was the best thing for us, and we’re super grateful that he cared enough to provide his candid feedback. We took that direction and improved the Ascender to address each concern he had, and THAT was the early stages of what would lead to the Steve Stevens Signature Series Ascender!”
What made Steve Stevens the ideal artist to launch Ciari’s debut Signature model?
“First and foremost, Steve has a deep and abiding respect for the instrument, and he embraces innovation with an open mind. It is evident in his artistry, as well as his attention to detail and commitment to excellence, as a lifelong student of the guitar.”
Ciari Guitars Steve Stevens Signature Line Glass-Black (front)
How did working with such an iconic guitarist influence the design or functionality of the Signature Ascender?
“Massively. He provided significant feedback in our early days that positively impacted core aspects of our Ascender, including, most importantly, our three-part ‘Mid Neck Hinge,’ which is central to our success. He helped navigate the uncharted waters – not because he had a dog in the fight, but rather because he liked the core concept and wanted to see us succeed. Hi guidance then shifted to the electronics and aesthetics that make his Signature Series the epitome of functional art.”
What’s unique about the Steve Stevens Signature Series compared to the standard Ascender?
“The Steve Stevens Signature Series Ascender boasts ‘Bare Knuckle Rebel Yell’ pickups, ‘Graph-Tech Ratio’ locking tuners, trapezoid fingerboard inlays (on the Premier model), and, of course, Steve’s iconic ‘Ray Gun’ logo on the headstock, pick-guard, and pickups. For added fun, Steve requested an LED at the tip of the Ray Gun on the pick guard, which is tied to the Selector Switch and changes colour as a visual indicator of pickup selection – Green for neck only, Blue for middle position, and Red for bridge only.
“He also requested clear covers on the back of the Ascender to highlight the electronics, in a nod to vintage axes. The ‘Josie’ Premier model – named after Steve’s wife – includes a pink gloss finish on the body (with black binding) and neck… beautiful and stylish, just like its namesake!”
Ciari Guitars Steve Stevens Signature Line Glass-Black (back)
This collaboration is a major moment for Ciari. What does it signal about the company’s growth and place in the industry?
“To me, it signals a shift from ‘curiosity’ to ‘credibility,’ which is a hard-earned transition point, and firmly establishes Ciari Guitars as a bona fide player in the industry. Early on, we had an uphill battle based on the prior attempts of others in the travel space, which (in our humble opinion) required a decision: Do you want quality or do you want convenience? By applying medical device-level engineering to something we love and respect – the guitar – our Ascender is the only answer to this age-old question, offering quality and convenience in the same instrument.
“Steve and other open-minded early adopters have been instrumental in our innovation and growth as a company. Today, we see our Ascender as the perfect addition to every guitar collection, a constant companion ready for stage, studio, and everywhere in between!”
How do you balance technical innovation with the specific creative needs of a virtuoso like Steve Stevens?
“It’s all about communication, leveraging feedback, and executing on the opportunity. Steve is a man with exacting standards and vision. When he speaks and provides feedback, you’d be a fool not to listen. He communicated his feedback on our early models in 2019, and by incorporating his advice, we earned his trust enough to embark on the Signature Series journey.
“When that started, Steve focused deeply on creating a best-in-class solution that fuses world-class aesthetics with a wide tonal versatility, essentially a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ that will honour and serve the needs of guitarists on the go with performance and style. From there, we overlaid those tonal and aesthetic requirements on our patented folding platform, which we’ve battle-tested and optimized since the early days.”
Steve is known for his genre-defying style and high standards. How did you ensure the Signature Series lived up to that?
“We simply listened. To put his name on it, given his commitment to his craft and resulting global credibility, it had to first and foremost hold its own as a quality instrument – if not, who cares if it’s convenient? To do so, we added his ‘Bare Knuckle Rebel Yell’ pick-ups, which are incredible vehicles for tonal expression. The Premier model (including the all-pink ‘Josie’) offers independently adjustable tone, volume, and coil-splits on both pick-ups, while the Platinum model offers master tone, volume, and coil-split. Beyond this, our necks are Plek’d to ensure pro-playability and optimal action.”
What has the response been like from the artist community and fans since the announcement?
“Awesome! Those who already know us and use Ascenders are super excited for this milestone and the added visibility/credibility from Steve’s endorsement. It’s a moment of pride for the entire Ciari Family, including artists and customers, to have someone of Steve’s ilk now proudly playing an Ascender. We’ve had a lot of new artists, who may have been watching us from afar but were still a little reluctant or dubious. Quotable quotes include ‘If it’s good enough for Steve Stevens, that’s all I needed to hear.’ Music to my ears, for sure!”
Ciari Guitars Steve Stevens Signature Line Josie Pink (front)
From the courtroom to creating guitars for rock royalty—how does it feel to reach this kind of milestone?
“Surreal and humbling! I have been a massive fan of Steve and Billy since the 1980s, with their music forming the soundtrack to some of my favourite life events. To be collaborating with him, based on his sincere appreciation for our innovation and desire to be part of it, is beyond words. And words are my business!”
How does this Signature Series set the stage for future artist collaborations or new directions for Ciari Guitars?
“Exceptionally well, I believe, and I’m thrilled that someone of Steve’s calibre was our very first! He sets a high bar.”
Ciari Guitars Steve Stevens Signature Line Josie Pink (back)
You’ve talked before about reinventing the electric guitar for modern musicians. How does this collaboration push that mission forward?
“In a massive way, because modern musicians are mobile, now more than ever. With the advent of streaming, they need to tour more to drive income and are resorting to fly dates and air travel based on a shortage of tour bus drivers and availability/affordability of tour buses. And it’s never been harder to travel by airline with a guitar, even with the so-called ‘Traveller Bill of Rights,’ which of course only applies in the U.S. and only offers relief if there’s room in the overhead bin.
“With our Ascender, an artist can travel by air in a stress-free manner because it fits under a seat and thus qualifies as a Personal Item – an industry first! Even outside of air travel, our Ascender can be a constant companion, allowing you to create when inspiration strikes and practice whenever the spirit moves you, regardless of location.”
What excites you most about where Ciari Guitars is headed next, especially with icons like Steve Stevens now part of the story?
“I’m excited to see how this guitar continues to forge its own path, as it’s already far exceeded my expectations of where and how it’s being played, and by whom. If you would have told me when I filed the first patent, in 2012, that it would be played on stages worldwide (Wembley Stadium, Hollywood Bowl, Grand Ole Opry, Sydney Opera House, Kennedy Center, etc..) or studio albums (including Grammy-winning Count Basie Swings the Blues), much less by iconic artists like Steve Stevens, I’d have told you to put your beer down. Instead, we’re raising our glass with gratitude to Steve and the entire Ciari family of artists, customers, and investors!”
Ciari Guitars CEO Jonathan Spangler and Steve Stevens, photo by Bruno Talledo