Two guys and one guitar It isn’t surprising to many that Switzerland is well-known for the art of watchmaking. However, two childhood friends from Lucerne have made it their task to show the international community that Swiss precision and quality can also be found in other products. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: RELISH BROTHERS AG
Pirmin Giger and Silvan Kueng have been music lovers and passionate guitar players since their early youth and have been practicing their skills together for a long time. When Pirmin finished his apprenticeship as a carpenter, he started a degree in industrial design. Silvan studied business administration, followed by years in marketing and sales positions. Friends for over 15 years, Pirmin and Silvan stayed in close contact and decided to make a living with what they love most.“In 2011 Pirmin showed me his first prototype of a guitar called ‘Jane’ which he built at Marco Guitars Workshop.
26 | Issue 31 | October 2015
After that, she got some great responses and we decided to develop 'Jane' to its marketability. In the end, we founded our own start-up company in 2013,”Silvan smiles. It’s about passion With a product development period of three and a half years, their innovative e-guitar ‘Jane’ is a worthy continuation of Adolph Rickenbacker’s legacy.The Swiss-American was born in Basel and co-founded the eguitar in 1931. Now, it’s time for Pirmin and Silvan to write Swiss e-guitar history with a fresh approach. Rebellious and exclusive,
highly innovative and stunning – these are the adjectives that best describe e-guitar ‘Jane’. With its exceptional design, construction, as well as materials used, their product sets new standards after 60 years of e-guitar making history.“We have set ourselves ambitious goals,” Pirmin says. This can be seen, felt and, of course, heard. Right in line with the Swiss watchmaker tradition, the two Swiss guys have put their emphasis on precision and excellence. ‘Jane’ is available in ash, walnut or cherry wood.The guitar’s fretboard is made of sustainable bamboo. Impressing with an exceptionally beautiful, elegant and sleek design, it sports an aluminium frame and a smooth natural wood finish. Despite an outstanding look,‘Jane’also“features a different composition than common e-guitars as‘Jane’s’body consists of three layers,”