Anthony Ferraro has proven to be a key activist for accessible guitar gear. As a blind guitarist, he’s managed to push for a vibrating guitar tuner, a specially made Braille amp, and now, the world’s first accessible guitar.
In a new social media video, Ferraro is seen unboxing an electric guitar with a difference: one that has tactile markers instead of the usual visual inlays.
“I just found out this year that sighted people have fret markers they can look at on the guitar. This is incredible!” Ferraro exclaims.
“You realize this is the first accessible guitar ever made in the world? This is amazing. I can feel where I'm at on the fretboard without having to look for the harmonics.”
A post shared by Anthony S. Ferraro (@asfvision)
A photo posted by on
And if the Sensory Navigation Neck wasn’t enough, NVision Guitars – the boutique guitar company behind this build – has also equipped it with volume and tone knobs featuring different textures to make it even more accessible.
“This is like musical freedom. Not to mention, it sounds amazing,” continues Ferraro.
Notably, the guitar doesn’t include any Braille, the tactile system that allows blind and partially sighted people to access literacy. By doing this, NVision Guitars is opening up its design to a wider audience of guitarists who might not necessarily understand Braille.
“My new friend Tristan just made the world’s first accessible guitar by adding tactile markers to the neck for frets so I can tell where I am without being able to see,” reads Ferarro’s caption.
“Not to mention he literally built this guitar from a piece of wood and flew from Iowa to New Jersey to hand-deliver it to me and make sure I like it.”
This is the third piece of accessible gear that Ferraro has championed – and helped turn into a reality – this year alone.
Canadian digital programming whiz Kieran Eglin managed to program a $33 Donner DT-1 chromatic guitar tuner so that it vibrates whenever the string reaches the correct pitch. Victory Amps also produced a one-off Braille tube amp – the first of its kind – especially for the guitarist.
One thing is for sure: Ferraro is helping reshape the industry by making guitar gear more accessible to all guitarists.
