“Washburn didn’t know I was leaving – it was probably a messed-up thing to do”: Nuno Bettencourt gave his new guitar brand its debut at Back to the Beginning – but Washburn had no idea it existed

Musician Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme performs onstage during the Above Ground 4 concert benefiting Musicares at The Fonda Theatre on October 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Nuno Bettencourt has opened up on the origins of his new electric guitar venture, and revealed why he took the decision to part ways with Washburn after 35 years and establish his own company.

The Extreme virtuoso was the MVP for Back to the Beginning earlier this summer, and for the occasion he decided to give the Nuno Guitars Dark Horse model its public debut.