For Pensa guitars, the Soho Custom model is right there at the top. It all started back in 1988 with the debut of the Pensa-Suhr MK-1. Mark Knopfler had become frustrated by constant guitar switches during performances, so he turned to friend Rudy Pensa for a solution. The duo sketched the guitar on a coffee shop napkin, and Rudy's Music Stop guitar builder John Suhr transformed it into the MK-1 in time for Knopfler's debut at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert. The MK-1 quickly became a cherished studio and stage companion for the next five years, playing a significant role in recording Dire Straits' 1991 album "On Every Street" and throughout the subsequent 1991-92 On Every Street Tour. The Soho Custom model is still made right here in NYC by our Pensa builders and each one is unique and crafted to the highest standard.
Custom handmade guitars, built right here at Rudy's for over 30 years.
Model: Soho Custom
Body Finish/Color:Nitrocellulose Lacquer Top/Custom Amber
Back Finish Color:Nitrocellulose Lacquer Top/Heritage Cherry
Neck Finish/Color: Nitrocellulose Lacquer/Natural
Paint Option: Black headstock face, gold outline logo
Top Wood: Angel steps quilted maple
Body Wood: Chambered single piece mahogany
Neck Wood: Hard maple with mild figures
Neck Back: C
Scale Length: 25 1/2" Luminlay side dots, 10"-12" compound radius
Fingerboard Wood: East Indian rosewood 1/4" clay facemarkers
Binding: .09" Ivoroid on the body top and the fingerboard
Neck Pickup: EMG SAX Ivory
Middle Pickup: EMG SAX Ivory
Bridge Pickup: EMG 89X Ivory Rear rout mount
Electronics: Volume, Tone (Pull: single coild made on EMG89X) 5-way pickup selector switch
Nut: Locking Schaller R2, 1 5/8"
Frets: Dunlop 6105 / 22
Bridge: Schaller locking
Tuners: Gotoh SG381
Hardware Color: Gold
Pickguard: None
Knobs: Dome
Weight: 7.6lbs/3.45kg
Case: Ameritage Custom Hardshell
String Gauge: .010" ~ .046"
