We first met Patch Rubin at the Boutique Guitar Showcase at NAMM 2018. At the time, Patch was still building Wide Sky Guitars in Taos, New Mexico (he's now relocated to the big island in Hawaii). As fellow ski-town citizens, we hit it off right away, and we were blown away by the instruments Patch designs and constructs, all by hand one at a time. The goal of Wide Sky is to make art that inspires others to make their art. As Patch puts it, "I want to make sculptures that sing."
Without question, the Wide Sky P125 fits that description—just watch what Gary Clark, Jr. does with his! The first electric Wide Sky model, the P125 was inspired by vintage Gibson guitars, and Patch approached the design as a sort of cross between the old ES125 3/4 and a Les Paul. It features a chambered Mahogany body with a carved Maple top. It traditionally features P90s (but Patch offers a range of different options), and it has a trapeze tailpiece with a tune-o-matic bridge. In practice, it is a versatile, lightweight resonant guitar that captures the best qualities of both hollow and solid-body electrics.
This Wide Sky P125 Cutaway was started in Taos, but completed in Hawaii in 2022. It features an eye-catching Gold Top finish and Arcane P90s. It has a gorgeous striped Ebony fingerboard, and it shows impressive workmanship all around. The clever contoured neck heel makes it easy to get all the way up the neck. Although it is a used guitar, it shows minimal signs of playwear and use, and the frets are pristine. The worst is a small ding in the middle of the back (see photos). This P125 Cutaway weighs in at 6 lbs 14.8 oz.
When you plug in, the semi-hollow construction—combined with good-quality P90s—lends a wide range of versatility. In your hands, this Wide Sky feels like a handcrafted work of art, and when you plug it in, it will inspire your playing and push your music in new directions. The playability is excellent, and it includes its original hardshell case.