Back to the Beginning was tailor-made to be full of eye-opening moments and unlikely collaborations, but for eagle-eyed guitarists, Nuno Bettencourt added his own intrigue to the day’s events by taking to the stage with a mystery electric guitar.
The Extreme maestro played a starring role in Tom Morello’s All-Stars supergroup, taking on Bark at the Moon and a huge range of other hits as he proved to be the event's MVP. Beyond that, his guitar of choice for the event has left fans scratching their heads – and trawling the internet for answers.
A Strat-shaped electric guitar, it features a distinct aesthetic that departs from Bettencourt's previous Washburn N4 signature models, with two light wood stripes that have been wedged within a darker tonewood that has been used for much of the body.
Perhaps even more curiously, this mystery build has a ‘Nuno’ logo on its natural finished reverse headstock, rather than an established brand name.
Bettencourt had previously given fans a glimpse of the guitar on Instagram prior to Back to the Beginning, after he posted a clip of him playing the obscure ‘Nuno’ build in the back of a car on the way to the stadium.
It's generated many questions, especially when one considers Bettencourt's well-established relationship with Washburn – which has seen him multiple signatures, as well as craft an Eddie Van Halen tribute Bumblebee guitar.
But all of those previous models have featured the Washburn name on the headstock – whereas this one does not.
Boutique builder Iconic Guitars – whose own headstock design bears some similarities to the 'Nuno' model – commented on the post, potentially hinting at some level of involvement.
However, the headstock of the 'Nuno' build is also near-identical to those found on regular Washburn builds, which throws up another possibility: could it be a Nuno-branded build produced in collaboration with Washburn, similar to how Zakk Wylde’s Wylde Audio has operated in partnership with Schecter?
Spec-wise, what is clear is that this recipe stays very true to that of his signature Washburn N4. There’s a Floyd Rose with a D-Tuna – for detuning the sixth string to drop D – uncovered twin humbuckers, a single volume control, and a pickup switch on the treble-side horn.
A look at the bass-side horn shows the unique filled-in curvature of his N4 has been carried over, which could insinuate this is a Nuno-branded Washburn, especially because, elsewhere, the guitar so closely resembles the N4.
Whatever the case, Bettencourt has picked the guitar’s debut wisely with the metal world’s eyes glued to Villa Park. If it is a new venture, he's certainly got our attention.
More details will likely come to light in due course, and we’ll be the first to issue updates as soon as we know.
