Forged from Nuno Bettencourt’s relentless pursuit of tone, feel, and performance, the Dark Horse stands at the pinnacle of the Nuno Guitars Thoroughbred Series. This master-built, custom-shop instrument is hand-crafted one at a time by expert luthiers for players who demand elegance, attitude, and absolute precision.

A Master Built Showpiece

The Dark Horse features a black-stained alder body topped with a striking ziricote cap, accented by maple/ebony through-body racing stripes. Sculpted contours, a flawless finish, and Nuno’s signature Extended Cutaway deliver exceptional comfort and unrestricted upper-fret access.

A hand-carved birdseye maple neck, shaped to Nuno’s exact specifications, pairs with an ebony fingerboard for a fast, fluid feel. Each neck is meticulously shaped and finished to achieve the unmistakable Nuno response—sleek, stable, and expressive.

Command the Stage

Sonically, the Dark Horse commands the stage. A custom-wound Nuno Guitars bridge humbucker delivers punch, clarity, and rich harmonics, while a Seymour Duncan ’59 neck pickup adds warmth and classic character. A streamlined control layout—single volume and three-way selector—keeps the focus on pure performance. An Original Floyd Rose locking tremolo provides rock-solid tuning stability and total freedom for aggressive tremolo work.

Blending stealth aesthetics with luxury craftsmanship, the Dark Horse is more than a signature model—it’s the culmination of decades of refinement. A modern classic, handcrafted by artisans and designed by the guitarist who redefined performance.