FURLEY Guitars is proud to announce the release of its second model, the Deathstalker Deluxe, a fully custom one-of-one electric guitar built by Canadian luthier Kyle Duncan for musician and creative Bret Kenworthy. This project grew from a close collaboration between longtime friends aiming to create an instrument that is both high-performance and deeply personal.

The Deathstalker Deluxe draws inspiration from the 1970s Telecaster Deluxe, a model Bret discovered and fell in love with after playing it at a local music store. From there, he and Duncan worked closely to design a guitar that balances vintage character with aggressive tone and modern reliability. Bret’s vision was a blacked-out, high-gain machine that still feels classic and refined.

The guitar features an alder body with chambering for weight relief and tonal balance. It is paired with a maple neck, an ebony fretboard, and ash used for the pickguard and headstock veneer. Finished in nitrocellulose, the Deathstalker Deluxe is designed to age naturally and develop character over time, much like a well-worn leather jacket.

Top tier components were selected throughout. The guitar is equipped with Fishman Fluence Classic humbuckers for powerful, articulate tone, a Hipshot hardtail bridge, Hipshot locking tuners, Jescar stainless steel frets, a cow bone nut, and black mother-of-pearl inlays. Every part was chosen with tone, feel, and longevity in mind.

The name Deathstalker comes from Leiurus quinquestriatus, one of the most venomous scorpions on the planet. Native to North Africa and the Middle East, the scorpion is known for its lethal sting and vivid yellow color. Its venom is currently being studied for use in cancer and neurological research. That blend of danger and purpose reflects the guitar’s character.

Bret and Kyle’s friendship goes back to childhood, and reconnecting to build this guitar added a deeper layer to the project. They sourced the wood together at Black Forest Wood Co and chose the perfect materials to meet both tonal goals and aesthetics. The body cavity was hollowed out for weight relief and balance, ensuring comfort for longer play sessions.

To mark the release, Bret created a hype video featuring a remix of his original track Champagne for the Champion, which he wrote in 2012 when he began his sobriety journey. The video was filmed across multiple fields and locations where he grew up, mostly in surrounding farmland, with some scenes inside the Rockyford Arena. The visuals reflect the landscape that shaped him and his ongoing journey. While the original song includes the lyric “Deathstalker where are you,” the hype video uses a reimagined instrumental version that better complements the visuals and the guitar itself.

This guitar is more than just a custom build. It is the result of shared history, creative alignment, and meticulous craftsmanship. With the Deathstalker Deluxe, FURLEY Guitars demonstrates what is possible when passion and skill come together to create something truly unique.

Credit to ak11.art for capturing select footage and photos.

FURLEY Deathstalker Deluxe features: