Al Nevins' D'Angelico "Large White Special"

[spiral]

We have talked about Al Nevins' D'Angelico before before, and Hot Ford Coupe pointed out that it probably ended up getting refinished and in the hands of Bucky Pizzarelli.

Well, it turns out that is only partially true... because I saw it last week! I was in NY and stopped at Rudy's in SOHO and like an angel behind glass i saw a white D'Angelico hanging in the collection. I don't know why i never noticed it before but it still exists (sorry for the crappy photo):



I asked one of the employees and he told me to check out a book they had at the front table. It had a few sentence description that said:

Originally Posted by D'Angelico, Master Guitar Builder: What's in a Name?

According to D'Angelico's ledger, he delivered a "large white special", #1473, to Al on 04/15/40 and a 'B' special to Al Levins (misspelled) on 08/03/43. The white D'Angelicos were created to blend with the white organ and accordion featured in the Suns trio.

When Al Nevins needed a backup due to declining health, Bucky was asked to sit in. At the time, Bucky played a big blonde Epiphone and Al would loan him a D'Angelico to retain the group's 'white' instrument image. Eventually Al had to call it quits and Bucky inherited the gig plus two white D'Angelicos; one a hybrid Les Paul style hollow-body and the other a style 'B'.

After "the Three Suns" episode came to an end, Bucky's need for white instruments was over. He left the hybrid with the group and took the style 'B' back to John D'Angelico for refinishing to natural wood tones Bucky recalls, "the white paint on that guitar was so thick it looked like a refrigerator!". When John saw it, he chuckled, "Well, this one needed the paint to cover up a blemish!" Bucky didn't care, "get the heavy white stuff off! Go Natural!", and natural it is to this day, appreciating in value with every tick of the clock!

I asked to play it but i was denied. When i was there in June one of the guys let me play one so i will write a letter to see if they will let me one of these days.

It was exciting to see a guitar that i was actually familiar with! I wish i owned the book that had a photo of it because it really is very pretty: white finish, w/ pearloid pickguard, and what you miss from the photo is the pearloid binding. It looks really cool.

Here is the Three Suns video with that actual guitar:

YouTube Video

[hot ford coupe]

Originally Posted by spiral

We have talked about Al Nevins' D'Angelico before before, and Hot Ford Coupe pointed out that it probably ended up getting refinished and in the hands of Bucky Pizzarelli.

Well, it turns out that is only partially true... because I saw it last ][/url]

]

You're right. It was the B model that got refinished. I knew there were two white D'As with Bucky getting one. What I didn't know was where the other one went. Now I know.

The video, although not jazz is still way cool. I felt like getting out my roller skates and doing a few spins in the living room. You'll find a lot of D'As that were played for that kind of music. The one guy reminded me of my old accordion teacher.

[fws6]

I have nothing ese to say but: Wow

[hot ford coupe]

Originally Posted by fws6

I have nothing ese to say but: Wow

Ain't that the honest truth. It's fantastic when a guitar and musical history coincide. I had the same felling when I went to the Air Force Museum in Dayton and saw a display with Glenn Miller's second trombone in a display case. It's the same 'bone that Jimmy Stewart used in the Glenn Miller Story. Not only that but about 25 feet away from the 'bone was a case with Jimmy Stewart's A2 flying jacket.

[fws6]

i am not sure whether I would have the same associations with all those WWII memorabilia; being at the receiving end of those bombers... I guess I'd rather see one of those Moonlight Seranade jackets with a nice Emperor on it ;-)

[BigMikeinNJ]

Fascinating video - interesting that the guitar is still only a rhythm instrument and not used to play solos - this is a shame - and this is from a kid that started out playing accordion in the mid-50s. Not my choice, I remember walking thru the music store to the back where the lesson rooms were, going past those brand new Fenders and Gibsons... Damn where's the WayBack Machine when you need it ??

[spiral]

Originally Posted by hot ford coupe

The video, although not jazz is still way cool.

True, though this track isn't wholly representative. They played "pop" (sometimes pretty weird) but most of the guitar players were jazz and studio guys so lots of the playing is very chord-melody style. It is what got me interested in jazz in the first place. My guitar teacher hates their music. I think it is generational since for him it was the easy listening of the time. I guess it's like my kids loving the Mannheim Steamroller or Yanni.

Originally Posted by fws6

I have nothing ese to say but: Wow

Hopefully good "wow".

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

Fascinating video - interesting that the guitar is still only a rhythm instrument and not used to play solos - this is a shame

It is just for show in the video, but in the studio and live it was played lots of ways by jazz and studio luminaries (Joe Negri, Del Casher, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Barnes, Johnny Romano). There aren't too many studio tracks with acoustic guitar so I'm not even sure how often it got used at all.

[M-ster]

Cool story about the guitar. That Trio video is something else (I'm not sure what!).

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Oblilkykize

hi all i thing buy panasonic camera. What is your recommendation model? Best regards.

This is very weird. I know this is a spam message but the GF-1 is actually the camera i use for photography both work and fun (not for the one above though). What are the chances? Strange coincidence.

[jmstritt]

Just out of curiousity, how much did they want for that guitar?

[fws6]

I dont Rudy's DA collection is for sale.... unless .....