1966 D'Aquisto

**fws6** · 09-08-2011, 07:30 AM

I got this guitar a couple of weeks ago but have been busy to get it into perfect playing condition; and thereafter playing it ;-)

Finially made some pics this morning to show off....

**BigMikeinNJ** · 09-08-2011, 07:36 AM

WOW !!!

A '66 ???

VERY Jealous

**fws6** · 09-08-2011, 07:42 AM

> A '66 ???

yes it is dated 12/12/66 and according to his shops ledger was delivered in 67. One of the very first he did with his own name on; but still 100% identical to the DAngelico NYguitar

**BigMikeinNJ** · 09-08-2011, 07:49 AM

I was in no way challenging your claim, more remarking IN AWE at what you have. I am truly humbled by something so special.

WOW.... I think I'll wander on down the driveway mumbling for a bit.

Thanks for posting it.

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 09-08-2011, 11:30 AM

Beautiful guitar. As you can tell by my name, I'm especially fond of real D'Aquistos. Congratulations on a wonderful piece as well as an inspiring collection. BTW, have you seen this Excel?

D'Aquisto Excel guitar for sale

It's sold. Although it looks like John is getting a 65 D'Q NY soon.

**Patrick2** · 09-08-2011, 11:36 AM

Beautiful guitar!! I don't want to start a holy war here . . but, I truly believe that Jimmy was more talented than his mentor. Don't get me wrong now, I totally understand that Jimmy could have never achieved the level of greatness he did without the mentoring of the master. Jimmy just took it to a higher level. What a wonderful addition to your collection!!!

**fws6** · 09-08-2011, 11:53 AM

>BTW, have you seen this Excel

Yes, I had looked at that one as well, that excel was Joe Puma's. Very close in specs to mine except for the zero fret. The guard on that guitar is also newer but looks pretty cool. I think it must have a side jack as the DeArmond cable goes inside the f-hole ?

My guitar also has the gold DeArmond 1100 but I still need to fix and install it.

**kamlapati** · 09-08-2011, 12:16 PM

Oh My God!

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 09-08-2011, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by fws6

>BTW, have you seen this Excel

Yes, I had looked at that one as well, that excel was Joe Puma's. Very close in specs to mine except for the zero fret. The guard on that guitar is also newer but looks pretty cool. I think it must have a side jack as the DeArmond cable goes inside the f-hole ?

My guitar also has the gold DeArmond 1100 but I still need to fix and install it.

You may not want to get into the details of your purchase, which I totally respect. But I remember seeing an early D'Q awhile back with a gold DeArmond 1100 that had all but corroded. The pickup and it's various parts were in the case. I think the guitar was on Ebay.

**fws6** · 09-08-2011, 01:20 PM

all but corroded ? nothing I cant fix.......

**mark105** · 09-08-2011, 01:51 PM

Congratulations, that is GORGEOUS !!!

**tsar nicholas** · 09-08-2011, 03:58 PM

Extraordinary!

**hot ford coupe** · 09-08-2011, 04:56 PM

Oh wow!! That's one of the real prizes of guitardom and a Holy Grail all by itself. When you get that one fixed up, I'm sure it's going to play like a dream. What a great addition to an already stellar collection. You've literally got the world on a string.

Can you actually fix that pickup? If so, Can you show how you do it with in progress shots? That would be truly fantastic. Thanks in advance.

**fws6** · 09-09-2011, 03:47 AM

>Looks familiar.

Yes it was that guitar; the pictures and the description were totally off and I communicated with the seller for 3+ months before going into the deal.

>When you get that one fixed up, I'm sure it's going to play like a dream.

Oh it already is. The guitar hadnt been played for years so I had my luthier work on some sharp fret ends that had come loose, he did a marvellous job. Plus I installed that handmade guard (which looks so much nicer in person than comes out in the pics). It has a vey comfortable neck, it plays very easy, and the tone is just so heavenly. I keep A-B ing with all my other guitars (as you know I have gathered quite a few in the last 3-4 years) but is clearly the best I have ever played. It

>Can you actually fix that pickup?

The pickup still measures a 14k output, and the potmeter also reads out fine ;-) Only the casing for the pickup and control box are corroded, and I couldnt clean properly. So I polished those and am having them gold plated. It'll need a new lead too. I am just hesitant whether I want to install it again or not. Of course, it is the original pickup (all the early DAs have this pickup, and it is dated 66 as well so no doubt about that). But it would also mean I have to cut up the guard to which I am slightly hesitant.

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 09-09-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

>Looks familiar.

Yes it was that guitar; the pictures and the description were totally off and I communicated with the seller for 3+ months before going into the deal.

>When you get that one fixed up, I'm sure it's going to play like a dream.

Oh it already is. The guitar hadnt been played for years so I had my luthier work on some sharp fret ends that had come loose, he did a marvellous job. Plus I installed that handmade guard (which looks so much nicer in person than comes out in the pics). It has a vey comfortable neck, it plays very easy, and the tone is just so heavenly. I keep A-B ing with all my other guitars (as you know I have gathered quite a few in the last 3-4 years) but is clearly the best I have ever played. It

>Can you actually fix that pickup?

The pickup still measures a 14k output, and the potmeter also reads out fine ;-) Only the casing for the pickup and control box are corroded, and I couldnt clean properly. So I polished those and am having them gold plated. It'll need a new lead too. I am just hesitant whether I want to install it again or not. Of course, it is the original pickup (all the early DAs have this pickup, and it is dated 66 as well so no doubt about that). But it would also mean I have to cut up the guard to which I am slightly hesitant.

Congratulations again. I'm glad that guitar has found a worthy home. FYI, years ago I had an old Super 400 with a DeArmond 1100. I had my guitar tech remove the stick and bypass the control box entirely. He attached the pickup to the pickguard and installed volume and tone thumb wheels under the guard. That pickup sounded amazing. No hum whatsoever. And dispensing with the control box made the whole thing much less unwieldly. Thanks again for taking the time to share such a great piece.

**NSJ** · 09-09-2011, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the postings, fws6! All your guitars are beautiful.

It must be asked, which one(s) do you play most regularly? My impression is that, while we all may have several guitars, there is always one "go to" axe.

Do you rotate? Any of them needed to be refretted?

**fws6** · 09-09-2011, 01:06 PM

>there is always one "go to" axe.

Sure; as I put on my webpages that would be the broadway.... it has a very woody tone that I just adore. but I am pretty sure this Daquisto will take over ;-)

>Do you rotate?

Yes I always try to play two or three every evening. I dont hook up the electrics much (Tele's and X500) but all of them get played regularly.

>Any of them needed to be refretted?

As much as I like vintage guitars, I hate the tiny and thin fretwire that usually is on old guitars. So most of them are. This Daquisto has the original frets and they are still plenty high so I am leaving it as it is.