Fender D'Aquisto Elite

[bentnote]

So I mentioned this in the Barrington thread - here's another guitar I've decided to sell, a Fender D'Aquisto Elite in excellent condition. I'm sure a lot of folks on this forum are familiar with these, so I'll skip the overview of specs (of course, I'm happy to answer specific questions). It's all original, no finish checking, only ding/blemish is in middle of bass side rim (pictured). Plays and sounds great, set up with 11 flatwounds. Case is original as well, a few scuffs, but solid and all latches work. More pictures on request. $2700 + shipping (I am in CT)

[Mick-7]

What year is it?

[bentnote]

What year is it?

1985

[garthmoore]

Always loved those Fender models from the 80s, sounded great and easy to play. How's the pickup on it?

[bentnote]

Always loved those Fender models from the 80s, sounded great and easy to play. How's the pickup on it?

It sounds great to me. Warm but good note definition. And yes, it plays exceptionally well

[arnie65]

If you want a Fender D'Aquisto, this is the one to buy, the ones with the Schaller pickups have the best tone! Out of many pickups tested, this was the one recommended by Jimmy D'Aquisto, Fender was reluctant due to the price of the pickup at the time, but Jimmy insisted...




Arnie...

[deacon Mark]

i remember when these first came out in the very early 1980's. At the Chicago NAMM show I was able to spend much time at the booth and just couple of players by the name of Tommy Tedesco and Jimmy Bruno were playing them at full speed. I was much younger then and I remember that Tommy T had some short fat fingers that you would think would just get in the way play the guitar. Never judge a guitarist by the fingers. Jimmy B was a kid basically at 30 years old.

These are fine guitars and play with the best of them.

[bentnote]

i remember when these first came out in the very early 1980's. At the Chicago NAMM show I was able to spend much time at the booth and just couple of players by the name of Tommy Tedesco and Jimmy Bruno were playing them at full speed. I was much younger then and I remember that Tommy T had some short fat fingers that you would think would just get in the way play the guitar. Never judge a guitarist by the fingers. Jimmy B was a kid basically at 30 years old.

These are fine guitars and play with the best of them.

Would have loved to see that!

[deacon Mark]

Would have loved to see that!

I have told the story before but probably worth repeating. During the break a lunch Tommy goes over the Chicago Footlong Hot Dog vender selling those delicious dogs. He gets a huge plate with 3 of them on the plate and smothered in onions and juice. Sits down and knocks them down with no trouble at all. Then a few minutes later gets up and starts playing I Remember April at one fast tempo.

If I had just eaten that plate of food, I would have been looking for a chair or recliner to nap. You had to witness it to believe it,

[Sam Sherry]

If you want a Fender D'Aquisto, this is the one to buy, the ones with the Schaller pickups have the best tone!

We completely agree.
It's a great guitar and a great pickup.
Once in a while I've re-bought something just to check back in. I re-bought the FD'A Elite to keep.

Out of many pickups tested, this was the one recommended by Jimmy D'Aquisto, Fender was reluctant due to the price of the pickup at the time, but Jimmy insisted...

With respect, I have never heard anyone with first-hand knowledge say that.
From time to time people online say that Mr. D'Aquisto 'designed' the Schaller pickup, and I've never seen evidence of that either.
> I've never seen any of his apprentices talks about him as involved in the details of pickup art / science
> Before, during and after the Fender builds Mr. D'Aquisto used Guild pickups on the guitars he built for his clients
> The late-80s FD'A builds used Seymour Duncan pickups, and I've never seen anything reflecting that Mr. D'Aquisto liked them less
> From all I can tell Fender Japan used the same Schaller pickups on the mid-80s FD'A archtops as on the Robben Ford Esprit guitars:



But if I'm wrong, please speak up.
I am plenty o' used to it!

[Mick-7]

bentnote, Are the specs stated here correct?

Fender D'Aquisto Elite Violin Sunburst 1985 – Chicago Music Exchange

In what years were these guitars produced? Any variation in the model specs from year to year?

Also, just a curiousity question (cats must ask), what guitars are you keeping?

[Jthompson48]

bentnote, Are the specs stated here correct?

Fender D'Aquisto Elite Violin Sunburst 1985 – Chicago Music Exchange

In what years were these guitars produced? Any variation in the model specs from year to year?

Also, just a curiousity question (cats must ask), what guitars are you keeping?

I've been a bit interested in these. That CME ad is the only one I've noticed that claims a carved top. I was under the impression they're all laminate...

This is from an archtop.com old listing:

The single pickup Elite was produced in limited quantities in a single run in 1984, then reissued from 1989 to 1994 only. The deluxe Elite version features a solid ebony fingerboard, single neck pickup, and gold hardware. The Elite is the most highly prized by jazz players, and the hardest to find. This example is from the original series, and features the two point bound ebony pickguard, and Jimmy's specially designed Schaller pickup, found on this debut year only. With dimensions similar to the ES-175, the 16" body is comfortable to hold, with a sleek 2 3/4" body depth, and the 24 3/4" scale makes fast runs and stretch chords fall more easily under the hand. The laminated construction resists feedback at higher volumes and assists sustain as well.

[GuyBoden]

For anyone who is interested, the History of the 'Fender D'Aquisto' was posted on this forum many years ago.

Here:
Fender D'aquisto USA history

[bentnote]

I have told the story before but probably worth repeating. During the break a lunch Tommy goes over the Chicago Footlong Hot Dog vender selling those delicious dogs. He gets a huge plate with 3 of them on the plate and smothered in onions and juice. Sits down and knocks them down with no trouble at all. Then a few minutes later gets up and starts playing I Remember April at one fast tempo.

If I had just eaten that plate of food, I would have been looking for a chair or recliner to nap. You had to witness it to believe it,

That's a great story

[bentnote]

bentnote, Are the specs stated here correct?

Fender D'Aquisto Elite Violin Sunburst 1985 – Chicago Music Exchange

In what years were these guitars produced? Any variation in the model specs from year to year?

Also, just a curiousity question (cats must ask), what guitars are you keeping?

These specs look the same as mine, though I can't verify the neck dimensions. Those numbers sound right to me, based on others I've owned and played. I would call it a medium to slim C. The other thing I am not certain of is the radius - I thought I saw it described as 12" - I don't have the means to measure it, so can't be sure.

Since you asked - my main guitar is an FGN Masterfield (made by Fujigen) - in fact, it is this exact guitar from an old thread here on this site, which I found when I was trying to get info on this brand, which seems to be only distributed in Japan and Europe

Fujigen (FGN) Masterfield MFA-FP

I didn't buy it from the OP - if 'ghostlady' still checks this forum out, I would love to hear from her - I found it on craigslist here in CT. Had never heard of the brand, checked it out of curiosity. It is a fantastic guitar, at least for me. Specs are similar to the F/D'aquisto (16" spruce top, maple body, slightly deeper rims) - but it has a floating pickup, different tailpiece, and a 5 piece neck. It's the best guitar I've owned/played (though probably not as huge a sample as many of the folks here, I imagine). But the neck is perfect (for me) and the sound is just a touch warmer than the F/D'a to my ears. And I'm just used to it as well, but it really feels great for me. I liked it so much I bought another one from a Japanese shop, and it's a fine guitar, but it doesn't have the same vibe as this one (go figure).

The other guitar I find I play most regularly is a PRS SE Hollowbody (these are the Asian made, tons of them for sale online) though mainly for practicing. I think these are fantastic value instruments.

I own some others (a couple of Strats, which I grew up playing) and a Yamaha Mike Stern, which I picked up last year and like a lot, though I will probably sell it, only because the 7.25" radius doesn't work for me. I'll likely look at another T type guitar though. And I still have the Barrington, which if I keep is a very good 16" laminate.

[arnie65]

[QUOTE=With respect, I have never heard anyone with first-hand knowledge say that.
From time to time people online say that Mr. D'Aquisto 'designed' the Schaller pickup, and I've never seen evidence of that either.
> I've never seen any of his apprentices talks about him as involved in the details of pickup art / science
> Before, during and after the Fender builds Mr. D'Aquisto used Guild pickups on the guitars he built for his clients
> The late-80s FD'A builds used Seymour Duncan pickups, and I've never seen anything reflecting that Mr. D'Aquisto liked them less
> From all I can tell Fender Japan used the same Schaller pickups on the mid-80s FD'A archtops as on the Robben Ford Esprit guitars:[/QUOTE]

I heard this from a retired Fender employee back in 1993 at a guitar show here in Orlando, Fl. I can't recall all the details about the Schaller pickup, but I do remember hearing that it was designed for the D'Aquisto model, even though later was used the Robben Ford model, but with different specs. The original design was intentionally made to only accommodate the Schaller pickup. That's why people couldn't replace it with a regular humbucker without cutting a bigger hole or messing with the integrity of the guitar. In my opinion, the models built later on with regular humbuckers never sounded as good....



Cheers,
Arnie..

[bentnote]

Bump

[bentnote]

Bump, $2500 + shipping

[bentnote]

Bump, $2500 + shipping

Haven't sold on this forum before, this is listed on Reverb as well, I am 'Chris's Gear Locker' Essex CT, you'll find my feedback from my transactions there

[Doug B]

Is the Schaller pickup used in the FD'A Elite the same one used by Heritage Guitars in the early days?

Thanks.

Doug

[bentnote]

Is the Schaller pickup used in the FD'A Elite the same one used by Heritage Guitars in the early days?

Thanks.

Doug

I can't say - might be someone else on the forum who can answer that question?

[Jimmy blue note]

Always a chance that you'll turn some heads for a big payoff.
Anyway I've worked with these Fender D'A's. Exceptional instruments all.

[bentnote]

Bump

[intmuscianguitar]

Bump

Hey this still available?
Would you ship to australia?

[paulkogut]

In the early 90's, I was living in Chicago. I went to visit some friends in Philly and ended up sitting in with Jimmy at some downstairs red and white tablecloth joint. Jimmy said "Chicago? I was once trapped in a limousine sitting between Tommy Tedesco and Jack Cecchini, they almost killed me..." Maybe one more hotdog from Tommy and they would have...

PK