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1955 D'Angelico New Yorker Cutaway
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial number: 1969, stamped inside back
Body size at lower bout: 17 5/8" Scale length: 25" Nut width: 1 3/4" Body Depth: 3 1/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .90/.99
Materials: Solid handcarved tiger flame maple back and sides; solid bookmatched hand graduated spruce top; one-piece flame maple neck; engraved mother of pearl split-block fingerboard inlays; ornate art-deco peghead inlay, seven-ply body and headstock binding, triple bound fingerboard and soundholes.
Hardware: Original gold hardware includes engraved art-deco stairstep tailpiece; Grover Imperial tuners; original adjustable ebony bridge with inlaid feet. Vintage correct Mirabella 9-ply stairstep tortoise pickguard.
Notes: The instruments of legendary New York luthier John D'Angelico are widely regarded as the definitional masterpieces of the modern jazz guitar. This New Yorker model was his top of the line instrument, and we are extremely pleased for the opportunity to offer this outstanding example. With its cutaway body and original natural finish, this guitar embodies the most desirable features of this most sought-after of archtop guitars: a true pinnacle of the instrument.
Stamped with serial number 1969, this guitar is listed in D'Angelico's ledger as completed on May 5th of 1955, for a customer recorded as 'F. Forte'. Built just 6 numbers after Johnny Smith's own Excel, this instrument is said to have the same specs, with an X-braced 17 5/8" body, 25" scale, 1 3/4"nut, center-dip headstock, and 'stairstep' tailpiece and pickguard.
The peghead inlays were inspired by the art deco styling of the New Yorker Hotel, and the multi-bound stairstep tortoise pickguard and original Grover Imperial tuners both echo the prewar motif, along with D'Angelico's trademark streamlined soundholes. The curl of the maple is exceptionally vivid, with masterfully bookmatched fiddleback maple coursing the back from rim to rim, around the sides, and up the neck. The bookmatched quartersawn spruce top has Adirondack type grain, and is hand graduated and tap-tuned, with a fingerboard fashioned from dark solid ebony, and an adjustable ebony bridge with pearl inlaid feet.
Meticulously maintained, she's in gleaming condition, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The gently shaded sunburst finish shows normal scattered checking typical of an older finish, and is protected with a light overcoat of true clear nitro lacquer. The finish shows consistent age, and the instrument appears professionally rebound, with fine bright fretwork with binding nibs at the ends. The one piece, gentle C profile neck has a solid ebony, pearl inlaid fingerboard, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup.
The voice is warm and throaty, with excellent volume, and the rich, open quality only decades of age can convey. And all transmitted faithfully to the amp with its genuine vintage gold DeArmond 1100 Adjustable Rhythm Chief pickup, the original and most coveted floating pickup of all time. Long held in a fine private collection, the instrument retains its original brown Lifton plush lined case, every bit as handsome as the guitar itself, having been protected since new with its original fitted canvas cover.
An exceptional discovery, in gleaming condition, from the maestro's most coveted era, ready to roll, right out of the case. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, crowned and polished as necessary; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected; bridge foot contour inspected; bridge radius inspected; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
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