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c.1984 Fender D'Aquisto Elite
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Serial #: 000173 Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .84/.87
Materials: Arched spruce top, arched flame maple back and sides; solid maple neck with adjustable truss rod; solid ebony fingerboard; mother of pearl fingerboard and peghead inlay; triple bound body, headstock and fingerboard, bound f-holes.
Hardware: 100% original gold hardware includes sealed tuners with ebony keys; contoured Macassar ebony tailpiece; adjustable compensated ebony bridge; triple bound ebony pickguard; solid ebony volume and tone knobs, Schaller humbucking pickup.
Notes: Jimmy D'Aquisto was the last and most celebrated apprentice to the legendary John D'Angelico. In an abbreviated career of just three decades, D'Aquisto created a peerless body of work, instruments that are now the most costly and sought after archtops ever made. Working in collaboration with Fender Musical Instruments, he created a number of more accessibly priced instruments that have become highly prized by serious players to this day.
The D'Aquisto Elite model is an upgrade from the Standard series, with a soundboard of arched spruce (rather than maple), an ebony fingerboard, all-gold hardware, and a bound rosewood pickguard more curvilinear in shape. The 16" body is comfortable to hold, with feedback resistant laminate construction. Body depth is a sleek 2 3/4", with a 24 3/4" scale that makes fast runs and stretch chords fall more easily under the hand.
This gleaming example is in 100% original condition, with a rare lustrous deep ebony finish. Lovingly maintained, the guitar looks much as it did the day it left the factory almost four decades ago, without apparent playwear. Action is smooth and low, with a fresh high precision setup over a gentle D profile neck, and solid ebony fingerboard.
The voice is warm and rich, with classic bop tone: a versatile workhorse equally at home in a wide variety of settings, with excellent resistance to feedback. This handsome performer was Jimmy's gift to the gigging musician: a superbly designed instrument at a working player's price. One only: call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.
This instrument is strung with medium gauge 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.
Case: Original black Fender deluxe plush lined arched hardshell case.
