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c.1984 Fender D'Aquisto Elite
Status: For pricing and hold status for this instrument, please check 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 by found here. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please contact [email protected].
Serial #: 42103265
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .75/.83
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; triple bound ebony pickguard; solid ebony volume and tone knobs, Schaller humbucking pickup. Sadowsky adjustable compensated ebony bridge saddle installed, original gold Tuneomatic style bridge included.
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.
We believe this gleaming example is from the first year of production, and is in all original condition, with striking bookmatched flame maple on the body. Apart from a few lone wisps of checking in the honey blonde finish, and some scattered yellowing of the binding, the guitar shows few signs of age or play altogether. 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. A special plus, the instrument is fitted with a Sadowsky adjustable compensated ebony bridge saddle, with the original gold Tuneomatic style bridge included in the case.
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.
