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1943 D'Angelico Style A-1

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Serial number: #1661, Novenber 20th, 1943, recorded by hand in the builder's ledger.

Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Body Depth: 3" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .93/1.03"

Materials: Solid hand graduated Adirondack spruce soundboard; solid hand graduated figured maple back, sides, and neck; mother of pearl block fingerboard inlays; engraved pearl peghead inlay; bound body, fingerboard and headstock.

Hardware: Original nickel hardware includes engraved offset stairstep trapeze tailpiece, Grover Sta-Tite open-back tuners, compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Vintage correct bound tortoise stairstep pickguard.

Notes: The instruments of master builder John D'Angelico are widely regarded as representing the pinnacle of 20th century luthier's craft. His Style A-1 model is identical in dimensions, bracing and materials to his premium Excel model, differing only in cosmetic details and appointments.

Stamped with serial number 1661, this guitar is listed in D'Angelico's ledger as completed on October 23rd, 1943, for a customer named Aquilio. The current owner's father purchased it not long after, and it has been kept in the sole ownership of the family ever since.

A true veteran player, the full depth 17" body is topped with an Adirondack spruce soundboard with solid parallel braces, for maximum projection and punch. The original nickel hardware includes Grover G-98 butterbean tuners, hand carved adjustable ebony bridge, and a distinctive art-deco tailpiece, engraved with the D'Angelico logo in cursive script, and fashioned with a unique diagonally slanted crossbar, the only one we've ever seen.

Some attractive curly maple is visible in the back, under a more recent deep walnut finish, which extends to the neck as well. The top retains its original dark sunburst finish, now protected with some light clear vintage style gloss lacquer. The older finish shows some pitting and weathering, mostly near the rims, but is otherwise free of pick, thumb, buckle or fingerboard wear. All binding is tight to the body, and both neck angle and bridge height are excellent, with ample room for adjustment up or down.

The neck has a solid "C" profile, with fresh, high pro fretwork and smooth, low action over a fresh high-precision setup. Notably, the 24 3/4" scale allows easier stretch chords and faster lead runs, on the handsome solid ebony fingerboard. A few inches of the top centerseam, and a pair of hairline cracks near the treble soundhole have all been solidly cleated and resealed, and a recent vintage correct Art Deco bound tortoise stairstep pickguard completes the restoration of this bandstand warrior.

The voice is rich and woody, with the tone only decades of age and play can convey: this guitar has truly earned it's classic swing era voice. A special bonus, a copy of the original ledger entry for the instrument, in D'Angelico's own hand, is included in the period hardshell case as well.

Timeless, elegant, and right to the point, the D'Angelico Model A-1 is a master quality instrument, and a true best buy for the player for whom exceptional tone and playability are paramount. One only, call now.

Setup: 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 phosphor bronze 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 light relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.