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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 #: E524374
Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16"
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 plated hardware includes sealed Fender tuners with ebony keys; contoured Macassar ebony tailpiece; adjustable compensated ebony bridge; triple bound ebony pickguard; solid ebony volume and tone knobs, Schaller adjustable 12 pole 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 was an upgrade from the Standard model, with a soundboard of arched spruce (rather than maple), an ebony fingerboard, all-gold hardware, and a bound rosewood pickguard more curvilinear in shape. With dimensions similar to the ES-175, the 16" body is comfortable to hold, with a sleek 2 3/4" body depth, and a 24 3/4" scale that makes fast runs and stretch chords fall more easily under the hand.
This gleaming guitar is a rare example from the first year of production, and has been maintained in sparkling 100% original condition, complete with its original hardshell case. Apart from a small lacquer nick near the bass soundhole, the instrument appears virtually unplayed. Smooth low action over a gentle D profile neck with solid ebony fingerboard; warm, rich tone with excellent feedback resistance. This handsome guitar is Jimmy's gift to the gigging musician: a superbly designed instrument at a working player's price. One only: call now.
Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, crowned and polished as needed; 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 Fender deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
