KramkonG Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I have been looking into the '69 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite guitar and have yet to chat with anybody who has had the opportunity to play the original or the recent reissues. Anyone? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I have been looking into the '69 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite guitar and have yet to chat with anybody who has had the opportunity to play the original or the recent reissues. Anyone? I have always wondered about these as well. Plenty of people have played them. I remember Dave Grohl playing one in concert with the Foo Fighters and it sounded great. I have heard they are a bit heavy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted January 24, 2010 Author Share Posted January 24, 2010 I have always wondered about these as well. Plenty of people have played them. I remember Dave Grohl playing one in concert with the Foo Fighters and it sounded great. I have heard they are a bit heavy.Thanks for the input Moss...but I'm looking for those who have set specific digits on the '69 or the reissue...I would and could go days on those who have seen an heard...but I want those retaining first experience... EDIT: Sorry, might have had a couple drinks when the rudeness came out...my apologies Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TCP Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 Well jeeze, that was a tad rude. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I've never played one plugged in, but I used to share a practice space with a band that had one, and I'd pick it up from time to time. It felt like a very solid, playable instrument. It had a single pickup that was mounted on a slider, and you could position it anywhere you wanted between the bridge and the neck. Are they all like that? I thought that was a really ingenious feature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Thanks for the input Moss...but I'm looking for those who have set specific digits on the '69 or the reissue...I would and could go days on those who have seen an heard...but I want those retaining first experience... EDIT: Sorry, might have had a couple drinks when the rudeness came out...my apologies No offense taken. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 I've never played one plugged in, but I used to share a practice space with a band that had one, and I'd pick it up from time to time. It felt like a very solid, playable instrument. It had a single pickup that was mounted on a slider, and you could position it anywhere you wanted between the bridge and the neck. Are they all like that? I thought that was a really ingenious feature. Yes...for both the wood and Lucite versions...I do believe it comes with a "single-blade" pick-up and the inter-changeable "double-blade" is sold separately. Not sure about positioning the pick-up anywhere between the bridge and neck...or, at least it's not an option on the reissue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Yes...for both the wood and Lucite versions...I do believe it comes with a "single-blade" pick-up and the inter-changeable "double-blade" is sold separately. Not sure about positioning the pick-up anywhere between the bridge and neck...or, at least it's not an option on the reissue. I wasn't able to find an example online of the one with a sliding pickup. It's possible it wasn't a Dan Armstrong, but I don't know what else it could have been. Maybe it was a one-off. Judging by the band's equipment, they seemed to be sort of wealthy, so maybe it was a custom feature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I wasn't able to find an example online of the one with a sliding pickup. It's possible it wasn't a Dan Armstrong, but I don't know what else it could have been. Maybe it was a one-off. Judging by the band's equipment, they seemed to be sort of wealthy, so maybe it was a custom feature. Good shot of a 1970 model currently available. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Good shot of a 1970 model currently available. That's not the one I saw. The body shape was the same, but the pickup was mounted on a rail that was parallel to the strings. EDIT: Here's a link with a photo of the sliding pickup I'm refering to, although it is on a wooden guitar: http://www.danarmstrong.org/londonguitar.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 That's not the one I saw. The body shape was the same, but the pickup was mounted on a rail that was parallel to the strings. EDIT: Here's a link with a photo of the sliding pickup I'm refering to, although it is on a wooden guitar: http://www.danarmstrong.org/londonguitar.html I will be honest...I doubted the sliding pick-up...but, I am actually happy to be wrong. That is a great concept! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I will be honest...I doubted the sliding pick-up...but, I am actually happy to be wrong. That is a great concept! Coincidentally, I was just reading an old interview with Carol Kaye. She said at one time she played a Gibson Grabber bass, which is another instrument with a sliding pickup (so designed because she couldn't decide where she wanted the pickup to be placed). Different design and more limited sliding range than the Armstrong, but similar concept: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Here's a review of the currently available Dan Armstrong guitar from Vintage Guitar Magazine: http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/gear/details.asp?AID=3527 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 Here's a review of the currently available Dan Armstrong guitar from Vintage Guitar Magazine: http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/gear/details.asp?AID=3527 Great review, thanks!...now to find one to test drive... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stagerug Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Great review, thanks!...now to find one to test drive... I was looking for an amp online today and saw one of the reissues at this place in Lincoln Square, Chicago: www.rocknrollvintage.com under "other new guitars" for $995.00. Not too far from where your profile places you. Good Luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 I was looking for an amp online today and saw one of the reissues at this place in Lincoln Square, Chicago: www.rocknrollvintage.com under "other new guitars" for $995.00. Not too far from where your profile places you. Good Luck! (gasp) that's right up/in my alley...thanks stagerug...although out of my price range, I would like to sit down with the '69-'71...but this reissue (I assume) could realistically come home with me...good find, great share... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 If anyone cares to know, I have yet to play one...and will not be buying one for some time (currently shopping for a new TV, dining table, furniture...) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 IF you could go for another brand lucite guitar (that probably both plays and sounds better than the Armstrong), check out the Pig brand lucite guitars made my Geoff Benge, and sold at Geoff Benge's Guitar Shop in Chicago:http://geoffbengesguitarshop.com/instruments/newguitars.html and an 8-string bass: He does total custom jobs, too.The guy is a freaking genius when it comes to guitar stuff. (Not a bad player, either.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 If anyone cares to know, I have yet to play one...and will not be buying one for some time (currently shopping for a new TV, dining table, furniture...)I'd rather look at a new guitar than watch television...but that's just me. Todd, those guitars look stunning but i see no evidence of electronics. Am i missing something? also, Todd, didn't get a chance to congratulate you on the album release at Fitzgerald's. I know this is the wrong thread, but congrats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I'd rather look at a new guitar than watch television...but that's just me. Todd, those guitars look stunning but i see no evidence of electronics. Am i missing something? also, Todd, didn't get a chance to congratulate you on the album release at Fitzgerald's. I know this is the wrong thread, but congrats. You are missing the fact that the guy is a genius and has hidden the electronics so that the guitars look as amazing as they do. And I am certain that they play as amazing as they look. As to the second part: thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KramkonG Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 I'd rather look at a new guitar than watch television...but that's just me. There's time in my day for both. At one point in time - while going through my "Wow, there is nothing better than 80's metal" phase - that the purchase of this animal was on my mind: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 There's time in my day for both. you're lucky. These days it seems i don't have time for either one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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