GClef Music
Company
"Your Key to Music"
(603) 254-8824
James D'Aquisto
James D'Aquisto created archtop guitars that were favored by jazz guitarists and collectors. Following his untimely death at age 59 in 1995, the market for his guitars exploded. Collectors were soon paying as much as six figures for one.
His archtop guitars had a great dynamic range and a distinctive color. D'Aquisto tried to reinvent the guitar so it could compete as a completely modern one.
He didn't believe in fancy inlays. He instead concentrated on innovations such as step-pattern metal tailpieces, small pickguards and redesigned f-holes.
One of his most significant ideas was the adjustable ebony tailpiece, which adjusts up and down in order to vary string tension on the bridge.
Jazz Line
Jazz Line was designed as an electric model. D'Aquisto decided to use laminated rather than solid wood to create a very warm sound. To reflect the guitar's purely electric design, a humbucker is mounted directly on to the body.
New Yorker
This guitar features the unique head shape, sound hole and use of ebony for the fingerboard, tailpiece and bridge.
Solo Model
The Solo model is one of D'Aquisto's experimental designs. It is a very popular style, although the 17-inch body and cutaway is a slight departure from the original design.
Avante Garde
The Avant Garde model is one of his experimental designs.
Centura
Centura was a 1990's model that introduced some of D'Aquista's boldest ideas, such as the "Acutone" bridge and an original sound hole design.
Tear Drop
Availability of this guitar is extremely limited. The Tear Drop guitar was an original design from master luthier John D'Angelico. D'Aquisto later used this same design while updating it. DQ-TD keeps the original head stock shape but adds the "Acutone" bridge.
D'Aquisto Guitars for Sale
We specialize in D'Aquisto guitars. James D'Aquisto was an American guitar maker best known for his custom archtop guitars. They are treasured favorites of serious guitar players and collectors.
Every D'Aquisto guitar comes with a hard case, a polishing cloth, an extra set of strings, and a certificate of authenticity.
CONTACT US TODAY.
(603) 744-6470
D'Aquisto Guitar Examples
| DQ-JZ (Jazz Line) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body: | 16” width full acoustic, with Ivory multiple binding |
| Top: | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Back: | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Neck: | Maple 1 piece |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony with Ivory binding |
| Frets | 20F, #213 |
| Scale: | 24-3/4" |
| Pickups | 1 x Original Metal Covered humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x Volume, 1 x Tone |
| Bridge: | Ebony, height adjustable |
| Tailpiece: | Ebony |
| Machineheads: | Gotoh SG301 with Ebony Keys |
| DQ-NY (New Yorker) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Body: | 17” width Full acoustic, with Ivory multiple binding |
| Top: | Solid Stika Spruce, pressed arch |
| Back : | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Neck: | Maple |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony with Ivory binding |
| Frets | 22F |
| Scale: | 648mm (25-1/2") |
| Bridge: | Ebony, height adjustable |
| Tailpiece: | Ebony |
| Machineheads: | Schaller, M6 vintage stepped 22K Gold plated |
| DQ-AG (Avant Garde) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body: | 17” width Full acoustic, with Flamed Maple binding |
| Top: | Solid Stika Spruce, pressed arch |
| Back: | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Neck: | Maple 1 Piece |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony with Flamed Maple binding |
| Frets | 22F, #213 |
| Scale: | 25-1/2" |
| Bridge: | Ebony, "Acutone" height adjustable |
| Tailpiece: | Ebony |
| Machineheads: | Gotoh SG301 with Ebony Keys |
| DQ-SOLO | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body: | 17” width Full acoustic, with Flamed Maple binding |
| Top: | Solid Stika Spruce, pressed arch |
| Back : | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Neck: | Maple 1 piece |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony with Ebony / Maple binding |
| Frets | 22F, #213 |
| Scale: | 25-1/2" |
| Bridge: | Ebony, "Acutone" height adjustable |
| Tailpiece: | Ebony |
| Machineheads: | Gotoh SG301 with Ebony Keys |
| DQ-CR (Centura) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body: | 17” width Full acoustic, with Flamed Maple binding |
| Top: | Solid Stika Spruce, pressed arch |
| Back : | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Neck: | Maple 1 piece |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony with Flamed Maple binding |
| Frets | 22F, #213 |
| Scale: | 648mm (25-1/2") |
| Bridge: | Ebony, “Acutone” height adjustable |
| Tailpiece: | Ebony |
| Machineheads: | Gotoh SG301 with Ebony Keys |
| DQ-TD (Tear Drop) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Body: | 17” width Full acoustic, with Flamed Maple binding |
| Top: | Solid Stika Spruce, pressed arch |
| Back : | Laminated Flamed Maple, pressed arch |
| Neck: | Maple 1 piece |
| Fingerboard: | Ebony with Ebony/ Maple binding |
| Frets | 22F, #213 |
| Scale: | 25-1/2" |
| Bridge: | Ebony, "Acutone" height adjustable |
| Tailpiece: | Ebony |
| Machineheads: | Gotoh SG301 with Ebony Keys |