1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Guitar Clear Lucite

$3,995.00

The 1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Guitar, serial A572D with POTs dates of late 1969 ad early 1970, is a particularly desirable early example of the famous clear-Lucite Dan Armstrong guitar.

Dan Armstrong was a New York guitarist, repairman, designer and instrument builder. In 1968, Ampeg hired him initially to work on its guitar line. Armstrong instead developed an entirely new solid-body concept using a clear acrylic/Lucite body.

The first prototypes appeared in 1969, and the guitar and bass were introduced at the 1969 NAMM show. Ampeg marketed the instrument as the Dan Armstrong Ampeg and it quickly became known as the “See-Through” or “Lucite” guitar.

What made it revolutionary

The Lucite body wasn't simply a visual gimmick. Armstrong wanted a very rigid body that would produce long sustain. The downside was weight—the guitars generally weigh around 9–10 pounds. The other revolutionary concept was the interchangeable pickup system was particularly innovative. Pickups could be removed and replaced, allowing one guitar to produce substantially different sounds.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Ampeg / Dan Armstrong

  • Year: 1970

  • Serial:A572D

    • “A” = Armstrong

    • “D” = Dan

  • Body: Clear Lucite/acrylic

  • Neck: Maple

  • Fingerboard: Rosewood

  • Frets: 24

  • Scale: approximately 24½–24⅝"

  • Nut: 1 11/16”

  • Weight: 9 lb 11 oz

  • Tuners: Shaller

  • Bridge: String-through design with adjustable saddles

  • Pickups: Original Dan Armstrong interchangeable pickup system with Dan Armstrong ADAGPRT

  • POTs: 1376941 and 1377004

  • Production: Very short-lived, approximately 1969–1971.

  • Case: Orignal blue checkerboard tolex

In very good condition with some player wear consistent with actually being played. Original pickup in the case.

The 1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Guitar, serial A572D with POTs dates of late 1969 ad early 1970, is a particularly desirable early example of the famous clear-Lucite Dan Armstrong guitar.

Dan Armstrong was a New York guitarist, repairman, designer and instrument builder. In 1968, Ampeg hired him initially to work on its guitar line. Armstrong instead developed an entirely new solid-body concept using a clear acrylic/Lucite body.

The first prototypes appeared in 1969, and the guitar and bass were introduced at the 1969 NAMM show. Ampeg marketed the instrument as the Dan Armstrong Ampeg and it quickly became known as the “See-Through” or “Lucite” guitar.

What made it revolutionary

The Lucite body wasn't simply a visual gimmick. Armstrong wanted a very rigid body that would produce long sustain. The downside was weight—the guitars generally weigh around 9–10 pounds. The other revolutionary concept was the interchangeable pickup system was particularly innovative. Pickups could be removed and replaced, allowing one guitar to produce substantially different sounds.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Ampeg / Dan Armstrong

  • Year: 1970

  • Serial:A572D

    • “A” = Armstrong

    • “D” = Dan

  • Body: Clear Lucite/acrylic

  • Neck: Maple

  • Fingerboard: Rosewood

  • Frets: 24

  • Scale: approximately 24½–24⅝"

  • Nut: 1 11/16”

  • Weight: 9 lb 11 oz

  • Tuners: Shaller

  • Bridge: String-through design with adjustable saddles

  • Pickups: Original Dan Armstrong interchangeable pickup system with Dan Armstrong ADAGPRT

  • POTs: 1376941 and 1377004

  • Production: Very short-lived, approximately 1969–1971.

  • Case: Orignal blue checkerboard tolex

In very good condition with some player wear consistent with actually being played. Original pickup in the case.