Up for sale, a 1970 Dan Armstrong Modified Danelectro in perfect working order. As the story goes, legendary luthier Dan Armstrong (best known for his Lucite guitars, produced for Ampeg) acquired a number of leftover parts from the Danelectro factory in Neptune, NJ, after that plant closed down in 1969. Using those components, Armstrong assembled roughly 650-700 guitars; notably, Armstrong decided to rework the classic Lipstick pickup, combining two independent Lipstick coils to make a unique stacked single coil/humbucker, which he then potted in epoxy to ensure optimal feedback rejection and housed in a rectangular cover.
This Armstrong Danelectro uses a U-style body, crafted from masonite over a poplar frame, featuring aftermarket artwork evoking an underwater scene. Featherweight at 6lbs 3oz, the guitar has a warm acoustic bark, and the modified Armstrong stacked single coil/humbucker pickup delivers an ideal balance of sweet treble articulation and smooth punch, more robust than a standard Lipstick design, metering at 7.35k ohms. The lows are spongy and broad, and the three-way Tone switch enables a trio of unique sonic flavors. This Dan Armstrong Danelectro has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .850” 1st fret, .865” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood slab, dot inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled/crowned, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 3/4”, aluminum
-Tuners: Kluson Deluxe double-line
Body Specs:
-Wood: Masonite/poplar
-Pickups: Armstrong dual lipstick stacked coil, 7.35k ohms
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way Tone selector
-Harness: CTS pots date to the 25th week of 1968, 20th week of 1970
-Hardware: Bridge with Brazilian rosewood saddle, machined aluminum knobs
-Plastics: Plexi pickguard with “Dan Armstrong Modified Danelectro”
The hand-painted graphics on top of the original finish loosely depict an underwater scene, with additional clear lacquer sprayed on top. The guitar exhibits some buckle wear on the back and minor scuffs and marks consistent with use.
A padded gigbag is included.