When he could no
longer meet the increasing demand for his own, signature
guitars, Jimmy D'Aquisto designed
two models for Fender, the Standard and the Elite. A
small number of the Elites were single pickup editions and these
have become "the ones to have" for the keen jazz
player.
Production began in 1984 at Fender's Custom
Shop in Japan with
Jimmy D'Aquisto personally involved in the
building of the first series, all of which were
destined for the US. They used a new pickup
(specially
designed by D'Aquisto) incorporating a double row of pole-pieces and
finished in matt black. They are
sweet!
This sunburst
version is the third of these delightful guitars I have
owned and probably the nicest.
It comes from
that first series, made in 1984, at a time when Jimmy
was personally inspecting every guitar.
The guitar plays
very nicely. I mean really nicely -
like #080, it has a special quality about it. There is
virtually no play wear at all and this lovely Iced
Tea sunburst is close to Mint condition.
It is a players guitar through
and through and it deserves to be played!
It is a typically
D'Aquisto style of guitar, slightly smaller body, short
scale at 24.75" really comfortable neck and set up
properly. It is a delight to play. The electrics
are perfect and the tone is so jazzy.
The acoustic properties of the body are amazing.
Unamplified harmonics just ring-on for ever!!
Like all of the Elites I have
seen, it still has its original high quality case and
again in outstanding condition.
This is a really superb and very
rare guitar which is stunning to look at, but even
better to play!!
