D'Angelico
New Yorker®
This
guitar was made by the late John D'Angelico(1905-1964),
probably the most well-known archtop guitar maker.
He
started at the age of 9, working with his uncle
in a shop making violins, flattop guitars and
mandolins. In 1932, he opened his own business.
Together with two assistants, he managed to make
an average of three guitars a month.
His
experience as a builder of both violins and guitars
was put into good use in the designing of the
New Yorker. Initially, D'Angelico was inspired
by Gibson guitars, especially the Gibson
L-5. His most famous guitars were the Excel
and the New Yorker. The New Yorker was later innovated
by his assistant, D'Aquisto, and was known as
the D'Aquisto New Yorker
Classic.
The
D'Angelico New Yorker guitar featured here incorporates
a teardrop design, making the curves of the guitar
flow seamlessly and logically. The right side
of the bridge was turned down to reinforce the
teardrop shape. Notice the Empire State Building
shaped logo on the headstock. This guitar, however,
was unknown to collectors until a few years ago.
It was only discovered when someone sold it to
Stan Jay of Mandolin Bros., one of the leading
dealers in fretted instruments.
Click
on the image to get a more detailed, full view
of this beautiful guitar!
