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EARLY GUITARS 1932-34

The first documented date for a D'Angelico guitar - 11/28/32 - corresponds to serial #1002. His early guitars were strongly influenced by Gibson's 16 in. L5 model. These examples have the distinctive, bound "snake head" headstock which features a script "D'Angelico" logo engraved upon a mother-of-pearl arch inlaid above a filigree, marquetry torch. The tuners were typically gold-plated, oval-button Grovers. The necks, like those of the L5, consisted of two pieces of maple, bisected with a narrow strip of mahogany. The fingerboards were bound and constructed of ebony, inlaid with pearl blocks at frets 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15. They terminated in a decorative, reverse pendant arch. The book matched, carved spruce top was multiple bound, parallel braced and featured narrow f-holes. The bridge was of ebony, and the bound tortoiseshell, celluloid pickguard was closely copied from that of the L5. Early tailpieces were simple, wire trapeze units, generally with a "reverse" string attachment. Later guitars bore the more substantial and decorative, gold-plated Grover "DeLuxe" tailpiece. The sides and book matched, carved back were of highly figured curly maple. The standard finish was a full Sunburst.