1971 Dan Armstrong Plexi ex-Curved Air + OHSC

Striking Dan Armstrong guitar from 1971 in fantastic original condition previously owned by Kirby Gregory of legendary British Prog Rock band Curved Air! Nice and lightweight too for one of these.

Designed by Dan Armstrong and manufactured by Ampeg in New Jersey the range consisted of the electric guitar and electric bass perfectly complimenting Ampeg’s existing amplifier range. The outcome was like nothing else that had been seen before, both visually and sonically unique from the curve topped headstock to the see-through plexiglass body. The guitar premiered at the June 1969 NAMM show, listing at $290.00 plus $60 for the case. Unfortunately the Armstrong guitar had a short production run. Armstrong had issues with Ampeg's management and refused to continue his guitar licensing agreement. The See-Through guitars ceased production in 1971 with around 2350 produced in a little under two and a half years. Forever linked to Keith Richards the Armstrong/Ampeg also found its way into the hands of Ron Wood, Leslie West, Joe Perry and Greg Ginn.

This guitar dates to the later period of the models production and has features expected from that era. The innovative solid body is cut and polished from see-through plastic with edge contours to improve comfort and reduce weight. Sporting two deep, Danelectro Longhorn inspired cutaways allowing unrestricted access to the 24 fret neck. The neck attaches to the body with four bolts, concealed by the pickguard, and is constructed similarly to a Fender neck. The neck is made from quarter sawn Maple with a Rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays and 24 medium jumbo frets. The headstock face and trussrod cover are made of wood grained HPL, very appropriate for a plastic guitar! 

Another unique design is the single, interchangeable pickup system designed in collaboration with Bill Lawrence allowing the player to tailor the guitar tonally to their needs. Initially 6 different pickups were released, all featuring different coils arrangement, wire gauge and Magnet construction. Designed to be removed via the scoop to the body a pickup can be switched in moments and safely secured with the thumbscrew to the back of the body. This guitar comes with the later designed ST or Sustain Treble Humbucker pickup that was the first potted ceramic magnet humbucker ever made. These are highly sought after and a real bonus to have as part of the guitar. The pickguard is made from the same wood grained HPL material as the headstock. These can become easily damaged over time especially by the input jack. The metal plate bridge is also Danelectro inspired with the adjustable wooden saddle, this one was modified by the previous owner to better intonate. Tuners are Grover Rotomatics, earlier models had Schallers. Internally the guitar has one changed pot (original included) one correct CTS pot dating mid-70, one og teh two capacitors is repalced (original included) and the correct 3-way tone switch.

The neck has a Gibson feel despite its Fender style construction, nut width is 42.38mm with a depth at the first fret of 20.6mm increasing to 21.45mm at the 12th fret. The very rare and sought after Sustain Treble Humbucker was the favoured pickup of Ron Wood and has a great fat, unsurprisingly sustaining, Humbucker tone. The guitar comes with one of the additional pickups, the CB or Country bass. The CB pickup has less output and bite but there are still some great sounds to be explored. The guitar weights in at 4.17kg and feels proportionally balanced.

A great example of a rare model that you rarely see offered in the UK! This one is the complete package with original case, brochure, truss-rod tool and key.