d

manufactured

info    updated 11/10/2008...please email corrections/info

1992 to ?

Peter Daffy Guitars and other stringed instruments. He built his ffirst guitar in 1992, which gained him a three year apprenticeship with reknowned bluegrass mandolin builder Steve Gilchrist.  He then returned to his own workshop to concentrate on building dreadnought-style guitars, spending several years researching this instrument and developing techniques to optimise the construction, sound and finish.

From 1998 he researched and developed an innovative range of mandolin family instruments. This range was expanded to include bouzouki, mandola and mandolin.

His instruments are built for optimum acoustic sound quality, with an emphasis on volume and mid-range projection. [Source: Wayback machine ]

Camperdown, Victoria, 3260, Australia

Daily Guitars
 

1977 to present

"I started building guitars in 1977.  I've had shops in Chico California (until 1982) and in Reno, Nevada until around 1990 (it's hard to remember exactly) and in Sparks where I am presently located.  Mostly, I have put all the information on the label.  However, I quit numbering them for a while, and quit putting a date on the label.  They have always been signed and dated on the top however.  This is easily found with a mirror.

Now I am back to numbering and dating the label.  In the beginning the labels were hand drawn.  I have used a couple of versions of a block print of a hummingbird mostly on my label since.  There was a short period where I just used my business  card.  I am on to my new label now, which is pictured on my web site.  dailyguitars.com.  I still sign and date the top on the inside.

Visually and design wise my guitars have varied quite a bit over the years.  I've used any number of rosettes, body shapes, pegheads, purflings, bridges, etc.  I hope to gradually get more and more pictures posted on my site of my guitars.  There are a lot of guitars. [Source: David S. Daily, email 8/4/2008]

Image Zavaletas:

Daion

1978-1984

In 1962 Yasuyuki Teradaira left Zenon to start an instrument distributor he called Daion. [Source: Acousticguitar.com ]
Daion guitars were built by Japanese guitar manufacturer Yamaki in the late ‘70s and early 80s. [Source: http://daionguitars.com/index.php ]

See also
http://daion.client.jp/

http://home.att.net/~daion/index.html

http://www.cpaulcarter.com/daion/

Daion Catalogs

1981 http://www.t-shiga.com/sub7-5-1-48.htm

1982 http://home.att.net/~daion2/index.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Daion

see Yamaki

D'Alegria

2003 to present

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Alegria

http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/general/dallas.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Dallas-Arbiter

Dalmedo

1988 to present

"I started building guitars professionally in 1988, acoustic guitars are dated on the label and electric model are usually signed and dated in the pickup cavity or neck pocket for more info please check WWW.DALMEDOGUITARS.CO.UK" [Source: Tito, Dalmedo Guitars, email 5/3/2008]

Dammann

1989 to present

Matthias Dammann, Bavarian Forest near Czech border. Specialises in double tops.

http://www.classicguitar.com/dammann.html

Image courtesy of: Classic Guitar

Danelectro

 Guitars 1954 to 1969 then reincarnated

Nathan Daniel made amplifiers for Epiphone from 1934 to 1946. He founded the Danelectro company in 1947 and started making amplifiers for Montgomery Ward. By 1948 Daniel became the exclusive guitar amplifier producer for Sears & Roebuck.
In 1954, Daniel started production of Silvertone solidbody guitars for Sears. The same guitars were also branded Danelectro.
By 1966 Daniel sold Danelectro to MCA, but remained with the company. In 1967 the Coral line of guitars is introduced.
In 1969 MCA closed the Danelectro plant. [Source: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/dano.html ]

Dating Danelectro guitars

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/dano.html

http://www.danguitars.com/SerialNumbers.html

more info

http://www.matmon.com/atomic/danopage.html

Search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

http://vintageguitarpro.com/delectro.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danelectro

Danelectro Forum http://p072.ezboard.com/bdanelectroboard

Dano galleries

http://www.danguitars.com/DanoGallery.html

http://www.vintagesilvertones.com/gallery.html

Danelectro guitar catalogs

1957 & 1962 http://www.danguitars.com/DanoCatalog.html

1967 http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Danelectro

see also Coral & Silvertone

D’Angelico

1932-1964

1,164 D’Angelico guitars were made in New York between 1932 and 1964.  For the last 4 years of D’Angelico guitars they were made by his apprentice Jim D’aquisto, some after D’Angelico died [Source: History and Development of the American Guitar  By Ken Achard  ]

Dating D’Angelico guitars

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/other.html

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

Other D’Angelico info and examples

http://www.usd.edu/smm/PluckedStrings/Guitars/D'Angelico/10772/10772D'AngelicoGuitar.html

http://www.palmguitars.nl/archives/arch-git.html

http://vintageguitarpro.com/dan.shtml

http://www.gruhn.com/articles/dangelico.html

http://www.gruhn.com/newsletter/newsltr31.html

Search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/D%27Angelico

1988 to present

Made in Japan by Vestax since 1988. [Source: BlueBook]  ? now made in Korea?  [Source: Vintage Guitar Pro ]

 Reviews

http://www.edroman.com/guitars/dangelico/review.htm

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/D+Angelico+Guitars+of+America

D’Aquisto

1965 to present

D’Angelico’s apprentice, James D’Aquisto started his own brand following D’Angelico’s death in 1964 till 1995.  Fender made licensed copies from 1984 until the trademark became the property of Aria who make the current versions.  [Source: National Music Museum ]

Dating D’Aquisto guitars

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

Other D’Aquisto information

http://www.gruhn.com/articles/daquisto.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_D%27Aquisto

http://vintageguitarpro.com/daquisto.shtml

Search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

1994 D'Aquisto Deluxe http://www.themomi.org/museum/Chinery/article/3.html

1984 D'Aquisto New Yorker (oval hole) http://www.themomi.org/museum/articles/vagabonds/3.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/D%27Aquisto

D'Arcy

Paul Avenall, Belmont Rd, Brisbane, Queensland 4153, Australia

Dark Matter Guitars

Andy Matthews, England

Darkwater Custom Guitars

Doug Bean, Seattle, Washington, USA

"I've been making instruments since 1966.

Most of my instruments also have a brand "David L. Dart" on the neck block inside and on the back center reinforcing strip. Most also have my "Dart" logo on the head stock in Mother-of-pearl." [Source: David Dart, email, 5/4/2008]

Thomas Dauge

Image Dauge:

Davidson Instruments

1988 to present

Phil Davidson. Guitars, banjos, mandolins. Bristol, UK
Date of manufacture is on the label. [Source: Phil Davidson, email 18/9/2008]

http://www.mandozine.com/resources/MBSS/builders.php

"The first instrument was completed in 1975.
2. Columbus, Ohio, USA
3. Each guitar has a label which I sign. The label includes the date the instrument was finished, along with the name of the person for whom the instrument was made.

Instruments are designed and made one at a time, each for a specific customer and with the customer's goals in mind. Materials as well as body size and shape are tailored to the individual's goals and interests. Because of the individuality of each instrument, I do not use moulds and there are no specific models and there are no pre-made parts used. The size and shape on the neck as well as other physical aspects of the instrument (including cosmetic appointments) also reflect the customer's expectations. " [Source: J. Thomas Davis, email 4/4/2008]

Mervyn Davis

1978 to present

"I started building in 1978.

I work in South Africa.
I put a date onto a paper label inside the guitar.

I have used the following labels:

J M DAVIS, LUTHIER.
J H DAVIS and SON, Designers and Makers of stringed Musical Instruments.
DAVIS LUTHIERS.
MERVYN DAVIS, Designer and maker of Stringed Musical Instruments.

I hand sign each label and the signature has never changed.

[Source: Merv Davis, email 16/7/2008 ]

Daytone

Made in Korea?

http://www.wietsesguitars.nl/page12.html

Dean

? 1978 to present

Dean Zelinsky created the Dean guitar in the attic of his Chicago home when he was just 18. [Source: Vintage Guitar Pro ]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Guitars

Dating Dean guitars

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/deanguit.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Dean+Guitars

Dean Forum http://www.deanguitars.com/forum/

Christopher Dean

1985 to present

"I began making in 1978 but set up my own business in 1985 after studying at London College of Furniture and working for Paul Fischer.
My address is 23 Langston Priory Workshops , Station Rd, Kingham,  Oxfordshire, England. The date and number are both on the label visible through the soundhole." [Source: Christopher Dean, email 16/7/2008 ]

Image Stafford Guitar:

Benoit de Bretagne

France

Deakon Roads

Electric guitars, Saskatoon, Canada

1984 to present

"I started manufacturing instruments in 1984. The majority of them have the date written on the label along with the serial number." [Source: Jim DeCava, email 2/4/2008]

Decca

Catalog brand made in Japan in 60s

http://patchristmas.neuf.fr/index.html

http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag108/qanda108.html

http://www.robstudio.com/guitar/decca.html

http://www.junkguitars.com/pictures.html

http://www.vintaxe.com/guitars_japanese.htm

Decca examples

http://roroor.com/index_files/Page1907.htm

Decca guitars catalogs

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_decca.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Decca

De Faoite Guitars

Made in England by David White

Defil

http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/guitars_poland.html

http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/defil_lordbizarre.html

http://rock.webbuilder.hostbasket.com/page87115.htm

http://www.minegitarer.com/newerguitars.htm

Defil Aster rock http://www.theguitarcollection.org.uk/gallery5/aster.html

http://patchristmas.neuf.fr/DEFIL%20Jazz.html

Dega

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/dega.html

http://www.vintaxe.com/guitars_european.htm

De Gier Guitars and Basses

1996 to present

Sander de Gier apprenticed with Dutch luthier Robberts in 1995 and started his own shop at Schiedam, The Netherlandsn in 1996.  

Older instruments have the complete date on the back of the headstock  (f.e. 26114 - 26th November 2004), newer instruments have the date written on the heel of the neck.
I've included a picture of a custom headstock (reverse) date-sign of a custom bass for an endorser. The date and serial# are usually written on the heel of the neck." [Source: Gerard Vink, De Gier Guitars & Basses email, 25/9/2008]

De Gruchy Guitars

1978 to present

Totally handcrafted instruments by Luthier, Bryan de Gruchy, in his one-man workshop in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Sergei de Jonge

Canada

Manuel de la Chica

Manuel de la Chica was a Granada maker  (1911-1998). [Source: Zavletas ]

Image Danzeff:

De La Haye

Steven De La Haye, London, UK. Models include/d Chrysanthemum, Lotus and Black Rose

Demers Guitars

Jeff Demers, Montreal, Canada

Demers Guitars at myspace

Gary Demos Guitars

1992 to present

Gary Demos makes handcrafted guitars in Hilliard, Ohio USA.

" I made my first instruments in 1992.  I write the date on my label, as well as the underside of the sound board." [Source and images courtesy of: Gary Demos, email 21/8/2008 ]

Robert Desmond

1991 to present

Orlando, Florida

Image Desmond:

"I started to make guitars 25 years ago .

The dating on my instruments is the number of the guitar on a generic way ex 001 or 0243
follow by the month and year of fabrication . ex 056 09 1996 .
The guitars I have made for famous people is always 33 . ex 33 06 2001

You can also find more info on my web site ; www.dubreuille-guitar.com

or myspace ; www.myspace.com/philippedubreuilleguitars " [Source: Philippe, email 6/4/2008]

Deusenberg

1995 to present

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Duesenberg

See Rockinger

Ethan Deutsch

Deviser

1991 to ?

Founded by Headway Guitars in 1991. [Source: Guitars Japan ]

http://www.guitarsjapan.com/deviserinfopage.html

http://toguitars.com/gallery-japan/deviser-guitars.html

see Headway

Lester DeVoe

1975 to present

Central Coast, California

Image Mauinet

1993 to present

Will need to contact manufacturer per: "My instruments are handmade since 1993 and don't have a conventional serial number system. I remember each one individually and know when I made them." [Source: Devon, email 22/3/2008]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/brand/Devon+Guitars

Fidencio Diaz

1960 to present

Made in Canovanas, Puerto Rico

"I started to build on a steady basis In 1982.  Date, serial number and signature are signed on the label. These are also scribed on the Inside of the upper bout of the Instrument. Each Instrument Is also dedicated or named after someone, which Is also scribed on the Interior. I have a coding system for each type of Instrument I construct." [Source: R. J. DiCarlo, email 22/3/2008]

Di Pinto Guitars

1995 to present

"Handmade guitars started in 1995-1999. Korean factory started in 1999 - present.

Handmade guitars are dated and signed inside cavity. Factory guitars have a serial number on the neck plate where the first two digits are the last two digits of the year. Guitars from 1999 have no serial number. Guitars with no neck plate have no serial number." [Source: Chris DiPinto, email 27/3/2008]

Ditson

1916-1930

Made by C.F. Martin and sold by Oliver Ditson Company. ca. 1916-1930

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/martin.html

Martin Dixon Guitars

UK

D K(DJ King)