|
d |
manufactured |
info
updated 11/10/2008...please email
corrections/info |
|
Daffy
Guitars |
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 |
"We started production in January
2003. 2. To check the date of manufacture, one just need
to look for the serial number on the back of the headstock: the
last 2 digits indicate the year of manufacture." [Source Rodrigo
Werneck, D'Alegria Custom Made email 17/3/2008]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%27Alegria |
|
Dallas |
|
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.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 |
|
D'Angelico Guitars of America |
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 |
|
Dart Guitars |
1966 to
present |
"I've
been making instruments since 1966.
Before 1980 I worked in Claremont California and since then I've
been in Navarro, California.
I've made a wide variety of instruments but they all have a hand
printed label which says "Made By David L. Dart" , gives the
Month and year of when it was built, The location, and since
1980 I've numbered them. The first number is the number of that
type of instrument that I've made. The second number is the
total number of instruments I've made up to that point. (191 so
far)
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 |
|
J Thomas Davis
Guitars |
1975 to
present |
"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 |
|
DeCava Guitars |
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 |
|
Defurne Guitars |
|
Gerard Defurne,
France |
|
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 Genarro
 |
|
|
|
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:
 |
|
Deubreuille Guitars |
|
"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
 |
|
Devon Bass |
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 |
|
DiCarlo Guitars |
1982 to present |
"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 Marzio |
|
Di Marzio catalog
http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm |
|
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) |
|