School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
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rank
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School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by rank » Fri Dec 08, 2017 3:40 pm

I have become entranced by the Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass but have never had the chance to play one. One complaint I've heard is that they won't stay in tune (I know that is generalizing) but I wanted to hear from folks that have played/owned them so I can make an informed decision. Tell me what I need to now!
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KeithJ
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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by KeithJ » Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:47 pm

Not sure if it helps, but I own a copy of one and I absolutely love it! It is a little heavy, but not much heavier than my other basses I don't think. Super comfortable to play and it sounds awesome.

Mine stays in tune really well, which doesn't say anything at all about the originals. Tuners are easy to replace though!

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by rank » Sat Dec 09, 2017 6:01 am

KeithJ wrote:
Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:47 pm
Not sure if it helps, but I own a copy of one and I absolutely love it!
What copy?
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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by KeithJ » Sat Dec 09, 2017 10:39 pm

Good question, I wish I had the answer! ;D
The name came off long ago.

The one I have is full scale and doesn't have the doubled strap buttons on the bottom, but still balances well. I can take my hands off of it with no neck dive. I was surprised that the pick guard and headstock veneer are actual rosewood, not printed plastic.

Is there one for sale somewhere that you're interested in, or is it just general dreaming? I can try to find a link to where I got mine if you're ok with a knockoff.

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by rank » Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:38 pm

KeithJ wrote:
Sat Dec 09, 2017 10:39 pm
Is there one for sale somewhere that you're interested in, or is it just general dreaming? I can try to find a link to where I got mine if you're ok with a knockoff.
There are a bunch for sale but I don't have my eye on any particular one. I'm curious about the differences in them, vintage vs reissue vs copy. I know that Ibanez made a copy & there are some knock offs on the Aliexpress website but I'm very wary of that place.
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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by jthomas » Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:10 pm

I had one of the original Dan Armstrong guitars in the early 70s. Very heavy guitar with a neck that was too wide for my hand. I didn't keep mine for very long. I've not played either a vintage or reissue bass. I have heard that the vintage guitars often have not held up very well to normal aging very well (especially the electronics), with the epoxy from the original removable pickups sometimes falling apart.

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by hobbes » Mon Dec 11, 2017 2:51 am

I have a ' 70 Dan Armstrong guitar, I believe guitars and basses had the same bodies. It's quite heavy, butt heavy actually, tuners are not originals but stay in tune and I have a pair of different P/U but honestly they sound quite the same. Neck is wide but OK (I have small hands), pickguard is falling into pieces (very fragile....) and electronics was shielded at some point, so I guess it was a weak spot.

It's a great guitar, with a lot of personality, I love it but mainly due to the weight and the un-versatility of the sound I am not gigging very often, despite the fact I am looking so cool playing it ;D

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by DrQuasar » Mon Dec 11, 2017 1:57 pm

I played one for 10 minutes at a shop years ago and I remember it was very, very heavy.

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by KeithJ » Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:31 pm

I don't have a scale, so I can't weigh it, but I lifted my Dan Armstrong, then Thunderbird and they're *pretty* close. The lucite is a bit heavier, but not much.

Now, if I compare my Dan Armstrong guitar to a Les Paul jr, it's a pretty noticeable difference. But if you're looking at basses, and you're used to the weight of most basses, I think you'll be ok in that respect.

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by hobbes » Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:56 am

correct, the guitar is no a lot heavier than a Les Paul Custom for example, it just feels more dense, but with a good strap no problem

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Re: School me on: Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass

Post by windmill » Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:44 pm

Bill Wyman playing one here

The Rolling Stones - Shake Your Hips

HTH

:)

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