Here is a seldom-seen rarity – an Ampeg Dan Armstrong ADA6 Reissue, built in Japan at the start of the 2006 reissue cycle. The reissue cycles ran from 1998 to 2001, and again from 2006 to 2011. Bass versions were also available. Lucite, also sold as Perspex and Plexiglas, was chosen for its clarity and availability.
This Ampeg Dan Armstrong ADA6 dates to April of 2006 and is the fourth built that month. The serial number and ‘Made in Japan’ markings are on opposite sides of the neck, visible through the clear body. It is in very good, clean and original condition with only light wear.
Originally built from 1969 to 1971, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong model paired a Lucite body, and a 24-fret Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard providing unrestricted access to the highest registers, woodgrain Formica pickguard and headplate. The electronics are straightforward though there was another also less visible feature. The single pickup could be released, popped out, and another pickup slid into its place, in moments. Though this guitar has a single pickup, there is a three-way toggle switch, which has unique functions described below. The pickups on these instruments were designed and built by Dan Armstrong’s son, Kent Armstrong, who still makes pickups.
The original run of guitars used a Danelectro style metal plate bridge with a Rosewood piece as a saddle. On the original 1969 models, Brazilian Rosewood was used, but all of the reissues use Indian Rosewood. The bridge plate is the same, but the saddle is a larger block of Rosewood with brass saddle inserts.
