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Average Price: $3,875

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar is a true icon reborn, blending vintage allure with modern playability. Originally crafted in the late '60s and '70s, this lucite body guitar is celebrated for its striking transparency and robust resonance. Ideal for musicians who crave both aesthetic flair and tonal versatility, it features an ergonomic bolt-on neck for comfortable play and a smooth rosewood fretboard that ensures effortless finger movement.

The standout feature of this guitar is its interchangeable pickup system, enabling players to easily swap pickups without the need for tools, offering a range of tonal possibilities to suit any style. Whether you're strumming in a studio or shredding on stage, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi delivers unparalleled clarity and sustain, making it a favorite among guitarists seeking a distinctive edge.

Perfect for musicians of all levels, this reissue respects the legacy of the original while introducing enhancements that meet the demands of today’s players. With its unique design and innovative features, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar is more than just an instrument; it’s a statement piece that invites creativity and performance.

Key Features:

  • Transparent lucite body for unique aesthetics and sound
  • Bolt-on neck for stability and ease of repair
  • Interchangeable pickup system for versatile sound options
  • Smooth rosewood fretboard for comfortable playability
  • Reissued design based on the iconic original from the late '60s and '70s
Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: Early 1970's Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite | Norman's Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: Early 1970's Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: Early 1970's Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1969 Lucite Ampeg Dan Armstrong | CME Vintage Demo | Sam Porter by Chicago Music Exchange

1969 Lucite Ampeg Dan Armstrong | CME Vintage Demo | Sam Porter

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for WILL IT JAZZ? - Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Guitar by N Stuff Music

WILL IT JAZZ? - Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Guitar

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for 1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar.

Build quality

  • The China replica's body is smaller and the neck is narrower compared to the original Dan Armstrong Ampeg, impacting playability and feel.

    Source
  • Some reissues suffer from overly thin, "floppy" necks, affecting playability and making the instrument inconsistent for performance.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The original features swappable pickups, which aren't available on the replica, significantly enhancing versatility.

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  • The acrylic body is noted for its incredible sustain, enhancing the guitar's versatility and sound quality.

    Source
  • The guitar's pickups can be easily swapped, allowing for customization and potentially better sound with the right setup.

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Value and pricing

  • Despite being heavier by about a pound, the China replica offers a cost-effective way to own a plexiglass guitar.

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User experience

  • The 70s/80s faux wood grain pick guard is a distinctive aesthetic feature, reminiscent of vintage stereo cabinetry.

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  • Owners emphasize that the guitar's weight is significant, even heavier than standard models, affecting playability during long sessions.

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Comparisons

  • The branding on the pick guard adds to the iconic look, setting it apart from other guitars and making it instantly recognizable.

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  • Among Chinese copies, this model is considered superior in playability, even before electronic upgrades.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Upgrading to Gibson humbuckers and pots notably improves sound quality, enhancing the guitar's tonal range and performance.

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  • Switching to 500k or 1meg pots can brighten the sound, counteracting the bassiness caused by low resistance potentiometers.

    Source
  • An aluminum neck could potentially improve the stability and appeal of the guitar, offering a unique playing experience.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Historically, these guitars have been favored for slide playing, particularly noted in the early 70s.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ampeg Dan Armstrong ADA6 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar is a visually striking reissue with a unique acrylic body that still feels futuristic. It excels in delivering surprisingly good rock tones, making it a rock rhythm powerhouse. However, its weight and limited sound options may not appeal to everyone. The guitar also struggles with tuning stability, which might be a concern for some users. While it's not the most versatile instrument for its price range, the Dan Armstrong remains an iconic piece with a distinct voice and appearance for those who appreciate its design and sound.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 23 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
steve_snider

heavy as a b*tch, but worth it's weight in gold.

This was my main guitar for a long time, until I decided I needed something that would sound great but be easier on my neck and back through a 3 hour gig. Still one of my go to guitars for recording.

skylinerr

nice

These things fascinate me I had this one ages now though

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Michael Clifford uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Michael Clifford

Singer, Guitarist

5 Seconds Of Summer

...
Verified via YouTube

On the Easier music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1dFSWLJ9wY (2:12 and some other parts), Easier BTS video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJiezdF9Zwk (0:34) and Easier (Live from The Fault) video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T9rjhp_In8 (2:22 annd some other parts), Michael could be seen using the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi guitar. Though, he never used this guitar live so far.

See how Joe Perry uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Joe Perry

Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via YouTube

"We have the old Joe Perry mainstay here which is the clear Dan Armstrong. The only difference of this guitar from the stock one is that all these pickups are all custom-made. We've got a couple of these made, they're pretty much identical. They sound great. What we do is it's an open-A, a Keith Richards style open-A with five strings, but what Joe does is throw a bass string on the bottom and we make it an A. So it gives it that growl. This is used in 'Draw the Line'. He used to beat it up a lot, he would throw it down a lot. He's kind of mellowed out with it now. It's a good work horse. It's one of his main guitars, for sure. I mean, if you think of Joe Perry this is one of the guitars you think of," says Joe Perry's guitar tech.

See how Adam Hann uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Adam Hann

Guitarist

The 1975

...
Verified via YouTube

Adam is using a Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite Guitar on the music video for “Give Yourself A Try'' and the YouTube session for “People”

See how Tom Petty uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Tom Petty

Guitarist, Singer

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via Photo

Tom Petty can be seen playing a Ampeg Dan Armstrong Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar in this photo.

See how Ronnie Wood uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Ronnie Wood

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via YouTube

was given him by Keith Richards back in the days/The Faces era

See how Gary Holt uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Gary Holt

Guitarist

Slayer

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, Gary Holt shares his excitement about acquiring an Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar through a swap with his friend. He describes its unique slide-in pickup mount and affectionately refers to it as the "DeLorean of guitars."

See how Richie Sambora uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Richie Sambora

Singer, Guitarist

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via MusicRadar
See how Paul Stanley uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Paul Stanley

Guitarist, Singer

Kiss

...
Verified via Photo

Paul used Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar live only for a short time in 1974 and can be seen playing it in this image from a live performance.

See how Jesse F. Keeler uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Jesse F. Keeler

Bassist, Keyboardist

Death from Above 1979

...
Verified via YouTube

Premier Guitar interviews Jesse Keeler and in the YouTube video (0:50) he speaks in length about this 1969 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass with "pickups made by Dan Armstrong's son, Kent."

See how Phil Collen uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Phil Collen

Guitarist

Def Leppard

...
Verified via Philcollenpc1

When I started playing guitar, back in England, I used to see all of these classic American guitar players holding one of these see through, quasi-plastic guitars and it looked really cool. I found out that they were playing one of these Dan Armstrong guitars. I wanted one for years until they stopped making them and I’d forgotten all about them. Funny enough, in 2006 I had been wondering where I could get my hands on one and all of a sudden there was one, in a backstage Ampeg shack outside the venue we were playing with Journey. Neal Schon was in there checking some stuff out with Scott, who would later work with me. And there was this guitar. So I had to have one. This is a reissue and sounds amazing, considering it’s not even made out of wood. It made the odd appearance on that tour. And you can hear it on Viv's rhythm guitar part, which was originally just a guide (Stones tuning) on Nine Lives.

See how Mick Jagger uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Mick Jagger

Singer

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via NME

Jagger can be seen in a photo in this article playing an Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar.

See how Tom Verlaine uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar

Tom Verlaine

Guitarist

Television

...
Verified via Photo

Clear as day. Playing a Dan Armstrong Plexi Glass

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1 alternative for Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Electric Guitar, curated by the Equipboard community.

Electra Guitars 2246 Lucite

 

Vintage or Discontinued cheaper alternative

The Electra Model 2246 is a more affordable, Japanese copy of the Lucite Dan Armstrong models.

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