The Famous Lucite Dan Armstrong Ampeg “Clear” Plexiglass Guitar

In 1968 the Ampeg Company of Linden, New Jersey hired Dan Armstrong as a consultant to improve their Grammer line of guitars.  He designed a new line of guitars and basses that were constructed of clear plexiglass.

Calling it one of his favorite guitars ever manufactured, Dave Grohl owns four “Lucite Ampegs” that are all tuned differently for various Foo Fighter songs and are featured in three of the Foo Fighters most popular videos: “All My Life,” “The One” and “Times Like These.”

The Dan Armstrong line of guitars also became renowned for their excellent electronics, and interchangeable pickups.  The guitars also had long sustain caused by the solid plexiglass body that made the guitars also quite heavy (around 10 lbs).  A second reissue of the Dan Armstrong guitar was launched in 2006 containing many upgrades that are widely believed to actually improve upon the original design.

There’s a pretty long impressive list of musicians that have used the Dan Armstrong Lucite Ampeg.  Check it out…

Ronnie Wood – The Rolling Stones

Keith Richards – The Rolling Stones

 Paul McCartney – Wings/The Beatles

Joe Perry – Aerosmith

Greg Ginn – Black Flag

Paul Westerberg – The Replacements

Alanis Morrisette

Dave Grohl’s Homage To Black Flag’s Greg Ginn On His Dan Armstrong Ampeg Guitar