I have 4-5 DeArmond electrics, they have Gibson/Gretsch build quality and sound. Many have Bigsby tailpieces. All have DeArmond USA pickups, and sound killer. They were actually Guild guitars, when Fender bought Guild in 1999 they ran the existing Guild stock as the DeArmond brand until dealers started complaining that people liked them more than Fenders (lol). The profit margin was better on Fenders, so DeArmonds were discontinued after only 2 years. Getting harder to find now. Check Reverb.com.
-I also have a Korean-made Gretsch 5120 in dark red maple that I love, but it could use better pickups. Build quality is great, but the Jap models are better ($$$$).
Ok, what model DeArmonds so I can look! I am leaning towards a G5128 or other hollow body with Filtertrons but would prefer DeArmond pickups and of course a trem.
I was looking at those Guitar Center/Musicians Friend triple pickup models except they have basically humbucker pickups. I need the rockabilly sound.
They made about 15 different models, I have this one https://imgs.search.brave.com/dYnmi43ooIq7KewKqZXwe32-pgmen4JlqfoKMy9GKG0/rs:fit:1200:1200:1/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly9tZWRp/YS5ndWl0YXJjZW50/ZXIuY29tL2lzL2lt/YWdlL01NR1M3LzIw/MTBzLU03NVQtU29s/aWQtQm9keS1FbGVj/dHJpYy1HdWl0YXIv/MDAwMDAwMTEyOTgw/NzMzLTAwLTEyMDB4/MTIwMC5qcGc
but they have bigger-bodied ones for a more rockabilly sound (T400 for example)
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