The New Yorker Special: Luthier James "Jimmy" D'Aquisto, 1985

A film celebrating the art of guitar making, featuring New York jazz musician and luthier James "Jimmy" D'Aquisto. It shows footage of D'Aquisto building a guitar as he speaks about his journey to becoming an instrument manufacturer, including his time as an apprentice to legendary guitar maker John D'Angelico. D'Aquisto also details how he builds his instruments and explains the structure of an acoustic guitar. The film ends with jazz musician Jim Hall performing with one of D'Aquisto's guitars.
This 16mm film is from the Sponsored and industrial motion picture films collection at the Hagley Museum and Library. For more information about this collection, please check out digital.hagley.org/2018222
Access to this item is provided for educational and research purposes only. If you would like more information, please contact us [e-mail].

[@bpabustan]

You can only sit back and marvel at the fact that John D'Angelico and Jimmy D'Aquisto made all their instruments by hand! Imagine how labor intensive that is! I am sure Jimmy is blessed that he is the only worthy successor to D'Angelico.

[@gregcon57]

Genius, gone too soon. Another great, NY, Italian guitar maker. Beautiful film.

[@will5150]

man, this video is a treasure. Jimmy was a true Italian craftsman.

[@chrispile3878]

I had lunch with Jimmy once at a guitar makers convention with his son. Super nice cat, down to earth. It's so sad he's gone...

[@robzagar4275]

Just a beautiful piece of film. What a great story

[@DDEENY]

I first saw this piece when it was aired on public TV around 1991. I taped it on VHS and must have played the tape 100 times and I still have the tape for what it's worth. It piqued my interest in lutherie which I intend to indulge in my next life. I've just bought the book _Acquired Of The Angels_ for $40 on eBay which tells the John D'Angelico/James D'Aquisto story. I go to Google Street View researching the old addresses of the D'Angelico shop at 57 Kenmare St., NYC, and his home several blocks away at 166 Mulberry St., searching for the ghosts of D'Angelico and D'Aquisto. Both men passed away at age 59, D'Angelico from heart disease and D'Aquisto from an epileptic seizure) but God allowed D'Aquisto to live long enough to invent and build his own progressive archtop guitar models. D'Angelico had said of a young D'Aquisto, "Do not underestimate James. Someday he will surpass me." They emanate from a time when America didn't need to be made great again because _Americans_ were great. May both souls R.I.P. Thank you.

[@stephenhenion8304]

I really love the DNA from D'Angelico to D'Aquisto...it tells the whole story.... call my a life long guitar guy... anyone want to jam!!

[@robertbdesmond]

Rest In Peace, Jimmy. You done good here on Earth!

[@tl3139]

I was born and raised in Greenport, NY. Jimmy lived in town and I knew him growing up. I had no idea what he did for a living.

[@jocknarn3225]

An admirer from "Down Under"; the art of the fine guitar indeed. Paid such a high price .. RIP now Jimmy. I consider myself lucky enough to have an exceptionally sounding 1937 L5. The D'Aquistos are right up there amongst hallowed company. Did Jimmy ever take on an apprentice?

[@bassiste4]

The Absolute freaking Gorgeous D'Aquisto Archtop , What Else ?

[@johnlivejournal8933]

This is the best quality version of this video on KZbin. Thank you for posting it. He seems like such and amazing and gentle man. And a true artist. I hope he is somewhere satisfied that his guitars are now displayed in museums for people to appreciate and are treated with the kind of reverence that they deserve. Of course the other side is that they are collected and not played so much. It is a conundrum.

[@jamiedaquisto866]

Thank you for the beautiful compliment . My Dad was definitely a beautiful amazing man with a gift from the heavens. ❤

[@duanetrivett750]

These Guitars are Art ! I love Archtops and really appreciate seeing them put together. A lot of the things he talks about I have read about years ago . Thanks so much.

[@truth7416]

A master craftsman. Thanks for posting this.

[@user-yd1zl1tv8x]

Magnífico!!! This is a must watch for all guitar aficionados .... America's premier guitar makers are few and well known: Martin, as a family maker, D'Angelico & D'Aquisto, more in the tradition of Stradivarius .... To see Maestro D'Aquisto make guitars on film, is priceless. Also magical, to hear the guitars unamplified on the film: what clarity and tone! Thanks for posting this. It is an American treasure.

[@surfgod509]

Amazingly Beautiful Pieces of Art...

[@marcgrossman980]

Wow this is fantastic. Love it.

[@JohnnyGlory]

❤

[@ememe1412]

Completely unrelated craft, but I'm a chef. When training an apprentice, I say the exact same thing when showing a technique. 'This is the way I do it. You can do it how you want but the the result has to be as good as mine or better.'.

[@dylkim]

15:20 He's wincing as he sprays the guitar. At that distance in a tiny corner with zero protection, the brain and lung damage from those fumes probably shortened his life over the years. Old masters sacrifice a lot for their craft, mostly in solitude.

[@oh_rhythm]

👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Elsonmakes]

15:20 is a bit haunting because he's talking about the death of his mentor while spraying without any protection from dangerous fumes. i dont think its a coincidence that so many top 20th century luthiers died young. regardless, seems like a cool guy. i never put together that people in the new york jazz scene might have had thick new york accents

[@getheroutofthetruck]

I know, plus the sawdust.

[@surfgod509]

True! Safely should never take a break, such brilliant artisans the same way..putting Safely gear would only slow them down and possibly wreck a creative moment 😀

[@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement]

@@surfgod509 I'm pretty sure he used exhaust fans.

[@GordiansKnotHere]

New Yorkers with New York accents, Go figure...

[@BicycleJoeTomasello]

@@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement I'm pretty sure he didn't

[@jjrossphd]

So happy to see this - thanks so much

[@nickrparish]

Thank you for posting this!

[@JonAadneAadnesen]

Beautiful - I loved this! Thanks for posting.

[@dww613]

Beautiful. Thank you for posting

[@senny4405]

Thanks for posting this. Amazing.

[@will5150]

I'm almost positive the camera guy, daniel, is david ducovny's brother.

[@hampshirepiano6383]

Celluloid piano key tops used the same glue.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Oct.-13-2023. 🇺🇸✝️✡️.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

The guitar body is female, the neck male - the neck is inserted into the female which gives birth to creation.

[@Fagleboo]

Thank you for posting this, what a wonderful mini documentary

[@davep5990]

I really enjoyed watching this video, please make more!!! I think you will be interested in Promo_SM.