Diodati Les Paul

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So what's a Diodati, you say? Some of you guys that love Japanese made Les Paul clones already know about these but for those who don't - this is for all practical purposes an MIJ Tokai with some rather upscale twists. Here's what I know about them - Peter Diodati was a New England musician/entrepeneur who must have loved the LP clones built in Japan, and started a company (late 90's) to sell his own version of them. These were built at the Hammatsu plant where Tokais are also built - the base guitar he started with was equivalent to Tokai's LS75Q (the model number at the time), but then he fancied it up. I stole some specs from the web page for this model (the page still exists! - links below)

Honduras Mahogany neck and body with Diodati "Full Contact" neck joint

Perfectly bookmatched AAAA quilted maple top*

Natural East Indian Rosewood fretboard with genuine mother-of-pearl inlays

Reproduction vintage PAF humbucking pickups

Gold hardware and a deluxe Tweed case

As far as I know Diodati is no longer importing any guitars, but some of his original web pages are still active:

 

http://home.comcast.net/~arkir/59q.html

 

http://home.comcast.net/~arkir/diodati.html

 

Not a ton of information exists on these, though there are a few reviews on HC, plus a little info at the Tokai forum:

 

HC reviews for this model - http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...odati/59Q/10/1

 

For other Diodatis - http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r.../brand/Diodati

 

Tokai forum - you'll need to search for diodati - http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewforum.php?f=1

 

This particular model was the top of his line, and pretty rare. I bought this one directly from Peter (I'm the second owner - he took this one as a trade for some other equipment). This one was from either the first or second year of production - there were only 12 of this model made that year, and only 4 in the Burgundy color. So you're not likely to find another one anytime soon.

 

Mine is in excellent condition - the only thing keeping it from mint is a very small 'squiggle' scratch by the upper horn. The case (the best LP case that TKL makes!) is also in excellent condition. I've got a ton of pictures in the link below, but haven't been able to get any in outdoor light yet - it's really hard to convey just how 3D the quilt is on this top! Weight is 8.8 lbs, and the neck profile is pretty beefy - not a monster, but definitely substantial

 

NOW $700 - shipped, insured and Paypalled

 

Pics are all zoomable - http://picasaweb.google.com/barryj61/Diodati#

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