It seems that every year more and more players taking the stage with a Duesenberg in hand. From classic rock icons like Mike Campbell and Joe Walsh to modern country songsmiths like Jason Isbell, the list of Duesenberg devotees is as diverse as it is extensive. When a guitarmaker's work starts showing up on tour with acts like the Rolling Stones, the Eagles and Soundgarden, it's time to take a closer look.
It's no coincidence that there has been a steady increase in the number of sellers and listings on Reverb for these deco-tacular instruments. And while each model carries a common retro vibe with appointments like a '60s-style tremolo, there are certainly plenty of distinct options to weigh if you're considering a Duesenberg as the next addition to your collection.
Here's a look at what you can expect from some of the most popular Duesenberg guitars.
Starplayer TV
The semi-hollow, single-cutaway Starplayer has served as the flagship of the Duesenberg lineup since the company's foundation and is now offered in a number of different configurations and styles. The Starplayer TV is the most common of the bunch, featuring a P90-style pickup at the neck position with a Grand Vintage Humbucker at the bridge to complement its Spruce on Maple semi-hollow body construction. If you're looking for the quintessential Duesenberg experience, the Starplayer is it.
Caribou
The newer Caribou model carries the same balanced pickup configuration as the Starplayer TV in a distinct surf-worthy package. Where the Starplayer is a semi-hollow guitar with a solid centerblock, the Caribou uses solid Alder with tone chambering - a la the '70s Thinline Telecasters - with a nifty slanted, cat's eye F-hole. It's a thinner and smaller body than other models, but the chambering helps maintain some of the rich, open sound of other Duesenbergs.
49er
Not everyone wants a chambered guitar with a springy vibrato system. Enter the 49er: Duesenberg's single-cut with a Maple cap on a Mahogany body. Like other Duesenbergs, this guitar has a longer scale length than your average single-cut but uses a string-through design instead of a tremolo. For "junior" take on this template, keep an eye out for a Dragster model.
Double Cat
Produced in both 6 and 12-string configurations, the Double Cat is set to scratch that mid-'60s jangle itch we all get from time to time. The Double Cat uses a similar design to the Caribou with a chambered Alder body (and Maple top) along with that same slanted F-hole.
Fullerton
Elegant semi-hollow and hollowbody models are clearly Duesenberg's specialty, and there are a slew of other options not mentioned here, including the larger bodied CC and Imperial models. But for players looking for something a bit thinner, look no further than the Fullerton series. These double cutaways come with all the fixings, like five-ply binding and an extra long tremolo arm. The name Fullerton is an homage to the location of Duesenberg's US base of operations and the birthplace of solidbody electric guitars in the early '50s, where the company recently opened a new showroom.
It's fitting that the company expanded from Germany straight to Fullerton, the ground zero of American guitars. In all of Duesenberg's designs, there's a unique blend of Art-Deco aesthetic with American hot rod sensibility. From racing stripes to sparkle finishes to the Outlaw Starplayer's black tolex covering, these guitars are about attitude as much as precision. In a word, they're sexy. While some elements may hearken back to the golden years of the '50s and '60s, Duesenbergs are utterly unique and contemporary, on their way to be become true modern classics.
While high-profile names like John Mayer and Johnny Depp showcase their Duesenbergs wherever they go, the company decided to open its own showcase recently. Filled with objects that helped inspire the guitars' designs and complete with a practice rig, this is a stop you have to make if you're anywhere near Fullerton, CA. Take a look at the pictures below for an exclusive glimpse at the Duesenberg Fullerton showroom. You can get a more in-depth look at the "Fullertone" showroom on their website.
There are some guitars that stand alone and Duesenberg is one of them.
– Joe Walsh
Looks, sounds and feels like what it is. A beautifully made machine. The tremolo is superb.
– Jeff Lynne, ELO
Is the Guitar Perfect? Pretty Damn Close.
– Mike Campbell
The minute I picked up the Pomona I was hooked. This is a lap steel that is a complete joy to play, even if you’ve never picked up a slide before.
– John Mayer