Jimmy D'Aquisto

James L. D'Aquisto (Brooklyn, November 9, 1935 – California, April 17, 1995) was an American luthier who concentrated on building and repairing archtop guitars.

An aspiring jazz guitarist he visited luthier John D'Angelico's shop in 1951 which lead to him in 1952 becoming his apprentice.

On Friday we put away the tools and cleaned the shop so when Monday came the place would be spotless.Later, he learned the "rough work" of the D'Angelico style.

D'Angelico had a heart attack in 1959 and also parted ways with his long time employee Vincent "Jimmy" DiSerio.

As a result he closed the business but soon reopened it after D'Aquisto who was unable to find work, convinced him to do so.

[1] After several more heart attacks and having also suffered from pneumonia John D'Angelico died on September 1, 1964, at the age of 59.

In 2011, guitars by D'Aquisto were included in the 'Guitar Heroes' exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.