James Tyler Dann Huff Original Classic
Price: $7,450
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a remarkable piece of guitar history
This Dann Huff Original Classic is more than just a remarkable piece of guitar history - it's a testament to why Jim Tyler's instruments have been the choice of so many legendary musicians. Rich Renken, Jim's longtime collaborator and now general manager of Tyler guitars, spearheaded the creation of this latest model alongside Dann Huff himself, bringing the same sensibilities that drove James Tyler to create such amazing instruments.
This Dann Huff Original Classic is more than just a remarkable piece of guitar history - it's a testament to why Jim Tyler's instruments have been the choice of so many legendary musicians. Rich Renken, Jim's longtime collaborator and now general manager of Tyler guitars, spearheaded the creation of this latest model alongside Dann Huff himself, bringing the same sensibilities that drove James Tyler to create such amazing instruments. This meticulous recreation of Dann's legendary modded '64 that helped shape the sound of countless hit records shows that commitment to excellence. The attention to detail in capturing every nuance of Dann's original guitar is simply extraordinary.
The magic starts with the historically accurate pickup configuration - those neck version Duncan Hot Stacks in the neck and middle positions paired with the original 50mm JB bridge pickup deliver that signature Huff tone that defined an era. The custom Tyler/Demeter preamp specially designed for this guitar gives you that buffered signal that is key to the sound and, as Dann put it, is on 95% of the time. It is voiced to work well with the neck version of the Hot Stacks.
What makes this instrument truly special is how Rich and the Tyler team incorporated all of Dann's unique modifications - from the Wilkinson VS100 bridge to the distinctive switching configuration. Even the slightly offset middle tone knob and specific preamp voicing have been faithfully reproduced. For me, Dana, Rich and the Tyler team got it right, their vast experience brings you all the beauty and innovation of a modern instrument while retaining the heart and soul of the original.
The modern touches like the 22 frets, Hipshot locking tuners, and dedicated battery box enhance the playability while maintaining the spirit of Dann's original. And there's something special about having both Jim Tyler's California Signature logo and Dann's signature on that distinctive Tyler headstock - it's a testament to the collaborative spirit behind this unique instrument.
For players seeking that specific sound that helped define the golden age of session recording, this Dann Huff Original Classic delivers in every way. It's a masterful recreation of a truly historic instrument, elevated by the renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail that has always defined Tyler guitars. I don't know how they do it, but this is another example of why Tyler guitars have been the instrument of choice for so many legendary musicians.
**SPECIAL NOTES**
- This guitar recreates specific features of Dann Huff's original modified 1964 guitar
- Preamp will be bypassed in the up position
- Push/push pots must be in UP position before removal or adjustment to prevent switch damage
If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.
ABOUT TYLER GUITARS
James Tyler has had a guitar in his hand almost every day since he first picked one up the summer after seventh grade, in 1964. In college, Jim studied Architecture, Design, Music, Photography and for a couple years, Theology. He paid his way through these years of collage doing guitar repair work at local guitar stores, and as a factory trained auto mechanic for Alfa Romeo, Lancia, BMW and Fiat. Later into the 1970’s, he got connected with the guys at Norman’s Rare Guitars in the San Fernando Valley, and became their main repair and restoration guy. Jim’s abilities continued to expand and soon he had enough experience and reputation that he opened his first repair shop in Reseda, CA in 1980. Since then its been a whirlwind of successes, including being chosen to be displayed among the great California guitar companies such as Fender, Rickenbacker, Mosrite and Charvel in the Museum of California's exhibit The Ultimate Guitar Show and building for artists such as Michael Landau, David Williams, Steve Lukather, Michael Anthony, and Dan Huff. James' design shapes and various ground breaking guitar finishes and most recently his line of pickups have virtually transformed the guitar building industry.
Body wood | alder |
Body routing/contour | no rear rout or hollow, no bare-arm contour, battery compartment for midboost |
Neck wood | quartersawn maple |
Neck shape | thin |
Fretboad | Indian rosewood w/ white mother of pearl inlays and wide-tall frets |
Nut width | 1-5/8" |
Finish | gloss, 3 tone sunburst on body (matched to Dann's), tinted on neck, natural on headstock |
Headstock logo | small California signature (Dann logo on back) |
Pickguard | single layer .060 black |
Pickups | HSS configuration, straight mounting, Duncan Hot Stacks in neck and middle position, Duncan JB in bridge position |
Pickup selector switch | 5-way |
Preamp | midboost with bypass |
Switching | series/parallel w/ add neck & bridge option (series down/parallel up configuration) |
Potentiometers | 500K volume/boost, 250K tone (push/push under vol 4 preamp, bypass UP, push/push under tone 4 N/B on) |
Hardware | finish chrome |
Knobs | classic black All Inc M/B |
Bridge | Wilkinson VS100 (no tremolo cover) |
Tuners | hipshot Locking |
String gauge | .010 |
Weight | 7.2 lbs |