User:Number13design/sandbox

Early Beginnings
Chris DiPinto began playing guitar in 1978 at age 10. Being a lefty, and inspired by role models Brian May, Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads, he found it very difficult to find guitars made for left handed players. This led to his uncle having to re-string his very first (right handed) guitar so that it could be played left handed.

A big fan of Teisco Del Rey's monthly Off the Wall column in Guitar Player Magazine, Chris, in 1992, began recreating 60’s, pawn shop style guitars. However, rather than just building exact copies, he incorporated modern building techniques and added upgraded hardware so that the guitars played like modern, well-made instruments, and in doing so brought about the birth of the Modern-Retro guitar.

By 1994 DiPinto offers the first full line of Modern-Retro guitars.

First Generation Models 1992-1999
All models were neck-thru body with the first 3 hand-made by Chris. Later hand-made guitars were made by Chris and employee Glendon Jones.

A total of 20-30 guitars and basses we made from 1992-1999.


 * Blue 10-string Quark
 * Pink 4-string Quark Bass
 * Satellite Guitar - Jaguar style body. 24” scale.
 * Mach IV Guitar - Mosrite style. 24.75” scale.
 * Belvedere Guitar - Les Paul semi-hollow style body. 24.75” scale.

In 1996 DiPinto Guitars attends the NAMM Show as the first all retro guitar company and is pictured with only 7 other guitars in the NAMM issue of Guitar Player Magazine.

Second Generation Models 1999-2015
The previous 2 pickup Satellite is changed to the 4 pickup Galaxie as the name Satellite was being used by another manufacturer. Five new prototypes are commissioned from Korean company, Un Sung Corporation. Based on these prototypes, 100 Galaxie guitars are produced. The Mach IV and Belvedere models soon to follow. Bass versions of each are also produced.


 * Galaxie
 * Mach IV
 * Belvedere

Hollow body models


 * The Bacchus - (Birdland style) thin semi-hollow, single cutaway guitar.
 * The Philadelphian - (Joe Pass style) small, deep body with one floating pickup.

Two Bacchus basses were made before being discontinued.

3 pointy guitar designs are produced:


 * The Hellion - Randy Rhoads style. Bat-wing shape
 * The Throwing Star - Explorer style. Saw-tooth design
 * The Joan of Arch Bass - Fleur-de-lis style body. Only one made.

These models were used in Chris and Sophy’s band Wastoid.

Mach IV’s are soon offered in a 12 string model.

The Belvedere is offered in three different versions


 * Junior - 1 or 2 P-100 Pickups.
 * Standard - Small clear pickguard and single F hole.
 * Deluxe - Big white pearl guard with sparkle appointments.

Many guitars are customized at DiPinto Guitars’ Philadelphia location with mods such as built-in effects, added strings, custom pickguards, refining, vinyl overlays, satin drum cover pickguards and pickups.

Current Models
After the closing of Un Sung corporation in 2015, all production is brought back to the US. DiPinto re-issues the Satellite model.

Models in production as of 2017.


 * Galaxie
 * Mach IV

Chris’s band Creem Circus showcases many DiPinto Guitar designs.

List of DiPinto Guitar players

 * The Aquabats
 * Elliot Easton (The Cars)
 * David Bowie
 * Cracker
 * Dick Dale
 * The Hellacopters
 * Jamaaladeen Tacuma
 * L.A. Guns
 * Lil Wayne
 * Los Straitjackets
 * Luna
 * Man or Astro-man?
 * Conan O'Brien
 * Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick)
 * Rocket from the Crypt
 * Earl Slick
 * Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3, Spectrum, E.A.R.)
 * Kurt Vile
 * Jimmy Vivino (Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
 * War on Drugs
 * Jack White
 * Steve Wynn

And many more...

Retail Location
DiPinto Guitars’ retail shop is located at 407-409 E. Girard Avenue, in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia.