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Thread: Mister Belvedere

  1. #1
    Forum Member cooltone's Avatar
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    Mister Belvedere

    I bought this DiPinto Belvedere Deluxe a couple years ago. I was really sucked in by the looks of this thing. I had also read a couple favorable reviews and thought I'd take a chance.

    Being an oddball mid-line priced guitar, it did have some really cool qualities. There were a few things that were also rather cheap. The original frets tarnished rather quickly. The electronics were the cheaper quality, etc.

    I had contemplated letting it go, since it really didn't feel like something I felt confident using in a live situation, but I couldn't get past the looks of this thing. I really wanted it to 'work' for me.

    So, I decided to go for broke and send it to a buddy of mine in California. (Allen Lane Custom Guitars, Covina, Ca - shameless plug!)
    He did a complete re-fret (Dunlop 6105), cut a new slipstone nut, replaced the pots/switch with good quality CTS and switchcraft stuff, replaced the cheap roller bridge with a Stew-Mac locking roller bridge, potted the pickups in wax, etc.

    My gamble paid off big time (it wasn't cheap!!)!! I am in love with this thing now, though !!

    Here's a few pictures.. Enjoy!








    "If you're cool, you don't know nothin' about it. It just is...or you ain't." - Keith Richards

  2. #2
    Forum Member Cygnus X1's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere


  3. #3
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Funky! I like it.
    "I haven't slept for ten days...because that would be too long." -- Mitch Hedberg

  4. #4
    Forum Member Skip's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Dazzling


  5. #5
    Forum Member Mesotech's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Snazzy looking. Try not to stand on a stage with a laser light show though, or you might put an eye out with that thing!
    POO DAT!!!

  6. #6
    Forum Member NeoFauve's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Wild.

    It reminds me of a panda.
    "Well, I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
    Elvis Costello

  7. #7
    Forum Member refin's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Great looking guitar!
    "My flesh and my heart fail...but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
    PS. 73:26

    MY JAMS--
    http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

  8. #8
    Forum Member cooltone's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Panda
    "If you're cool, you don't know nothin' about it. It just is...or you ain't." - Keith Richards

  9. #9
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    I meant to ask...what's with the smiley face on the cap?
    "I haven't slept for ten days...because that would be too long." -- Mitch Hedberg

  10. #10
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    for good tone of course!

    i dig the hell out of that guitar.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  11. #11
    Forum Member cooltone's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Allen put that on there 'cause he knew I'd get a kick out of it..plus it helps with good tone, like Chucko says!
    "If you're cool, you don't know nothin' about it. It just is...or you ain't." - Keith Richards

  12. #12
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Makes sense to me. A happy cap is a toneful cap.
    "I haven't slept for ten days...because that would be too long." -- Mitch Hedberg

  13. #13
    Forum Member Fripperton's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Very Cool. I'm a dealer for DiPinto. How do you like the twangbuckers?

    BTW it also comes in a more reserved look.

    VM



    If aliens listened to our current top 40, they'd think that the entire planet was populated by sexually ambivalent robots with ethnic insecurity.



  14. #14
    Forum Member cooltone's Avatar
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    Re: Mister Belvedere

    Fripp..if I'm not mistaken, I bought mine from you!! (thanks, Vince!)


    The 'Twangbuckers' are another reason I hesitated to let this one go. (notice I didn't replace 'em)They really give me a wide range of tones...from a Tele-like 'twang' in the bridge, a mellow Les Paul- like neck sound (not too dark) and a P-90-ish growl in-between (especially with some nice gain).. on top of that, the semi-hollow body gives it THAT vibe, too.

    plus, the flat neck radius allows for easy slide playing.

    I'm glad I stuck it out on this one..


    Also, in the interest of fairness...the original fret job was immaculate. The new frets had also shown some signs of 'tarnishing' while in the shop. I wonder if it's due to the materials used in the case lining..??
    Last edited by cooltone; 03-23-2010 at 03:36 AM.
    "If you're cool, you don't know nothin' about it. It just is...or you ain't." - Keith Richards

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