Info please on DeArmond Jet Star Spel

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
Post Reply
User avatar
Ralph124C41
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:06 pm

Info please on DeArmond Jet Star Spel

Post by Ralph124C41 » Sun May 19, 2019 7:09 pm

Hi. I went to a local guitar show today and within three minutes or so I bought a 1999 (I think) DeArmond Jet Star Spel in emerald green. It's really the proverbial "Gumby" guitar especially with that shade of green. I have a MIK DeArmond Guild M-75 and I know a little bit about the ownership of the DeArmond Guild and of course Guild. But this is not a Guild ... it's not a DeArmond Guild .. it's a plain DeArmond. It was made in Indonesia and has, as I understand, generic humbuckers and has a bolt-on neck. It's not a DeArmond Jet Star, which I have read about on this forum, but the Jet Star Spel (?? Special ??) with no pickguard, The DeArmond Jet Star has a pickguard, those great U.S.A.-made Gold Tone pickups (like on my M-75), a set-in neck design, and has neck binding and block inlays ... so a different beast entirely. It's also my understanding the Spel came in three finishes black, transparent red and more rarely the emerald green as in my guitar. However it does have that offset shape which I adore ... and I rather like the green finish.

OK, it's a cheap guitar but it has no major dents, the pickups sound fine, the volume control works but is loose and so somebody has to attach it somehow. But here's the thing ... I paid $75 for it out the door.

So I'd appreciate any info anybody here has about guitars with just the DeArmond name and other information about my Spel model itself. I may sell it but I think I'll keep it. It's not everyday you can buy a real Gumby I think.

User avatar
jthomas
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1209
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:44 pm
Location: Downeast Maine

Re: Info please on DeArmond Jet Star Spel

Post by jthomas » Sun May 19, 2019 11:08 pm

Fender bought Guild and (of course) Dearmond and, IIRC, put out some guitars under the Dearmond name that were different from the earlier Dearmonds. Yours might be one of those. Please post a pic.

User avatar
Ralph124C41
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:06 pm

Re: Info please on DeArmond Jet Star Spel

Post by Ralph124C41 » Sun May 19, 2019 11:14 pm

I will post a pic later today when the light is better.

User avatar
Ralph124C41
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 161
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:06 pm

Re: Info please on DeArmond Jet Star Spel

Post by Ralph124C41 » Mon May 20, 2019 7:20 am

I tried inserting a picture but apparently I can't upload directly from my computer. I don't want to bother with posting it somewhere online. As I said you could just google DeArmond Jet Star Spel and if you can't find one with the emerald green finish (I couldn't) you can find some Jet Star basses in that finish. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Post Reply