Dan Armstrong was a brilliant, ambitious inventor who, like many gifted minds before him, became easily distracted with new ideas. Throughout his 64 years, Armstrong designed acrylic-bodied guitars for Ampeg, movable pickups for his own guitars, and graphic EQs for his Dan Armstrong bass amps, in addition to collaborating on bass and guitar amps for Ampeg and Fender, respectively, and launching his own line of effects pedals. In his spare time, he played studio sessions and live shows alongside Van Morrison and Carly Simon in the late ’60s.

Armstrong started honing his luthiery skills at Carroll Music. Owner Carroll Bratman hired him because he always returned the equipment he rented in better shape than when it left the shop. In 1965, Armstrong opened his own Dan Armstrong’s Guitar Service on 48th Street in New York City—across from Manny’ Music. The shop specialized in Danelectro upgrades and amp- and guitar-wiring mods. After a few years there, he was forced to relocate to Greenwich Village to accommodate the expansion of Rockefeller Center, and that’s when he changed the name to Dan Armstrong Guitars. Matt Umanov joined up and the two drafted prototypes for the Ampeg Dan Armstrong see-through acrylic instruments. On the heels of the relationship with Ampeg, Armstrong closed his NYC shop and moved to London for a brief stint with Orange. Then, in 1971, with the help of his son Kent Armstrong and Tony Pitt, Dan constructed the London Series instruments.

After Dimebag Darrell gave Hard Rock the guitar, he handwrote a letter of authenticity. It reads: “THE DIMEBAG CROWN ROYAL! This is a tough one to give up. It’s too nice to play live, so I guess there is no better place than the Hard Rock to put it on display. Crown Royal purple to 24-karat gold inlays, this jewel marks the 40 million gallons I’ve pounded rockin’ over the years. Enjoy!” Needless to say, this guitar is one of the most treasured artifacts in the Hard Rock collection and a fitting tribute to an incredible guitarist. It’s currently on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Adam Chandler

“Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott was a rock star’s rock star. On December 8, 2004, the Pantera and Damageplan guitarist was gunned down doing what he lived for—thrashing onstage with Damageplan and partying with fans at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. His untimely passing left a gaping hole in the metal world, one that will never be filled with the same fun-loving personality and musical sensibility.

Dimebag was famous for embracing his devoted legions and being both generous and genuine with fans. If it meant answering endless questions at a guitar clinic, signing every piece of merch or gear after a show, or just taking the time to listen to a metalhead’s compliment and offer a high-five, Abbott seemed happy doing it.