D Angelico Guitars of America EXL-1 Excel

2005

I drove from Atlantic City, New Jersey to Philadelphia, Pa last night to 8th Street Music Store to purchase the latest Line 6 Variax 600 Guitar Emulator, which has the Gibson S400 and the ES175 Archtop models installed. My father owns both of the these Gibsons, so I know what they sound like. I think the Variax line does a damn good job at emulating them in my (MHO).
I was about to plop down my credit card when all of a sudden I felt that I should look behind me and I was right! There stood in an old fashioned show case behind lock and key a Brand New: 2005 D'Angelico Excel Archtop in Vintage Sunburst, it indicated, hard shell case included - Retail $2,199.00 Special price -$1,699.00 What to do? I didn't plan on spending that kind of money, nor did I really have it. To make things worse. The store was closing in 20 minutes and I was parked in a no parking zone in front of the store during rush hour with the store owner keeping an eye on my 1988 Dodge Raider Jeep that needs new brakes and a tune-up. It was one of those moments when you feel like a deer in the headlights. I played my best chordmelody solo of "The Shadow of your Smile" and Wes Montgomery's "Mi Cosa". I fell in love. It's bell like quality and emaculate construction and feel suduced me. I purchased. Final Hageling Price: $1,500.00 tax included. Leaving Philadelphia, crossing the Ben Franklyn Bridge heading back to the Jersey Shore never seem more poetic and meaningful on this warm November night. The temporary budetary sacrifices that I'll have to make mean nothing to me. I can only describe it as a feeling of coming home musically. I feel musically alive.

The question presented to me privately by email is:

How do I feel about the D'Angelico Excel 1 Guitar after having it for a month?

My Response is:

I absolutely Love the Guitar. The guitar reminds me, not so much of a beautiful woman but of a tailor made suite finely appointed. It speaks of me, for me and to me. It's perfect. even the setup - right out of the box. I use it with a 40 Watt Fender Tube Amp. It has an distinctive mellow, robust and acoustically authoritive sound. The guitar puts you and the crowd on notice by it's imperial appearence and tone.

I am replacing the beautiful stock bridge with the D'Angelico Custom Tear Drop Curved Stair Case Bridge. It's being hand made for me by Mirabella. Around $350.00 - Just look up (D'Angelico Tear Drop Guitar) you'll see the bridge. It's not necessary to replace the bridge. It's a personal thing.

The Excel 1 comes with a beautiful brown hard shell case. I purchased a custom hard shell case cover for $95.00 with the logo on it from The D"Angelico Company (protection)

Truthfully, I'm selling everything else off. No more project or someday guitars for me. The search is over. This is my last Archtop Guitar. These guitar's are beautiful, you need to find one- play it. listen to it and study it up close. They are looked upon with respect in the real world, And their owners treat them with respect. If you get a chance to try one out, play your best stuff or wait until you have some best stuff to play. Eyes and ears will be expecting this. It's that kind of a guitar.

This guitar reminds me of an expensive tailor made suit of the 30's and 40's. When I wear this guitar on stage. They know I've come finely appointed and prepared to do business. At a particular smokey late night club up in Harlem NYC - when I hit em with a slow chordmelody solo of "How High The Moon." The drink orders stop, if you listen closely you might hear somebody whisper "God damn!" and that's because of it's tone baby.

Anyway, I returned my first Excel 1 Sunburst back after only two days of having it. I decided I truly wanted it with a natural finish instead. My timing was good at the time. I actually found one for about $400.00 cheaper brand new from a authorized dealer on the internet. Philadelphia could not match the price. They wanted $1,700.00 for a natural. Called it a special order. They were glad to give me my money back. I've been dealing with them for years. They didn't want to mess up. I bought the guitar from them mint and gave it back to them mint. Things on display right now!

These Guitars can be had for around $1,299.00 Fresh and Brand New! - On the internet, So look around. Find one and enjoy it!

Best Regards.
Oscar Mollineaux
Atlantic City, New Jersey

Superb Quality! No Flaws!

Strong, Made to be played. Just Take care of it.

Excellent

I ordered a 2005 D'Angelico EXCEL EXL-1 and finally received it from the the UPS man today. A very nice guitar...BUT there are some SERIOUS quality issues I will address later in this review.

This guitar is made in Korea. I features a single gold plated Kent Armstrong floating pick-up. The pickup screws had dig marks in them as someone at the factory tried to adjust the pole piece heights. Not too pretty! There is one volume control and one tone control mounted on the pick guard. The classic Grover Imperials are mounted on the head stock. A wooden bridge is used. I like this bridge as it is completely flush mounted for optimum sound transfer from string to top. Nice! The 17 inch body has beautiful flame on the sides and backside. My model is Vintage Natural. The neck has as great feel, similar to both of my L-5 guitars and similar in finish to the Ibanez George Benson model. The tailpiece is a designed after the original Excel tailpiece. It is very nice and gives a good resonance through the body. Love it! The guitar comes with a nice looking case with five straps. The interior of the guitar case screams cheap as the accessory door feels loose and made of pressed foam. The interior case material is rather thin. However, the exterior of the case is top notch in appearance and comes with a key lock.

Nice even balanced tone. Thick bass on the bottom, but nice and clean. Great chord melody guitar for the Johnny Smith fans out there. I am using a Fender Deluxe and a Polytone IV. The mids and bass sound very rich through the Fender Deluxe.

Here is where everything falls apart...READ CAREFULLY!

At prices over $1700 you expect an instrument in premium condition in terms of finish and condition. Well, this one fails that category big time. I received my guitar with a couple of dings in the bindings, and at the neck base. The laminate at the pick up position looks like someone binded it while drinking a beer bong. Shame on you D'Angelico! John D'Angelico would be woop'n some asian asses at the factory for this level of quality shipping out the door. There are plenty of guitars under the $500 range with better quality finishes. In today's market, there is no room for this kind of manufacturing error. Hopefully, D'Angelico can get it together.

The pickup is not adjustable in height, which would normally be okay if the pickup was within resonable proximity of the strings. HOWEVER, this pickup is a little to far away from the strings and loses sustain quickly, not to mention volume. You will have to turn this guitar up a little on the amp...but it's worth it because the tone is fantastic.

The action is even up and down the neck and the frets are nicely polished. In fact, the neck and tone are the two best features I like about this guitar.

Everything seems to be very solid as the guitar sounds great plugged or unplugged. Finding an archtop that sounds good unplugged without buzzes, rattles, and squeeks is rare. This one is solid.

I am going to give it a lower rating as I do not know how the chips in the binding and neck will hold over time.

No experience.

I have been playing for thirty years and have owned many archtop guitars and basses over the years. In short, I like this guitar. The D'Angelico name has been around a long time and brings back good memories of seeing it's iconic headstock featured in many Mel Bay books. This guitar is pricey and lacks the level of quality you would expect. But it is well focused on the job John D'Angelico originally designed it to do...sound warm, play wonderful, and look great in the player's arms. I'd like to give it a ten, but it does not earn it due to the issues I pointed out earlier. If you have always wanted a New Yorker and could not afford it, this might satisfy your craving.