D Angelico Guitars of America EXL-1 Excel

Made in Incheon, South Korea (not China)! Laminate Top, floating Kent Armstrong made in Asia, Natural Gloss Finish.

Well, it sounds like a cheap archtop should, thuddy is the best word to describe. This is an electric instrument made to look like the old D'Angelicos, it doesn't even compare! If you like to play electric jazz this is a good guitar, definitely a one trick pony.

Really bad. The guitar is sloppy at best, with marks in the wood that ordinarily would qualify the guitar as a factory second. The managers at company are exploiting the D'Angelico name to sell the instruments, just my opinion.

This guitar will withstand a 10lb weight falling on its soundboard, because it's LAMINATED PLYWOOD, this is not a serious instrument for a professional musician that knows anything about tone!

I have called the company about several problems and it seems like they have had to fix many guitars from the Incheon factory, I have heard the VESTAX guitar are much better.

One-trick-pony, electric jazz guitar, not worth the $1500 they are asking new, save you pennies and buy a D'Aquisto New Yorker or Benedetto Bravo, both in the $2000 range, just start looking, don't be cheap.

I love the sound. With only pickup I don't get the range of tones that I'm used to, but what is there sounds great!

I bought this guitar used so I don't know how it was originally set-up from the factory but it is set-up just fine now. Probably need to raise the treble strings just a bit so that it doesn't buzz when I pick a little harder.

The finish and other cosmetic details appear flawless to me. Even thought it is used, it's as if I got it new.

I'm not really a serious jazz guitarist but I've been playing for 40 years and have always dabbled in jazz guitar playing. I traded in an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor which I've had for about 15 years for this guitar . The Epi was nice but it never really felt like what I was looking for in a jazz guitar. This D'Angelico has fulfilled all my jazz box fantasies. One of my best guitar purchases ever.

17 inch body Kent armstrong floating mini humbucker laminate body maple neck ebony fingerboard 25 and one half scale with grover imperial tuners ebony bridge

I play jazz a lot of cord melody bebop style and some jump blues. This guitar sound is simpliy stellar as a jazz guitar trough any amp that I have run it through I have a polytone a acoustic control corp and vox as soild stare amps and a fender deluxe and fender bassman as well as a peavey classic twenty in tube amps. This guitar sounds great with all of them. Much to my suprise is that you can get a killer blues tone from this guitar. I play a lot of wedding gigs where the music goes from jazz to rock and roll and this guitar does it from Kenny Burrell to Chuck Berry.

This is where this guitar shines ! I have quiet a few guitars Gibson Johnny Smith Guild X-5oo an Ibanes lawsuite L-5 copy a Ephiphone blues deluxe zephy and two Gretsch archtops and none of them comes close to the way the Excel plays. The slim neck is fast and every note is perfect and can play things on this guitar I would not dream of attempting on some of my other guitars, I fact I an taking all of my guitars to the luther and seeing if he can set the action like the D;angelico. This is the best playing guitar that I have ever played including some ten thousand dollar jobs. I am getting another Excel which I am going to install a charlie christain pickup in and will probaly sell off most of my other guitars thats how good they play folks !

IN thiry years I have taken two guitars to a gig maybe twenty times them an electric and a acoustc. This guitar I believe will last many many years of professional playing

Marc at Dangelico very helpful

I have been playing 35 plus years a lot full time musican. Play piano and guitar. The D'Angelico is the best guitar I have ever own like I said earlier I am buying another soon and getting rid of some other guitars Let me say that the gig bag that is sold by Dangelico is built like a tank wayer proof extremely padded puts the top end leveis to same almost the quality of Reunion blues but three hundred dollars less

All standard features that are described on the D'angelico website. For a low priced guitar as this,I'm blown away at the quality of everything.

This guitar is as responsive and sounds as good as my two Gibson L-5's. Surprisingly has a very nice acoustic sound better than many other laminated guitars made overseas. It's ery quiet and even sounding all along its neck and per string after minor adjustments. Normal feedback threshold associated with floating pickups.

Very well setup. In fact Marc at D'angelico , setup to my specifications very well. No dings or any aother visual/alignment problems with the guitar. It is solidly built. The frets are as good as can be found on any guitar I've played or had. After over 30 years of playing I 've owned almost all GB models,Ibanez Johnny Smith, Gibson L-5s(still have),Howard Gibson Howard Roberts guitar, Gibson Super V, Gibson Tal Farlow, Victor Baker guitar, Fender D'Aquisto, and a few others.

Just received my second D'angelico today 11-26-07. Can't attest vto durability yet. It seems it will last quite some time regarding the finish and hardware.

When I called the Company ,Mark and Nick were very responsive and made sure the guitars were ready to be played right out of the box.

It my D'angelico's were stolen or otherwise,I'd get replacements right away! I remember a few years ago wishing some of those very nice sounding Korean guitars had Ebony Fingerboards. Well,they have some now!This D'angelico is proof. In fact,they are comparable to the Japanese made ones in all respects.

red wine finish beautiful

unbelieveable, no rattle or buzz very loud unpluged, sounds great thru my Grate 65 watt amp

Lower the bridge to my like'n very low, no lost of sound or buzz

put on flatwound Chromes 11-50

see no problems here

hard to get a person to return call

Best buy in guitars in my 40 years its a must have for my Chet Style Jazz Finger pickin'

Great art-deco details for this price range!

Great on the phone!

I will buy a few different models!!!

Nice looking guitar! Just got it yesterday, but appreciate the reviews I read here before my purchase. Major price war going on here with my purchase of this new guitar. Music store not happy with D'Angelico. read on!

Sound is rich, but I am going to need to experiment with strings and amp.

Action was high, but made adjustnments at bridge easily and feels great!

It seems very durable after my first day.

Too early!

I play a little bit of classical, blues, bluew grass, folk and jazz. Been playing for 40 years. I am playing with a big band with some N.Y. cats on New Years, so I am going for the an authentic sound, as far as my wallet will take me. **Well, it pays to watch for prices on the net. The lowest price I saw was from $1200 to $1500. D'Angelico is selling these guitars for $800.00 on line. Wow! I was extremely happy afteer expecting to pay much more for this guitar. A special thanks goes to Stoughton Music for facing the price and willing to take a major loss and sold the guitar to me for $820.00 w/case.

2006 Country of mfg is Korea. Mfg claims that the guitar is handmade. L5 style true hollow-body, single floating neck pickup, one volume one tone, 25.5" scale, laminated spruce top, rosewood bridge, Ebony fingerboard, Grover tuning machines. Sunburst finish, gold hardware. One point taken off for teardrop burst pattern. I prefer the burst to follow the body contour. I suspect the teardrop pattern to be cost-cutting although I've seen it on some other very expensive guitars.

The 25.5" scale produces a bright tone that I don't consider ideal for trad jazz. For jazz its best to stick with the more mellow 24.75" Gibson scale. But then I'm a frustrated jazzer and much more into Chet Fingerstyle for which this guitar is perfect. (By the by, Chet did use a D'Angelico in his early days). Its a true hollowbody so it ain't gonna like high volumes.

Action was high on delivery but very easily adjusted to a nice low action without buzz. I prefer size 11 flatwounds on the guitar.
I have been playing Fender Strats for most of my 35+ years of playing and the 25.5" scale has always fit under my long fingers best. The finish is excellent, no flaws on close inspection. Intonation is perfect, worry not about the lack of individual string saddles. A real nice plus is that diamond shaped inlay on the back of the headstock in addition to the very nice inlays on the top side.

Its a very well made solid and dependable guitar.

Dave's Guitar in LaCrosse, WI (Google 'em) has a great price on these and are easy to deal with.

I've been playing since the early '70's and this is among the best guitars I've had. The price is very reasonable. My favorite features are its playability and tone. I compared it at a store to an Epiphone also in the L5 style. This was much more impressive in its details but also about 900 clams more expensive.

Made in 2005, Single floating pickup, 25.5" scale, laminated spruce top, rosewood bridge. Grover tuning machines.

I was searching for a spruce top and when this came along it has the sound that I was looking for. Very warm jazz tone, not bright which is what I like.

The action was very well done and the intonation was right on the money. I did change the strings to the flat wounds that I prefer. The top, sides and back are very well done as well. I could not find any blemishs or flaws with the finish anywhere. The abalone inlays on the fretboard and top part of the neck are beautiful and nicely done.

I have only had this guitar for 6 months or so and quite honestly have had not problems with it. So reliabilty and durability might have to wait alittle longer to see what happens. But I venture to say that this guiatr should hold up for years to come.

I called them to speak to someone about the choices that they offer in their archtops. The first two calls I left messages but was contacted alittle later on and the person was very helpful.

I have been playing guitar fro almost 25 years and have played many styles. If this guitar was lost or stolen I would replace it. For the money it is a great instrument. I did play other archtops and some that cost twice or three times as much sound pretty dead on. But everyone has a different sound they like and I am not about to bash any guitar manufacture. If you play one and you like it and love it buy it. I did and do not regret it.

2005 Dangel. Excel EXL-1, made in Korea. This is an arch-top, hollowbody guitar with a floating pickup under the neck. I'm giving it a ten for a number of reasons: the brass tailpiece, the extremely nice ebony fretboard with exquisite inlays, the unbelievable headstock; everything about this guitar is beautiful. I read the review above (where the man had dings etc) but thankfully mine arrived in perfect condition, no blemishes other than a minor scratch on the Excel logo that you can only see if you hold the guitar at a certain angle. The Grover Imperials are extremely nice, they look sharp and they also make tuning a breeze. Very solid.

This guitar has a classy tone/sound that fits my style of play perfectly, since I use fingerstyle (no picks). The volume this guitar puts out - unplugged - is unbelievable. You don't have to strum hard, just barely roll your fingers over the strings. That gives the best quality of sound. Unlike the other reviewer, my pickup is at exactly the right height (they must have read his review and fixed that). I also have a Martin D-15, a Gibson Les Paul Vintage Mahogany, a Ricky 360/12, and a Gretsch G-5129 Electromatic Hollowbody. On a scale of 1 to 100, I would rate them as follows in terms of the sound: Gretsch 95-96; Martin 96-97 (unplugged), Gibson 97, Dangelico 98-99, Ricky 99. The D'Angelico gives a very rich, full sound, the bass is excellent, but you still get the highs clearly. It's the quintessential guitar for good sound. Doubtless the larger (17") size of the guitar helps in this, but the ebony saddle/bridge, the brass tailpiece, and the ebony fretboard also contribute. Note that this ia a true hollowbody, it doesn't have like a small wood insert or column to keep the spacing of the top right (like my Gresch EM hollowbody). So, the sound gets to freely resonate around in that large 17" box.

I had to look for over a month to find this guitar in the sunburst; I finally found this one from reading the Gretsch pages here on Harmony Central - someone had recommended Dave's Guitar in LaCrosse, WI. I checked out his website and found this for $1500 new - the best price I'd seen yet. I also got great service from Dave's, they did an unbelievable job of packing the guitar before sending it to me in Texas. Anyway, there isn't a blemish on it, the only thing is a minor scratch in the Excel logo on the headstock, that was put on at the factory, but you don't really notice it so what's that among friends? Guitar was set up perfectly from Dave's, action exactly right for me. Neck is perfectly straight. This is the easiest guitar to play an F chord (barre, in the first position) I've ever worked with. Barre chords sound like open chords, there's no difference/muffling. The pickup is at just the right height. Bridge is very nice and, being a combination bridge/saddle, and being made of solid ebony, it gives the guitar a really awesome sound. The gold plating is always iffy on a guitar, as someone else mentioned above, but so far the gold plating on the tuning knobs and the pickup is holding up well on this one.

No rattles. Wiring is well-bundled. The box and neck seem very solid and from all I can determine this guitar will last a lifetime -and more. The ebony fretboard will last, as long as it gets a dose of lemon oil every 6 months or so. Strap buttons are very solid, the finish on the body is durable (not too thin, but not so thick it chokes the sound). With regard to live playing, this guitar was MADE for the stage - its sound, the way it handles, and its appearance all scream "live performance".

I've been playing 40 years! I have 7 guitars, if I could only keep one, this would be it. As mentioned above, I also have a Gibson Les Paul, a Martin D-15 in the rosewood/spruce, a Ricky 360/12, and a Gretsch Electromatic Hollowbody. I love all these guitars, and I am thankful that I was able to afford each of them. Each of them is a little different, and each of them has its own special place in my repertoire. They all have a great sound. This one is arguably a tiny bit above all of them, in sound, except the Ricky (which sounds almost like you died and went to Heaven). I would rate this one a tad bit below the Ricky, but not much. This guitar is a huge value; you would probably pay a LOT more to get all these features on a Gibson.

I wanted to get this posted because it is so hard to find anything on these guitars on the Internet. Musicians Friend, Music123, and zzounds don't carry them. Plus, when you do a search (on Google, or whatever) there just isn't much info on them (Dangelicos, I mean). The only valuable source of information I could locate on these guitars was here on Harmony Central. But, for example, there were only two reviews on the EXL-1. I wanted to post this in case someone out there was interested in buying a Dangelico but was hesitating due to lack of information about them. To summarize this guitar: it has an excellent sound, even unplugged - I mean you get volume like you can't believe, with no amplification. Plugged in it just gets better. The sound and tone remind me of something you would have heard back in the early part of the 20th century, almost a Stradivarius-type tone, only in a guitar. The quality and workmanship are top-notch. I wish it were made in the US - but, the guys in Korea seem to be doing a good job. There is nothing about this guitar that has made me sorry I bought it, in fact just the opposite; I felt thrilled when I pulled it out of the box, and saw that what I was getting was exactly what I was expecting - with NO unpleasant surprises. If you have more questions, feel free to email me at: goodwin@comp.tamu.edu

I will probably be buying another Dangelico in the near future - an Excel double-cutaway ("DC"), which is a two-pickup semi-hollowbody much like the Gibson ES-335.

Best regards, John Goodwin
Bryan Texas

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.