D Angelico Guitars of America New Yorker NYL-2

Jazz guitar with one floating pick up. That's all you need on a jazz guitar...

Acoustic sound very bright, not as loud as yoou could have expected. Very anonumous sound when plugged in. I used it mainly with a Fender Super Twin.

Neck felt nice, nothing special though. Buzzing in the high register, dissapered after filing the frets.

I guess they're quite reliable.

Don't know.

It's an ok guitar that looks really nice. But they're really OVERPRICED. You could buy a real nice car for the price of a D'Angelico. Or maybye 3 or 4 other guitars from a different brand that's just as good (Eastman maybye?!). Or one hell-of-a-carved-top-of-the-line-guitar...
I had mine for about a year (mostly in the closet) and traded it in as soon as I got a fair deal.

2001 made in Japan by Vestax. 17" Archtop with 3" depth, 25.5" scale, pressed solid Spruce top, laminated maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, gold plated brass tailpeice, floating Johnny Smith humbucker attached to pickguard,

Tone! Tone! Tone! This guitar has a stunning appearance, but its sound makes an audience look up, and even fellow musicians remark on the beauty of your tone. Absolutely fantastic for chord melody. Surprisingly resistant to feedback when playing with loud bands. I've played this with a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue, a Polytone, and a new Jazzkat. The amps change, but the gorgious tone stays.

I bought this used off of Ebay and got lucky. The set up was fine except for the action which was a bit high for my taste. But this is really easy to fix on an archtop with a floating bridge.

I got this used after 5 years and it was in perfect condition. I've played live with it repeatedly already and have no problems. As others have said, this is the guitar to take to the gig.

No idea, never contacted them.

I bought this to replace an Epiphone Emperor Regent. The Epiphone was fine, but this guitar is just at another level. With its solid top it blows away contemporary Gibson ES-175s of comparable price. I can't compare it with a Johnny Smith or an L-5 having played neither, but those guitars are at least twice as much. Besides, the L5, with its mounted HB, is really a different animal altogether. This guitar is a perfect balance. It's a classic design with a lovely vintage tone but is inexpensive enough that you can actually use it live without hiring a bodyguard. It's a shame they don't make these anymore, if you have the chance to grab one I'd definitely take it.

This is a 2002 Vestex constructed D'Angelico NYL-2. The finish is the aged vintage. The rest of the guitar is pretty much the way it came from the factory. Kent Armstrong pick-up, OHSC.

I have been primarily a rock and blues guitarist. This guitar (and it's sound) represented a departure from what I have played in the past 35 years. Just play a few 9ths and b5ths and you can tell that this guitar has a soul for sophistication. I found that there was a real 'jazzy' timbre to the tones coming out of this instrument. Unplugged, it is respectably loud but clear with warm harmonic vibrations that you could feel as well are hear. Noticeably louder and, more importantly, clearer and more articulate that the Eastmans I had played. And, predictably, it does have a slightly noticable warmth of tone and playability advantage over the Excel model. Any harshness of the mid to upper range can be controlled with the volume and tone pots. Great sustain for a true hollow body.

This guitar came to me essentially in new condition--the neck and fret set-up was already dialed in. I only adjusted slightly to set the string height to medium to low and to get both clear voicing and a fast fretboard. No dead spots or hot spots. There are no detectable flaws in the finish. The quilted side and back are gorgeous and the bookmatching on the back is impressive. No complaints whatsoever this this guitar fit and finish.

I have gigged with this guitar a few times over the past 6 months and it certaily seems roadworthy enough. I am probably a bit rough on guitars and will 'hammer away as necessary' to get the sound and the show.

N/A

This is an impressive instrument--no question about it. It brings a whole different dimension to the material that I would have otherwise played on the ES335 or the Gretsch 6120 (but watch that volume!). The Django stuff starts to sound believable. If I had it to do over again, I would--and just hope that I would be fortunate enough to get a hold of another D'Angelico NYL-2 of this quality. I am not real crazy about the gold stair-stepped tailpiece (me thinks that an ebony one would be a bit more attractive). If price is of a big concern, check out the Excel model. The D'Angelico name and product are again real performers; you will not be disappointed.

Pressed top, ebony board, 17" lower bour, 25.25" scale. 2003. It has the features necessary for playing jazz - good tone and playability. No whammy bar.

Excellent tone. It's a jazz box and fulfillis that function handily. Airier, more open, than a Gibson 175. And a better guitar, too. I rate it as a 9 because I've since bought a Sadowsky. But if the D'A is a nine, then a Gibson 175 is an 8.

Out of the box I lowered the action at the bridge, and it's great. Low and fast with no buzzes or dead spots. Never adjusted the truss rod, and I am very picky about my setups. Very pretty guitar.

Seems solid.

No call for support. If I had problems I'd go to the dealer.

Used to play for a living, now just noodle. I'm comparing the D'A to a Gibson ES-175 and a Sadowsky JB. This will never get sold.

I have played them all. For the money, the D'angelico NYL-2 is the best jazz guitar out there.

Finish is beautiful. The curly maple back and sides are beautifully book-matched.

Play this guitar every weekend for the last two years and it just keeps on ticking.

Never had a problem, however, I did email them with a quick response.

All that you need in a perfect jazz box.

This is just a follow up to one of my earlier reviews. As many of the reviews have mentioned here, the floating mini-humbucking pickup that comes with the Japanese D'Angelicos leaves something to be desired in the tone department. Now in all honesty, all floating mini-humbuckers sound pretty lifeless to me. I've never found one I really like including the original Gibson Johnny Smith.

I began to look for a good single coil replacement that I could mount without modifying the guitar or the pickguard since the Japanese made D'Angelicos are no longer available. All D'Angelicos are now Excel models made in Korea. I don't know if this is a permanent situation or not, but I didn't want to take the chance of chopping up a guitar that may become more valuable over time.

Anyway, there are few single coil floating pickups available. Kent Armstrong makes one but it is an ugly black, asphalt looking thing and sounds very tinny to my ear. I wanted something that sounded more like the old DeArmond Rhythm Chief of the 40s and 50s. That is the sound you hear on many old recordings.

I talked to various pickup builders and found a couple who were willing to give a try to making one but I didn't sense any real desire in them until I ran into Tom Short at www.tomshortshandmadepickups.com. Tom was excited at the challenge and after reading reviews of his other pickups here at Harmony-Central I decided to let him try.

After about twenty prototypes, Tom came up with the best sounding single coil pickup I have ever heard. The best way to describe the tone is to take a Charlie Christian, a DeArmond Rhythm Chief, an early P90 and a 50's Telecaster neck pickup, combine all the best qualities of those pickups all rolled into a single unit and you have the "Steve Bistrow Western Swing/Jazz Floater."

Yes, Tom honored me by naming the pickup after me and it is now available on his website. The sonics of this pickup are extraordinary. The highs are crisp and clear but never brittle. The lows are deep and resonant, yet never boomy. The mids are creamy smooth and the articulation and note separation are spectacular. There is no better single coil pickup on the planet, PERIOD!!!

This is a direct replacement fit with absolutely no mods necessary so you can go back to your mini-humbucker at any time (why you would want to is beyond me, but you can).

The botom line here is if you want your D'Angelco to sound like the ones that John built, try this pickup on your guitar. By the way, the grins are free with purchase!

I've owned the guitar since early 2000 and it is still perfect. None of the gold has tarnished and acoustically it has really opened up over time.

Top-Notch

They're a little slow to respond, but they are a very small company. All in all, I've been satisf

I love this guitar! It makes me feel good and play better every time I pick it up. If you can find one now that they're no longer available, grab it. You won't be sorry.

By the way, for those of you that are interested, I play my NYL-2 through a blackface Fender Deluxe-Reverb and the pedals I use are a Visual Sound H2O delay/chorus, a Visual Sound Route 66 compressor/overdrive, an MXR Phase 90 phase shifter, an Electro-Harmonix (US) Small Stone Phase Shifter, and a Danelectro Leslie simulator. I use the pedals sparingly except for a mild echo effect and compression that I use most of the time.

Do not know the year of this instrument. New 2000 nish. Twenty two frets if I recall correctly. Very beautiful instrument with mother of pearl inlays on headstock,fingerboard,and bridge area. Volume and tone located on the pickguard. Very elegant looking goldplated tailpiece. One mini floating pickup in neck position. Very large D'Angelico headstock with gold color Grover tuners. Wooden bridge and looks like a bone nut.

This guitar suits my style with perfection. I play various styles but always fall back to fingerstyle jazz playing. This guitar is very full sounding, very balanced tone acoustically and electrically. Lots of punch in the mid range area and can be tapered very well with the tone control. I have no dislikes about this guitar. Sounds like an original to me.

No flaws that I can detect. I do not own one of these yet but the setup in the store was very well with flatwound strings and fairly low action. Very comfortable to play for such a large instrument.

Reliablity looks well. It's Japanese made, for the price it should stand to test of time. Hopefully the gold wont ware off easily. Everything on the guitar that I tried looks sturdy and well built. No loose fitting pieces here. Other than possible string breakage I would use with no backup.

I've been playing for 38 years and this is absolutely the best jazz guitar I've ever played. I am a Gibson person and the only other guitar that was love at first sight was a tobacco sunburst Gibson Byrdland. This D'Angelico is breath takenly gorgeous. I cannot think of anything better to say. It's something about that floating pickup that makes a great difference in the sound. I've played several Gibson ES175's, Epiphone Emperors, and Regents and this guitar out shines them all in looks and sound. One of the best out there for the money. If you can afford it buy nothing else for your jazz playing.

Overseas copy of an American Icon. 22 fret, spruce top, figured maple sides jazzbox. One floating pickup in the neck position. Volume and tone controls on the pickguard. Perfect features if you want a solid Jazz guitar.

I play straight-ahead jazz and be-bop on this guitar and it fits the bill perfectly. Sound of the guitar unplugged is a little brittle, but plugged in, the darker sound of the pick-up really lets this guitar breathe.

Beautiful finish on this guitar. The flame in the maple is outstanding. Better quality woods than most anything in the US. I had one problem with a loose output jack. Since tightining it up I have had no problems. Neck is somewhat on the small size for my taste but it is about perfect for anyone else on the planet. I like the old Gibson baseball bat necks from the 50's. Very comfortable overall.

Have used this guitar on countless gigs with no problem. I always carry a back-up just in case Murphy strikes, but that won't happen until I forget my other axe.

I always do my own work, so I've never used it. Have heard good and bad things about D'angelico customer support. Must depend on who answers the phone.

I happen to have a great job playing guitar full time with benefits and perks. I have played original D'angelicos, vintage Gibsons and the occassional Bennedetto. This reissue New Yorker can't top some of these guitars, but it definately competes with them all. Whem I'm going on a late night gig and have to walk the back alleys to the after hours club, I would rather take this guitar than my $45,000 Bennedetto any day. For the price and sound of this guitar I give it an overall rating of ten. It gives a high-end sound within reach of a modest income. Jazz players tend to shell out more money on a single guitar than most other players and I would recommend you try out one of the new D'angelicos before making any other purchase. I would also check out one of the Eastman guitars if you want a solid top for a better unplugged sound.

Bought this mail order though EBAY. I have been playing for 42 years.
When I opened the case I was breathless. Gorgeous instrument. Considering I paid $2600.00 including shipping and their beautiful case it was a steal. I have read a lot of negatives here. I don't have any. I always play a new guitar for 4-6 weeks before I start adjusting it to my tastes. This one is very close out of the box. I have played a Gibson Byrdland recently ($6000.00) and a D'Aquisto ($5000.00) and they sounded like crap compared to this guitar. One note: I played it through a small Peavy tube amp and was very dismayed. I then pulled out my solid state Roland 405 twin cabinet amp and the damn thing opened up! This guitar is definitely amp picky.
I could be really anal and complain about limited pickup adjustability but this is a jazz box. I is NOT meant to be a general purpose guitar. If you buy this and want to play it hard or try dirty blues you will hate life. If you want the Johnny Smith, Wes Montgomery style, this is your baby.

I am still futzing with the sound and I want to get a reverb unit. The guitar is alive and full... just deeelicious.

Action almost perfect. Fit and finish so good I want to wear a body condom so I don't sweat on it.....

Ok, I am a player and I HATE gold plating. I sweat the crap right off.
This guitar was meant to me a dead-nuts tribute to Jimmy D'Angelico so it has the gold plated Grover Imperials. I am taking off the keys and replacing with ebony. Thats $40.00 and 45 min work. No problemo. I would not take this out gigging. Too nice. Or I'd buy an NYL-6 for club use and keep this one home.

Web site is awful. You can't register the guitar. I have not tried calling yet. But I did e-mail with no answer. When you try to register on the site you reach a catch 22 log-in loop. Very unprofessional.

I have a lot of guitars and have owned even more. All I can say is this guitar absolutely shames everything I have seen from Gibson's custom shop and for under $3000.00 it's a steal. Other than buying a Gagnon or other custom handmade archtop for huge money I cannot imagine a better value anywhere.

22frets,long scale, pickups have a darkish tone that colors your sound without allowing a pure clear tone. Tuners easily loosened up after changing strings

Good acoustic sound and good jazz sound.
Sound is not flexible due to the pickups which have their own tone. Pickups have too much bass-notan even sound even with lowering of the P/U screws. Sloppily mounted P/U.

Guitar had buzzes with low action.
Nice Finish

Bridge and nut not aligned evenly

Good for Big Band, Hard too play with either medium/low frets. Hand often felt cramped. Not good for quick Benson like playing.

Horrible. After repeated calls and E-mails no response. It seems Mr.Alexander/Pete have made it hard to get satisfaction.I got rid of this guitar-will never buy another one,have seen many showing up used in stores. Even the dealer is fedup with their company

25 years of playing
Wish I had not bought this guitar. I think the company won't last long due to their quality control and customer relations. In fact,I'll be the first one to laugh when it happens.