The D Angelico brand has become synonymous with vintage-inspired electric guitars that blend classic design with modern craftsmanship. Our roundup explores the most iconic models from this popular manufacturer, highlighting their key features and performances to help you choose the right instrument for your playing style.
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The Excel EXL-1 combines vintage D'Angelico design with modern playability. Its 3-inch-deep single-cutaway body and 20-fret neck recreate the feel of 1930s jazz guitars, while the Alnico V pickup delivers rich, balanced tone. The ergonomic C-shaped neck and floating bridge ensure comfortable playing, making this hollowbody guitar versatile for both acoustic and electric settings.
This budget-friendly semi-hollow guitar blends classic Strat-inspired design with modern comfort features, including a satin-finished C-shape neck and 22 medium frets. Players appreciate its versatile sound, thanks to a pair of single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions, paired with a mini-humbucker at the bridge. The guitar's lightweight 7 lb 3 oz body and 24.75" scale length make it responsive and easy to play, while the 14" radius and modern satin-finished neck provide exceptional feel and control.
The D'Angelico Deluxe DC series has been the brand's top-selling design for years, and the Limited Edition Sapphire version captures that popularity with its distinctive Seymour Duncan pickups and classic double-cutaway body. The guitar's set-through neck and 22-fret mahogany/maple construction give it a robust feel, while the satin nickel hardware and mother-of-pearl/abalone split-block inlays add a touch of elegance to the Gloss maple body.
This D'Angelico Premier Mini packs impressive tone into a manageable size, with a laminated spruce top and maple body that delivers warmth and clarity through its Seymour Duncan humbuckers. The semi-hollow design gives it a distinctive character that shines through when you crank up the gain or play clean. Its Art Deco flair comes through in every detail, from the mother-of-pearl inlays to the chrome headstock shape, making it more than just a great-sounding guitar - it's a real conversation piece on stage or in the studio.
The D'Angelico Deluxe Brighton Limited Edition combines premium craftsmanship with versatile tone, featuring an alder body and satin-finished maple neck that feels incredibly comfortable during play. The guitar's unique three-ply construction and sophisticated mother-of-pearl inlays give it a refined appearance, while its versatile Seymour Duncan pickups deliver both pristine single-coil clarity and rich humbucking warmth. Whether you prefer clean, jangly P-90s or saturated stack tones, this limited-edition Brighton delivers exceptional performance and craftsmanship in every aspect.
The D'Angelico Deluxe SS Baritone combines a distinctive 15-inch semi-hollow body with custom Seymour Duncan P90 pickups, delivering a rich, authoritative tone range from warm cleans to cutting overdrive. Its slim C-shape neck and 26.75" scale length combine remarkable playing comfort with precise fretwork, while the premium Jescar fretwire and Grover locking tuners ensure impeccable intonation. The result is a strikingly versatile instrument that brings a new level of depth and definition to baritone guitar playing.
The Deluxe Gramercy features a solid mahogany back and sides paired with sitka spruce top for its commanding acoustic presence. The Rosewood fingerboard enhances both warmth and sustain across the entire tonal spectrum. Though showing minor cosmetic imperfections, this B-stock instrument delivers professional-grade playability and projection at a significantly reduced cost.
This limited edition D'Angelico packs a serious tonal punch with its Seymour Duncan humbuckers, letting you switch between vintage warmth and modern bite with the flick of a switch. The laminated maple construction keeps the weight manageable while delivering that signature semi-hollow sound with extra bite, though some might find the lack of premium materials in the build a bit disappointing for the price point. The 22-fret maple/walnut/maple neck feels incredibly comfortable under your fingers, though the plastic nut and lack of ebony might be a surprise for higher-end D'Angelicos.
This stunning D'Angelico Premier hollowbody combines exceptional craftsmanship with a highly responsive laminated spruce top and maple construction. The rich sapphire blue finish and meticulously applied binding make a striking visual statement, while the instrument's versatile tone, thanks to its Seymour Duncan humbuckers, brings out the best in both clean jazz and high-gain rock settings. The neck's wide-thin profile and dual-action truss rod system ensure comfortable playability across the 22 medium-jumbo frets, making this limited edition model a practical choice for serious musicians who demand the finest in both sound and construction.
The D'Angelico Deluxe Mini DC combines a 14-inch body width with a slim C-shape neck for exceptional playability, while its semi-hollow design delivers a balanced tone with plenty of vintage character. The guitar's elegant appointments, including mother-of-pearl inlays and satin nickel hardware, complement its sleek double-cutaway silhouette, making it a standout addition to any collection. Available in Limited Edition runs of just 50 pieces worldwide, each model showcases D'Angelico's attention to detail with unique combinations of color and specification.
Combining impressive performance with a surprisingly comfortable satin-finished neck, the Premier Brighton delivers big-guitar tone in a mid-size package. The dual-humbucker setup gives you versatile sound options, from warm jazz tones to cutting rock leads, while the double-cutaway design makes those high notes effortless to reach. Built with premium materials like mother-of-pearl inlays and a robust set-thru neck, this D'Angelico packs serious value into a surprisingly playable package.
This D'Angelico Premier DC has a gorgeous sky blue finish and combines a comfy C-shaped maple neck with 22 frets for plenty of playability. The humbucking pickups and Supro-designed hardware give it a distinctive tone, while the stop-bar tailpiece helps keep tuning stability. The detailed white pearloid inlays and chrome hardware add a touch of class to this Indonesian-made guitar that exudes D'Angelico style.
Buyer's Guide
The D Angelico guitar represents a rich tradition of American-made instruments, combining distinctive style with versatile performance capabilities. Understanding what makes these guitars unique can help you select the right instrument for your needs.
Visual Characteristics
These guitars are instantly recognizable for their trademark "T-Style" design, featuring a distinctive headstock shape and double-cutaway body for easy access to the upper frets. The body construction typically incorporates select woods like mahogany or maple, while the neck combines maple with rosewood or ebony. The result is a visually striking instrument that combines classic aesthetics with modern appointments.
Construction Quality
The craftsmanship evident in a D Angelico guitar is a testament to American manufacturing standards. Look for features like bound soundholes, high-quality electronics, and attention to detail in the finish work. The neck joint, typically a bolt-on design, should show precise workmanship and stability. The bridge system often incorporates adjustable saddles for precise intonation control.
Playability and Comfort
While the T-Style's double-cutaway design enhances playing range, the overall balance and weight distribution of the guitar are crucial for comfortable playing. The neck profile typically ranges from medium to slim, with fingerboards featuring between 9 and 12 inches of radius. The action (string height) can be customized through bridge adjustments, but factory settings usually strike a good balance between playability and sustain.
Sound Quality
The sound of a D Angelico guitar is characterized by its clarity and projection, with pronounced mid-range and articulate attack. The body materials and bracing patterns work together to enhance sustain and resonance. While the stock pickups provide rich tone, many players opt for custom installations or third-party options to achieve their preferred sound. Understanding your tone goals will help guide your choice of electronics and setup preferences.
FAQ
What makes D Angelico guitars unique?
D Angelico guitars combine vintage aesthetics with modern craftsmanship. Their signature style features distinctive f-holes and gold hardware, while their necks offer a classic slim taper for comfortable playability.
The company's commitment to quality is evident in their use of premium materials and attention to detail, making their guitars durable and responsive instruments for both players and collectors.
What are the different series of D Angelico guitars?
D Angelico offers several series, including the standard series featuring traditional design elements, the Super series with enhanced features, and the Custom series for personalized builds.
Their range also includes acoustic models like the D-28 and D-35, as well as solid-body electrics in various configurations to suit different playing styles and preferences.
What is the difference between D Angelico's solid and hollow body models?
Solid body models like the G400 offer punchy, clear tone with good sustain, while hollow body designs such as the D-28 provide warm, resonant sound with natural feedback resistance.
Hollow body models typically have a more complex tone with prominent mid-range frequencies, while solids deliver a more focused attack suitable for various genres including rock, jazz, and blues.
What are the key specifications of a D Angelico guitar?
Standard features include a mahogany or maple body, rosewood or ebony fingerboard, and gold-plated hardware. Most models feature humbucking pickups for a balanced tone with excellent versatility.
Tonal characteristics range from crisp and articulate with bright highs to rich and full-bodied with pronounced lows, depending on the specific model's construction and component choices.
How do D Angelico guitars compare to similar vintage-inspired instruments?
While other vintage-inspired brands focus on specific historical models, D Angelico offers a wider range of body styles and configurations, from traditional archtops to modern solid bodies with vintage aesthetics.
The company's approach balances authentic design elements with thoughtful modern enhancements, resulting in guitars that capture the spirit of classic instruments while offering improved playability and reliability.
What maintenance requirements do D Angelico guitars have?
Regular maintenance includes checking and adjusting intonation, cleaning and conditioning the fretboard, and replacing strings regularly. The gold hardware requires occasional cleaning to maintain its shine.
Like any fine instrument, D Angelico guitars benefit from professional setup and inspection annually, especially if played frequently, to ensure optimal playability and longevity.
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