D’Angelico EXL-1 and Excel Style B – Vintage Jazz Tones
Two great new Jazz guitar models launched during NAMM
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D’Angelico presents two of its most popular models of the Excel series at NAMM 2024. Both have slight revisions; D’Angelico EXL-1 and D’Angelico Excel Style B now come with pickups with vintage flavour and some design changes. There are two finishes available for both of these models.
D’Angelico EXL-1: Humbucker
D’Angelico reflects on the heyday of jazz in this 2024 update. Both models have barely been available for purchase in the last few years, and now the new edition of the two archtops is coming this year at last. First up, is the D’Angelico EXL-1 which is available in two finishes: Amber Colorway and Dark Iced Tea Burst.
Single-Cutaway
The single-cutaway design is inspired by early designs by company founder John D’Angelico in 1947. For this purpose, the neck profile of the 17-inch wide archtop has been redesigned.
As for the woods, D’Angelico used laminated spruce for the top and laminated maple for the back and sides. The EXL-1 has a 25.5-inch scale length for the three-piece neck. There is also an ebony fretboard and Jescar Fret Wire is used for the frets.
Two new pickups
There are new pickups that have an even more vintage sound. Both finishes come with a different pickup. In the new version, the Finish Dark Iced Tea Burst now also has a fully-fledged Seymour Duncan 59 humbucker. A Johnny Smith Floating Mini-Bucker is also installed in the Finish Amber colorway.
D’Angelico lists a price of $1,899 for both models.
D’Angelico Excel Style B: Thirties retro design with DeArmond Rhythm Chief pickup
Next up is the Excel Style B which has not been available for some time, and looks stunning. Rather atypical for the manufacturer, but probably very inspired by jazz guitar designs from the thirties, this archtop has completely dispensed with any cutaways.
Vintage Style
This particular model comes with a 24.75-inch scale length. What D’Angelico connoisseurs will quickly notice is the shape of the headstock. Here the manufacturer has dispensed with its otherwise typically ornate design in favour of a far more simplified form. D’Angelico has also improved the neck profile (C-shape) on this model.
Floating Pickup
In addition to the unusual shape, they chose a DeArmond Rhythm Chief in the neck position for the pickup. This floating single-coil design is a great addition to this particular model. These pickups, which are now relatively rare, were installed by many jazz greats in their acoustic guitars in the 1930s and 1940s to meet the growing trend for amplified guitar sound.
As with the D’Angelico EXL-1, the Excel Style B also has two finishes: Amber Colorway and Dark Iced Tea Burst. These two hollow bodies are priced at USD 1,699 as a recommended retail price.
More Information
Video
- NAMM 2024 sponsors: REMISE 3
- D'Angelico EXL-1 with the new finishes: D'Angelico
- D'Angelico Excel Type B: D'Angelico
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