The headstock is a historic reference to the great D'Angelico hand made jazz guitars of the 30s. It is a unique brand identifier and I think really classy for a guitar in this price range. Every D'Angelico instrument I've sampled has been very impressive !
The headstock and art deco design comes from the original D'Angelico guitars made by John D'Angelico by hand starting in 1932 in NYC. It looks cool but yea, it is a bit fancy. I haven't played one but it looks and sounds great. Amazing what you can get for under $1,000.
Great video. I have two premier broadway models, single cut and double cut with USA Duncan’s. One HB and one P90. Love the historic vibe and reference to the D’Angelico hermitage. These are really top notch guitars. Sound great look great play great, excellent build. Thanks.
Just bought the Excel mini DC tour edition and I love it. Great feel and it has the older traditional headstock. Although I tend to like the ornate version too.
I bought a Vintera 60s modified Strat with a dark, uniform color pau ferro fretboard like that. I tried two American professional strats at the same time in my LGS (both had dry weird grained rosewood fretboards) and went home with the Vintera. No regrets.
I totally agree on the Indonesia built semi hollow guitars. I recently bought an Ibanez AS93 FM built in Indonesia. So nice! That D'Angelico is pretty sweet as well.
The current fretboard on some Premier DC Minis is Ovangkol according to Guitar Center's website. Others are listed as Pau Ferro. /shrug. That headstock is awesome. I'm going to buy one tomorrow.
I'm currently looking at getting my hands on a Hollow/Semi Hollow guitar, and this is one of the 4 models I've got my eye on (the other three being an Ibanez, and a Hofner and the Larry Carlton model too). I really like the headstock, and it sounds really nice too!!! NOT going to be easy to chose one now!!!
Different strokes for different folks. I love the headstock and especially the truss rod cover. Very art deco vibe. Think Empire State and Chrysler buildings. Makes sense given that D'Angelico was formed in the 1930's.
I wonder if the fretboard is stained or painted. I have a D’Angelico Premier DC with an ovangkol fretboard, but it is super dark too….almost like ebony.
Idonesia make the best hollowbodyand semi's, i got the gretsch streamliner green one, its got super low action no buzzing. Out the box and i had to do no fretwork at all. Very impressed
I have a 2015 Excell single cut with the Kent Armstrong pickups, it is awesome. Picked it up from Musicians Friend for $899 on a stupid deal of the day. came with a hardshell case. Made in Korea, stair step everything. all black
02:33 In D'Angelico's promo video for the Premier DC ( th-cam.com/video/AqWDAVjl9PE/w-d-xo.html ), they explicitly state that the Pau Ferro fretboard on these instruments is stained. So it doesn't look like Pau Ferro because they stained it.
I really like the deco look. However I already have a Gibson ES-335 I was lucky enough to score a deal on. For me to collect this, I'm a bit concerned b/c you know.. do collectors collect MII or MIK? I had a 2004 Epi Sheraton II & an Epi Casino (both MIK) that I really enjoyed but it was so hard to sell them on Reverb when I was done.
i have one that i bought a couple years ago from sweetwater. it has the locking tuners and the seymour duncans. it's a great playing and sounding guitar. i think the bridge pickup is ridiculously hot for a semi hollow, but i have so much fun with the feedback, i haven't changed it. it came with wiring issues, but sweetwater made it right with zero hassle. i bought a sweet taylor hard case for it, and gave the gig bag away to a friend. the taylor case is a perfect fit. overall, this is a great guitar.
I like the headstock; it's iconic. I have an Excel Mini DC in vintage natural (at about twice the price of the Premier Mini DC). I find I actually prefer it to my Gibson CS-356. I didn't always care for elaborate headstocks, but then I got into Gretsch Falcons--oh boy . . . Now I can appreciate such overtly deliberate intents to foster and formalize instantly recognizable headstock-style branding. And best of all, it works--very well, even at a glance.
I thnk i would consider that headstock an art deco style. Great looking guitar. Thanks for the review. I like dangelico as a great alternative to gibson/epiphone. I have a severe dislike for gibson/epi, although there are a couple of styles im still drawn to. I would really like to have a 339. The color on this guitar is great.
Phillip, beautiful guitar (yes, the headstock takes some getting used to! I think my OCD is less tripped by the headstock and truss rod cover than the flourishment above that!),...but unless I'm hearing incorrectly, you keep on saying this is the "smaller body" then also repeatedly say "like 335"?...... Something didn't ring true as the 335 is the larger body of this general type. The Mini DC is more like the 339 or 356 or Ibanez AM series 14 inchers. (To be fair, you finally referenced having wanted to get a 339, then you saw this, so I assumed that was recognition of the mutual size in comparison... but it was confusing there for a while).
In my Deluxe Reverb the tone is beautiful. For the price it's incredible, nothing wrong. I love the slim tapper neck . For the fretboard I am sure ;) The strings sucks, I have changed for Elixir
I actually really like the headstock...it's cool amd different. And I have crippling OCD and the Tism and stuff....I dont think id biy one if they changed the headstock. Id be pissed lol!
That's the problem with imports imo- BIG difference between Pau Ferro & RW/Ebony fb. - Ya got lucky?!? I would be mega pissed if any major spec didn't arrive as what I paid for.
I bought the earlier version in Champagne. Not my Fave although I liked the size, color and Headstock. These Supro pups sound way better what are in mine. Also, mine had some gnarly neck dive. Then I tried the Epi 339 with P90s (my favorite pup). The whole thing sounded lifeless. Then I bought an Eastman T484. That thing isn't going anywhere.
I recently picked up a close out on the 2020 version. No Grover tuners, Duncan designed pickups based on JB / Jazz set, doesn’t have the cool knobs, and I just looked and it has those odd string balls:) It’s awesome!
Nice guitar. I tried one, and might have bought it but for the fact that the nut width was only around 42 mm - far narrower than I can cope with. Would that it were possible to buy an 'off-the-peg' electric guitar with a 45 mm nut width. Sadly, guitar manufacturers have got it into their minds that only guitars with EXCEEDINGLY NARROW NUTS are commercially viable. They have adopted a 'ONE SIZE FITS ALL' approach. Just imagine if shoe-makers too the same approach? You go into the shoe shop and ask for a size 10 shoe. 'Sorry sir, but we ONLY sell size 8 shoes - across ALL the manufacturers. If you really want to have size 10 shoes, you will have to have them made especially - bu of course this will cost you up to 10 times the price of our shoes here.' 'So go on - I know your feet will feel a bit cramped, but you'll get used to it. We are here to service the requirements of the manufacturers, and the manufacturers ONLY...'
Haven’t played any new Heritages since the BandLab acquisition, but I snagged a used 535 (335) from the early 00s (03? 04? somewhere in that ballpark) a while back, and, just, wowza. One of the best electrics I’ve ever played. Really lively and responsive, fit and finish are great too. If the newest ones keep up that quality level (I’m not sure how they could *improve* much), they’d be amazing. From what I hear BandLab have been doing really well with the company and focusing on maintaining top-tier quality instead of trying to turn a quick buck off it. Would like to see a GotW or a deep dive on one of them.
For sure it is a good guitar but in the last year I've gone from loving ornate guitars to not at all and instead appreciating a simple aesthetic these days. Not sure why. Some ornate guitars now give me a bit of cringe vibe now. Love a Les Paul Special or a junior for instance
This clips seems to be self contained though given its length we could be hearing this viewpoint out of context. Indeed nature doesn't care about our scientific method! However if a theory can not provide a novel prediction in our observable universe then how can we assess its validity? It doesn't mean a theory isn't useful for something. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.
You realize there are original D'Angelico's with this 'chess piece' that go for 50-60k? And that a D'Angelico is only suited to play jazz and not other style of music? If they could be used to play anything but jazz they'd probably be priced like pre-war Martins.
The headstock is a historic reference to the great D'Angelico hand made jazz guitars of the 30s.
It is a unique brand identifier and I think really classy for a guitar in this price range.
Every D'Angelico instrument I've sampled has been very impressive !
...the design of that headstock increases sustain.......
I used to have a problem with those headstocks, too, but it really grew on me over time.
The headstock and art deco design comes from the original D'Angelico guitars made by John D'Angelico by hand starting in 1932 in NYC. It looks cool but yea, it is a bit fancy. I haven't played one but it looks and sounds great. Amazing what you can get for under $1,000.
Great video. I have two premier broadway models, single cut and double cut with USA Duncan’s. One HB and one P90. Love the historic vibe and reference to the D’Angelico hermitage. These are really top notch guitars. Sound great look great play great, excellent build.
Thanks.
I like guitars with BLING! Love that headstock...
Love the headstock , what sets it apart!
I like the headstock, but _HATE_ that cheapo looking Premier inlay with a passion 😢
Just bought the Excel mini DC tour edition and I love it. Great feel and it has the older traditional headstock. Although I tend to like the ornate version too.
finial. on the headstock
Loving the added GOTW to the show. Fantastic idea
Absolutely beautiful!
7:48 'The balls are weird.' This is something I've lived with all my life.
Your videos are always fun, Philip. Thank you. Very nice guitar. Paying more doesn’t necessarily make a guitar sound better. Sounds full. Crisp.
I bought a Vintera 60s modified Strat with a dark, uniform color pau ferro fretboard like that. I tried two American professional strats at the same time in my LGS (both had dry weird grained rosewood fretboards) and went home with the Vintera. No regrets.
I have the Excel DC and I love the headstock and the guitar.
Sweet!! Thanks for sharing 🎸🎶🎶🎶🎶
I totally agree on the Indonesia built semi hollow guitars. I recently bought an Ibanez AS93 FM built in Indonesia. So nice! That D'Angelico is pretty sweet as well.
I have bought the guitar today. Amazing semi hollow ! For the price it's awesome. The fretboard is not pau Ferro it's "Ovangkol"
The current fretboard on some Premier DC Minis is Ovangkol according to Guitar Center's website. Others are listed as Pau Ferro. /shrug. That headstock is awesome. I'm going to buy one tomorrow.
I'm currently looking at getting my hands on a Hollow/Semi Hollow guitar, and this is one of the 4 models I've got my eye on (the other three being an Ibanez, and a Hofner and the Larry Carlton model too). I really like the headstock, and it sounds really nice too!!!
NOT going to be easy to chose one now!!!
I have 3 D'Angelico & love them. Only changes made locking tuners.
My Guild Polara was also built in Indonesia. Epic quality on this guitar, and it's my first experience buying an Indo-built guitar. I'm impressed.
That headstock is the Helm of Heimdall. Through such you will detect tones lost to the ages!
Philip, can P90' s dogeared pick ups be fitted into these guitars? Thanks for all of your videos. From the UK.
Can't you stain the fret board?
Different strokes for different folks. I love the headstock and especially the truss rod cover. Very art deco vibe. Think Empire State and Chrysler buildings. Makes sense given that D'Angelico was formed in the 1930's.
Fingerboard material is Ovangkol I believe
🤩That headstock really grew on me too! But most importantly, it's sounds great! How light or heavy is it?
D'Angelico headstocks are the baddest asses!
Indonesia make KILLER build-quality guitars.
D’Angelico guitars are really something else
I wonder if the fretboard is stained or painted. I have a D’Angelico Premier DC with an ovangkol fretboard, but it is super dark too….almost like ebony.
I like the unique headstock
Idonesia make the best hollowbodyand semi's, i got the gretsch streamliner green one, its got super low action no buzzing. Out the box and i had to do no fretwork at all. Very impressed
I’ve been looking at these as a way to scratch my hollow body itch. This or maybe a Gretch. Glad to hear a good review.
I have a 2015 Excell single cut with the Kent Armstrong pickups, it is awesome. Picked it up from Musicians Friend for $899 on a stupid deal of the day. came with a hardshell case. Made in Korea, stair step everything. all black
How long is the neck. I have small hands.
02:33 In D'Angelico's promo video for the Premier DC ( th-cam.com/video/AqWDAVjl9PE/w-d-xo.html ), they explicitly state that the Pau Ferro fretboard on these instruments is stained. So it doesn't look like Pau Ferro because they stained it.
I really like the deco look. However I already have a Gibson ES-335 I was lucky enough to score a deal on. For me to collect this, I'm a bit concerned b/c you know.. do collectors collect MII or MIK? I had a 2004 Epi Sheraton II & an Epi Casino (both MIK) that I really enjoyed but it was so hard to sell them on Reverb when I was done.
i have one that i bought a couple years ago from sweetwater. it has the locking tuners and the seymour duncans. it's a great playing and sounding guitar. i think the bridge pickup is ridiculously hot for a semi hollow, but i have so much fun with the feedback, i haven't changed it. it came with wiring issues, but sweetwater made it right with zero hassle. i bought a sweet taylor hard case for it, and gave the gig bag away to a friend. the taylor case is a perfect fit. overall, this is a great guitar.
Like the look overall . I find the headstock unique . nice compact body .. I want one . lol
GoodGriefManWhenDewEweSleep🇺🇸✡️✝️
It sounds great! Looks beautiful as well!
I like the headstock; it's iconic. I have an Excel Mini DC in vintage natural (at about twice the price of the Premier Mini DC). I find I actually prefer it to my Gibson CS-356.
I didn't always care for elaborate headstocks, but then I got into Gretsch Falcons--oh boy . . . Now I can appreciate such overtly deliberate intents to foster and formalize instantly recognizable headstock-style branding. And best of all, it works--very well, even at a glance.
I thnk i would consider that headstock an art deco style. Great looking guitar. Thanks for the review.
I like dangelico as a great alternative to gibson/epiphone. I have a severe dislike for gibson/epi, although there are a couple of styles im still drawn to. I would really like to have a 339. The color on this guitar is great.
Great guitar
Great looking guitar. I would worry about dinging up the headstock though. Lol
Looks nice. Like the chocolate burst!
The metal thing at the the top of the neck is an urn. It is for your cremated hamster when it passes.
I have the excel, and I LOVE the guitar. It’s pretty incredible and I’ll never sell it.
Phillip, beautiful guitar (yes, the headstock takes some getting used to! I think my OCD is less tripped by the headstock and truss rod cover than the flourishment above that!),...but unless I'm hearing incorrectly, you keep on saying this is the "smaller body" then also repeatedly say "like 335"?...... Something didn't ring true as the 335 is the larger body of this general type. The Mini DC is more like the 339 or 356 or Ibanez AM series 14 inchers. (To be fair, you finally referenced having wanted to get a 339, then you saw this, so I assumed that was recognition of the mutual size in comparison... but it was confusing there for a while).
I've been looking for an affordable 339-style center block for a bit. This appeals to me far more than the equivalent epiphone.
Headstock has a finial decoration piece :D
I would like a dark blue color.
I would love to have one in Tea Burst.
Don’t mind the headstock and dig the guitar overall. My Ibanez AF95 is made Indonesia and the fit and finish is spectacular.
Why not play the sound of the middle position?
Own it, play it, love it. My racks have D 'Angelico's across all 3 tiers - so ditto across tiers. I'll stop typing, and go play one.
Stringjoy has started using black, gold, and silver string ball ends, at least for bass
In my Deluxe Reverb the tone is beautiful. For the price it's incredible, nothing wrong. I love the slim tapper neck . For the fretboard I am sure ;) The strings sucks, I have changed for Elixir
Beautiful guitar regardless of the headstock.
I actually really like the headstock...it's cool amd different. And I have crippling OCD and the Tism and stuff....I dont think id biy one if they changed the headstock. Id be pissed lol!
Sweet! I have the 12 string.
That's the problem with imports imo- BIG difference between Pau Ferro & RW/Ebony fb. - Ya got lucky?!? I would be mega pissed if any major spec didn't arrive as what I paid for.
I bought the earlier version in Champagne. Not my Fave although I liked the size, color and Headstock. These Supro pups sound way better what are in mine. Also, mine had some gnarly neck dive. Then I tried the Epi 339 with P90s (my favorite pup). The whole thing sounded lifeless. Then I bought an Eastman T484. That thing isn't going anywhere.
Check reverb! Much cheaper now. Just got the fiesta red for $425!
The headstock ornament is a finial.
So, what is finial?
@carlc2597 he's that kid on TVs brother.... Ferb.
I recently picked up a close out on the 2020 version. No Grover tuners, Duncan designed pickups based on JB / Jazz set, doesn’t have the cool knobs, and I just looked and it has those odd string balls:) It’s awesome!
Similar. I switched out the pickups to MojoTone ‘59 clones. Major improvement
@@andrewdempsey5312 Hmmm. I’ll take a look. Thanks, Andrew!
Phil, how was the sound when you strummed it not plugged into an amp? Forget it you answered it. Ice guitar.
The 'ornament' is a lightning rod , I don't advise outdoor gigs.
That was very funny and now I can un see it. lol
I actually love a lot of their designs but I just honestly can't get over the headstock like everybody else....
Nice guitar. I tried one, and might have bought it but for the fact that the nut width was only around 42 mm - far narrower than I can cope with. Would that it were possible to buy an 'off-the-peg' electric guitar with a 45 mm nut width. Sadly, guitar manufacturers have got it into their minds that only guitars with EXCEEDINGLY NARROW NUTS are commercially viable.
They have adopted a 'ONE SIZE FITS ALL' approach.
Just imagine if shoe-makers too the same approach? You go into the shoe shop and ask for a size 10 shoe.
'Sorry sir, but we ONLY sell size 8 shoes - across ALL the manufacturers. If you really want to have size 10 shoes, you will have to have them made especially - bu of course this will cost you up to 10 times the price of our shoes here.'
'So go on - I know your feet will feel a bit cramped, but you'll get used to it. We are here to service the requirements of the manufacturers, and the manufacturers ONLY...'
that thing on the peghead is a finial.
Once again, i implore you. Do the heratige next 😄
Haven’t played any new Heritages since the BandLab acquisition, but I snagged a used 535 (335) from the early 00s (03? 04? somewhere in that ballpark) a while back, and, just, wowza. One of the best electrics I’ve ever played. Really lively and responsive, fit and finish are great too.
If the newest ones keep up that quality level (I’m not sure how they could *improve* much), they’d be amazing. From what I hear BandLab have been doing really well with the company and focusing on maintaining top-tier quality instead of trying to turn a quick buck off it.
Would like to see a GotW or a deep dive on one of them.
Almost a clone of my 2013 Fender Coronado II black cherry burst.
For sure it is a good guitar but in the last year I've gone from loving ornate guitars to not at all and instead appreciating a simple aesthetic these days. Not sure why. Some ornate guitars now give me a bit of cringe vibe now. Love a Les Paul Special or a junior for instance
The fret board is dyed black...
🎉 John Lee Hooker vibes...
Maybe they just stained the fretboard.
In the famous words of BB King, it only takes one note to get you laid. Chicks don't care about what guitar you're playing. Just make them feel it. 😁
John D'Angelico would spin in his grave if he saw that headstock. These keep me from buying their instruments.
339
That does not look like pau ferro, I have an LTD with one. Not even close.
9
I like it. Fir the money. Great buy.
This clips seems to be self contained though given its length we could be hearing this viewpoint out of context.
Indeed nature doesn't care about our scientific method!
However if a theory can not provide a novel prediction in our observable universe then how can we assess its validity?
It doesn't mean a theory isn't useful for something. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.
It's DAN-jelico, not DEE-An-jelico.
How Guitar Companies Say Their Name
th-cam.com/users/shortsr2aQIPu72eY?feature=share
@@knowyourgear2320 So I wasn't wrong. I love your channel and your content, I was just trying to get you to sound not stupid is all.
I was beginning to think just because he's heartless in the comment department, he wasn't reading the comments either.
Looks_Sounds_All_Good🇺🇸✡️✝️
I'm of the opinion that chess pieces belong in a chess set, not on a guitar headstock. 😁 🤗😉
You realize there are original D'Angelico's with this 'chess piece' that go for 50-60k? And that a D'Angelico is only suited to play jazz and not other style of music? If they could be used to play anything but jazz they'd probably be priced like pre-war Martins.