I just bought this exact guitar last week and sold my Gibson 335. This smaller version like a 339 sounds just as good and the DA has locking tuners. Just wish they had put a bone nut on the DA, but I can do that later. This is probably the BEST value in electric guitars to come along in a few years
Your comment on the 3-way is exactly what I feel about my 339. It's one of the reasons I removed the pickguard. In fact, I've been seriously considering having my tech move it to the upper horn when I put some Seths in it. But, also, I just (4.22) got, from Sweetwater, a Deluxe Brighton. I've got lots of guitars, and plenty of Gibsons that I'll never sell, but this D'Angelico occupies a new spot in my rotation. I love it!
D'Angelico guitars are amazing. Just finished an album and all of the significant electric parts are my D'Angelico Excel DC in spite of several other great electric options. It just does almost anything and is so easy to play. I totally agree with Jeremy's take that these guitars are a great bridge if you are an acoustic player. They are the real deal and are a bargain price wise.
I just purchased an Excel mini DC on sale for $1100 from guitar Center. I’ve had my eye on this for a few years, never saw it on sale before. I already owned a premier, DC 12 string, which I love to record with. Both of these guitars are excellent for soft rock, type music, blues, jazz and so on. Produces a nice 90s rock sound to be honest.
I purchased their SS version Premiere, with Boardwalk upgrades. Mine came with USA Seymour Duncan Hot Rod pickups (SH2 & SH4). I also upgraded the bridge and tailpiece with TonePros locking versions, and I added real Grover Rotomatic Locking Tuners with Imperial Keys. Finally, I replaced the wiring harness with a hand wired one, adding push-pull splitting and phase options. Mine easily holds up with my ES-335, for $2k less!
Nice review, Jeremy, and a wave from a fellow DC area resident..🙂I have a couple of follow up questions. One, would you call the neck a slim neck, a chunky neck, or somewhere in between? I understand it's a C profile, which is nice. Two, did the 14" radius seem too flat for you? I'm personally used to 12", so I'm not sure know how it would feel. Did the 25" scale throw you off at all? I've noticed then even though I'm very comfortable with either 24.75 or 25.5, something about PRS guitars throws me off - I'm not sure if it's the scale length or the 10" radius! Finally (for now!) if you got it from Sweetwater, I'm guessing it's the XT version, which is supposed to have US made Seymore Duncans - perhaps that's why it sounds so good. Thanks for the review, and look forward to your responses - no hurry at all. Srini
I also have a Premier DC 12 string in cherry red. I have played 12s since I was a kid a *long* time ago. It is the 1st electric 12 to stick, tried several others, no bueno. I have done a bunch of mods, CTS pots and Orange Drops, and a master volume on the lower horn (like Gretsch) with treble bleed. Those mods really made the Seymour-Duncan PUPS wake up and sing and added better control. Too bad it is discontinued.
The equivalent of a 90s Korean Epiphone now that Epiphones are made in China. Is that even based on a D'Angelico design though, or just a copy of an ES-335 or 339?
I have it’s big brother an excel from Sweetwater. Got it for grand. And the Bob Weir Bedford.Wait !You like Guilds? You ever try a s200 third? I have one😊👍🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿
Hey Jeremy, please, the name is pronounced "Dangelico" NOT "D" Angelico. Just like "D'Addario is pronounced "Daddario" not "D" addario. Sorry to be pedantic, but you are The Guitar Hunter so should be helping us understand what the apostrophe indicates in correctly pronouncing the names.
Not sure where you got your information but a quick check over at D’Angelico’s TH-cam channel and they pronounce it DEE-Angelico in every video. Just figured you should know you’re pronouncing it wrong and acting a bit like a snob.
@@Natedogg2112 Ah yes, TH-cam channels... the font of all knowledge. This isn't me being a snob, or incorrect for that matter. Check it out with an authoratative source and you'll find a different answer. Again, the apostrophe actually means something. It's not a period. So the "D" isn't an initial.
@@JeremySheppard Sorry J, but check it out for yourself. Many players get this wrong because it's just been what they heard. Go back in the history. Or not; your choice.
@@davidscotbrown3241 is the authoritative source not the official TH-cam channel of the company? The owner of the company literally calls it Dee- Angelico. Also I do t think anyone believes it’s an initial, it’s just how people pronounce the name. Now it may not be proper Italian (I’m just assuming that’s the origin) but that is how people as a collective have decided to pronounce it. I’m gonna go with with the company’s pronunciation on this one.
I just bought this exact guitar last week and sold my Gibson 335. This smaller version like a 339 sounds just as good and the DA has locking tuners. Just wish they had put a bone nut on the DA, but I can do that later. This is probably the BEST value in electric guitars to come along in a few years
Your comment on the 3-way is exactly what I feel about my 339. It's one of the reasons I removed the pickguard. In fact, I've been seriously considering having my tech move it to the upper horn when I put some Seths in it.
But, also, I just (4.22) got, from Sweetwater, a Deluxe Brighton. I've got lots of guitars, and plenty of Gibsons that I'll never sell, but this D'Angelico occupies a new spot in my rotation. I love it!
D'Angelico guitars are amazing. Just finished an album and all of the significant electric parts are my D'Angelico Excel DC in spite of several other great electric options. It just does almost anything and is so easy to play. I totally agree with Jeremy's take that these guitars are a great bridge if you are an acoustic player. They are the real deal and are a bargain price wise.
I just purchased an Excel mini DC on sale for $1100 from guitar Center. I’ve had my eye on this for a few years, never saw it on sale before. I already owned a premier, DC 12 string, which I love to record with. Both of these guitars are excellent for soft rock, type music, blues, jazz and so on. Produces a nice 90s rock sound to be honest.
I have one of the Bob Weir singlecut Premiers. The thing rules. Super versatile.
Indo CORT excellence! 😊 I have the Excel SS and it's decked out with Kent Armstrong pups! What an incredible guitar!
I also got one from Sweetwater and I love it. I paired it with a Custom 12 Keeley Supro amp. What a great sound.
I purchased their SS version Premiere, with Boardwalk upgrades. Mine came with USA Seymour Duncan Hot Rod pickups (SH2 & SH4). I also upgraded the bridge and tailpiece with TonePros locking versions, and I added real Grover Rotomatic Locking Tuners with Imperial Keys. Finally, I replaced the wiring harness with a hand wired one, adding push-pull splitting and phase options. Mine easily holds up with my ES-335, for $2k less!
I bought this exact guitar. I like it better than the Gibson custom shop CS336 which I have since sold.
I’m in the UK and just bought one of these guitars in ocean turquoise colour for £449 gbp which is about $580 usd. Can’t wait for it to arrive 😍😊
Those are beautiful guitars, I really like them as I play softer-medium rock. Thanks for sharing.
Nice review, Jeremy, and a wave from a fellow DC area resident..🙂I have a couple of follow up questions. One, would you call the neck a slim neck, a chunky neck, or somewhere in between? I understand it's a C profile, which is nice. Two, did the 14" radius seem too flat for you? I'm personally used to 12", so I'm not sure know how it would feel. Did the 25" scale throw you off at all? I've noticed then even though I'm very comfortable with either 24.75 or 25.5, something about PRS guitars throws me off - I'm not sure if it's the scale length or the 10" radius!
Finally (for now!) if you got it from Sweetwater, I'm guessing it's the XT version, which is supposed to have US made Seymore Duncans - perhaps that's why it sounds so good.
Thanks for the review, and look forward to your responses - no hurry at all.
Srini
I have the Excel SS single cutaway version. It's an awesome guitar for the money.
More like a Gibson Midtown, I love my D'Angelico 12 string may give this one a shot.
I also have a Premier DC 12 string in cherry red. I have played 12s since I was a kid a *long* time ago. It is the 1st electric 12 to stick, tried several others, no bueno. I have done a bunch of mods, CTS pots and Orange Drops, and a master volume on the lower horn (like Gretsch) with treble bleed. Those mods really made the Seymour-Duncan PUPS wake up and sing and added better control. Too bad it is discontinued.
Holy crap. I have the Dangelico excel dc big brother. From Sweetwater AN
The Harmony comet 💫 is another absolutely fantastic 339 ish guitar. I could not believe how nice of a guitar it was.
If I find used back in the market for a semi-hollow, def gonna consider one of these.
I love it .Got 1 pre ordered from sweetwater. Same color.
You tone on my computer just sounds fuzzy and distorted. How does it sound really clean.
Weird. It's very clean and spanky.
The equivalent of a 90s Korean Epiphone now that Epiphones are made in China. Is that even based on a D'Angelico design though, or just a copy of an ES-335 or 339?
Nice - what a great sounding guitar!
I have it’s big brother an excel from Sweetwater. Got it for grand. And the Bob Weir Bedford.Wait !You like Guilds? You ever try a s200 third? I have one😊👍🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿
whats the width and length of this guitar? & does it have a neck dive? good review btw.
It's a beaut Clark.
Catch a sale. I got the big brother for a grand amazing flame from Sweetwater
What gauge strings do they recommend for this?
Is it too heavy ?
I hear they neck-dive terribly. Does anyone have a remedy for that on this model because that is a deal breaker for me.
Stickier strap helps. I didn't find this neck heavy
@@JeremySheppard Thank you Jeremy, I grew up in Staunton and know the guitar store you worked in pretty well. It is a small world.
Made in japan or china?
J
Hey Jeremy, please, the name is pronounced "Dangelico" NOT "D" Angelico. Just like "D'Addario is pronounced "Daddario" not "D" addario. Sorry to be pedantic, but you are The Guitar Hunter so should be helping us understand what the apostrophe indicates in correctly pronouncing the names.
That's interesting and maybe true. I've always heard "Dee-uh-darrio" and "Dee-angel-uh-coh" from players older and more experienced than me.
Not sure where you got your information but a quick check over at D’Angelico’s TH-cam channel and they pronounce it DEE-Angelico in every video. Just figured you should know you’re pronouncing it wrong and acting a bit like a snob.
@@Natedogg2112 Ah yes, TH-cam channels... the font of all knowledge. This isn't me being a snob, or incorrect for that matter. Check it out with an authoratative source and you'll find a different answer. Again, the apostrophe actually means something. It's not a period. So the "D" isn't an initial.
@@JeremySheppard Sorry J, but check it out for yourself. Many players get this wrong because it's just been what they heard. Go back in the history. Or not; your choice.
@@davidscotbrown3241 is the authoritative source not the official TH-cam channel of the company? The owner of the company literally calls it Dee- Angelico. Also I do t think anyone believes it’s an initial, it’s just how people pronounce the name. Now it may not be proper Italian (I’m just assuming that’s the origin) but that is how people as a collective have decided to pronounce it. I’m gonna go with with the company’s pronunciation on this one.