I’ll give my experience of D’Angelico, as a left handed player. From 2014-2016, i went to the NAMM shows. Every single guitar company shows up, from Gibson to the Hall E basement builders, working from their garages. In every single booth of the major players, not ONE left handed guitar; except D’Angelico. They had, in all three years, at least 6-10 lefties to demo. Hollow to solid bodies. The big guys never brought any lefties, even though they all produce them. The issue with being a lefty at a trade show is, you cannot demo anything. All noise and chaos, no hands on. Except at the D’Angelico booth. They had guitars, and some amps to run them through- with headphones, of course. I spent a LONG time there. And they sold me on their quality. The guitars played great, sounded great, and made my NAMM show experience worth while.
Your video 8 years ago, "D'angelico EX-SS Hollowbody Guitar Awesomeness," convinced me the Excel SS was a great buy and an amazing guitar. Thanks for the help!
The people at D'Anjelico website that demoed them were playing some kind of retro jazzy stuff that I was unfamiliar with. Didn't really hook up with me. I enjoyed your demo much more. You actually do the guitar justice. They do have an impressive line of guitars.
I hope you do do a video about D'Angelico lower end guitars. I've just bought my first D'Angelico semi hollow body DC (a Premier model second hand). Only received her through the door from the Post Man just over 7 hours ago, and finding it very difficult to put her down!!! Although I've got the budget model of the range, when compared with higher priced guitars I've played over the years such as Gibson, Epiphone, and Fender for examples, she is an absolute joy to play (and really looks the part as well!!!) I would highly recommend D'Angelico guitars to anyone looking for a top quality semi hollow body at a decent price.
Thanks for the video. Definitely not my kind of guitar I'd like or need, but always good to have a look at the horizon on what is out there. Also whoever says "sweet deal, you get to keep the guitar", definitely doesn't know, or hasn't watched your other video about what goes into making these - which is fucking insane by the way. So, thumbs up - good pay for good work.
I have a first run ex-ss which I put Lollar imperials in. It's my #1 live performance instrument. It just feels alive, super responsive, singing sustain, fast action without a single buzz and very balanced tone horizontally and vertically on the neck.
I bought my Excel SS on clearance at GC in 2018. It has an all flame maple body with Kent Armstrong Vintage PAF humbuckers, but no coil split. I love it! This is a fantastic guitar. But I must say, the natural with black is so damn classy! I've purchased other gear from Sweetwater, but not a guitar. If I ever buy another guitar, Sweetwater will be seriously considered. I've never paid MSRP for a guitar, but Sweetwater deserves a look because they provide amazing service and piece of mind. I like that you see the guitar you buy. Thanks for the video. Now I want to grab my SS and play it.
Thank you for the video! That burgundy beauty is such a nice guitar! I'm fond of D'Angelico guitars, as they are so unique... I'm also glad to see, that the "Excel" series has a really high quality. (Though unfortunately most probably I'll never have money to buy any instrument at this price range!) On the other hand (and this relates to your recent video's point), as an owner of a wondeful electro-acoustic "Premier" model of D"Angelico, I'm a bit sad, that for such instruments in their lineup, they have "downtuned" the quality, in terms of visuals & materials as well... :/
Izzy played an ES-175 with GNR when I was a kid. I liked the semi-hollow bodies I could get. Rivera P93 and HB35 until currently ES-335 and H-535. Made a deal with the local shop on a Heritage H-575 hollow body trading in a couple guitars. The 575 is fantastic and a whole higher level, but if I wasn’t able to make a deal I was comfortable with I did have one of these in mind. I’d like to see this in more videos.
The red one looks stunning! If I were that type of musician, who was really good and played only in one tuning and had only one guitar, that could be the one. And I'm going only on looks now. I can see an alternate reality in which that is my only guitar. I should really try it. ... The noodle track was really nice! I enjoyed that.
I oncw ordered a sub 300 Euro guitar at a mid sized (probably quite big, but Thomann also exists...) shop in Bavaria. I think it's called Musik World. They did a complete setup on that thing. Of course the strings were stretched. It was perfect. I asked them if they did a setup because it was the best setup guitar out of the box I ever received. They said they do this to all guitars they sell. The second guitar I ordered there didn't experience the same love unfortunately or was done by a different employee.
The Powder Blue DC Deluxe I got one Black Friday a few years ago was an amazing deal... paid less than $800 and the amazing features, like Duncan 59's with a 6 way super switch, and all the other accoutrement... along with the amazing build quality... I was almost sad to send it to my daughter for her university graduation present (though I did buy it for her years ago)... great video Henning. Now... the question is, do I miss that D'Angelico enough to get another one for myself? You giver of GAS, you! 😂😮😜😂🤣😎🤘🎸
I can confirm Henning's statements one hundred percent, because I have had the best experiences with D'Angelico Guitars. At last a manufacturer shows that you don't have to plan a bank robbery or carry your grandmother to the pawnshop to get a good guitar. Anyone who is fed up with the outrageous prices currently being charged by Gibson, Fender and PRS should take a closer look at D'Angelico's range of guitars, because the price-performance ratio is right here.
Got your Excel maple SS as DC. It is awesome but I ll give it a paintjob. (Nussbaum sexiness in tigerflame). The new premieres are said to be even better than the older ones.
I visited their webshop more than once: funny thing, they mention the weight of every single guitar that is presented in the way you described. And that is not by definition the same, despite them all being the same model.
Love your no nonsense vids. Love the pure enjoyment on your face as you play a good guitar. Then the "I studied at Berkely. To you people saying take some lessons, I gonna say take some f@@k you" 😂😂😂😂😂
I wish Thomann and other European shops provided the option of choosing the specific guitar you want from stock. Anything with an exotic wood top (veneer) is a crap shoot without it. It's a bit more work, but the customer is dropping a lot of money, and I think it would be a very much appreciated service. I'd hate to spend 2 grand and then get some underwhelming wood grain. Sure, you can return it, but that unnecessarily increases the carbon footprint of the guitar.
The future is stuff in Guitars... Imagine a Guitar with a XLR out that has all your "SOUND" built in...IR, Amp Sim, Etc....🤔 Accompany that with a wireless footswitch 🍻🤘
props to Sweetwater and Henning however german and EU viewers are not "invited" to the party as sw do not deliver to Germany. (Do it, the Thomänners need some competitors)
The closest to this guitar I have owned was an old Framus Atlantic that by the time I got it was a piece of crap. No fault of the guitar. It had been abused and butchered for many years. My niece owns it now.
Ach mann, Henning ... ! Hast du vergessen, dass du (noch) deutsche Zuschauer hast? Du könntest wenigstens erwähnen, dass Sweetwater gar nicht nach Deutschland liefert. Mich jedenfalls hast du erfolgreich vorgeführt; dachte ich doch tatsächlich einen Moment, Thomann bekäme jetzt hierzulande (endlich) Konkurrenz. So, wie du es jetzt machst, sieht es aus, als würdest du dich bewusst von deinen Landsmännern (und -Frauen) abwenden. Nicht schön ... .
Hä? Ich sage doch nie das die nach Deutschland liefern. Ich habe 30% meiner Zuschauer in den USA und die muss man ja auch bedienen. Thomann schickt mir so ne Gitarre nicht mal zu… Sweetwater schon.
I’ll give my experience of D’Angelico, as a left handed player. From 2014-2016, i went to the NAMM shows. Every single guitar company shows up, from Gibson to the Hall E basement builders, working from their garages. In every single booth of the major players, not ONE left handed guitar; except D’Angelico. They had, in all three years, at least 6-10 lefties to demo. Hollow to solid bodies. The big guys never brought any lefties, even though they all produce them. The issue with being a lefty at a trade show is, you cannot demo anything. All noise and chaos, no hands on. Except at the D’Angelico booth. They had guitars, and some amps to run them through- with headphones, of course. I spent a LONG time there. And they sold me on their quality. The guitars played great, sounded great, and made my NAMM show experience worth while.
Your video 8 years ago, "D'angelico EX-SS Hollowbody Guitar Awesomeness," convinced me the Excel SS was a great buy and an amazing guitar. Thanks for the help!
The people at D'Anjelico website that demoed them were playing some kind of retro jazzy stuff that I was unfamiliar with. Didn't really hook up with me. I enjoyed your demo much more. You actually do the guitar justice. They do have an impressive line of guitars.
I hope you do do a video about D'Angelico lower end guitars. I've just bought my first D'Angelico semi hollow body DC (a Premier model second hand). Only received her through the door from the Post Man just over 7 hours ago, and finding it very difficult to put her down!!!
Although I've got the budget model of the range, when compared with higher priced guitars I've played over the years such as Gibson, Epiphone, and Fender for examples, she is an absolute joy to play (and really looks the part as well!!!) I would highly recommend D'Angelico guitars to anyone looking for a top quality semi hollow body at a decent price.
Thanks for the video. Definitely not my kind of guitar I'd like or need, but always good to have a look at the horizon on what is out there.
Also whoever says "sweet deal, you get to keep the guitar", definitely doesn't know, or hasn't watched your other video about what goes into making these - which is fucking insane by the way. So, thumbs up - good pay for good work.
Wow, this is a really good guitar. I really enjoyed the clean sounds. This could be my new blues guitar...
I have a first run ex-ss which I put Lollar imperials in. It's my #1 live performance instrument. It just feels alive, super responsive, singing sustain, fast action without a single buzz and very balanced tone horizontally and vertically on the neck.
In the meantime I have bought this guitar and I‘m absolutely happy with it. Thanks for this review.
Is it really a hollow body? On the D’Angelico website it is listed under semi-hollow.
Great video!
Blonde beauty, maj7-C lines, killer. Also, the tone was very nice. What amp did you use ? Thanks, enjoy your day, week, month and year.
I bought my Excel SS on clearance at GC in 2018. It has an all flame maple body with Kent Armstrong Vintage PAF humbuckers, but no coil split. I love it! This is a fantastic guitar. But I must say, the natural with black is so damn classy! I've purchased other gear from Sweetwater, but not a guitar. If I ever buy another guitar, Sweetwater will be seriously considered. I've never paid MSRP for a guitar, but Sweetwater deserves a look because they provide amazing service and piece of mind. I like that you see the guitar you buy. Thanks for the video. Now I want to grab my SS and play it.
The SS models are semi-hollow too btw. They just seem to have a different center block style than a 335
Pretty cool stuff, and Sweetwater well done!
I've been looking around for this type of guitar. This one I think would be worth saving for.
Thank you for the video! That burgundy beauty is such a nice guitar! I'm fond of D'Angelico guitars, as they are so unique... I'm also glad to see, that the "Excel" series has a really high quality. (Though unfortunately most probably I'll never have money to buy any instrument at this price range!)
On the other hand (and this relates to your recent video's point), as an owner of a wondeful electro-acoustic "Premier" model of D"Angelico, I'm a bit sad, that for such instruments in their lineup, they have "downtuned" the quality, in terms of visuals & materials as well... :/
This thing sounds fantastic, and you seemed to really enjoy playing it 👍
I have the SS in black flame, stunning looks front and back and plays a dream made in Korea
Izzy played an ES-175 with GNR when I was a kid. I liked the semi-hollow bodies I could get. Rivera P93 and HB35 until currently ES-335 and H-535. Made a deal with the local shop on a Heritage H-575 hollow body trading in a couple guitars. The 575 is fantastic and a whole higher level, but if I wasn’t able to make a deal I was comfortable with I did have one of these in mind. I’d like to see this in more videos.
Wow, amazing you kept those for eight years and put QC to the test.
And proving it is a faithful brand. Sweetwater took good care of your purchase!
Excel SS Viola? Yes Please! Beautiful looking guitar!
The red one looks stunning! If I were that type of musician, who was really good and played only in one tuning and had only one guitar, that could be the one. And I'm going only on looks now. I can see an alternate reality in which that is my only guitar. I should really try it. ... The noodle track was really nice! I enjoyed that.
Being only about 5 foot 1 inch tall, I opted for the Premier DC Mini in ocean turquoise. I can't put it down. They are very nice guitars!
I oncw ordered a sub 300 Euro guitar at a mid sized (probably quite big, but Thomann also exists...) shop in Bavaria. I think it's called Musik World. They did a complete setup on that thing. Of course the strings were stretched. It was perfect. I asked them if they did a setup because it was the best setup guitar out of the box I ever received. They said they do this to all guitars they sell. The second guitar I ordered there didn't experience the same love unfortunately or was done by a different employee.
I have only had an Ibanez AF105 artcore jazzy guitar, the tail piece made it so hard to change strings, hopefully this one does not have that problem.
The Powder Blue DC Deluxe I got one Black Friday a few years ago was an amazing deal... paid less than $800 and the amazing features, like Duncan 59's with a 6 way super switch, and all the other accoutrement... along with the amazing build quality... I was almost sad to send it to my daughter for her university graduation present (though I did buy it for her years ago)... great video Henning. Now... the question is, do I miss that D'Angelico enough to get another one for myself? You giver of GAS, you! 😂😮😜😂🤣😎🤘🎸
I can confirm Henning's statements one hundred percent, because I have had the best experiences with D'Angelico Guitars. At last a manufacturer shows that you don't have to plan a bank robbery or carry your grandmother to the pawnshop to get a good guitar. Anyone who is fed up with the outrageous prices currently being charged by Gibson, Fender and PRS should take a closer look at D'Angelico's range of guitars, because the price-performance ratio is right here.
Got your Excel maple SS as DC. It is awesome but I ll give it a paintjob. (Nussbaum sexiness in tigerflame).
The new premieres are said to be even better than the older ones.
As far as color, I like the one you have in your lap.
Heard of them, but never had a chance to play one.
I visited their webshop more than once: funny thing, they mention the weight of every single guitar that is presented in the way you described. And that is not by definition the same, despite them all being the same model.
All but one of mine are fairly budget priced. Thousand dollars and under. This guitar would definitely be a treasure.
How about trying one of their solid bodies?
They seems really interesting!
Love your no nonsense vids. Love the pure enjoyment on your face as you play a good guitar. Then the "I studied at Berkely. To you people saying take some lessons, I gonna say take some f@@k you" 😂😂😂😂😂
I wish Thomann and other European shops provided the option of choosing the specific guitar you want from stock. Anything with an exotic wood top (veneer) is a crap shoot without it.
It's a bit more work, but the customer is dropping a lot of money, and I think it would be a very much appreciated service.
I'd hate to spend 2 grand and then get some underwhelming wood grain. Sure, you can return it, but that unnecessarily increases the carbon footprint of the guitar.
Few years ago I bought the ex 175 from some bald german 😉 still got it and it plays fantastic. Greetings
I NEED that SS! Please tell Sweetwater I'm a good boy...
I do like the noise it makes. 👍
I bought an Excel 1 in 2002 at the first resurection. It was heavey and fairly dead. I sold it quickly. Turned to Eastman and never looked back.
The future is stuff in Guitars... Imagine a Guitar with a XLR out that has all your "SOUND" built in...IR, Amp Sim, Etc....🤔 Accompany that with a wireless footswitch 🍻🤘
I bought mine many yrs ago, lovely.Only take out my dc in burst on special occasions 👍🏿😊
props to Sweetwater and Henning however german and EU viewers are not "invited" to the party as sw do not deliver to Germany. (Do it, the Thomänners need some competitors)
I’ve always admired those big body new York guitars but they never feel right in my hands.
The Bob Wier Bedford looks very interesting 😮
Try one of the Matte finished ones... very nice! 😎🤘🎸
HI
Guitar people. Yes, we are a different breed, haha.
Since you like yours better, I think you can send that one to me!😊
What are the hedgehogs eating? 😂
Fantastisch wie der Ton sich förmlich selber trägt. Ich bin ein wenig verliebt...
The closest to this guitar I have owned was an old Framus Atlantic that by the time I got it was a piece of crap. No fault of the guitar. It had been abused and butchered for many years. My niece owns it now.
And, TH-cam interrupts this review with a stupid video game ad!
Ach mann, Henning ... !
Hast du vergessen, dass du (noch) deutsche Zuschauer hast? Du könntest wenigstens erwähnen, dass Sweetwater gar nicht nach Deutschland liefert. Mich jedenfalls hast du erfolgreich vorgeführt; dachte ich doch tatsächlich einen Moment, Thomann bekäme jetzt hierzulande (endlich) Konkurrenz.
So, wie du es jetzt machst, sieht es aus, als würdest du dich bewusst von deinen Landsmännern (und -Frauen) abwenden.
Nicht schön ... .
Hä?
Ich sage doch nie das die nach Deutschland liefern. Ich habe 30% meiner Zuschauer in den USA und die muss man ja auch bedienen.
Thomann schickt mir so ne Gitarre nicht mal zu… Sweetwater schon.