[jazz_guitar] D'Angelico Price Drop
phillygibson
Excel (EXL-1-SH) for $1700 two months ago (standard price) but now at
the D'Angelico webpage ALL their EXL models (even the more expensive
ones) are selling for a flat $800! Are they going out of business? Do
they now use cheaper materials on the EXL models? I am trying to get a
sense of the value of my EXL. I hope it hasn't depreciated by over 50%
in just two months...
Best,
John
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Chris Smart
At 11:33 AM 11/12/2006, you wrote:
>Does anyone know what is going on at D'Angelico guitars? I bought an
>Excel (EXL-1-SH) for $1700 two months ago (standard price) but now at
>the D'Angelico webpage ALL their EXL models (even the more expensive
>ones) are selling for a flat $800! Are they going out of business? Do
>they now use cheaper materials on the EXL models? I am trying to get a
>sense of the value of my EXL. I hope it hasn't depreciated by over 50%
>in just two months...
>
>Best,
>John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Stephan Lipinski
Rick_Poll
I've wanted a D'Angelico since the 60's. Yes, I know these are made
in Japan and Korea, not by Johnny D'Angelico. It's nuts, but I'm in
love with the headstock.
I'm thinking about EX-DC since it's the only one with a 24 3/4 scale.
It's the one that looks a little like a 335.
Anybody have any experience with that guitar?
Rick
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, "Stephan Lipinski" <pinsk94@...>
wrote:
Bill Williams
There have been a couple of long threads about this over on RMMGJ -
quite a few people there ordered this week and were very pleased
apparently. This should link to one of the threads:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.music.makers.guitar.jazz/browse_\
frm/thread/72436698c106ab3d/#
Bill Williams
Thesl...@aol.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
phillygibson
or so I thought; and it ompares well with guitars twice its price.
It perhaps is most like the new line of D-Aquisto guitars, in
quality and build, but the D'Acquistos cost about 2700$. The
D'angelico is perhaps also like the new Sadowsky jazz guitars (same
technique for pressed top, though D'Angelico seems to describe the
top as solid, which it really isn't), though I imagine the Sadowskys
are considerably better.
I just can't imagine what would make D'Angelico sell them for 800$.
I guess I am happy for all those looking to buy a new guitar, but
pretty upset that I didn't wait two more months before buying mine:
I could have got two and would have had some change left over! In
fact, I could have bought one and a NEW tube amp, and still had some
change.
But at 800$ they must be the best bargain around: ebony fingerboard
and bridge, very nice brass tailpiece: all the good stuff, for 50$
more than an Epiphone Emperor Regent!
Best,
John
Best,
John
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, "Stephan Lipinski" <pinsk94@...>
wrote:
>
phillygibson
is actually what most impressed me about the guitar when I first got
it. When I bought it I was told by Jeff Hale (great guy) that the
acoustic properties of the 1SH were almost as good as the model with a
floating PU. It sure sounds better acoustically than my Epi Emperor
Regent, and I love that guitar. It sounds wponderful through an amp.
It is a 17', and, yes, the PU is a Kent Amstrong.
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, Vladymir Lamadieu <v_lamadieu@...>
wrote:
>
> Can you tell me what the specs on the Excel 1SH are.
> Is it a 16' or a 17'. Also, I know it has the built
> in pickup, but how does it sound acoustically. Are
> the pickups Kent Armstrong? How does it sound
> amplified...
>
> Thanks for your reply.
>
> --- phillygibson <john.gibson@...> wrote:
>
> > I am extremely happy with my Excel 1SH. [snip]
Vladymir Lamadieu
Is it a 16' or a 17'. Also, I know it has the built
in pickup, but how does it sound acoustically. Are
the pickups Kent Armstrong? How does it sound
amplified...
Thanks for your reply.
--- phillygibson <john....@louisville.edu> wrote:
> I am extremely happy with my Excel 1SH. [snip]
Vladymir Lamadieu
I am interested in buying the Exl 1sh. How does the
acoustic volume compare to their floating pick-up Exl
1? Is their an appreciable decrease in sound with the
built in pick-up? Loudness; Quality etc.. Also, is the
humbucker a full size/or is it the same size as the
mini floating pickup?
Electrically, I am after a warm round tone and quite
frankly I personally prefer the sound of a built in
humbucker as opposed to a floating pickup. I owned an
Eastman 810ce and loved the acoustic tone but could
never get the amplified sound that I was used to. I
know that EX 1sh will not sound as loud as the Eastman
but I would like it not to sound like "dead wood"?
Lastly, have you done any mods to your Exl 1sh. When
I order this guitar I will be ordering the wooden
tailpiece ($20)?
Thanks in advance for your response.
[Moderator: Message edited, quoted message headers/trailers removed]
Thesl...@aol.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Roger Placer
http://www.soundclick.com/rogerplacer (look for the obvious track in
the Music section).
Hope it's helpful to someone interested in this fine guitar.
Roger
[Moderator: Moved from Google Mirror Message Queue http://groups.google.com/group/jazz_guitar ]
Thesl...@aol.com
acoustic sound to which I was referring to as just a tad thin for me.
I was able to play a bunch of them yesterday. The company is legit, I
visited their storefront yesterday. They are very nice people.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
John D. Morales
I'm interested in EXL-1SH as well. The audio demo was very useful.
What string gauge and brand were you using on that clip?
John
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Flamur Ahmeti
Nice sound! I have different setups, ES 175 on a polytone mega brute using Thomastik Infeld 012 flat wound. I can get almost the same sound you propagate with your guitar. The reason I am using 012, is to avoid very dark sound and featback. Of course to reach similar sound to yours, I set the guitar trebel somewhere between 6-5. But by all means your guitar sounds great!!!
One of these days I am going to record myself playing and post the sounds I am talking about.
Flamur
Roger Placer <rpgu...@gmail.com> wrote: I posted an audio demo of the EXL-1SH at my soundclick site:
http://www.soundclick.com/rogerplacer (look for the obvious track in
the Music section).
Hope it's helpful to someone interested in this fine guitar.
Roger
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Roger Placer
Since I recorded that piece, I have switched the ebony bridge to a
gold ABR-1 style. It has improved the electric tone, making it
smoother and deeper with a sweet top end. The demo accentuates the
acoustic qualities of the guitar by blending two mics, as I describe
in the recording. It can sound more traditionally "electric jazz" very
easily.
I think the focus on the acoustic sound of archtops today is a little
off. Who plays them that way? I would like to point out that some
guitars resonate beautifully but are simply not LOUD. In my opinion,
these guitars sound fantastic amplified and can be tapped for their
acoustic qualities with a microphone when recording. The D'A is one of
those. So is the PRS Hollowbody. The PRS is not at all loud, but it
resonates clearly and has excellent sustain. The D'A is head and
shoulders louder than the PRS and can be played acoustically; in fact,
the Saturday after I got it I serenaded the family for most of the
morning in our kitchen and living room, just strumming and noodling.
My point is that the *quality* of the acoustic sound is, to me, more
important than its sheer volume, in terms of how archtops are
practically used. I'm digging this Excel very much!
Regards-
Roger
[Moderator: Moved from Google Mirror Message Queue:
http://groups.google.com/group/jazz_guitar ]
Vladymir Lamadieu
I liked your playing and the guitar sounded great. Do
you have roundwounds on the guitar or flats? What
guage? Also, what strings do they come with and did
you do any set-up prior to recording?
How was the finish and fretwork? Lastly, did you get
the Vintage Natural/Blonde. If so, is the color
yellow/blonde. I am interested in either the Natural
or the Vintage Blonde. I would prefer the Vintage
Blonde only if it does not come out too yellow looking
and has more of a natural look to it. On some of the
pics, including your site it looks very yellow.
Thanks again for your response.
--- Roger Placer <rpgu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I posted an audio demo of the EXL-1SH at my
> soundclick site:
>
> http://www.soundclick.com/rogerplacer (look for the
> obvious track in
> the Music section).
>
> Hope it's helpful to someone interested in this fine
> guitar.
>
> Roger
Pascal Cortes
has any of you heard or read somewhere if it was possible to order
those $800 Excels from abroad (I'm in the UK).
D'angelico's sales website seems to be designed for international
sales, but it won't accept my address.
I haven't been able to e-mail them (bouncing) or to talk with anyone
on the phone (answering machine).
Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Pascal.
Za...@aol.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Thesl...@aol.com
If not important you buy an archtop with a setin pickup....and it is an
electric.
I tried about 5 of them with floaters....only 1 sounded as good as my Epi
Emp.....which still does not compare to a carvedtop.
The acoustic sound is important if you are into the Joe Pass and Bucky
Pizzarelli type of playing.....live from Studio A (Out of print)....is just
wonderful all miked archtops and Johnny Frigo on violin. If this sound doesn't
send you, then it doesn't mattter.....I like both myself......different, but
great in their own right.....but to each their own!
Roger Placer
There is a trade off with floating pickups on the electric side too.
Many people, myself included, do not think the tone of ANY floater is
as good as the best full size PAF style humbuckers. So one must decide
which "mode" is overall more critical to one's voice- the acoustic
tone or the electric. In the real world, the electric is often more
important.
If you are really playing the guitar acoustically, meaning putting a
mic in front of it and amplifying the mic (ONLY), then there doesn't
need to be a pickup at all. If you are blending the acoustic sound
with that from a pickup though, then arguably one need not be
concerned about the absolute most "pure" acoustic tone imaginable. My
vintage ES-175 has very nice acoustic tone. I've mic'd it on
recordings and blended it with the signal from the pups. And this
D'Angelico with the routed bucker has amazing acoustic tone, if not
absolute sheer volume, for an inexpensive routed-pup archtop with a
pressed spruce top. No excuses, it sounds great.
There is nothing absolute in guitar-land, ever! Now *that*, is
arguably absolute... :)
Rick_Poll
Kyle.
Rick
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, "Roger Placer" <rpguitar@...>
wrote:
Kevin Sterchi
I ordered an Excel-DP in Vintage Natural on the 15th. I received my
order # but no notice of shipping. I emailed them to inquire about
progress with no answer. I feel better knowing yours has shipped. I
would presume they are selling a lot of guitars.
Kevin
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
David Beardsley
Talked to them about finish problems on the headstock, 11/30 pm.
I'll be driving to their retail store later this morning to exchange the
guitar.
Reports on trip later.
--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db
David Beardsley
>Talked to them about finish problems on the headstock, 11/30 pm.
>
Should be 11/20, the same day it was delivered.
Bryan Jackson
To set your mind at ease, I placed my order on the 13th (a EXL-1SH) and just got an email from Kyle yesterday with a FedEx tracking number. My credit card was just charged this morning, and my online order still shows "pending".
Seems like they're just *really* swamped.
Bryan
> To: jazz_...@yahoogroups.com> From: KSte...@rgv.rr.com> Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2006 23:26:52 -0600> Subject: Re: [jazz_guitar] Re: D'Angelico Price Drop> > Hi Rick> > I ordered an Excel-DP in Vintage Natural on the 15th. I received my > order # but no notice of shipping. I emailed them to inquire about > progress with no answer. I feel better knowing yours has shipped. I > would presume they are selling a lot of guitars.> > Kevin
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Bryan Jackson
What kind of finish issues does yours have?
Bryan
> To: jazz_...@yahoogroups.com> From: d...@biink.com> Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 08:00:17 -0500> Subject: Re: [jazz_guitar] Re: D'Angelico Price Drop> > Ordered on the 12th, shipped on the 16th, UPS delivered 11/20.> > Talked to them about finish problems on the headstock, 11/30 pm.> I'll be driving to their retail store later this morning to exchange the > guitar.> > Reports on trip later.> > -- > * David Beardsley> * microtonal guitar> * http://biink.com/db
_________________________________________________________________
Use Messenger to talk to your IM friends, even those on Yahoo!
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jack...@aol.com
purchased around 6 months ago.
i asked if he was aware of the price drop and in fact he was. i expressed
a possible interest in buying one of these guitars because of the "great deal".
i would not say this to him ...cuz im very appreciative of his generosity
and wouldnt want to offend him ( nor is my intent to offend any current owners)
but i have some physical proof sitting by my side why i wouldnt buy this
guitar.
it has a real nice crisp tone acoustically and this is its best feature.
the action is not very good and the stock bridge is not very adjustable
(lowering-wise).
the biggest problem though is that the bridge and tailpiece are assembled out
of line.
the high E string is much too close to the bottom edge of the fretboard and
slips off at the slightest downward pull. the low E has an gap of more than 1/4
inch from the top of the fretboard. it came from the factory in this
condition.
i find that UN acceptable.
im gonna save my 800 bucks and apply it to something else.
jack
p.s. only my personal opinion and not meant to be offensive or debated.
ehewitt
would you recommend one over another (natural, sunburst, vintage natural, etc)?
just broke two fingers on my left hand yesterday, have surgery tomorrow, so
i'm thinking about a new guitar, of course - thanks for any feedback!
ed
David Beardsley
>David,
>
>What kind of finish issues does yours have?
>
>
A crack in the top edge where the metal button is. They didn't
have an exact replacement for the EXL-1,
so I went home with a EXL-1DP. Very nice.
--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db
Thesl...@aol.com
In a message dated 11/21/2006 12:30:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,
jack...@aol.com writes:
of line.
the high E string is much too close to the bottom edge of the fretboard and
slips off at the slightest downward pull. the low E has an gap of more than
1/4
inch from the top of the fretboard. it came from the factory in this
condition.
i find that UN acceptable.
im gonna save my 800 bucks and apply it to something else.
Dude let down on the tension on the strings and move the bridge over. Done.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kevin Sterchi
That does make me feel much better.
Waiting
Kevin
On Nov 21, 2006, at 9:56 AM, Bryan Jackson wrote:
> Kevin,
>
> To set your mind at ease, I placed my order on the 13th (a EXL-1SH)
> and just got an email from Kyle yesterday with a FedEx tracking
> number. My credit card was just charged this morning, and my online
> order still shows "pending".
>
> Seems like they're just *really* swamped.
>
> Bryan
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Weslives1
>
> folks who have had eyes or hands on on thse - how do the finishes
look?
> would you recommend one over another (natural, sunburst, vintage
natural, etc)?
>
> just broke two fingers on my left hand yesterday, have surgery
tomorrow, so
> i'm thinking about a new guitar, of course - thanks for any feedback!
>
> ed
>
Well, I've seen an Excel-1 Natural side-by-side with an Excel-1DP
Vintage Natural. I had changed my order but there was some confusion
on their end. I'm about to send the Excel-1 back, but it is nice to be
able to see them next to each other. Overall, both guitars are
pristine - not a blemish to be seen on either. On the Excel-1, the p/u
was working only intermittently, however. Luckily everything is
perfect on my Excel-1DP. Obviously perceptions about finish are very
subjective - but I much prefer the Vintage Natural - it just is much
warmer looking and more interesting to me than the Natural. It's a bit
orange-ish - but certainly not gaudily so... FWIW my wife agrees and
likes the Vintage Natural better. Hope that helps.
Jason
Thesl...@aol.com
In a message dated 11/22/2006 10:58:58 AM Eastern Standard Time,
jl...@virginia.edu writes:
but I much prefer the Vintage Natural - it just is much
warmer looking and more interesting to me than the Natural. It's a bit
orange-ish - but certainly not gaudily so... FWIW my wife agrees and
likes the Vintage Natural better. Hope that helps.
The natural will color up over time. I have a Triggs vintage natural that
is darkening as well. The process is kind of fun to watch.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kevin Sterchi
Vintage Natural. They have no more in that color and only 2 left in
Vintage Sunburst. I cancelled my order.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
sna...@muzimax.nl
> is darkening as well. The process is kind of fun to watch.
... is it going THAT fast!?
Arie
Roger Placer
problem), the bridge is a fully adjustable and moveable thing. It
could be shifted over, lowered, etc.
It sounds like the tailpiece actually IS off center though. While not
cool, this is not a huge deal to correct. It screws into the
tailblock, which is a solid piece of wood. The hole can be filled (it
will get covered anyway) and redrilled in the proper place over a
smidge. The tailpiece would be remounted and the bridge would then
align correctly. Might want to pass that along to your friend if he's
handy. I would certainly take it on to correct something like that.
Roger
Thesl...@aol.com
In a message dated 11/22/2006 1:06:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,
sna...@muzimax.nl writes:
The natural will color up over time. I have a Triggs vintage natural that
> is darkening as well. The process is kind of fun to watch.
... is it going THAT fast!?
Yeah they all do I've had Heritages, Artist awards....it's good makes the
grain come through
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
stringswinger
I pressed that order button last Thursday, got an e-mail from Kyle
today with a tracking #. Should have my DA Excel DP in sunburst next
Thursday.
I'm not sure why I did it, I don't need another guitar. I have an L-
5, a Super 400, a 175 and a Benedetto. What am I doing here,
slumming? I just couldn't pass up the deal. And besides, I could use
a guitar of lower value for outdoor gigs.
I'm not sure about a plywood archtop with a floater. How good can it
sound? I'll post my reactions to the group.
Happy Turkey day to all,
Cheers,
Marc
Rick_Poll
I did about the same thing. I got the EX DC. It was the only 24 3/4.
I did need another guitar, but mostly I bought it for the little
button (I'm told it's called a "finial") on the headstock -- which I
fell in love with when I played Carl Barry's real D'Angelico when I
was a teenager.
Rick
--- In jazz_...@yahoogroups.com, "stringswinger"
Thesl...@aol.com
In a message dated 11/22/2006 10:50:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,
marcss...@yahoo.com writes:
I'm not sure about a plywood archtop with a floater. How good can it
sound? I'll post my reactions to the group.
My Epihone sounds pretty good......good luck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
stringswinger
wrote:
>
> Hey Marc,
>
> I did about the same thing. I got the EX DC. It was the only 24 3/4.
>
> I did need another guitar, but mostly I bought it for the little
> button (I'm told it's called a "finial") on the headstock -- which I
> fell in love with when I played Carl Barry's real D'Angelico when I
> was a teenager.
>
> Rick
Rick,
When I was going to college in NYC (circa 1974) I used to go up to 47th
street to lust after beautiful archtops. Real D'Angelicos were going
for $1,000. Too rich for my blood at the time. I have always felt that
they are the most beautiful guitars ever made. I dig the finial too.
Now we will both have that headstock albeit on Asian made plywood
guitars. LOL!
I have guitars in the 24 3/4 scale, the 25 1/2 scale and the 26 1/2
scale (Selmer replicas). I'm okay with all of them, but the 24 3/4 is
the easiest to play, for sure.
Dave Woods
----- Original Message -----
From: Thesl...@aol.com
To: jazz_...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 11:05 PM
Subject: Re: [jazz_guitar] Re: D'Angelico Price Drop
In a message dated 11/22/2006 10:50:30 PM Eastern Standard Time,
marcss...@yahoo.com writes:
I'm not sure about a plywood archtop with a floater. How good can it
sound? I'll post my reactions to the group.
My Epihone sounds pretty good......good luck
MY TAKE
Speaking of Plywood Guitars, I've been playing on an Aria Fa71, which I've liked a lot. The only things I don't like are that I need a deeper cutaway, and the guitar is very heavy.
The acoustic sound is very good. The Box is about 4" deep and it has a lot of bass. I have to compensate on the amp for this. A lot of bass acoustically is not the greatest forAmplification. I put a D'Angelico tail piece on it and it was an improvement in sound over the original tail piece that came with the guitar.
I've been hearing a lot about the new Epiphone Zephyr Regent and The Emperor Regent, and yesterday I had a chance to try them out. The Zephyr Regent is a Gibson ES 165 copy. The deep cutaway was great, but to me the tone sounded like the guitar was under water. The box is 4" deep.
Then I tried out a blond Emperor Regent This guitar has a smaller width body that the aria FA 71, The depth is 3", and the plywood was very light. The guitar was well made. The only thing I could object to was the thickness if the neck was greater, and a little bulkier at the nut than it was at the heel. The strings were spaced too close at the nut and the bridge. The nut and bridge factors are easially fixed. I had the same neck problem with a Gibson ES 350 years ago, and had a luthier reshape it, did'nt cost that much.
The acoustic sound was quieter than my FA 71, very very clear, and well balanced, with nice sustain. Because of the 3" box, there was no "boom" to the sound. Although I did'nt put it through an amp, I know from experience that amplified, the Emperor Regent will sound absolutely gorgeous.
Ok, this being said, what are we paying for with a more expensive plywood guitar like the D'Angelico plywood guitars? Looks, the name, how much better can it sound. It could be that $800.00 is all these guitars are really worth.
Dave Woods
Thesl...@aol.com
In a message dated 11/23/2006 11:07:32 AM Eastern Standard Time,
david...@verizon.net writes:
Then I tried out a blond Emperor Regent This guitar has a smaller width body
that the aria FA 71, The depth is 3", and the plywood was very light. The
guitar was well made. The only thing I could object to was the thickness if the
neck was greater, and a little bulkier at the nut than it was at the heel.
The strings were spaced too close at the nut and the bridge. The nut and
bridge factors are easially fixed. I had the same neck problem with a Gibson ES
350 years ago, and had a luthier reshape it, did'nt cost that much.
They must not be maki8ng them consistantly, my neck is ultra thin....I
bought it in Jan of 2004 used. I don't know when it was made.
Rick Runyan
tired of hearing it, but I have an 2003~2004 Epiphone Emperor Regent
(17", floating pickup, laminated spruce top (I'm sure, but the grain
runs parallel to the neck and *looks* like a top on a flattop)), and I
think it's an great guitar for the money (I think I've seen new ones for
under $600), and a very good one regardless of price. It has a very
clear, sweet, acoustic tone that's loud enough to play unamplified in a
living room. It's light and the neck is very comfortable (to me), and
it's the one I play at home (although I play out with my 175 because it
sounds better amplified). If this guitar had a 16" bout, it would be
close to ideal, but it's still pretty comfortable because it's not real
deep.
Of course, it's not perfect. The stock pickup is quite thick and its
bottom is so close to the guitar's top that the wire touches it and
muffles the sound sometimes (seems to be in the spring and fall when the
big humidity changes come). The tone and volume pots' wiring is also
very close to the top. My wife's cousin is making a new pickguard for
me (I'm chomping at the bit, but you can't hurry family along), and when
he's finished I'm going to install a new Kent Armstrong pickup (USA)
with a hidden volume (only) pot, and probably a new tailpiece (we'll
see). The KA is considerably thinner than the stock pickup and won't
have that touching-the-top problem.
Anyway, I think the Epi Emperor Regent is quite good as is, and with a
few changes, can be turned into a really excellent guitar. Of course,
with the D'Angelico, you do get that cool stairstep tailpiece...
- Rick