Description
The flagship archtop in the D’Angelico line has returned—now in two colourways with two different pickup configurations. Inspired by John D’Angelico’s single-cutaway “Excel” model that was first introduced in 1947, the Excel EXL-1 offers woody, articulate tone, ideal for both rhythm and lead playing. Featuring a redesigned neck shape, the EXL-1 promises the perfect balance of comfort and heft, still prioritising remarkable mobility but also offering improved handfit. A full-sized Seymour Duncan 59 humbucker yields broad tone with singing sustain, while a Johnny Smith Floating Mini-bucker offers woody, focused tone that prioritises body top resonance. Features include Grover hardware, an ebony fingerboard, and Jescar fretwire. Available in Dark Iced Tea Burst and Amber.
Key Features
- Legendary Design – True to John D’Angelico’s legendary design, the Excel EXL-1 is a 17-inch-wide, 3-inch-deep single-cutaway offering rich response and classic mid-century jazz tone.
- Classic Tone – Strapped with either a floating Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith mini-humbucker or a full-sized 59, both options yield classic archtop tone, with warm, woody low end and articulate mids.
- Premium Feel – A comfortable C-shape neck capped with an ebony fingerboard and Jescar fretwire makes for a remarkably premium feel up and down the neck.
Specifications
Neck
- Material: 3 piece
- Finish: Gloss
- Profile: C-Shape
- Joint Type: Set Neck
- Thickness: 1F: 21mm, 12F: 23mm
- Truss Rod: Dual Action
- Fretboard Material: Ebony
- Binding: 3-ply
- Fretwire: Jescar 47/104 Nickel Silver
- Scale Length: 25.5″
- Radius: 12″
- Top Inlay: Mother of Pearl Split Block
- Side Marker: Yes
- Fret Number: 22
Headstock
- Headstock Shape: Standard
- Logo Inlay: Mother of Pearl D’Angelico New York Logo
- Series Inlay (Front): Mother of Pearl Excel Shield Logo
- Binding: 3-ply
- Finish: Gloss
- Headpin: Cupola
- Tuners: Grover 150 Imperial
- Strings: D’Angelico Electrozinc Jazz 12’s (12-52)
- Truss Rod Cover: Aluminum Skyscraper
- Nut Width: 1 11/16” (43mm)
- Nut Material: Graphtech NuBone XL
Body
- Body Shape: Single Cutaway
- Body Style: Hollowbody
- Body Depth: 3″
- Body Width: 17″
- Colour: Amber
- Finish: Gloss
- Top Material: Laminated Spruce
- Back Material: Laminated Flame Maple
- Side Material: Laminated Flame Maple
- Binding: 7-ply
- Bridge: Floating Ebony Wood
- Tailpiece: D’Angelico Stairstep
- Pickguard: Solid Black Scalini (5-ply)
- Knobs: 2 Mini Hexagon
- Strap Buttons: Gold, Locking
Hardware
- Hardware Colour: Gold
Electronics
- Overview: 1 Full Humbucker
- Controls: 1 volume / 1 tone
- Pickup (Neck): USA Seymour Duncan 59 Humbucker (Neck) (Gold Cover)
- Additional Pickup Information: Alnico V
- Pots: 500k
- Output Jack: Standard Mono
Miscellaneous
- Case: Deluxe Hardshell
- Made In: Korea
