D'Angelico's no longer being produced?

teleman3726 · #1 03-03-2011, 12:41 AM

I was told by one of NYC's retailers that DA's are no longer being produced. Anybody know anything more about this?

Retroman1969 · #2 03-03-2011, 04:11 AM

I haven't heard this and I can't find anything about it. Doesn't mean it's not true, but there's certainly no mention of it anywhere.
I have noticed over time that the biggest amount of misinformation about any line of guitars seems to come from its distributors. Either as some sales pitch or they just don't know much about the line their representing. the "ending production" spiel is one I've heard a few times.
I'd hate to hear it if it's true.

Steve Z · #3 03-03-2011, 06:21 AM

This would be a shock as at the 2010 Summer NAMM I talked with luthier Bill Comins about the US handmade D'angelico line coming out soon. I played the prototype at the Summer NAMM and it was really nice. My understanding, from what I can remember when I talked with Bill, is that he is making the body/neck and Heritage guitars is going to be doing the finished. Even the imports were sweet playing and looking guitars. It would seem odd that they suddenly have stopped building, though anything is possible.

Cheers,
Steve

jazzuki · #4 03-08-2011, 03:41 AM

Re D'Angelico's.jhalemusic.com are selling several different models that have been made in Asia-look at their website.

spiral · #5 03-09-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleman3726

I was told by one of NYC's retailers that DA's are no longer being produced. Anybody know anything more about this?

FWIW: i emailed them a week ago today to ask if they were still in production and if we could expect the Comins version soon, but got no reply.

82Benedetto · #6 03-09-2011, 07:47 PM

Sigh...not a huge surprise coming from D'Angelico.

Anyone know if the 1948 New Yorker plans by Andersen are free for commercial use? A Mano may need to pick this up if they are.

jazzuki · #7 03-10-2011, 02:57 AM

I've already put details on this week that D'Angelico's are being made in China by Jhalemusic.com.(USA)There are 4 models in various finishes and range fro $1295 to$1495 (I think).Check out their web page and see all models demo'd.

goshawk · #8 03-10-2011, 07:55 AM

From what I've read, D'Angelico has discontinued the line of guitars made for them by Vestax. They've found a different source for the Excel series (I've read Korea rather than China) and, as has been discussed here, are working with Bill Comins for a series of US-made instruments.

NiAg · #9 03-10-2011, 09:56 AM

>>> I've already put details on this week that D'Angelico's are being made in China by Jhalemusic.com

Right. But any modern Excell I have ever seen (maybe a dozen or so) has been MIK. Ya gotta love the label "Made in Inchon".

As for J. Hale Music making them, I have never seen or heard anything to this effect. It seems so unlikely that it may be awkward to call and simply ask J. Hale about this. He has been a dealer of D'A USA during at least two attempts at developing a dealer channel.

It seems that a US made D'A would be a compelling product. On the other hand, other seeming USA-made winners have struggled. I wonder what the background is to the Unger/Martin archtop business and its apparent fade.

EDIT: Actually it may be that the CF Martins are selling well and according to plan. I just have the data-free opinion that this is not the case.

spiral · #10 03-10-2011, 10:05 AM

Via email from D'Angelico:

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Angelico US email

Yes we are still making guitars. Unfortunately I don’t think the Bill Comins Guitars are going to be produced.

I also emailed Jeff Hale.

mangotango · #11 03-10-2011, 11:02 AM

Also via e-m from D'Angelico, today:

"We are still producing guitars.　 We are actually getting more SS and DC models within the next month."

RoyaleT · #12 03-10-2011, 01:20 PM

I just received this from them,
Dominic,

Yes D’Angelico Guitars are still in production. We are getting new SS and DC models in within a month.

Would you be able to tell me how you got our contact information? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Nick

spiral · #13 03-10-2011, 02:54 PM

From Jeff Hale of JHaleMusic.com:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Email From Jeff Hale

D'Angelico Guitars Of America is still in business. The business has always been a very small part of a much larger enterprise which operates an exclusive golf course in Colts Neck NJ, an imported rug/furniture business also in Colts Neck and manufacture/distribution of a major beverage product. Over the years there have been several management teams for the Guitar business but none of them has survived. D'Angelico purchases guitars in large batches, perhaps several hundred at a time and thus actual production and new inventory occur, at most, once every 18 months or so. Right now all guitars come from Korea.

There are a few models which are "sold out" and a few others with limited finish color availability. I have a good list of these on my website. The most recent instruments are the EX-SS semihollows which are a redesigned
version of the Japanese made (Vestex) NYSS. The redesign was by luthier Bill Comins. To the best of my knowledge Bill's involvement has been completed and the instruments are available. Again I have them on my website.

The instruments are not being sourced by J Hale.

I do work closely with the folks responsible for the D'Angelico instruments and I am able to get instruments without any problems. I have been a "fan" of the D'Angelico instruments since day one. I have visited their facility in Colts Neck NJ and I know all the people involved.

and re: Bill Comins:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Email from Jeff Hale

Bill was involved with a couple of projects.

He completed the redesign of the NYSS which is now being offered as the EXSS and built in Korea. Those instruments are available and they are excellent thanks to Bill.
Bill was also involved in a project which would have resulted in a USA Built instrument. That one has been shelved.

jzucker · #14 04-08-2011, 08:56 AM

But Bill has since retracted that I thought. Last time I checked his site, there was no mention of dangelico

spiral · #15 04-08-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

But Bill has since retracted that I thought. Last time I checked his site, there was no mention of dangelico

Could be. You mean retracted his retraction? Word is Bill Comings versions are not happening other than the EXSS design. Those were direct responses from J Hale and D'Angelico US from just a few weeks ago. Maybe just email Bill if there is still confusion. Post back if you do.

jzucker · #16 04-08-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Could be. You mean retracted his retraction? Word is Bill Comings versions are not happening other than the EXSS design. Those were direct responses from J Hale and D'Angelico US from just a few weeks ago. Maybe just email Bill if there is still confusion. Post back if you do.

No, what I meant was that Bill had stuff on his website about the joint development project and then just deleted it. I guess they parted ways but there was no explanation that I know of. Several folks have told me that the SS models are fabulous though. Those are the ones that comins designed.