1937 D’Angelico Excel ‘TJ’

[58dutchie]

Hi there,

I did it! Bought my first (and last?) vintage D’Angelico guitar, a sunburst Excel. And she’s a beauty! All original, 100%, no cracks, repairs or whatever. Just played a lot. Beautiful original case too. According to the ledgers, this guitar was made for a mr. Tom Johnston from Brooklyn, NY. The guitar was ready on April 22, 1937 (being the birthday of Jack Nicholson, haha). Tom had his initials ‘TJ’ engraved in the pickguard. I would really love to find more info on this Tom Johnston (not being the one from the Doobie Brothers).

The tailpiece is a transitional one and this could be the only D’Angelico guitar with that particular tailpiece (could not find another one).

The guitar sounds fantastic: really clear, woody and dry but also lots of sustain. ‘Angelic’ so to say. By the way, what strings would you use on it?

Here are some pics:

[wintermoon]

Congrats, that guitar's changed hands a bunch of times over the years, it's readily identified by the initials. It's pictured in the Gruhn/Carter book.
My first DA, a '45 Style A, the next to the last A made, had that t.p., I've seen a few others over the years.
Enjoy....

[58dutchie]

Congrats, that guitar's changed hands a bunch of times over the years, it's readily identified by the initials
It's pictured in the Gruhn book.
My first DA, a '45 Style A, the next to the last A made had that t.p., I've seen a few others over the years.
Enjoy....

Thanks. Yes it was at Gruhn’s too sometime. And it’s pictured in the Gruhn/Carter book, that’s right.

Featured Inventory Archives 1999-2012 | Gruhn Guitars

[ThatRhythmMan]

My personal string choice on acoustic archtops is either Martin Retro or a coated phosphor bronze, either Elixir Nanoweb or D’Addario XS.


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[omphalopsychos]

Very nice, looks just like mine minus the engraving on the pickguard and the custom tailpiece.

[Stringswinger]

Congrats on joining a fairly exclusive club. And may she inspire your playing for many years to come. I have a 35 Excel that is strung with 80/20 strings (John D'Angelico's string of choice and he helped design them). I find that on my DA's (I own three, the 35 Excel, a 37 Style A and a 48 Style B), 80/20 strings work the best (and I have tried PB and Monel). I am using Curt Mangan round core 80/20 on the two 30's DAs and I am using Dogal Nightclub flatwound 80/20 strings on the 48 Style B.

[Midnight Blues]

Lovely! Congrats, HNGD and play her in good health!

[D'Aquisto Fan]

Congratulations! Fabulous guitar! Enjoy!

[[email protected]]

Wow just friggin’ wow!

[sgcim]

Congrats on joining a fairly exclusive club. And may she inspire your playing for many years to come. I have a 35 Excel that is strung with 80/20 strings (John D'Angelico's string of choice and he helped design them). I find that on my DA's (I own three, the 35 Excel, a 37 Style A and a 48 Style B), 80/20 strings work the best (and I have tried PB and Monel). I am using Curt Mangan round core 80/20 on the two 30's DAs and I am using Dogal Nightclub flatwound 80/20 strings on the 48 Style B.

Do we still have the D'A Club? Who did we elect as president this year?

[Stringswinger]

Do we still have the D'A Club? Who did we elect as president this year?

Maybe it is your turn?

[customxke]

Between the etched inlays, those f-holes, and the tailpiece, this has to be one of my favorite D’As, visually. This or a snakehead would be forever guitars.

[mr. beaumont]

They say every guitar has a story...this one's got a novel or two. So cool.