D'Angelico EXL-1, EX-59, EX-DH and Style B

[zephyrregent]

I didn't post photos when I got each of these separately over the past year so here is a picture of the entire family. I didn't plan to buy 4, but after getting the EXL-1 last October I was so impressed I got a Style B, then the EX-59 and EX-DH. I'll never own a real D'Angelico or D'Aquisto, Epiphone Deluxe or Gibson L5 or Super 400 and probably wouldn't spend that much for a guitar unless I won the lottery. I'm happy with these.

From left to right, a D'Angelico EXL-1, EX-59, EX-DH and Style B. In back is the respected elder, a 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent. I'm having a great time getting familiar with the different pickup sounds of two guitars with floating pickups, one with a set of P-90's and one with a set of humbuckers. There aren't any stores with a good selection of archtops near here and I've never had the opportunity to try guitars with these different pickups. I've played jazz guitar since the late 1960's. I appreciate the different tones and being able to choose the right one for the moment. Each have their own personality. The Style B has a soft and mellow tone, each note on the EXL-1 is bright and distinct, the EX-59 gets the classic P-90 tone with lots of depth and the EX-DH has the more modern humbucker sound that is very clear and balanced. They are well made with a lot of attention to detail, play easily,have no fret problems and the finishes are beautiful. I couldn't find any imperfections with any of them. If I had to pick one as a favorite, it would be the Style B. It has a comfortable 24 3/4" scale and a good, well balanced acoustic and amplified tone.

[Jazzy Beatle]

Congrats on this beautiful collection! I have the EX-DC and absolutely love it.

[citizenk74]

Congratulations and play them all in good health!

[Max405]

Wow!
Those replicas really are fascinating. Ther are beautiful decorations that just happen to be wonderful guitars to play. I had a exl-1dp In black and I used to just sit and stare at it. And boy was it a player!!
Have fun with your new toys. It's amazing how great the guitars are that are coming out these days..
i wonder what John D'Angelico would say if he walked in that room?

[zephyrregent]

D'Angelico made electric guitars with United/Code bodies using necks he made himself (the EX-59 with 2 P-90's is based on one of these) and sold them for a lower price in addition to his handmade archtops. Maybe he would have done the modern equivalent, in a way, of overseeing the production and ensuring a high level of quality in outsourced import guitars for musicians who wanted one of his guitars but couldn't afford a handmade one?

I played the 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent in the photo since 1970 and like it, but these D'Angelico replicas are easier to play, feel more stable and have a good sound. I agree the general quality of guitars built today is good, including other replicas that are inexpensive. The Guild A150 interests me. I wish I could have afforded an Epiphone Elite Broadway when they were available and hope Epiphone will make a single pickup archtop in their Elite series. Part of my attraction to the D'Angelicos is appearance and having admired them for a long time. Sometimes I just sit and stare at them too, they are like beautiful pieces of art.

[Max405]

I hear ya. They are nice. Enjoy them!
JD

[Woody Sound]

What media format goes in the little drawers behind the black one?

[Dennis D]

I didn't post photos when I got each of these separately over the past year so here is a picture of the entire family. I didn't plan to buy 4, but after getting the EXL-1 last October I was so impressed I got a Style B, then the EX-59 and EX-DH. I'll never own a real D'Angelico or D'Aquisto, Epiphone Deluxe or Gibson L5 or Super 400 and probably wouldn't spend that much for a guitar unless I won the lottery. I'm happy with these.

From left to right, a D'Angelico EXL-1, EX-59, EX-DH and Style B. In back is the respected elder, a 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent. I'm having a great time getting familiar with the different pickup sounds of two guitars with floating pickups, one with a set of P-90's and one with a set of humbuckers. There aren't any stores with a good selection of archtops near here and I've never had the opportunity to try guitars with these different pickups. I've played jazz guitar since the late 1960's. I appreciate the different tones and being able to choose the right one for the moment. Each have their own personality. The Style B has a soft and mellow tone, each note on the EXL-1 is bright and distinct, the EX-59 gets the classic P-90 tone with lots of depth and the EX-DH has the more modern humbucker sound that is very clear and balanced. They are well made with a lot of attention to detail, play easily,have no fret problems and the finishes are beautiful. I couldn't find any imperfections with any of them. If I had to pick one as a favorite, it would be the Style B. It has a comfortable 24 3/4" scale and a good, well balanced acoustic and amplified tone.

Thanks for posting photo's - wow !

And you're not the only one whose favorite is the Style B.

Congrats !

[zephyrregent]

What media format goes in the little drawers behind the black one?

Cassette tapes. Each level is a case that holds 40 tapes. They used to be sold individually in the olden days (1980's) before CDs.

[zephyrregent]

Thanks for posting photo's - wow !

And you're not the only one whose favorite is the Style B.

Congrats !

Thanks! It seems the top is thinner than the other models which may account for the more nuanced tone but I don't have a way to measure the exact thickness. I wonder why it is slightly more expensive than the other models, not that it isn't worth it. I'm glad to hear you like it, I haven't seen any other user reviews.

[joebonni]

This is the greatest guitar I have ever used. Trust me I have owned everything over the years.........

Awesome acoustic sound like a carved top and awesome electric sound.

In almost 50 years of playing I have never had a guitar I didn't want to put down till now.

Seems like I want to practice all the time..........

[Rob MacKillop]

They all look stunning. What an Aladdin's Cave!

[GNAPPI]

ZR, the modern D'Angelico gits are great sounding, play beautifully are impeccably made with the nicest appointments, but I see you're "missing" and EX-DC :-)

I'm a big fan of the modern reproductions enjoy them!

[Robertkoa]

I didn't post photos when I got each of these separately over the past year so here is a picture of the entire family. I didn't plan to buy 4, but after getting the EXL-1 last October I was so impressed I got a Style B, then the EX-59 and EX-DH. I'll never own a real D'Angelico or D'Aquisto, Epiphone Deluxe or Gibson L5 or Super 400 and probably wouldn't spend that much for a guitar unless I won the lottery. I'm happy with these.

From left to right, a D'Angelico EXL-1, EX-59, EX-DH and Style B. In back is the respected elder, a 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent. I'm having a great time getting familiar with the different pickup sounds of two guitars with floating pickups, one with a set of P-90's and one with a set of humbuckers. There aren't any stores with a good selection of archtops near here and I've never had the opportunity to try guitars with these different pickups. I've played jazz guitar since the late 1960's. I appreciate the different tones and being able to choose the right one for the moment. Each have their own personality. The Style B has a soft and mellow tone, each note on the EXL-1 is bright and distinct, the EX-59 gets the classic P-90 tone with lots of depth and the EX-DH has the more modern humbucker sound that is very clear and balanced. They are well made with a lot of attention to detail, play easily,have no fret problems and the finishes are beautiful. I couldn't find any imperfections with any of them. If I had to pick one as a favorite, it would be the Style B. It has a comfortable 24 3/4" scale and a good, well balanced acoustic and amplified tone.

I have heard a few Demos of EX-DH but not anything showing the warmth of the Neck PU...

Is it warm enough for Trad Jazz ?( even though I don't Play Trad Jazz - I want a Guitar warm enough to go there ).

[QAman]

The EXl-1 is a fine instrument thats visually appealing, easy to play and built beautifully. Wishing you many years of enjoyment.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

[2bornot2bop]

Love the collection. Dare I say it, but if it was an L5 that moves you your combined total is near the price of a used L5... assuming of course that you've $3k invested already.

[zephyrregent]

Love the collection. Dare I say it, but if it was an L5 that moves you your combined total is near the price of a used L5... assuming of course that you've $3k invested already.

Well, there is a story about it. I got the D'Angelico EXL-1 when I turned 62 and got my social security and could just afford it with payments from AMS. Later I decided to get the others as I wasn't feeling too positive about the future and saving for something for years at my age,health condition and financial situation. I thought I would be satisfied with this collection as they are all different in feel and sound and I hadn't had much experience with other guitars, having owned a 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent since 1970 as my only guitar with the exception of a few I got and sold due to dissatisfaction or finances. I'm 65 now. I never considered an L5 as it was way over my budget.

Just a few months ago, a friend of my student gave him a 1970-72 L-5C that had been converted to a double pickup model back in the 1970's and he gave it to me. He already has quite a collection of guitars including a Byrdland and ES175. So, now I have an L-5 (sorry, no pictures yet) and it's a fantastic playing and sounding guitar, both acoustically and amplified. It's dinged and worn and whoever put the pickups on it cut a piece off the back of the lower bout to install them. However, they did a good job of replacing it, it's hardly noticeable. This is the first time I've played an L-5 and now I see how good they are. I don't play the D'Angelicos much anymore, maybe that will change in time for variety.

About the EX-DH, the tone is typical of an Asian made Kent Armstrong pickup. It can get an acceptable jazz tone but not as fat as a Gibson ES175. I wasn't happy with their tone on the other guitars I have had them on either, a Guild X150 and Eastman T146. I think the tone could be improved with a better pickup. My EXL-1 sounds much better with the DeArmond 1100 reissue than the stock KA pickup.

I don't want to take a big loss on the D'Angelicos so will probably hang on to them. It would be nice if I could trade them for a vintage Epiphone Deluxe or Gibson 300 or 350.

[2bornot2bop]

Well, there is a story about it. I got the D'Angelico EXL-1 when I turned 62 and got my social security and could just afford it with payments from AMS. Later I decided to get the others as I wasn't feeling too positive about the future and saving for something for years at my age,health condition and financial situation. I thought I would be satisfied with this collection as they are all different in feel and sound and I hadn't had much experience with other guitars, having owned a 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent since 1970 as my only guitar with the exception of a few I got and sold due to dissatisfaction or finances. I'm 65 now. I never considered an L5 as it was way over my budget.

Just a few months ago, a friend of my student gave him a 1970-72 L-5C that had been converted to a double pickup model back in the 1970's and he gave it to me. He already has quite a collection of guitars including a Byrdland and ES175. So, now I have an L-5 (sorry, no pictures yet) and it's a fantastic playing and sounding guitar, both acoustically and amplified. It's dinged and worn and whoever put the pickups on it cut a piece off the back of the lower bout to install them. However, they did a good job of replacing it, it's hardly noticeable. This is the first time I've played an L-5 and now I see how good they are. I don't play the D'Angelicos much anymore, maybe that will change in time for variety.

About the EX-DH, the tone is typical of an Asian made Kent Armstrong pickup. It can get an acceptable jazz tone but not as fat as a Gibson ES175. I wasn't happy with their tone on the other guitars I have had them on either, a Guild X150 and Eastman T146. I think the tone could be improved with a better pickup. My EXL-1 sounds much better with the DeArmond 1100 reissue than the stock KA pickup.

I don't want to take a big loss on the D'Angelicos so will probably hang on to them. It would be nice if I could trade them for a vintage Epiphone Deluxe or Gibson 300 or 350.

Now that's what I call a "story!" Congrat's on the converted 70's L5C! I can't wait to see photos of it. What a gift!

[Robertkoa]

Well, there is a story about it. I got the D'Angelico EXL-1 when I turned 62 and got my social security and could just afford it with payments from AMS. Later I decided to get the others as I wasn't feeling too positive about the future and saving for something for years at my age,health condition and financial situation. I thought I would be satisfied with this collection as they are all different in feel and sound and I hadn't had much experience with other guitars, having owned a 1951 Epiphone Zephyr Regent since 1970 as my only guitar with the exception of a few I got and sold due to dissatisfaction or finances. I'm 65 now. I never considered an L5 as it was way over my budget.

Just a few months ago, a friend of my student gave him a 1970-72 L-5C that had been converted to a double pickup model back in the 1970's and he gave it to me. He already has quite a collection of guitars including a Byrdland and ES175. So, now I have an L-5 (sorry, no pictures yet) and it's a fantastic playing and sounding guitar, both acoustically and amplified. It's dinged and worn and whoever put the pickups on it cut a piece off the back of the lower bout to install them. However, they did a good job of replacing it, it's hardly noticeable. This is the first time I've played an L-5 and now I see how good they are. I don't play the D'Angelicos much anymore, maybe that will change in time for variety.

About the EX-DH, the tone is typical of an Asian made Kent Armstrong pickup. It can get an acceptable jazz tone but not as fat as a Gibson ES175. I wasn't happy with their tone on the other guitars I have had them on either, a Guild X150 and Eastman T146. I think the tone could be improved with a better pickup. My EXL-1 sounds much better with the DeArmond 1100 reissue than the stock KA pickup.

I don't want to take a big loss on the D'Angelicos so will probably hang on to them. It would be nice if I could trade them for a vintage Epiphone Deluxe or Gibson 300 or 350.

Good info on the EX-DH...

They make a Deluxe Model which has Seymour Duncan Pickups and dual to single coil switches for Variations.

With the right Pickups ..does the EX-DH get close to a 175 or is it still slightly less warm - also the EX-DH is 25.5" scale ..

[gator811]

The DH was not what I expected- I tried them all thinking the DH would be the one I would go for - but I didnt find it nearly as jazzy as the EXL-1 or even the SS, which is what I got in the end . But the DH has a clarity and no fuss sound - reminded me a little of those PRS Archtops that came out in the 90's.
No not at all like a 175!

[Robertkoa]

Thanks Gator...

Really appreciate the Info.

I was envisioning something fatter/ deeper than an ES 335 - at least to a 137 which would have the benefit of 25.5" scale and
with the single coil switch - no mods needed.

[gator811]

No probs - and that was the Deluxe version I was talking about - I also wasnt crazy about the feel of the matte finish on the neck , but its a very well made and interesting guitar - not my cup of tea though.