D'Angelico Style A. and Excel

[cgratham]

Hi Joe D,
I'm interested in the answer to this too. Keith Murch is the one who passed on info about my A-1, but I'm not sure where he got that info from.

Chris

Is the listing of all D'Angelicos available online? I have the listing in my "what's in a name" book but it doesn't have any info on #1155.
Thanks in advance.
Joe D

[vinnyv1k]

Jonathan Levin a member here has a book with all the John and Jimmy serial numbers and the original owners names. He was able to tell me the serial no. of my D and the book was 100% correct. Also the month and year of the guitar completion.

[wintermoon]

I don't think it's online.
I've had a copy for years that a friend zeroxed from the Tsumura book.

[Hammertone]

I was certainly not making fun of you. I was pointing out that by chasing those vintage D'As, you might be letting a combination of your wonderful new Heritage, and the D'A name on those two vintage guitars, lead you down the path of spending a ton of cash on something that won't improve your musical life in a manner commensurate with the expense.
It's the old "the thing I have is so wonderful, I need a better version of it" curse.
Then again, perhaps I'll be wrong. In any case, it is most definitely not mockery, just banter in the manner commonly seen on the forum.

Oh, OK. Im sorry that I jumped to conclusions. I gotta stop being so sensitive.
Thank you Roger for explaining that. And thanks even more for trying to help "save me from myself". Sometimes, I'll admit, I need that. Joe D

Joe, if it helps, I'd be perfectly happy to make fun of you anytime.

[Max405]

Joe, if it helps, I'd be perfectly happy to make fun of you anytime.

No, that's ok. I'm cool..

[Dennis D]

Jonathan Levin a member here has a book with all the John and Jimmy serial numbers and the original owners names. He was able to tell me the serial no. of my D and the book was 100% correct. Also the month and year of the guitar completion.

The book " Acquired of the Angels " by Paul William Schmidt does provide the ledgers of both John D'A. and Jimmy D'A.
He chose to omit however all the customer's names, as matter of privacy. Darn.....

Neither s/n 1148 nor 1155 appear in his John D'A. listings. ..The s/n's that do appear go from s/n 1138 ( no date listed ) to s/n 1169 dated 1-36.

[Archtop Guy]

AG, I can't find it. Can you direct me there?
JD

Sorry Joe,That was the Joe Amplo video.There are three I think. It's a '38.

[Max405]

Incoming...


And, thanks to all my buddy's who helped me.

[Dennis D]

Incoming...


And, thanks to all my buddy's who helped me.

Joe

Congrats ! I also got digging into some additional John D'A serial numbers today, and I found one other s/n not in the 'Acquired' ledger lists, but referenced by Joe V. @archtop.com - - s/n 1049. Joe offered the guitar for sale and referenced it as listed in the ledger, so there must be some missing s/n's from that same time period ( pre-1936 ) that they feel confident in verifying once they show up. Or maybe the complete Tsumura ledger / listing is more definitive.
Either way, I see myself ordering that Tsumura book pretty soon.

Now Joe, get some sleep so you're rested up when that instrument arrives !!

Dennis

[wintermoon]

the Tsumura book is looong out of print.
you're looking @ $100 + to find one.
I see there's one on ebay now for $125

[cgratham]

Way to go Joe! You so deserve this.

I predict this will be the beginning of a very long love affair!

I'm thrilled for you buddy.

Chris

Incoming...


And, thanks to all my buddy's who helped me.

[neatomic]

wow..good for you..couldn't be in better hands

enjoy

cheers

[Stringswinger]

Joe D.,

If any guitarist is deserving of one of John D.'s masterpieces, it is you. Congrats on the deal. I think you will feel a deep connection to the past once you are playing that guitar.

We all look forward to your NEXT chord melody video with bated breath......

[Dennis D]

the Tsumura book is looong out of print.
you're looking @ $100 + to find one.
I see there's one on ebay now for $125

Yes, I saw a couple at Amazon too ! It just may end up to be that ' last minute gift' for that person who's ' tough to buy for ' - -namely me.

But I think, no matter what, the ledger part will be fun to check out.

And is that correct - -that the Tsumura book included the complete ledgers, with customer' s names for all John D'A's s/n's ??

Thanks.....

[Max405]

Go for it bro. The fat lady still is not singing. I had a 1978 Super 400 that I have longed for since I sold it. Everyone makes that one big mistake sale. I am 62 years old but can't get a Super 400 out of my mind. Getting the 10K OK from the wife is my problem but your wife is a sweetheart when it comes to keeping Big Joe happy so pull that trigger my man.

Hey brother, the lady let out one last Yelp, then she burped, farted and clutched her chest and fell off the roof of the excelsior hotel. She's a goner. Thanks for being there.

Joe

Congrats ! I also got digging into some additional John D'A serial numbers today, and I found one other s/n not in the 'Acquired' ledger lists, but referenced by Joe V. @archtop.com - - s/n 1049. Joe offered the guitar for sale and referenced it as listed in the ledger, so there must be some missing s/n's from that same time period ( pre-1936 ) that they feel confident in verifying once they show up. Or maybe the complete Tsumura ledger / listing is more definitive.
Either way, I see myself ordering that Tsumura book pretty soon.

Now Joe, get some sleep so you're rested up when that instrument arrives !!

Dennis

Dennis, I did my homework on this one, John was not committed to the ledger in the beginning. It's the real deal.
I don't see myself sleeping that much in the next week. This is fun but very stressful. Thanks for lookin out.

Way to go Joe! You so deserve this.

I predict this will be the beginning of a very long love affair!

I'm thrilled for you buddy.

Chris

Chris, what can I say buddy. You were instrumental in me getting this one. You are a great guy. Your offers to help will never be forgotten. Thanks for everything.

wow..good for you..couldn't be in better hands

enjoy

cheers

Neatomic, thank you for everything. You are a very good resource for all of us on this forum. You are always willing to help share your vast knowledge with us. Thanks buddy.

Joe D.,

If any guitarist is deserving of one of John D.'s masterpieces, it is you. Congrats on the deal. I think you will feel a deep connection to the past once you are playing that guitar.

We all look forward to your NEXT chord melody video with bated breath......

i am very proud when I read your comments. I have incredible respect for you Marco. You were there for me just as you were for our friend Vinny and I have 3 great guitars because of you. Your a good man and I am grateful for your friendship. As for my next chord melody, I'm thinking of some Van Halen, and I promise be dressed during video, just in case you are browsing the forum while stuffing a pizza in your faccia.. Seriously, I've been saving Darn that Dream for this occasion..

[QAman]

Congrats Joe ! I have a 1935 non cut DA and its magical. I'm sure you will experience that rich piano like tone and balance that make DA's incomparable.

[Stringswinger]

I have the Tsumura book. John D'Angelico's records for 1935 are not part of the surviving written record...

Steve's adjectives are right on the money regarding D'Angelico's guitars...magical...rich piano like tone...incomparable...yep, spot on...

[HeyNow]

Headstock shape and D'Angelico script look different than others from that period:

[Rob MacKillop]

Joe, can we swap lives for a while? I want to be you! So happy for you

[Max405]

Hey Hey,
Not taking this lightly. Thanks for pointing out what you think is a problem.
I've inquired about your concern. Additionally, I have pics of the guitar before the restoration. Its the same guitar. And yes, the guitar was every bit of 80 years old before the restoration. The great thing was the bones were perfect. No cracks, straight neck and I spoke to the owner, previous owner, Dealer who sold the guitar and the Luthier who did the restoration. I am comfortable with the guitar being the real thing. In fact, I am doing cartwheels!
Thanks for your concern. JD

Headstock shape and D'Angelico script look different than others from that period:

[HeyNow]

Hey Hey,
Not taking this lightly. Thanks for pointing out what you think is a problem.
I've inquired about your concern. Additionally, I have pics of the guitar before the restoration. Its the same guitar. And yes, the guitar was every bit of 80 years old before the restoration. The great thing was the bones were perfect. No cracks, straight neck and I spoke to the owner, previous owner, Dealer who sold the guitar and the Luthier who did the restoration. I am comfortable with the guitar being the real thing. In fact, I am doing cartwheels!
Thanks for your concern. JD

Good stuff - just wanted to point anything that could be something while there's still time. Definitely not trying to knock your new acquisition.

Awesome you now own a guitar built by the foremost guitar builder maybe of all of history

[rpguitar]

I spoke to the owner, previous owner, Dealer who sold the guitar and the Luthier who did the restoration.

Either they are all liars or you are in great shape! That's impressive research. Most of the time, nobody says "boo" about a guitar they want sold or used to own.

I hope it's what you want it to be from a musical perspective. But it'll probably surprise you, and you'll clear some fresh space on your palette for it.

[wintermoon]

it seems like many original D'Angelicos fall into 2 categories;
played to death or untouched. yours must have been the former.

a lot of people buy them thinking they're getting the loudest guitar ever made like an Epiphone Emperor or Stromberg, and some can be, but the reality is that most are just very well balanced and mellow sounding.
congrats in advance, most are really special.

[Max405]

I am almost as excited about the Ameritage case its coming in. Its the top of the line case with the humidification in it.
Well not really.. The Guitar has me a lot more excited. One thing. Buying something this expensive is stressful. No sleep last 2 nights and you can fry an omelet on my head.

One thing I will say, The Seller, Darren Hippner is terrific!
He is a luthier up in Washington State (yeah he said its raining right now) and he does beautiful work. He is a GREAT Guy!

Thanks bros.
Joe D.

[Max405]

it seems like many original D'Angelicos fall into 2 categories;
played to death or untouched. yours must have been the former.

a lot of people buy them thinking they're getting the loudest guitar ever made like an Epiphone Emperor or Stromberg, and some can be, but the reality is that most are just very well balanced and mellow sounding.
congrats in advance, most are really special.

Yeah this one was enjoyed. And then, it was made to look brand new again, less then a year ago. The owner told me if I want loud, then buy the Style A. He said this own is mellow, true and brisk. I cant wait to play it.

Either they are all liars or you are in great shape! That's impressive research. Most of the time, nobody says "boo" about a guitar they want sold or used to own.

I hope it's what you want it to be from a musical perspective. But it'll probably surprise you, and you'll clear some fresh space on your palette for it.

I think it covers the waterfront! Its a dream about to come true me. It would really suck if this is all a bunch of stuff that I am fantasizing about while I am in a coma or something.. If Emeril shows up at my house tonight and he cooks us dinner, then I am gonna be REALLY disappointed..

Good stuff - just wanted to point anything that could be something while there's still time. Definitely not trying to knock your new acquisition.

Awesome you now own a guitar built by the foremost guitar builder maybe of all of history

HeyNow, I got you 100%. The cool thing is, this is one of the early years of the Excel. So this is more original than what it eventually turned into. Only thing cooler would be have the one he spelled "EXEL"...

Thanks Guys, Joe D