Reproduction pickguard for a 1940 D'Angelico Style B

[QAman]

In keeping with the evolution of D’Angelico’s - I would choose a stepped pickguard for a 48’ Style B. Deacon or Frank will make a fine pickguard - so just go for it.

[floatingpickup]

In keeping with the evolution of D’Angelico’s - I would choose a stepped pickguard for a 48’ Style B. Deacon or Frank will make a fine pickguard - so just go for it.

Another option to consider - I recently ordered a custom-made pickguard from LeRoy Aiello. He did a great job. His price was very reasonable and he was very fast. I am sure he could do this job if you contacted him. Welcome to AielloGuitars.com
Keith

[Max405]

I would bet that the Style B's of the 30's had the Guard pictured in the 1935 ad. That is the same guard that I have on my 1937 Style A. I would also bet that some time in the 40's (probably when D'Angelico changed the headstock logo) the guard changed on the Style B. My Style B was made in 1948. It was the last Style B ever made, in fact 1946 was the last year that D'Angelico made Style A's or Style B's with the exception of my guitar. I was told by the widow of the second owner that the original owner was a family friend of John D'Angelico. The woods, binding and tailpiece on my guitar are all Excel quality and type (by the time my guitar was made, John D'Angelico was only making Excels and New Yorkers). I do not think the guard that came with my guitar is original. I need a proper guard for that guitar. I need to decide if I want a step on the Guard or not.

What would you guys do?

As much as I respect the work of Mirabella or Trenier, I am inclined to have either Deacon Mark or Frank make mine. They are fellow D'Angelico owners and they are my friends on this forum.

Here is the Style B at present. The Gibson type guard works, but a more DA guard would , IMO, be an improvement:Attachment 49845

SS, not enough is spoken about how absolutely BEAUTIFUL your Style B really is. It looks like a modern guitar. Man, you have beauties. Nice going bro.
When you take the stage with that guitar, it must be like.. Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor walking into prison saying, “yeah dats right we bad.. we bad and we don’t take no do-do”

In keeping with the evolution of D’Angelico’s - I would choose a stepped pickguard for a 48’ Style B. Deacon or Frank will make a fine pickguard - so just go for it.

QAman, A agree completely. The stepped pickguard just looks better to me. It’s John’s original addition to what basically is his rendition of the great L5. It and the stepped tailpiece screams, D’Angelico!

[Max405]

Another option to consider - I recently ordered a custom-made pickguard from LeRoy Aiello. He did a great job. His price was very reasonable and he was very fast. I am sure he could do this job if you contacted him. Welcome to AielloGuitars.com
Keith

wow! Did you see what he did with that Excel Electric! And that was the one spoken of that John glued pool table felt onto the top (inside the body) to help control the feedback.. Wow Keith, that made my day buddy!
This guy LeRoy is certainly worth a shot.
Oh my God. What a forum this is.
Joe D

[floatingpickup]

wow! Did you see what he did with that Excel Electric! And that was the one spoken of that John glued pool table felt onto the top (inside the body) to help control the feedback.. Wow Keith, that made my day buddy!
This guy LeRoy is certainly worth a shot.
Oh my God. What a forum this is.
Joe D

Joe:
I didn't notice the story about the Electric Excel before. Wow, that guitar was sure messed up when it came in to the shop, and looked great after LeRoy put it back in service. He is very capable. I first found out about him when he used to do all of the repairs at Mandolin Bros. He would have worked on lots of D'A's during his time there. He is a really good guy and my experience with him was excellent.
Keith

[Max405]

Keith, you are one of the real Credits to this forum.
Thank you buddy.
Joe D

[QAman]

Leroy is a fantastic luthier / restoration specialist. He did a neck reset on a 48' Epiphone deluxe I owned back in early nineties and it came out perfect. Highly recommended - but he always has a considerable backlog as do most good luthiers.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

[ThatRhythmMan]

Special thanks to QAman. I’ve been messaging with Bryant Trenier and it looks like he is going to make a single stairstep guard for the guitar.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Special thanks to QAman. I’ve been messaging with Bryant Trenier and it looks like he is going to make a single stairstep guard for the guitar.

I'm real pleased for you man...

Big

[AGM]

I would bet that the Style B's of the 30's had the Guard pictured in the 1935 ad. That is the same guard that I have on my 1937 Style A. I would also bet that some time in the 40's (probably when D'Angelico changed the headstock logo) the guard changed on the Style B. My Style B was made in 1948. It was the last Style B ever made, in fact 1946 was the last year that D'Angelico made Style A's or Style B's with the exception of my guitar. I was told by the widow of the second owner that the original owner was a family friend of John D'Angelico. The woods, binding and tailpiece on my guitar are all Excel quality and type (by the time my guitar was made, John D'Angelico was only making Excels and New Yorkers). I do not think the guard that came with my guitar is original. I need a proper guard for that guitar. I need to decide if I want a step on the Guard or not.

What would you guys do?

As much as I respect the work of Mirabella or Trenier, I am inclined to have either Deacon Mark or Frank make mine. They are fellow D'Angelico owners and they are my friends on this forum.

Here is the Style B at present. The Gibson type guard works, but a more DA guard would , IMO, be an improvement:Attachment 49845

That's a lovely 'Style B' guitar Stringswinger....