RevDavidLee Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I have always wanted one of these and settled for the offshore one as I didn't want to drop over 10k for the USA Masterbuilt model. Found one used on MF for $1039 with hard shell D'Angelico case. I wanted the natural finish so that's what I ordered. I believe these sell new for $1299 so I saved about $250. Have read great reviews on these and had to rely solely on those because no one locally has them for me to try out. Of course everyone knows that you have 45 days to return things to MF so no worries with this purchase. They are stunning to look at and so far the reviews I've read everyone seems to love the crap out of them. We'll see Sorry - I meant I bought an EXL-1 More info: Features Single cutaway shape Hollow body Laminated spruce top Laminated flamed maple back 17-1/2" width, 3" depth Floating Humbucker 1 volume / 1 tone controls 7-ply binding Stairstep pickguard Satin stain rosewood bridge D'Angelico stairstep tailpiece Gold-plated hardware Grover Super Rotomatic tuners 1-11/16" nut width Neck: Hard maple 2-pcs. walnut center 25.5" scale Mother-of-pearl inlay Includes deluxe hardshell case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vangoghsear Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Beautiful guitar Rev. I've looked at those, but haven't come across any to try. Enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brytam Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Congrats! One beautiful guitar. I went to a guitar show last February & played my first D'Angelico guitar. I had seen an article for a D'Angelico bass in Bass Player magazine about a year ago which was the first time I had ever heard of this brand. The headstock design on those are really cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I can't wait to read your review and hear some sounds clips when you get that puppy. I'd love to get my hands on one of those to see what they're all about. One MAJOR decision you've got on your hands is to flatwound or not to flatwound. It seems to me from your posts around here you are mainly a flattop player, but.....if you really want to get THAT sound and performance out of a big archtop, you've got to try some flats. Keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Congrats! Yeah I see them going for $1,299 so you did get a great deal. Here's a great review of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drog Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I have been wanting to try one of these as well, along with the Eastman offerings. Looking forward to what you have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 nice score Rev. !! pics are a must, as I believe these are made in the same factory as the Korean Guilds. should be an EXELLENT guitar ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I think you will find you have made a good buy Rev. Excellent spec in the D'Angelico and similar in construction to my Yamaha AE12 (except the Yamaha has double humbuckers like the L5). Personally, I would like the single floating pickup design as most of my playing is over the top of the neck pickup anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 That looks nice Rev Larry gives good advice, flatwounds will probably be the right strings for that... I have an Epi Regent (flatwounds are a lock on that one) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Gorgeous, Rev. I'm sure I saw one of these in a post by someone in the 'Introduce Yourself' section. I definitely remember checking out on-line the non-USA D'Angelico range after I saw it - whatever it was... Very nice indeed! P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 I can't wait to read your review and hear some sounds clips when you get that puppy. I'd love to get my hands on one of those to see what they're all about. One MAJOR decision you've got on your hands is to flatwound or not to flatwound. It seems to me from your posts around here you are mainly a flattop player, but.....if you really want to get THAT sound and performance out of a big archtop, you've got to try some flats. Keep us posted. Already ordered a few sets of different gauges of these from Just Strings. Heads up to everyone when ordering from these folks - they charge as much for shipping as they do for a set of these strings. Thought that was a bit tacky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I prefer personally the shorter scale and size of the 16-inch box and 24 3/4 scale. Think 175. But my Eastman is a fine instrument. My inexpensive floating pup Gretsch (the longer scale) is doggone nice with the flats it's wearing. I've about concluded that American guitar design is pretty much definitive on archtops, flattops and various electrics, but the Asians seem to have little difficulty at crafting roughly similar instruments that are eminently playable and sound quite nice at price points that make the instruments available to folks who couldn't imagine buying a decent electric archtop some years ago. Each of us will find a slightly different instrument more comfortable and "natural," but the bottom line is that there's a quality of instruments today with many different shapes/types that puts us into a guitarists' paradise excepting GAS pains when the wallet doesn't match the wishes. Rev... I hear you on the Just Strings. Shipping costs will bite you unless you buy a whole batch of stuff that cuts the cost per package. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Already ordered a few sets of different gauges of these from Just Strings. Heads up to everyone when ordering from these folks - they charge as much for shipping as they do for a set of these strings. I get my "boutique" strings from stringsbymail.com, you might want to check them out in the future. Anyway... seems like you're on the right track for the new archtop. Once you get accustomed to the sound and feel of the SS flats, you might consider going one step further: http://www.labella.com/products/800m-black-nylon/ Years ago, jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli turned me on to these strings, and I've never looked back. I actually use various types of LaBella strings on ALL my guitars now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 they charge as much for shipping as they do for a set of these strings. yes, this is the harsh reality I guess. I have used these guys for many years now, for guys with multiple guitars (like, HELLO -- Almost ALL of us)..I just place an order to "restock" and the shipping charges, aint so bad. I live in Central Mass,, they're up in Southern New Hampshire, it takes like two days for orders to get here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 ...I live in Central Mass,, they're up in Southern New Hampshire, it takes like two days for orders to get here... It's the ponies I feel sorry for, KB.... P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 I get my "boutique" strings from stringsbymail.com, you might want to check them out in the future. Anyway... seems like you're on the right track for the new archtop. Once you get accustomed to the sound and feel of the SS flats, you might consider going one step further: http://www.labella.com/products/800m-black-nylon/ Years ago, jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli turned me on to these strings, and I've never looked back. I actually use various types of LaBella strings on ALL my guitars now. Never heard of these before now Just ordered a set! Thanks Sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 ... Rev... I hear you on the Just Strings. Shipping costs will bite you unless you buy a whole batch of stuff that cuts the cost per package. m I hear ya my friend. The only reason I didn't order more is because I'm not sure at this point what strings I will end up favoring on this particular guitar so the experimentation stage is going to run me a bit more. Between ordering from Just Strings and a set of those LaBella's I've already dropped almost $50 on strings for a guitar I don't even have yet.. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 When I got my Gretsch archtop - not nearly as nice as yours, but also with a floating pup - I got several different sets of flats - maybe a half dozen - and also some of my normal AE and acoustic sets so it made the shipping worthwhile. I don't think I'll need to buy strings for a while... BTW, I used tapewounds in the '70s on an old archtop. Had mixed emotions about 'em personally, but I can see how they'd be awfully nice for some folks. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I hear ya my friend. The only reason I didn't order more is because I'm not sure at this point what strings I will end up favoring on this particular guitar so the experimentation stage is going to run me a bit more. Between ordering from Just Strings and a set of those LaBella's I've already dropped almost $50 on strings for a guitar I don't even have yet.. Lol But, you will have it soon! Let us know what you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EastEnder Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Deleted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 I'm sure I saw one of these in a post by someone in the 'Introduce Yourself' section... Here's mine... Thanks, EE. That's the one! P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 That's a tasty guitar EE. Lovely colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 But, you will have it soon! Let us know what you think. Right you are - it showed up about 4 hours ago and I have (literally) been playing it the entire time up until about 20 minutes ago. :o WHOA! This guitar is nothing short of stunning in every way possible. And I'm not just talking about the appearance - this plays like a dream. Attention Gibson - you could learn A LOT from the people who built this guitar. The setup and action and the neck and the tone are to die for. I mean to die for. Even with round wound D'Addario's on it it's d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s as can be. The guitar is easily worth twice what they're selling for new so this was a bargain no matter how you slice it. As far as buying "used" - the initial listing on Musicians Friend said "Condition Level 2 - may show slight wear from normal use, blah blah" NO IT DIDN"T! It's like new and I could not find a single pick impression on the pick guard or a single mar or mark anywhere. I even had to peel the plastic film off the pickup cover. This was the same as brand new. Same with the case. Stunning!!!! Gotta go post some photos - back with the link soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 I'm jealous. If I was in the market for another jazz box, that D'Angelico would be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted June 13, 2014 Author Share Posted June 13, 2014 Photos!!!! Here's my link: http://www.rivercityrockets.com/DAngelicoEXL1.html I've been playing it some more. You know it's going to sound fantastic plugged in when it sounds so damn good not plugged in. And it does. After the first 2 hours of playing it unplugged, I ran her through my SWR California Blonde acoustic amp and then through my Trace Elliot TA50R. Juicy. Articulate. Chimey. Sweet and soulful. I am really truly pleased with this purchase guys. I'm trying to imagine how the 10k USA made version could be so much better to justify that extra 9k. And I can't justify how it could sound THAT much better. I mean I'm no slouch here brothers and I have some very fine guitars in my stable so I have good comparative references to draw upon and this Made in Korea D'Angelico is not only worth the full asking price of $1299 for new - the $1039 I paid for "used" was a giveaway price. Its hard to surprise me after all these years of pickin & a grinning but, consider me pleasantly and joyfully surprised. What an axe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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