Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Very Good

From straight ahead Joe Pass-isms to forward leaning playing from the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, Isaiah Sharkey, and more, this EXL-1 can handle it all with class and polish.  This one came in already itching to get back out on a gig--a light setup from our luthier was all it took to get to top shelf condition and playability.  The high end flatwounds on there when it came in still sound great, too--this is an easy choice, y'all!

SP Luthier Notes: Fret dress and setup

From Other (Miscellanous Used/Vintage/Consign)

D’Angelico is the ultimate name in jazz guitar. 

John D’Angelico produced only 1164 archtops and an original D’Angelico instrument has become virtually impossible to obtain. To address the high demand, D’Angelico Guitars of America is proud to present the archtop EXL-1, the flagship model of the Standard Series. The EXL-1 pays tribute to John D’Angelico and captures the classic spirit of its mid-century counterpart with its quality, playability, and style, and is offered at an attractive price point. 

Upon picking up in the EXL-1, the archtop’s exquisite tonal response will be immediately apparent. Smoky comping chords and intricate single-note lines sound with remarkable clarity and balance. The EXL-1’s floating pickup design allows for unobstructed vibration on the guitar’s top producing maximum string resonance and ringing tones. 

Like every D’Angelico guitar, the EXL-1 exudes elegance. Some notable features include the distinctive headstock with a mother-of-pearl Excel inlay and Art Deco truss rod cover. The beauty of the signature stairstep pickguard (with mounted volume and tone controls) and matching tailpiece is enhanced by the mother-of-pearl square block inlays, bookmatched laminated carved maple top and back. Gold Grover Super Rotomatic stairstep tuners and gold-plated hardware round out the EXL-1s classic appointments. A deluxe hardshell case is included. 

Veteran jazz players will immediately notice the extremely comfortable neck shape, and players of other styles will feel equally at home. Whether composing on your living room couch or captivating a concert audience, the EXL-1 is the modern day equivalent to the master builder’s legacy.

Model
Excel EXL-1
Serial
S160062161
Body Style
Hollowbody
Body Depth
3"
Body Width
17"
Color
Black
Shape
Single Cutaway
Top Material
Laminated Spruce
Back Material
Laminated Flame Maple
Side Materal
Laminated Flame Maple
Binding Top
5-Ply
Bridge
Ebony with Mother of Pearl Dots
Tail & Tailpiece
D'Angelico Stairstep
Pickguard
Tortoise Scalini 5-Ply
Strap Button
Two Gold Locking
Fingerboard
Pau Ferro
Fingerboard Binding
3-Ply
Fretwire
Medium Jumbo
Scale
25.5"
Neck Radius
16"
Position Inlay Top
Mother of Pearl Split-Block
Frets
22
Nut Width
1 11/16"
Nut Material
Bone
Neck Pickup
USA Seymour duncan Johnny Smith Floating Mini-Humbucker
Controls
Volume, Tone
Hardware
Gold
Case
Hardshell

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.