"To those who praise the finest guitars, the name D'Angelico is synonymous with the best" - Akira Tsumura. Coveted by collectors & players fortunate enough to have them, these rare works of art helped shape music history as we know it. We are pleased to showcase this fine Excel model arch top by the esteemed John D'Angelico (1905-1964), serial number 1355 entered into the ledger as a New Yorker model, dated 03/18/1938, for Moresco (Moresco Bros. of Bridgeport, CT).

A commanding instrument, this is one of the best archtops we've encountered - with a completely unique palette of tonal and dynamic possibilities at ones fingertips. Good volume meant to compete with Gibson's L-5 model, the 17" Excel model would sit alongside the bigger New Yorker model throughout the 40's - seen here as the full, non-cutaway option. Certainly good for swing, it has a healthy amount of bass response for the band stand - acting as a great utility rhythm instrument. Given its age and craftsmanship, this example offers a distinct voice than other boutique guitars - with a robust midrange that can easily sit on top of the band when soloing or playing chord melody. Having been well cared for in its history - it shows mild past repair work that yields a very sweet instrument to play currently (more below).

The body of the Excel is often copied, with a wide 17" lower bout, 10.25" waist, and 12.25" upperbout. The top is hand carved by the hand of the master out of fine, tightly grained spruce bound in 8 ply w/b/w binding, and single bound F holes - the binding on this example all in great condition with no significant shrinkage or deterioration - just light finish wear and discoloration, most notably at the elbow. This example is fitted with the original stamped "Grover Pat Applied for" Deluxe tailpiece - in well aged gold plated nickel, with "D'Angelico New York" stamped at its hanger base. The two piece ebony bridge is in good condition with about 1/64" in height still useable by the thumb screws. The original pickguard was significantly deteriorated upon its arrival (included in the sale), so a replica was expertly made by our good friend Ben Bruton - complete with hand done etching & well matched binding to the cellulose, it retains the original worn pickguard mounting bracket. The dark two tone burst shows surface wear in the forms of checking, nicks, dings, and scratches. Internally it has a standard two tone bar brace design - with only two center seam cleats present - one towards the base underneath the tailpiece, and one towards the fingerboard extension. The back and sides are made of maple with a healthy amount of flame throughout. The sides have a depth of 3 1/8". There is a cleat sealed crack on the bass side lower bout towards the waist that runs about 6". The treble side lower bout shows more significant finish wear. Internally, the serial is stamped "1355" again, noted in the ledger as a New Yorker model. There are three very old cleats present on the center seam. On the exterior the back shows similar amounts of finish wear, mild buckle rash and checking - with the most significant binding separation towards the base of the body in between the seams of the binding itself.

The 5 piece neck is composed of maple with two darker woods towards the center. The amber finished neck shows a nice amount of flame, with the burst finish at its volute and heel. There is wear in the finish notably at the thumb position at the open position and up into the 7th register. Scratches and deeper finish wear is present toward the heel, but it appears crack free - the finish all original to the instrument. The neck profile has a chunkier C feel, which measures .92" in depth at the first fret, tapering to 1" at the ninth fret. The neck is designed with a standard 24.75" scale length, and 1 11/16" (which measures very true). The ebony fingerboard is bound in similar multi ply w/b/w binding, which has stayed in good condition free of shrinkage or separation. The guitar has been refretted, resulting in a very nice playing instrument - the binding original with slight pressure cracks present. The ebony fingerboard is clean and free of divots, with mild surface wear present. The block MOP inlay is engraved with the "folded paper" design (as some have called it), the black from the engraving well retained, most worn at the 3, 5, & 7th locations. A replaced bone nut is present - and the guitar is setup for a standard 13-56 string set. The neck is nice and straight, with a non adjustable t-rod internally - showing slight fall off at the fingerboard extension. The action measures a very playable 4/64" in height at the twelfth fret of both the 1st and 6th string. It is adorned with slightly later gold "Cat-Eye" stamped Grover open gear Sta-Tite tuners - which function as they should, the bushings slightly protruding from the peghead. The "new" designed peg head features the MOP inlaid D'Angelico New York and Excel logo - retaining some of the ambered gold finish, with some scratches present.

Includes era correct brown Lifton case, with pink low pile interior - all in good condition with wear to its exterior edges. The case latches and hinges all perform as they should, the center luggage latch a little worn. "Built like a fortress" reads true on its interior label.

Weighs 6.25 lbs