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Photo provided by: DAngelico Guitars
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Few names in the guitar world carry as much reverence as D’Angelico. Founded in 1932 by the visionary luthier John D’Angelico in New York City’s Little Italy, this legendary brand became synonymous with the golden era of jazz. His handcrafted archtops were more than instruments — they were works of art, sculpted from the heart of Manhattan and resonating with the sound of swing, sophistication, and soul. Each guitar bore the unmistakable blend of craftsmanship and character that continues to define D’Angelico to this day.
Reviving a Legend
After decades of silence following D’Angelico’s passing in 1964, the name was reborn in the late 1990s, fueled by a deep respect for its founder’s artistry. The modern revival has done more than preserve a legacy — it has reimagined it. Today, D’Angelico blends vintage elegance with contemporary precision, offering a stunning array of instruments that cater to players of every style. From the timeless EXL-1 hollowbody to the sleek Deluxe SS, each model pays homage to the past while embracing the innovation of the present.
Three Series, One Soul
The D’Angelico catalog is elegantly structured into three distinct series: Premier, Excel, and Deluxe. The Premier Series delivers accessibility and style for emerging players seeking that signature D’Angelico look and tone. The Excel Series steps into classic territory — refined appointments, select tonewoods, and a richer sonic response. Finally, the Deluxe Series crowns the lineup with premium hardware, boutique pickups, and finishes worthy of stage and studio alike. Each series may differ in detail, but they all share one common DNA — the unmistakable D’Angelico flair.
Art Deco, Reimagined
D’Angelico guitars are instantly recognizable for their art-deco styling, from the striking stairstep tailpiece to the skyscraper-inspired headstock. These design choices are more than aesthetic — they are symbolic of New York’s skyline and the brand’s bold personality. When a D’Angelico graces the stage, it doesn’t just play music; it makes a statement. The fine binding, intricate inlays, and graceful curves serve as a reminder that visual artistry still matters in a world of mass production.
Performance and Tone
In the hands of a skilled player, a D’Angelico can sing with authority. The hollow and semi-hollow models deliver warm resonance and clarity ideal for jazz, blues, or even soul. Meanwhile, their solid-body designs expand the tonal palette — crisp highs, tight lows, and enough sustain to satisfy rock and fusion guitarists alike. The company’s partnership with pickup manufacturers such as Seymour Duncan and Kent Armstrong ensures each guitar carries tonal character to match its visual beauty.
Craftsmanship and Consistency
While opinions vary between the entry-level and higher-end models, D’Angelico’s attention to craftsmanship remains a defining trait. The Excel and Deluxe lines, built with meticulous care, have earned praise for their smooth playability and balanced tonal response. Some players note that lower-priced Premier models trade premium tonewoods for affordability, but the overall design integrity is never compromised. Each instrument — regardless of price — retains that signature D’Angelico feel elegant, playable, and proudly distinctive.
From Collectors to Creators
Vintage D’Angelico guitars crafted by John D’Angelico himself are now museum-grade treasures, commanding reverence and astronomical prices among collectors. Modern models, however, make the spirit of that craftsmanship attainable for working musicians. Whether you’re playing smoky jazz clubs, intimate acoustic sets, or high-gain stages, a D’Angelico offers something timeless — a connection between the player, the instrument, and the art of expression.
A Legacy of Sound and Style
In a market saturated with imitators, D’Angelico Guitars continues to define its own lane — one where heritage meets modern harmony. It is a brand that respects the past yet dares to evolve, crafting instruments that appeal to both tradition and innovation. For players seeking an instrument that performs as beautifully as it looks, D’Angelico remains a name of enduring prestige.
OUR FOCUS – EXCEL GRAMERCY
D’Angelico Excel Gramercy – Honest Craft, Modern Clarity
The D’Angelico Excel Gramercy is a guitar that feels thoughtfully built rather than overly dressed. It brings together D’Angelico’s art-deco heritage with the needs of today’s player — clarity, balance, and stage reliability. This is not a boutique instrument aimed at collectors; it’s a working musician’s acoustic-electric designed to sound good, play clean, and look distinct.
Design and Construction
At its core, the Excel Gramercy uses a solid Sitka spruce top paired with laminated Macassar ebony back and sides. The choice of laminate is intentional — offering durability, stability, and a controlled tonal response that stays consistent under varied conditions. The mahogany neck with a slim C profile feels comfortable for extended sessions, especially for players who move between acoustic and electric instruments. Fit and finish are generally clean, with only minor inconsistencies occasionally reported around binding or fret edges — nothing uncommon for its price tier.
Sound and Tonal Profile
The Gramercy projects a tone that leans toward clarity and articulation rather than lush overtones. The spruce top delivers brightness and definition, making fingerpicked passages stand out with precision. The midrange remains focused, while the low end is tight and controlled — more “defined” than “boomy.” Players looking for the open warmth of a rosewood dreadnought may find it slightly restrained, but those who value separation and balance will appreciate how it sits in a mix.
This tonal character makes the Gramercy well-suited for studio recording and live performance, where articulation often matters more than sheer resonance.
Electronics and Live Use
The onboard Fishman Presys+ preamp adds real-world versatility. Its EQ controls and built-in tuner are simple but effective, giving players an easy way to adapt to venue acoustics without losing the natural tone of the guitar. Plugged in, the Gramercy delivers a clear, predictable signal that works well for solo artists, acoustic duos, and worship players alike. It’s not flashy — it’s functional, which in this category is exactly what you want.
Out of the box, the Gramercy’s action tends to arrive slightly high, but a standard setup quickly brings it to ideal playing condition. The neck’s satin finish helps reduce stickiness, while the rolled fretboard edges make transitions smooth. The cutaway offers practical upper-fret access — not just for show. For long practice or performance sessions, the ergonomic design keeps hand fatigue low, which is a real strength at this price point.
True to D’Angelico form, the Gramercy maintains a distinct visual flair without feeling overstated. The stairstep pickguard, pearl inlays, and signature headstock remind you that this is a D’Angelico — proud of its New York roots but updated for a modern player base. Finishes like Vintage Sunburst or Autumn Burst give it a high-end appearance without crossing into ornamental excess. It’s stylish, but grounded.
The Gramercy’s strength lies in its balance: comfortable design, articulate tone, and reliable electronics. It’s not trying to emulate the warmth of a Martin or the shimmer of a Taylor — instead, it offers its own brand of precision. The laminate back and sides naturally limit overtone complexity, but they also make the instrument less prone to humidity shifts and cracking. It’s a trade-off that suits touring and gigging players who need consistency more than delicacy.
The fretwork and action may require light adjustment to achieve optimal playability, but once dialed in, the guitar responds with clean, even intonation across the fretboard.
The D’Angelico Excel Gramercy is an honest performer — elegant enough for the stage, practical enough for daily use. It’s a guitar that rewards careful touch, translating subtle playing dynamics with clarity and precision. While not a “wow” instrument in terms of sheer acoustic power, it delivers reliability, playability, and a distinct personality that sets it apart from more generic mid-tier models.
D’Angelico Excel Gramercy — The Acoustic Purist’s Voice
The D’Angelico Excel Gramercy is one of those rare acoustics that lets its tonewood speak entirely for itself. Without onboard electronics, what you hear is a pure acoustic response — shaped by the wood, the bracing, and the player’s touch. It’s a guitar that reveals the truth of your technique, with no circuitry to smooth over imperfections or add artificial presence.
The Soundboard: Sitka Spruce as the Heart of Tone
At the center of the Gramercy’s voice is a solid Sitka spruce top — the most critical element in its construction. Sitka spruce remains one of the most widely used and respected tonewoods for acoustic soundboards, and for good reason. It combines stiffness, strength, and lightness, allowing it to vibrate freely while maintaining structural integrity.
In the Gramercy, this results in a bright, articulate voice with plenty of headroom. Each note rings clearly and distinctly, with crisp separation between bass, mids, and treble. The spruce top brings a lively attack, fast response, and strong projection — perfect for players who value clarity and dynamic expression over dark, saturated warmth.
How It Shapes the Gramercy’s Tonal Character
Because the Gramercy uses laminated Macassar ebony for its back and sides, the body acts primarily as a reflective chamber, pushing the spruce top’s energy forward rather than coloring it heavily. The result is a focused and balanced tone, one that projects cleanly and maintains definition even under heavier strumming.
The spruce top emphasizes sparkle in the high end and precision in the midrange, while the laminate ebony keeps the sound tight and consistent. There’s no “boominess” here — instead, the Gramercy offers a voice that’s smooth, modern, and even-tempered.
This clarity makes it ideal for studio recording, songwriting, and practice — situations where natural tone, tuning stability, and consistency matter more than sheer volume or low-end power.
Why Sitka Spruce Was Chosen
D’Angelico’s designers likely selected Sitka spruce for the Gramercy because it’s a reliable, adaptable tonewood. It works well across genres — fingerstyle, folk, pop, and light rock — and it handles changes in humidity and temperature better than softer woods like cedar. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio allows the top to produce a clear tone without requiring overly heavy bracing, keeping the instrument resonant and balanced.
From a manufacturing standpoint, Sitka also delivers predictable tonal results — every guitar will sound consistent, even if made in different production runs. That reliability is vital for a modern line like the Excel series, where D’Angelico aims to deliver performance-grade acoustics with visual distinction and tonal precision.
If It Used a Different Top
If you swapped out the Sitka top, the Gramercy’s entire tonal fingerprint would change:
Each of these would bring personality, but the choice of Sitka keeps the Gramercy’s tone balanced, reliable, and versatile — exactly what most acoustic players want in a performance or studio instrument.
