Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $1,600
Standard/Professional
$999
$2500+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "D'Angelico EXL-1". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The D'Angelico EXL-1 is a masterful blend of vintage charm and modern precision, paying homage to John D'Angelico's original designs. This full-sized hollowbody electric guitar is crafted with a laminated spruce top and maple back and sides, delivering a resonant, articulate tone that captures the essence of classic jazzbox sound. With its elegant art deco styling, the EXL-1 is as much a visual masterpiece as it is an auditory one.
The heart of the EXL-1's rich tonal palette is a Seymour Duncan 59 humbucker, known for its warm, smooth voice and remarkable versatility. Whether you're exploring jazz, blues, or rock, this pickup ensures your sound is both dynamic and expressive. The guitar's floating ebony bridge and stairstep tailpiece enhance its aesthetic while ensuring precise intonation and sustain.
Comfort and playability are at the forefront with a redesigned "C"-shaped neck profile, constructed from a three-piece maple and walnut combination. This neck provides a stable, comfortable feel, allowing for effortless playing across its 22 frets. The 12-inch radius ebony fingerboard offers ample space for technical maneuvers and expressive bends.
With its vintage appointments, including Grover tuners and pearloid inlays, the D'Angelico EXL-1 stands as a testament to quality craftsmanship and timeless design. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, this guitar brings a touch of elegance and a wealth of sonic possibilities to your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Laminated spruce top with maple back and sides
- Seymour Duncan 59 humbucker for versatile tones
- Floating ebony bridge and stairstep tailpiece
- "C"-shaped 3-piece maple/walnut neck
- 12-inch radius ebony fingerboard with 22 frets
- Grover tuners for reliable tuning stability
- Art deco design with pearloid inlays
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Hollowbody |
| Body Shape | Excel EXL-1 |
| Body Material | Laminated Flamed Maple |
| Top Material | Laminated Spruce |
| Body Finish | Gloss |
| Neck Material | 3-piece Maple/Walnut |
| Neck Shape | C |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Mother of Pearl Split Block |
| Number of Frets | 22 Jescar 47/104, Nickel-Silver |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" |
| Nut Material | GraphTech NuBone XL |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Floating Ebony Wood bridge, D'Angelico Stairstep Tailpiece |
| Tuners | Grover 150 Imperial |
| Neck Pickup | Seymour Duncan 59 Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x volume, 1 x tone |
| Strings | D'Angelico Electrozinc Jazz, .012-.052 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the D'Angelico EXL-1 best suited for?
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The D'Angelico EXL-1 is ideal for jazz and blues, offering a warm, resonant tone characteristic of hollowbody guitars. Its Seymour Duncan 59 Humbucker pickup provides smooth, vintage-style sounds perfect for these genres.
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How does the neck profile of the D'Angelico EXL-1 affect playability?
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The D'Angelico EXL-1 features a C-shaped neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip for most hand sizes, making it suitable for both chord work and intricate soloing.
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What materials are used in the construction of the D'Angelico EXL-1?
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The D'Angelico EXL-1 is crafted with a laminated flamed maple body, laminated spruce top, and a 3-piece maple/walnut neck. This combination offers durability and a distinctive tonal quality.
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Does the D'Angelico EXL-1 come with a case?
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Yes, the D'Angelico EXL-1 comes with a hardshell case, providing excellent protection for the guitar during transport and storage.
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What are the tuning stability features of the D'Angelico EXL-1?
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The D'Angelico EXL-1 is equipped with Grover 150 Imperial tuners, which are known for their reliability and precision, ensuring stable tuning for extended playing sessions.
Videos
Darrell Braun Guitar
I FINALLY Play a Jazz Guitar! - The D'Angelico EXL-1 Throwback!
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional build quality and classic jazz guitar aesthetics
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Rich, full tone both acoustically and when plugged in
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Comfortable neck with thin, playable design
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Floating humbucker offers a true vintage electric jazz tone
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Versatile sound suitable for various jazz styles and effects
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Attractive natural finish and woods
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Good price-to-value ratio for a jazz archtop
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Relatively high sustain for a fully hollow archtop
CONS
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Guitar feels heavy due to laminated top
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Fretwork may require leveling and setup adjustments
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Tone pot has limited effect on sound adjustments
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Glossy neck might hinder some players' preference
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Limited acoustic resonance, especially in bass strings
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about D'Angelico EXL-1.
Comparisons
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The D'Angelico EXL-1 is compared to the Godin 5th Avenues, Eastman 371s, Ibanez George Benson models, and Joe Pass Epiphone Emperor for jazz tone and build quality.
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Some users consider D'Angelico guitars to have the best-looking headstocks on the market, though opinions vary depending on the guitar style.
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Features and functionality
Mods and upgrades
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Replacing the pickup with a Kent Armstrong 12 pole is recommended for enhanced performance, suggesting compatibility and improvement over stock pickups.
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Use cases and applications
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The guitar pairs well with a Deluxe Reverb amp for achieving a classic jazz sound, aligning with its design for fat-bodied jazz tones.
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Value and pricing
User experience
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Owners appreciate the "phat and blingy" aesthetics, which contribute to the guitar's appeal as a visually striking jazz instrument.
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Setup and maintenance
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Using flatwound strings like Thomastik Jazz Bebop 12s enhances the jazz tone, suggesting string choice is crucial for optimal sound.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings
67
Good quality and great sound
The guitar has a mini hum bucket and gives great sound. You might get feedback on your amp because it's a hollow body but it's still great. Can be used as a acoustic.
Artist usage
Add artistGenre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use D'Angelico EXL-1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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