D'Angelico EXL-1 - Excel vs Deluxe?

[aaronponcech]

Hey guys,

I am about to buy my first Jazz guitar and I`d love to read some advice on this.

I`ve read great things about the EXL-1 Excel but not much about the EXL-1 Deluxe (discontinued).

A friend of mine is selling me his Deluxe in great condition. Should I go for it or buy an Excel?

Thanks!


Aaron

[John A.]

Hey guys,

I am about to buy my first Jazz guitar and I`d love to read some advice on this.

I`ve read great things about the EXL-1 Excel but not much about the EXL-1 Deluxe (discontinued).

A friend of mine is selling me his Deluxe in great condition. Should I go for it or buy an Excel?

Thanks!


Aaron

They're basically the same guitar, except that at the time the Deluxe was made it came with a Duncan US made pickup instead of a Korean Kent Armstrong pickup on the Excel (which is actually a good pickup, but the Duncan is in theory better) and some minor hardware upgrades. I've tried both, and I thought the Deluxe sounded a bit better (maybe?), but not dramatically so. If you played your friend's and you like it, it's always a safer bet to buy something you've tried than something you haven't, assuming it's a good price.

The Deluxes came in bright colors and a satin finish, which wasn't very popular, so they got discontinued quickly. This is why they're often found pretty cheaply, but in theory they were a higher level model than the Excel. Nowadays, the Excel comes with the Duncan pickup and (some minor differences in wood and hardware aside) is the same thing with a more traditional finish. There's also a version called the Throwback (also discontinued), which is basically the same specs at as the Deluxe, but with a nicer cosmetics than either the Deluxe or the Excel. There's also the Premier, which is made in Indonesia and (to me anyway) not as good a guitar as the Korean ones by a significant margin.

[frankhond]

Observing the company’s products over time it seems the strategy is to release new models every year or so, focusing in design. And put them into the hands of young players on youtube. Nothing wrong with that, but most of these are more or less the same. I agree that you should play one and buy it if you like it, rather than ordering one.

FWIW my daughter is in as well known jazz school over here. The guitar students all play Eastman archtops, or the lower end GB10’s. Some even play strats.

[Reg]

yea... you need to usually play a few of them... as well as play some really good jazz guitars to find a good inexpensive guitar. I have some great inexpensive guitars and 1 of them is a DAngelico Excel that I found in Georgia that spent it's life in a case LOL...and still did a lot of work to get it to work well. Disclaimer... I'm a pro etc.

I redid all the electronics... and copper plated pick guard to help get the ground thing together, added a bardolini , new tuners, tailpiece etc...etc... it works well for soloing...but only ok for comping.But Looks cool with all the black hardware
Here's a couple pics..
Also neck made perfect with a Plek Machine... by others

[mwhoyle]

...FWIW my daughter is in as well known jazz school over here. The guitar students all play Eastman archtops, or the lower end GB10’s. Some even play strats.

What school, Frank? If you don't mind me asking.