D'Angelico Excel T.J. Sunburst 1937

This 1937 D'Angelico Excel is a rare piece of guitar history from the very first year of this legendary model. Made just thirteen months after the first dated Excel left the workshop, this instrument belongs to the very first generation of what would become D'Angelico's flagship in the 17-inch category.

John D'Angelico was building only 30 to 35 instruments a year at this time in his small shop on Kenmare Street in Manhattan, New York, making each guitar a unique handcrafted masterpiece. The Excel was developed in late 1935 as D'Angelico's answer to the Gibson L5, and this example, serial number 1258, was completed on April 22, 1937, according to the factory records.

This particular guitar has a fascinating story, as it was custom built for guitarist Tom Johnston, who had his initials "T.J." engraved on the pickguard. This instrument is even featured on page 202 of the respected book "Acoustic Guitars and Other Fretted Instruments" by George Gruhn and Walter Carter, further underscoring its historical significance.

The instrument features a hand-carved spruce top with parallel bracing and beautifully figured maple back and sides. The neck also shows beautiful flamed maple, while the ebony fingerboard is adorned with beautifully engraved mother-of-pearl block inlays. Also special is the transitional model tailpiece with diagonally placed string anchoring, but still without the later characteristic step shape that would become a D'Angelico trademark.

This Excel is in excellent condition without cracks or repairs, but does show the loving playwear from decades of use. The neck in particular shows the characteristic wear that only comes from years of intensive playing, a testament to the quality and playability that this guitar possesses. It is precisely this kind of authentic wear that gives a vintage D'Angelico its unique character and story.

Listen to Maurice van Hoek's demo below to experience the beautiful clear and woody sound of the guitar!

Consignment.