D'Angelico Excel Archtop

1951 D’ Angelico Excel, #1876

A rare instrument from master guitar luthier John D’Angelico.

Comes with a Johnny Smith pickup installed as shown. Included is the original De Armond RhythmChief 1100 Gold Plated Pick-up. See last photo. The pickguard was changed in the late 70s however the original pick guard binding is included.
This 1951 Excel was made with a 16 and 3/4 wide Archtop body, carved spruce top, highly-figured maple back and sides, f holes, natural finish, removable heigh-adjustable ebony bridge, Art-deco extension-style metal tail piece with “D‘Angelico New York” logo engraving. It also has a one-piece figured maple neck with white heel cap, brass peghead finial, mother-of-pearl “D’Angelico” and “Excel” logo peg-head inlays, Grover imperial tuners with Art-deco style metal buttons, 20 fret ebony fingerboard with rectangular mother-of-pearl inlays, multi-ply white & black edge binding on peghead, finger board, f-holes, pick-guard and body top and back along with gold plated metal hardware.

The guitar was sold new to Frank Feretti on Nov 1st, 1951. It’s second owner , Frank Carrol sold it to South Florida guitarist Bob Whitlock in 1973, an extraordinary jazz guitarist and teacher of many , including a young Jaco Pastorious.

Included with guitar is the original hard shell case and the original 1951 purchase receipt. Buyer pays flat shipping fee 275.00 .