1998 D'angelico Excel by Michael A Lewis - Authorized Handbuilt Reproduction - Builder Authenticated #12-026

1998 D'Angelico Excel by Michael A. Lewis

This is not a modern production D'Angelico.

This is a hand-built D'Angelico Excel reproduction by respected California luthier Michael A. Lewis, built during the period when Lewis was producing authorized reproductions of John D'Angelico's legendary archtop guitars.

This particular instrument, serial number 12-026, has now been personally authenticated by Michael Lewis from his surviving original shop records.

Lewis confirmed that construction of #12-026 began in June 1997 and was completed in January 1998.

According to the builder's original records:

• Model: D'Angelico Excel reproduction
• Serial number: 12-026
• Completed: January 1998
• Top: Engelmann spruce
• Back and sides: Oregon big-leaf maple
• Scale length: 24.9"
• Nut Width: 1 3/4"

Built from firsthand study of an original D'Angelico

In corresponding with Michael about this guitar, he also shared some fascinating history about how he developed his D'Angelico reproductions.

Lewis was fortunate to have access to an original John D'Angelico that belonged to a retired musician who had played in Frank Sinatra's band. While repairing that instrument, Lewis took careful measurements and notes, describing the experience as having essentially "gone to school" on the guitar.

Over the years, several other original D'Angelicos also passed through his shop for repairs and fret work.

That firsthand exposure to John D'Angelico's original instruments informed the construction of Lewis's own D'Angelico reproductions.

Michael Lewis has since closed his shop, so his hand-built D'Angelico instruments are now available only when an existing example enters the secondary market.

The guitar spent several months with my professional luthier being carefully cleaned, repaired, restored and set up. He was particularly impressed with both the quality of Michael Lewis's construction and the sound of the instrument.

The guitar is now playing beautifully and presents extremely well.

This should, however, be considered a professionally restored, nearly 30-year-old handmade instrument, rather than an untouched or mint-condition example. Please examine the detailed photographs for its cosmetic condition.

Any original components currently retained separately will be included with the guitar.

Direct builder authentication

An especially nice aspect of #12-026 is that its individual history has survived.

Michael Lewis still had the original shop record for this specific guitar when I contacted him in September 2026. He personally confirmed its construction dates, woods, scale length and identity as one of his D'Angelico Excel reproductions.

A printed copy of my correspondence with Michael Lewis will be included with the guitar, providing the next owner with documentation directly from the builder.

New hardshell case

The original case had deteriorated badly over the years and was no longer suitable for protecting an instrument of this quality.

The guitar now comes with a brand-new dark brown Crossrock hardshell archtop case, purchased specifically for this instrument.

The original deteriorated case is not included.

A special American-built archtop

Michael Lewis's D'Angelicos occupy an interesting place in the history of the marque: individually hand-built American reproductions created by an accomplished archtop builder who had the opportunity to study original John D'Angelico instruments firsthand.

With Lewis's shop now closed, there will be no new examples.

Serial #12-026 offers the additional benefit of having its individual construction history confirmed directly by Michael Lewis from his original records almost three decades after he built it.

Sorry, but I'm not interested in trading at this stage of my life.