DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Solid Black

DAngelico Deluxe Atlantic Solid Black review

The Deluxe Atlantic Solid Black is a solid-body electric guitar built around a familiar two-humbucker layout, with switching options that give it more range than a fixed-voice setup. Its black finish, gold-plated hardware, ornate fingerboard inlays, and layered body binding make a strong visual impression. The specifications list alder for the body, top, back, and sides, with a three-piece maple, walnut, and maple neck and an ebony fingerboard.

At a listed price of 1390, it sits in a range where finish quality, hardware, and feel all matter. One owner described the workmanship as excellent and said the guitar felt easy to play, particularly with smaller hands. Another reported enjoying its sound both unplugged and through an amplifier. Those are individual impressions rather than guarantees, but they point to the areas that make this model appealing: comfortable access, a distinctive appearance, and flexible pickup controls.

Construction and playing feel

The neck has a narrow C profile and a 43 mm nut width. Its 628 mm scale and 22 frets place it in a compact-feeling format compared with many longer-scale electric guitars. The owner reports describe the neck as slim and comfortable, with a satin-feeling back. One player said their fingers settled into position quickly and found the upper frets accessible. The specifications do not identify the neck joint construction, so the practical point here is the reported ease of movement across the fingerboard.

The ebony fingerboard carries split-block inlays made from mother-of-pearl and abalone. A seven-ply body binding adds another visible detail, while the five-ply tortoiseshell pickguard uses an F-hole-style shape. That styling suggests a traditional influence without changing the instrument's solid-body construction. The black finish and gold-plated parts create a dressy look, though one owner noted small inconsistencies in the gold plating on the tuners.

One review describes the body as thin and light, and mentions a stomach contour that helped the guitar feel natural while playing. Those observations come from the player, not the published specifications, which do not state a weight or body thickness. The same reviewer was initially reluctant to handle the glossy finish because it looked so pristine, then concluded that normal playing marks were part of owning an instrument.

Pickups and controls

Two Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 humbuckers provide the main sound. The control layout includes separate volume and tone controls, plus a three-way pickup switch. Both tone controls have coil-split functionality, letting the player move from the fuller humbucker character toward a single-coil-style response. The owner feedback describes a broad range covering rock, blues, and jazz, with the split sounds offering a useful change in character.

One player reported that the guitar had a clear presence even before plugging it in, then responded well when connected to an amplifier. They also found that adjusting the guitar and amplifier volume could bring out different tonal colors. These comments suggest useful dynamic control, though the exact result will depend on the amplifier, playing style, and settings. The tone controls were described as subtle and progressive rather than abrupt.

The hardware includes Grover 509 Super Rotomatic tuning machines, a D'Angelico stopbar tailpiece, and an EG2P jack socket. The supplied controls and parts support a conventional, straightforward setup, while the coil-splitting feature adds the main extra option. There is no tremolo system.

Fit, finish, and ownership notes

The reports are strongly positive overall, but they do mention a few minor points worth checking. One owner found that some pickup and pickguard screws were not fully tightened, though they were easy to adjust. The same review noted movement in the tone-control shafts, especially at the bridge pickup control. The controls remained functional and adjusted smoothly, but the owner planned to keep an eye on them over time. These observations do not establish a widespread issue, yet they are sensible details to inspect on arrival.

The guitar includes a case, with no gig bag listed. It has been available since October 2022, and its item number is 553318. For a player seeking a solid black instrument with a refined, vintage-leaning appearance, dual humbuckers, and coil splitting, the Deluxe Atlantic offers a clearly defined feature set. The strongest endorsements from owners concern its comfortable feel, attractive finish, and tonal variety. The minor hardware and control observations temper that praise slightly, but do not outweigh the positive playing experiences described.