DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea

DAngelico Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea: Technical Test

DAngelico's Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea enters the classic jazz archtop category with a blend of traditional features and some surprising details. Selling for $1549, it aims at guitarists who prioritize both tonal clarity and aesthetic appeal. This review puts the Excel EXL1 through rigorous use, evaluating build quality, playability, electronics, and sound in real-world conditions.

Construction, Materials, and Finish

• Body: Laminated maple back and sides, with a laminated spruce top. The seven-ply binding along the hollow single-cut body is immaculately applied and the "Dark Iced Tea Burst" finish gives visual depth, accentuating the maple grain beneath the transparent brown overcoat.
• Neck: Three-piece maple-walnut-maple construction for added stability, finished with a comfortable "C" profile. The joint is secure, and the transition to the body is smooth.
• Fingerboard: Ebony, featuring mother-of-pearl split block inlays, visually striking and reliably level. The 22 medium-jumbo frets are dressed without notable sharp edges. The 648 mm (25.5 inch) scale length delivers a familiar feel that jazz players expect, with a 43 mm nut width giving enough real estate for intricate chord work.
• Hardware: Tortoiseshell five-ply pickguard, gold-plated hardware throughout, and D'Angelico's iconic Stairstep tailpiece. Grover 150 Imperial tuners keep tuning solid, no slippage noted in extended testing.
• Case: A hard case is included. No gigbag is provided.

Weighing in as a fairly hefty hollowbody, the Excel EXL1 feels substantial. Much of the weight seemingly comes from the multi-ply laminate used throughout the body; according to direct communication with staff, the top employs a five-layer construction. This ensures stability and feedback resistance but does add grams compared to lighter laminate or solid-top options.

Electronics and Controls

The electronics are focused and streamlined: a single Seymour Duncan '59 humbucker mounted directly to the top (not floating), with only volume and tone controls plus a standard quarter-inch output jack. There's minimal signal path and no coil splitting or elaborate switching, this is a pure, old-school jazz setup.

• Pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 humbucker (neck position)
• Controls: Single master volume and master tone

The pickup's position on the top influences the fundamental character. It delivers a clear, articulate jazz timbre that's less muddy than many archtop humbuckers. The output is moderate, and the tone knob has a usable taper throughout its entire range.

Sound and Playability

Plugged into a clean jazz amplifier, the Excel EXL1 projects crisp mids, a tight low end, and notably clear high frequencies. Sustain for a fully hollow archtop is above average, even with roundwound Electrozinc strings, it maintains presence on held notes. Typical for a true hollowbody, the fundamental is prominent and overtones remain controlled, which keeps rapid comping lines clear at ensemble volume.

One of the Excel EXL1's main strengths is how well it avoids the dullness sometimes associated with heavy laminate-top guitars. Both unplugged and amplified, the guitar retains openness and avoids boxiness. Chord voices remain distinct on complex voicings. Acoustically, volume output is respectable, though naturally quieter than a solid top or thicker box, good enough for low-volume comping if needed.

The long scale length requires a bit of adjustment for those accustomed to short-scale archtops, but it provides taut string tension and extra clarity, especially up the neck. The neck profile is rounded and welcoming, giving plenty of support for thumb-over or more classical positions. The action was consistent across all frets, no dead spots, and no excessive buzzing.

With effects pedals such as chorus, phaser, or rotary, the Excel EXL1 retains definition. The signal never turns indistinct, even layered with moderate modulation. The platform can comfortably handle Chet Atkins-style fingerpicking, and jazz standards are right in its wheelhouse.

By comparison to other well-known jazz archtops, like the Guild Savoy or even a vintage Super 400, the DAngelico is a touch brighter with more attack, making it somewhat more versatile for players who need to cut through a band without losing the classic hollowbody voicing.

Practical Use and Limitations

• Sustain and Feedback: The absence of a center block keeps the guitar authentically hollow and airy, but the thick laminate top helps with feedback resistance up to moderate stage volumes. It does not have a center sustain block inside, so sustain is impressive for its class but not endless.
• Weight: One of the few drawbacks is its relatively high weight for a hollowbody. Extended sets standing may be tiring for some players.
• String Choices: Roundwound Electrozinc strings give brightness and detail, while flatwounds (common for jazz) would soften the attack but may leave the guitar sounding a bit muted for those who favor more open tones. String choice is an effective way to fine-tune this instrument's voice.
• Musical Style: As expected, the Excel EXL1 does not handle heavy distortion or aggressive rock styles well. If your style lives outside traditional jazz, swing, or early pop, a different instrument would be better suited.

Verdict

DAngelico's Excel EXL1 Dark Iced Tea is a classic pure-archtop jazz guitar, built with outstanding attention to detail and fitted with hardware that inspires confidence. Its clear, assertive tone, premium build quality, and visual flair place it above many competitors in its range. Despite its heft and the focused design, it rewards the player with crisp, nuanced sound whether amplified or unplugged. If your focus is jazz or fingerstyle playing and you value tradition with a modern edge, the EXL1 is easy to recommend.