DAngelico Excel Mini DC Trans Cherry 25

DAngelico Excel Mini DC Trans Cherry 25 review

The DAngelico Excel Mini DC Trans Cherry 25 is a double-cutaway semi-hollow guitar with a laminated flamed maple top, a maple body, and a three-piece maple, walnut, and maple neck. Its 628 mm scale, C-shaped neck profile, ebony fingerboard, and 22 frets form a familiar platform in a compact body. The supplied gig bag is included, but a hard case is not.

At a listed price of 1,399, the guitar makes a strong first impression on its specification sheet. The hardware includes Grover 509 Super Rotomatic locking tuners, a stopbar tailpiece, gold plating, and a five-ply body binding. Mother-of-pearl split-block inlays and the Trans Cherry finish add to its visual appeal. One owner who received the 2025 model after the previous version became unavailable described the finish and most of the external workmanship as exceptional.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration combines a Seymour Duncan DA59 humbucker at the neck with a Seymour Duncan SH4 at the bridge. This differs from the previous model, according to that owner, which had a DA59 at the bridge as well. The reviewer preferred the earlier pickup pairing, but found the SH4 usable. These preferences are subjective, and the available feedback does not provide a controlled comparison of the two versions.

Two volume controls and two tone controls provide the main adjustments. The tone controls have push-pull coil-splitting functions, allowing the humbuckers to operate in split mode. That flexibility was a major reason the owner chose the guitar. Players interested in a wider range of pickup sounds will likely find this feature useful, though the report does not include detailed sound samples or measured output comparisons.

The owner also found the guitar relatively light and comfortable during longer rehearsals and live playing while standing. A slight tendency for the neck to dip was still present, but was described as minor and not bothersome. That balance assessment comes from one player, so strap choice and playing position may affect the experience.

Finish and build concerns

Cosmetically, the review was largely positive. The binding, inlays, frets, and lacquer were praised, and the lightly figured maple reportedly shows through the red finish on the top and back. The owner did note a small dent near the upper edge where the binding meets the side. The lacquer over it appeared intact, and the mark was difficult to see unless inspected closely in the right light.

There were more serious concerns beneath that polished exterior. The neck pickup mounting ring was installed backward on the reviewed instrument, leaving the pickup at an unusually steep angle relative to the strings. The owner corrected it by removing the pickup, turning the ring around, and making small adjustments. They also reported rough edges in the pickup cavity. Those edges were hidden once the pickup was installed, but the reversed ring was visible in the product photograph, raising a reasonable question about inspection before shipment.

The nut drew the strongest criticism. The owner described it as too tall overall, with deep string slots that left the strings sitting low in the material rather than resting properly on top. The high E string appeared lower than the others, while the remaining strings were considered too high. The nut edges were also left sharp. The player found this uncomfortable when touching the nut area in lower positions and planned to have a replacement bone nut fitted by a guitar technician. A poor nut can affect both feel and setup, so buyers should inspect this area promptly and ask the seller about adjustment or return options if needed.

The push-pull controls were described as loose, with some side-to-side play, although they functioned. The owner also questioned whether the fingerboard was ebony: it appeared dark brown with visible grain rather than nearly black as shown in the product image. That is an individual observation, not a confirmed material finding, but it is worth checking with the manufacturer if the fingerboard appearance is important to you.

Verdict

The Excel Mini DC Trans Cherry 25 offers an appealing semi-hollow design, locking tuners, Seymour Duncan pickups, and useful coil splitting. Its finish and general exterior presentation earned high praise from the owner, and the light feel suited extended playing. However, the reported backward pickup ring, poorly finished nut, loose controls, and uncertainty over the fingerboard material are significant at this price. Quality may vary between individual instruments, but a careful inspection and professional setup should be part of the buying decision. The included gig bag also provides less protection than a hard case, and the compact body may make finding a well-fitting case less straightforward.