DAngelico Excel SS Soho Amber

Introduction: Examining the Excel SS Soho Amber's Technical Design

The DAngelico Excel SS Soho Amber is a fully hollowbody electric guitar introduced in October 2024. This review puts its technical details and construction under the microscope, with a focus squarely on build quality, materials, and electronic configuration. At $1838, it enters the upper mid-range market, aimed at discerning players who value traditional craftsmanship merged with modern appointments.

Body Construction and Materials

The body of the DAngelico Excel SS Soho Amber is built from laminated maple on the back and sides. The top is laminated spruce, a classic combination for hollowbody instruments that prioritizes both visual elegance and acoustic resonance. Five-ply binding around the body adds conspicuous reinforcement as well as vintage flair. The instrument features a single cutaway for improved upper-fret access. The sunburst amber finish offers a sophisticated visual profile, with gold-plated hardware that complements the body's nuanced color gradient.

Neck Profile and Playability

DAngelico pairs a three-piece neck construction, maple, walnut, and maple, an approach that enhances the neck's stability over time while contributing subtle tonal coloration. The neck is shaped to a C profile, providing a balanced compromise between vintage heft and fast modern accessibility. Measuring 635 mm in scale length (typical of classic archtops), the instrument's reach falls right in line with players accustomed to both jazz and contemporary styles. The nut measures 43 mm in width, with a synthetic Graph Tech TUSQ nut for both consistency and increased sustain.

Fingerboard Details

The fingerboard is genuine ebony, a choice prized for its hardness and smooth tactile surface. Ebony not only boosts long-term durability but imparts a quick attack when played. Twenty-two frets allow a substantial range for both chordal and single-note work. Aesthetically, split block inlays in mother-of-pearl add visual cues and strengthen the premium look. A five-ply pickguard constructed from satin Macassar ebony (Scalini design) is mounted, echoing the body's attention to layered visual textures.

Electronics and Pickups

One of the key technical distinctives is the Kent Armstrong Jazzy Joe Floating mini humbucker installed at the neck position. This humbucking design is mounted in a "floating" arrangement, meaning it does not physically anchor into the body top, a construction that helps preserve acoustic resonance and the airiness of the fully hollow design. The humbucker is voiced for jazz tones but is versatile enough to cover other warm clean genres, reducing feedback risk while retaining clarity. Controls are kept straightforward: individual knobs for volume and tone, no elaborate switching systems or onboard effects.

Hardware and Practical Appointments

Locking machine heads are provided by Grover, specifically their Super Rotomatic model. Locking mechanisms are a modern touch that improve tuning stability, especially when changing strings frequently or in settings where tuning drift is often an issue. The gold-plated hardware continues through these machine heads and other metal details, offering both corrosion resistance and a visual upgrade. The absence of a tremolo system underscores the jazz focus, prioritizing tuning and resonance over pitch modulation effects.

Gig Bag and Portability

The guitar is supplied with a padded gig bag rather than a hard case. The bag is a practical inclusion for gigging or traveling musicians, balancing protection with ease of transport. However, players needing maximum protection may want to invest in a hard-shell case, considering the instrument's value and full hollowbody construction.

Summary: Who Is the Excel SS Soho Amber For?

The DAngelico Excel SS Soho Amber sits firmly in the professional or advanced enthusiast category. Its fully hollow laminated maple and spruce body, combined with an ebony fingerboard and floating mini humbucker, position it as an articulate instrument for jazz and clean players who appreciate both traditional construction and subtle modern upgrades. The C-shaped three-piece neck ensures long-term stability and approachable playability, while elements like Grover locking tuners and a Graph Tech synthetic nut show careful attention to contemporary needs.

For $1838, the guitar does not come with a hard case, and its electronic configuration is minimalistic, there are no surprises or additional switching circuitry. Instead, DAngelico delivers a focused, purpose-built instrument centered on clean tone, high build quality, and visual impact. Players searching for subtlety, warmth, and classic design will find plenty to appreciate in this hollowbody model.

• Laminated maple back and sides, laminated spruce top, five-ply binding
• Three-piece maple/walnut/maple C-shape neck, 635 mm scale length
• Ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl split blocks, 22 frets
• Kent Armstrong Jazzy Joe Floating mini humbucker in neck position
• Grover Super Rotomatic locking machine heads, gold-plated hardware
• No tremolo, minimal controls for purist setups
• Provided with durable gig bag, not a hard case

This model is a logical option for stage performers and session musicians seeking a focused jazz hollowbody with premium appointments from a respected heritage brand.