DAngelico Excel SS Trans Cherry

DAngelico Excel SS Trans Cherry review

The DAngelico Excel SS Trans Cherry is a single-cutaway semi-hollow electric guitar with a center block, two Seymour Duncan '59 humbuckers, and a Trans Cherry finish. Its specification points to a traditional electric-guitar layout, with a Tune-O-Matic bridge and separate volume and tone controls for each pickup. A fitted case is included. The model has been available since September 2022, and its listed price is 1,444.

The available hands-on feedback is brief but positive: the guitar is described as beautiful, comfortable to play, and pleasing in sound. That gives a useful first impression, but it is not enough to establish how the instrument performs across different amplifiers, playing styles, or extended sessions. The details below focus on what its construction and hardware indicate, without treating unreported performance as a tested fact.

Construction and materials

The body combines a laminated spruce top with laminated flamed maple back and sides. A center block runs through the semi-hollow body, while the single cutaway provides access to the upper frets. This design keeps the instrument in the semi-hollow category rather than making it a fully hollow guitar. The Trans Cherry finish leaves the wood appearance central to the look, complemented by gold-plated hardware and multi-ply binding.

The neck is a three-piece maple, walnut, and maple construction, finished in lacquer and shaped to a Slim C profile. Its 43 mm nut width and 635 mm scale length provide concrete reference points for players comparing neck dimensions. The fingerboard is ebony, with 22 frets and mother-of-pearl split-block inlays. These specifications describe a traditional, clearly marked fingerboard layout, while the reported impression of comfortable playability offers a modest indication of how the neck feels in use.

Fit and appearance details extend beyond the body finish. Five-ply binding outlines the instrument, and the black five-ply Scalini pickguard adds contrast against the cherry color. These are visual choices rather than performance claims, but they give the Excel SS a distinctive, dressed-up presentation.

Pickups and controls

Two Seymour Duncan '59 humbuckers provide the guitar's pickup configuration. The control layout has two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a three-way pickup selector. Each tone control includes a push-pull function, adding a switching option beyond the standard selector and knob adjustments. The supplied specifications do not state the exact wiring behavior of that function, so buyers should confirm its operation with the retailer if a particular sound or switching arrangement is important.

The positive field comment about the sound is encouraging, but no detailed tonal comparison or amplifier test is provided. The pickup and control choices at least make the instrument's layout easy to understand: players can adjust the pickups separately and select between the neck, bridge, or combined positions. An EG2P jack is specified for the output connection.

Bridge, tuning hardware, and included case

At the bridge, the Excel SS uses a Tune-O-Matic design paired with a D'Angelico stairstep tailpiece. There is no tremolo system. Grover Super Rotomatic tuning machines handle tuning, and the hardware is gold plated. Together, these components give the guitar a fixed-bridge setup rather than one intended for pitch-bending through a tremolo arm.

A case is included, while a separate gig bag is not listed. For a buyer comparing the total package, that distinction matters: the supplied protection is a fitted case, not a soft bag. The item number is 551921, and the listed sales unit is one piece.

Verdict

The DAngelico Excel SS Trans Cherry combines a semi-hollow body with center block, a three-piece neck, ebony fingerboard, two Seymour Duncan '59 humbuckers, and push-pull tone controls. Its materials, binding, inlays, and gold-plated hardware give it a carefully specified, traditional appearance. The reported experience also notes comfortable playability and an appealing sound, although the feedback available does not provide enough detail for a broader performance verdict.

For players considering this model, the main points to check are the feel of the Slim C neck, the push-pull control behavior, and whether its semi-hollow construction and fixed bridge suit their needs. The included case adds practical value to the package. At a listed price of 1,444, the Excel SS is best assessed in person where possible, especially by players who want to judge its weight, unplugged resonance, and amplified response for themselves.