DAngelico Excel SS Viola

DAngelico Excel SS Viola review

The DAngelico Excel SS Viola is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a center block, two Seymour Duncan '59 humbuckers, and a 24.99-inch scale. Its laminated spruce top sits over a laminated maple back and sides, while a maple, walnut, and maple neck meets an ebony fingerboard. The Viola finish, gold-plated hardware, and split-block inlays give it a distinctive look, but the practical details matter more: player reports describe an easy-playing instrument with a broad range of useful sounds.

Listed at $1,444, the guitar includes a case. It has been available since May 2021. The specs identify 22 frets, a 43 mm nut width, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a D'Angelico Stairstep tailpiece. There is no tremolo. The body is semi-hollow rather than fully hollow, a distinction worth noting for players comparing it with traditional jazz archtops.

Construction and playability

The neck uses three lacquered maple and walnut strips, with a slim C profile. One owner chose the guitar in part because the neck felt manageable for a smaller hand, and described playing it as comfortable and easy. That is useful firsthand feedback, though neck feel remains personal. The listed nut width is 43 mm, so players with a specific fit preference should check the dimensions against an instrument they already find comfortable.

Reports on setup and finish are mostly positive, but not uniform. One buyer received a well-set-up guitar and praised its overall quality, while noticing a few untidy spots around the binding. Another needed a luthier to adjust the neck after the instrument experienced changes in humidity and temperature during shipping. These accounts suggest that a final setup and close inspection are sensible, especially around the binding and neck, rather than assuming every example will arrive in identical condition.

The gold hardware, five-ply body binding, and five-ply tortoiseshell Scalini pickguard add to the guitar's visual character. Owners particularly liked the glossy red appearance and gold details. The Grover Super Rotomatic tuners were described as making a good impression. The included case drew less praise: one owner found it somewhat flimsy and reported that it scratched easily and shed fibers onto the guitar. A cloth between the instrument and the case lining may help protect the finish.

Controls and sound

Two Seymour Duncan '59 humbuckers provide the core sound. The control layout consists of two volume knobs, two tone knobs with push-pull function, and a three-way pickup switch. Owner feedback describes the push-pull operation as coil splitting, giving the guitar a wider range than a conventional two-humbucker setup. The supplied specifications confirm the push-pull tone controls but do not detail their switching configuration, so buyers should verify the exact operation on the instrument they are considering.

Players reported warm, full, dynamic tones that work well for jazz, blues, and soul. With the humbuckers, the guitar delivers the rounded character one owner wanted for jazz-oriented playing. The split sounds were described as useful for Chicago and Texas blues, while another player found the instrument capable of moving from warm jazz tones to more biting rock and blues sounds. Clean playing is a strength, but the guitar was also reported to handle overdrive effectively.

This is not a substitute for a specific single-coil guitar voice. One owner noted that it does not reproduce the familiar Fender-style sound associated with Stevie Ray Vaughan. That distinction helps set expectations: the Excel SS Viola is a flexible semi-hollow with humbuckers and split options, rather than a direct stand-in for a traditional single-coil instrument.

Verdict

The DAngelico Excel SS Viola makes sense for players who want a jazz-friendly semi-hollow that can cover blues and rock without changing guitars. Its slim C neck, 24.99-inch scale, two humbuckers, and push-pull tone controls offer a practical combination, and owner impressions of its playability and sound are notably strong. The finish and hardware also give it an individual look.

There are caveats. Binding work may deserve a close look, setup can vary after transit, and the supplied case received criticism for its lining and durability. At $1,444, prospective buyers should inspect the instrument and confirm the control functions before purchase. For those drawn to its feel and warm, adaptable voice, the reported playing experience makes the Excel SS Viola a compelling option.