DAngelico Excel Style B Amber

Full Review: DAngelico Excel Style B Amber

Overview and Build

The DAngelico Excel Style B Amber sits at a unique intersection of classic jazz guitar tradition and modern playability. Released in February 2024, this model features a non-cutaway laminated maple body with a laminated spruce top, a neck constructed from alternating layers of maple and walnut, and a dark ebony fingerboard hosting mother-of-pearl split block inlays. All of this points to a refined approach to materials within a price point just north of $1400. The amber finish and gold-plated hardware lend an understated, vintage-leaning appearance, punctuated by DAngelico's signature stair-step tailpiece and three-a-side Grover 150 Imperial machine heads. Seven-ply body binding rounds out the aesthetic with a touch of luxury.

Neck, Comfort, and Feel

The "C" profile neck is immediately comfortable, neither too chunky nor overly slim. The 43 mm nut width provides enough space for chords without straining the palm, and the 628 mm scale (almost exactly 24.75 inches) places it squarely in the Gibson-style short scale range. This results in a slightly softer string feel and less reach across frets, ideal for jazz comping and fast melodic work alike. Attention to neck smoothness is obvious, and rapid position changes feel unimpeded.

The instrument's balance is well managed at 3.2 kg (about 7 lbs), never feeling unwieldy even after longer practice or gig sessions, although paired with the included hard case and a tube amp, the total weight can be a consideration, particularly on the move or for older players.

Lutherie and Finishing

Careful woodworking is evident throughout the maple and spruce assembly. However, hands-on user feedback reveals inconsistencies: some customers have encountered unfastened screws and spots where the finish could be cleaner. These issues haven't been universal, but suggest quality control is not flawless at this price, even if the fundamental build quality remains robust.

Electronics and Controls

The sole bridge-mounted DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1000 pickup is a well-chosen nod to jazz heritage, delivering a primarily rounded, mid-forward voice with subtle articulation. Controls are basic, volume and tone pots only. In practice, users note the taper and range of these controls feel unremarkable: tone summary is passable but lacks nuance or a remarkably wide sweep. The modern EG2P (quarter-inch) input jack sits on the side, conveniently out of the way while playing seated or standing.

Sound and Amplification Pairing

The Excel Style B Amber impresses when played unplugged. Its fully hollow construction, thin laminated maple/spruce body, and glued neck joint create a strong, audible acoustic presence, enough to support unamplified home practice and working out ideas. The tone is naturally mid-centric, adding punch to gypsy jazz rhythm, with sufficient clarity for single-note lines. Some players report an almost ideal unplugged resonance for daily practice.

Amplified, the experience is more complex. Plugged directly into a flat-wattage acoustic combo, the guitar maintains most of its character, doing well for jazz comping and rhythm work. However, run into tube-driven amplifiers, especially models with pronounced mid-scoop or crisp treble, the pickup seems to lose definition on the top strings, producing slightly muted high-end response and imbalance between bass and treble. This is particularly apparent in single-note solos on the treble strings, which can sound subdued.

As a result, finding the right amp pairing is crucial. Some players have achieved good results with certain Fender-inspired tube combos (for example, the Laboga Alligator AD5202TA), where midrange warmth is kept intact but the top end doesn't vanish completely. Conversely, with many acoustic-oriented amps, higher-frequency presence can become too weak, dulling the guitar's detail, especially above the twelfth fret.

Playability and Use Cases

Twenty medium frets on the ebony fingerboard are laid out precisely, and the moderate action straight from the factory allows for expressive dynamics, whether comping or soloing. Players who favor swing and gypsy jazz rhythm will appreciate how the Excel Style B Amber's chime and projection cut through a band mix. For modern jazz or soloistic work, it remains clear, but the tonal limitations on the highest strings may require management through careful amp or EQ choice. In terms of hardware, the Grover machine heads are stable and tuning is reliable, if unremarkable. The guitar is supplied with a robust hard case, but no gig bag is included.

User Impressions and Field Notes

• Superb neck feel and easy playability for both chord and single-note work
• Sturdy acoustic character ideal for home use and unplugged sessions
• Volume and tone controls lack finesse, settings don't shape the sound as much as expected
• Slightly inconsistent build finish in isolated cases (loose screws, minor imperfections)
• Higher string response is less pronounced when plugged in, especially through certain amps
• Weight and case quality make transport heavier, but overall comfort remains good when playing

Conclusion

The DAngelico Excel Style B Amber stands out as a capable, visually elegant jazz instrument designed with both tradition and comfort in mind. Its acoustic voice is strong enough for daily practice, and its plugged-in sound excels in rhythm contexts, provided you choose an amplifier that flatters its frequency profile. While not flawless in finish or electronics versatility, it delivers the essence of a classic jazz hollowbody without pretense, slotting well into the hands of players who value mid-rich, organic sound and understated aesthetics.