D'ANGELICO EARLY MODELS (1932-34)
- various configurations of models produced between 1932 and 1934.
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Master Luthier John D'Angelico (1905-1964) was born and raised in New York City, NY. In 1914, he apprenticed to his great uncle, and learned the luthier trade of building stringed instruments and repair. After eighteen years of working on stringed instruments, he opened his own shop on Kenmare Street (D'Angelico was twenty-seven). D'Angelico guitars and mandolins were entirely handcrafted by D'Angelico with assistance by shop employees such as Vincent DiSerio (assistant/apprentice from 1932 to 1959). In the early 1950s, D'Angelico's workshop had a bench and counter for guitar work, and a showcase with new United or Favilla guitars, used "trade-ins" and a few amplifiers from Nat Daniel's Danelectro or Everett Hull's Ampeg company. A very young James D'Aquisto became the second assistant to the shop in 1953.
In 1959, the building where D'Angelico worked and lived was condemned by the city due to an unsafe foundation. While scouting out new locations, D'Angelico and DiSerio had a serious argument over finances. DiSerio left and accepted work at the Favilla guitar plant. After a number of months went by, D'Angelico and D'Aquisto finally reopened the guitar shop at its new location. Unfortunately, D'Angelico's health began to take a turn for the worse. John D'Angelico passed away in his sleep in September of 1964. Source: Paul William Schmidt, Acquired of the Angels.
In 1959, the building where D'Angelico worked and lived was condemned by the city due to an unsafe foundation. While scouting out new locations, D'Angelico and DiSerio had a serious argument over finances. DiSerio left and accepted work at the Favilla guitar plant. After a number of months went by, D'Angelico and D'Aquisto finally reopened the guitar shop at its new location. Unfortunately, D'Angelico's health began to take a turn for the worse. John D'Angelico passed away in his sleep in September of 1964. Source: Paul William Schmidt, Acquired of the Angels.
Instruments previously built in New York City, NY 1932-1964.
D'ANGELICO Acoustic Guitars Models
D'ANGELICO STYLE A
- 17 in. wide, generally parallel braced, carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple sides, f-holes not bound, three-ply bound body (some early models single bound,) adjustable ebony bridge, rounded bound tortoiseshell celluloid pickgua...
D'ANGELICO STYLE A-1
- 17 in. wide, parallel braced, carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple sides, single bound top, f-holes not bound, adjustable ebony bridge, rounded single bound tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard (later examples w/double stairstep pi...
D'ANGELICO STYLE B
- 17 in. body width, generally parallel braced, carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple sides, f-holes not bound, three-ply to five-ply bindings on top, adjustable ebony bridge, rounded bound tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard (later...
D'ANGELICO EXCEL
- 17 in. body width, generally X-braced, carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple sides, one-ply to three-ply bound f-holes, seven-ply binding on top, adjustable ebony bridge, engraved three-ply to five-ply bound double or triple stai...
D'ANGELICO Excel Cutaway
- similar to the Excel, except has a single cutaway, earliest ledger date: 05/09/47.
D'ANGELICO MEL BAY (SPECIAL)
- Earliest ledger date: 05/07/49. A variation of the New Yorker, headstock inlaid with the guitarist's name. Sold through Gravois Music, St. Louis, MO.
D'ANGELICO NEW YORKER
- 18 in. body width, generally X-braced, carved spruce top, carved maple back and maple sides, seven-ply (or more) binding on top, five-ply bound f-holes, inlaid ebony bridge, engraved seven-ply bound tortoiseshell celluloid triple stairste...
D'ANGELICO New Yorker Cutaway
- similar to the New Yorker, except with a single cutaway, earliest ledger date: 9/18/48.
D'ANGELICO New Yorker Special
- similar to the New Yorker Cutaway, except with a 17 in. body, earliest ledger date: 11/26/47. Listed as "small NY Cutaway," also later referred to as "Excel New Yorker" or "Excel Cutaway Johnnie (sic) Smith"...