Historical Tone: Playing Through Four John D'Angelico Originals

Learn more about the history of D'Angelico Guitars: bit.ly/3XYHiKs
We invited Vinny Raniolo over to our showroom to try four original D'Angelico's crafted by John himself, including the very first D'Angelico guitar ever built!
Guitars Featured:
1932 D'Angelico - The first D'Angelico guitar ever produced. This guitar was built like a violin, due to John's first experience as a luthier apprenticing for his uncle, a prominent violin maker.
01:32 - 1932 D'Angelico history
02:26 - 1932 D'Angelico playthrough
1934 D'Angelico - You can start to see John taking his own stylistic approach to guitar making. It features an early iteration of the classic D'Angelico headstock with cupola head pin, a tortoise stairstep pickguard, and vintage style diamond F-holes.
03:27 - 1934 D'Angelico history
04:14 - 1934 D'Angelico playthrough
1936 D'Angelico - This model closely resembles the 1934 model, but with a larger and rounder body. It features a Sunburst finish on a spruce top, with maple back and sides. An early Grover tailpiece predates the more common stairstep tailpiece seen on most D'Angelico guitars that followed.
04:56 - 1936 D'Angelico history
05:33 - 1936 D'Angelico playthrough
1949 Excel - John began working on a single cutaway design in the late 40's and it quickly became the standard for archtops going forward. What's unique about this model is its bird's eye maple back and sides as opposed to the more common pearl maple. The Excel also features a model 1 11/16" nut width and slim C-shape neck, similar to D'Angelico models today.
06:44 - 1949 Excel history
07:43 - 1949 Excel playthrough
About D’Angelico:
Founded in 1932 by John D’Angelico, D’Angelico Guitars is a New York City-based guitar brand built on the history of one of the most revered luthiers of all time. Committed to maintaining the legacy of its original founder, D’Angelico intends to both honor its roots and build ambitiously toward the future.
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[@furtherdefinitions1]

It's nice when you have someone demonstrating a guitar who actually knows how to play it and hear what a guitar is really capable of

[@paulneeds]

Thought I heard a lot of notes that weren’t true - as if the player wasn’t used to that scale length…

[@GargesFriend]

@@paulneeds You suggest that the player might be not used to the scale length? Good heavens! Do you by any chance know who Vinny Raniolo is?

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

... oh. Well Hendrix couldn't tune a guitar.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Good guitarists do not have to know technical skills and verbal articulation.

[@karlruffing4237]

My guess would be the inadvertent bending of strings when forming chords. The string gauge may have been slightly lighter than what Vinnie is accustomed to using.

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

That last one was a total monument. What an instrument. Gorgeous to listen to and gaze upon. I was hypnotized. Please continue to use it's power only for good, and never let it fall into the hands of those with evil intent.

[@DAngelicoNY]

Don't worry it's in safe hands!

[@micwarren21]

The 1934 had unbelievable projection and warmth. Priceless!

[@MascarasMil]

I love when KZbin introduces me to new music, musicians, etc.

[@petergregory7199]

One thing that distinguishes this great presentation is the excellent sound quality. This makes the differences in the tone production of the guitars easier to appreciate. What a treat it is to hear them after all this time!

[@sblack48]

The last one - omfg! Gorgeous to look at and listen to. Can’t imagine what that’s worth

[@alanblakeguitarist]

Wow! So much guitar history here

[@BetterNowThanLater]

As both a sound engineer and player, it was lovely to hear the four guitars played back-to-back too, with no waffle, between performances, enabling us to hear the differences in the tones from the beautiful playing...

[@nonretrogradable]

Plectrum Bach - doesn't get better then that! I recently purchased a 1959 Excel and need to get to work on the violin sonatas/partitas and cello suites!

[@JillandKevin]

I'm a Swing player, and I've been lucky enough to have played several D'Angelico guitars, but most of them were pretty dead from needing to be "played in", and being too valuable to be played regularly (what a shame!!!). The one that really sounded wonderful was one that looked like it had been dragged many miles thru the desert behind a horse!! The other one that impressed me was one that I played for around an hour. After about a half an hour, it starts coming alive, and by the end of the hour, was really great!! The four you have her are definitely alive and wonderfully woody and toneful!! Thanks for the great video!

[@mcspikes1]

Great video, great guitars and it was also great to hear Vinnie playing solo. Thank you.

[@Bobby007D]

Wow , you don't get to hear guitars like these just any day !

[@Michael-nf1ej]

What beautiful voices these guitars have, thank you so much.

[@StarlightGuitars]

Beautiful guitars and excellent playing to match!

[@mikesudalnik1902]

remarkable clarity and tonality through the tonal range-EXCELLENT

[@mileswatkinson8135]

Beautiful instruments, fantastic playing. Thanks for this, it brightened my day.

[@simon-oy6um]

Lordy !trying to find the materials to make them to order must have been a challenge in itself 😮

[@bp7152]

This makes me wish I was a jazz cat instead of a knuckle dragging rocker. Great vid and playing. Beautiful guitars w so much history.

[@corvusmonedulas4895]

what's stopping you?

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

So, get a nice acoustic with low action and a Mickey Baker book.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

Never too late to change!

[@christopherwilson3442]

I met Vinny at the Liverpool Philamonic Hall. He was with Frank Vignola along with Tommy you know who. I told him then what a great player he was. He still is.

[@keithhuffman1253]

Amazing playing Vinny!

[@ukestudio3002]

Never thought of an archtop played acoustically, as a fingerstyle instrument. Mic and placement are excellent. Howard Morgen had many YT videos playing archtops acoustically but never picked up this wonderful resonance. Great guitars, video and playing ! Thank you !

[@briansilcox5720]

Beautiful!

[@bbaric1975]

I owned & played an D´Angelico for quite a while and played it live..very well rounded, great sounding and reliable piece of art! Love D´Angelicos! Those in that Video are so damn gorgeous, Hmm..love´em! Greetz from Germany!!!!

[@teaforone77]

Vinny Raniolo - one hell of a player 👍

[@stogies3]

I think this must be the best guitar demo on youtube,masterpieces demonstrated by a master musician.

[@jf45678]

FANTASTIC presentation. Perfect playing for the acoustic archtop. Those guitars drip with personality.

[@davidcowgill8542]

I love them all but my favorite one is the last one. Each guitar is it's tone is outstanding and it is really nice to look at. I only want one but I would prefer the blond one. To hold and play a part of history would make my day, week, month and year. The tone you can pull out of it sounds amazing. Smooth like velvet fog.

[@antreb15]

I am there, back in those days, the 20s/30s. Wonderful.

[@brunosampaio2399]

What a coincidence! In the third model I was with the sheet music of the Allemande from Partita No 2 in D minor in front of me on a flute transcription! Beautiful. I´m gonna try it on the guitar one octave lower.

[@JohnCollis]

They're beautiful sounding instruments.

[@407arcade]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing info for the historic time, Guitar, D Angelico

[@carlosreira413]

Priceless video!!! Only 1.164 guitars! That's a mountain of work for one man's life, especially a man who didn't make it 60! John D'Angelico (RIP maestro with maestro Jimmy! also dead at 59!). The greatest, the man who elevated Gibson even higher, to the top of Art Deco beauty, like the Chrysler building. Jazz history, American history, New York history, Italian-American history, History. 1. first guitar 1932: amazing. Lower arching? gives it more of flat top sound with a longer sustaining note. So great. 2. 1934: thin. Either too lightly constructed, too much arching, something 3. 1936: He nailed it by this time. Love that Bach! Perfection in arch top sound 4. 1949: flat and somewhat tubby sound, which is what most think an arch top should sound like. Big body creates the sort of unpleasant hollow "boomy" sound that acoustic jumbos get. Probably more for looks (which are out of this world) and amplification (which they probably were using by this time?). Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't think there are any other online examples of early D'Angelicos actually being played (especially acoustically) anywhere. This is the first, and I've been waiting decades.

[@karlruffing4237]

They both probably died prematurely from inhaling too much sawdust...

[@Jimi_7-7-7]

as you started playing this Bach piece … ohuuu! I believe it’s Invention No.4, not sure… that was so beautiful! Very tasteful 🤝 Thank you very much for this great content 👍

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

Bach re-used some of his compostions in different pieces, but I know it as the Allemande from the 2nd Partita for Unaccompanied Violin. Definately unexpected, here!

[@ericbeil3912]

This was so well done, thank you for this. Wow

[@hkguitar1984]

Such amazing instruments. Also, excellent playing, Thank You Mr. Raniolo.

[@guitarsofold100]

exquisite playing!

[@woodystemms3799]

It's interesting to note that some parts of those beautiful D'Angelico instruments were "off the shelf" items. The trapeze tailpiece, wooden bridge, and tuners, on some of the early models shown here didn't change for decades. The 1947 Epiphone "Spartan", an entry level arch-top, has the very same tailpiece, bridge, and tuners.

[@titobattaglia7932]

Vinny + vintage D'Angelicos = magic!! Chord-melodist extraordinaire (and he did not show off his jaw-dropping rhythm guitar chops), the Bach Allemande was an unexpected little gem! Bucky must be smiling somewhere…

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

Fantastic video! Great playing by Vinny. That 1936 reminds me a lot of my 1940. I’d love to see more videos like this.

[@mobass48]

Beautiful Instrument, as well as Vinny's playing.!!

[@timlilly]

Lovely video. I could have watched the gentleman playing these beautiful guitars for hours. Many thanks

[@foxythepirate98wolfgangh20]

The 1949 Excel sounds wonderful. It would be interesting to pair it with a DeArmond RC1100 PUP.

[@NikolausBrocke]

The first model has this particularly characteristic midrange sound that I have never heard on any other guitar. Incredible. I think I just fell in love with her.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Nice playing and sound Demo! That Blond Birdseye 1940s Excel is one of the Best AT I have ever listened to! Back 35 years ago. There was a Elderly Greek or Italian Gentleman in Carmichael CA that owned a Early small Dark burst model. Probably a 1933/34. It’s sounded good but my Early 1940s Epiphone’ Broadway had a little more to offer tone and volume wise. But the EPI was 17” I believe the DAngelico’ was a 16” model.

[@nancychace8619]

All of them beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@timbarry5080]

Wow, i wish I could play like him and have one of those guitars

[@Pkatherstudio]

Thank you Vinny!

[@jensan9824]

The first one sounded a little muffled in the higher register, don't know if the wood is past it's prime or something else. The last one, the cut away, is sweet heaven up and down the register. I'll take that one please... in my dreams.

[@rorrycruikshank4106]

Wonderful, what a joy to see and hear these beautiful guitars being so lovingly played.

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

This was terrific, thank you for sharing. Wonderful instrument!🎧

[@craigclu]

Thanks! What a fun trip back in time!

[@roughcutguitars]

Legendary builds and tone to match - and great to see Vinnie doing them justice in his own right.

[@charlesdespres]

Incredible sounding guitars and great playing! Wow!

[@NathanMaharaj]

Beautifully played and recorded.

[@MarkB.Guitar]

Very cool guitars and great playing! I've always loved D'Angelico styling and headstock design. Really enjoyable walk through the evolution of the guitars. Thanks!

[@syn707]

I loved hearing all these marvelous instrument’s however people, the 1940s Excel was so seeet and seemed to have a much more refined tone.

[@cfibanez]

Wonderful. Thank you!

[@박영준-w1h]

What a nice demonstration for classic D’Angelico!

[@victorsmith311]

Great demonstration of 4 beautiful instruments. Thank you!

[@paolospadaro]

Beautiful images and sounds.

[@chrisbatten8]

Mannnnn 1 & 4 are Just Sooooooo Sweet and Big and Round and Just sound Soooooo Beautiful and Huge & Beautiful Playing too.....!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

[@richfiryn]

You walk into a room and there are 4 original D'Angelico guitars hanging out vying for attention. What dreams are made of.

[@curtrod]

beautiful playing!

[@karlruffing4237]

Very nice, and an excellent educational video. My only point of confusion is: why did Vinnie play the '34 Excel finger style, but the other three with a pick? I have an EXL-1 from 2013, and, although it sounds great, it is not quite a match for any of these, particularly the '49 Excel. My thanks for producing and sharing this wonderful video. I am highly indebted to you folks at D'Angelico. Keep on doing what you are doing!

[@kenji3389]

Fantastic!

[@christopherwilson3442]

I now know what I want for Christmas!!!

[@DAngelicoNY]

Oh santa... 🎸🎅

[@EmilErnebroGuitar]

Wonderful!!

[@anitadavideduo]

Super! Come back to Italy with some of them! We'll cook for you a super dinner ;-) We miss you!

[@mikeypiscopo]

Vinny!!!!

[@bluesky6361]

WOW! Just WOW!

[@greeremalachi926]

Great. I love beautiful DA guitars; I have a 39. Thank you. edit: the 36!!

[@jordaotoledano122]

Vinny 's playing is definitely on the highest level of musicality,what a pleasure to listen to him playing on this wonderful instrument

[@brucebaldy]

such a cool sound.

[@matthewcross]

Vinny rules!

[@DejaBluGuitars]

Is the 49 Birdseye 17" an X-braced design or Parallel/Trapezoid ? It is warmer in tone, but not as much as the typical X-braced I'm familiar with. The Birdseye Maple is always a crystal clear and sweet tone. Regardless of bracing design. I used to build big-bodied Jazz guitars per Benedetto Specs., which were per DAngelico Specs., so this video was like a visit from a long-lost friend. May be time to sharpen my pencils, chisels and study some of my vintage lumber stock... Thanks, Marc Deja Blu Guitars

[@surfgod509]

Craftsmanship seems excellent 👌 it would be fun to try them on playability...! Keep up the great work. From,JD

[@johnlane9743]

Thanks for this video, gents - helps me understand a very important part of the archtop creation/progression - well done, Vinnie. And, BTW - I'll take the '34 !

[@charlie863]

The third tune sounds like a song on Frank Vignola’s blues for a gypsy album. Gypsy Bach? 🤔Amazing album

[@caiusiv4616]

Thank you ❤️

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Excellent 🔥

[@lpamiot]

Wow! Dude can PLAY!

[@drjsmetz]

After that I am looking forward to a carved top Hollowbody , solid wood Reissue

[@paulmurphy8993]

Bravo!

[@paulneeds]

Love the first and third tones. Very Spanish sounding to my ear.

[@gadymarcus5297]

magnifico.💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@JayPooler]

I have a SS 175 baby blue with gold trim and a Bixby tremolo .what a history Thanks for the video ...oh ya the ones your playing have 100 grand price tag..I say WOZA

[@akbarber]

Vinny is a phenomenal player!! Does anyone have a list of the songs he played?

[@marion1295]

Very nice

[@ZionForman]

that's awesome

[@deborahosullivan7969]

Exquisite !

[@TheEvdavis7]

Should recreated these and sell them to the public for reasonable price

[@roughcutguitars]

That isn't dry humor; it's arid :-D

[@jazzbluesrock21]

Vinny - Get back on the road with Vignola!

[@JoshuaC923]

Very tasty playing

[@PeterPula-z9k]

We have a player who can actually play ! Players pick up these one of a kind archtops and don’t have the slightest clue how to play. When someone knows how to play you can appreciate how good these guitars sound

[@toddgreenwood9631]

This was a wonderful video. But I'm a jazz idiot and though I thought I recognized most of the pieces I have no idea what the names of most of the songs are. If some one had the time and patients, could you please list the titles of these wonderful tunes?

[@MrAdriabolo]

Hi! The first piece reminds me of "I'm beginning to see the light" by Duke Ellington and the second of "Les yeux noirs" played by Django Reinhardt for example. For the rest I hope someone else can help

[@toddgreenwood9631]

@@MrAdriabolo hey thanks. Im going to reasearch the songs.

[@Bennyplays]

At 07:43, he plays the song 'But Beautiful', written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke.

[@zoomzoom3950]

will you offer an acoustic, full bodied model with no cut in the future? e.g., an acoustic version of the B-style. Some new colors for B-Style would be interesting too.

[@frankmccrea2475]

Absolutely lovely…. Would anyone have an idea what strings were used, are these bronze , what manufacturer, which gauge? Thanks in advance.

[@StephenWhite55]

A lovely demonstration - thanks! I do have one caveat: why on earth didn't Mr. Raniolo play ANY chords, on the 1936 model Excel?? The single-note lines were beautiful, but as a demonstration, it was an odd oversight... Otherwise, excellent work!

[@ciatangallaghe2485]

Yer man can play. Its not often a guitar gets to played the it deserves.

[@KOACAINE]

My favorite is the’36.

[@frankhowell8139]

Beautiful guitars and playing! What is the name of the Spanish sounding song Vinny played on the first guitar?