QUALITY FAIL! D'Angelico EXL-1 Neck Angle & Pickup Alignment|

[@jonochsendorf5111]

I just purchased an EXL1 and I did a setup myself. It plays like butter. Sounds like you got a lemon. That happens from time to time. BTW tightening the pickguard screw adjusts the pickup angle if you remove the double sided tape from the back of the pickup.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

It was definitely a lemon, and would ultimately had to have a neck reset. I’m glad yours worked out well!

[@ricksrealpitbbq]

I’d definitely be sending that back. The factory sending that out for sale and Sweetwater’s inspection team dropped the ball as well. Some guitar brands should be held to a higher standard. To me the name D’Angelico is associated with a quality instrument. I know it’s a totally different company these days but still the attention to detail should be higher. Being made overseas is no excuse for poor standards.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Absolutely agree! PRS SE models are very well built and closely monitored so that quality is evident. I feel like some companies are just slinging product out the door these days with the hope that nothing gets sent back. That guitar should have never left to ship to Sweetwater, and Sweetwater let it slide by as well.

[@fretcom]

I had the same experience with the set neck angle being off, cranked up bridge, and cranked up pickup pole pieces on a Yamaha Revstar RSS02T model from the same 55point inspection vendor. They took it back and made the situation right, no problem…its just surprising that the model made it out the door at all.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I will have to say that Sweetwater did the right thing and refunded my purchase as well.

[@DLee1100s]

It's worth pointing out that is the Premier version. The Deluxe versions (built in Korea) are a notably higher quality instrument.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I would agree with that. Thanks for watching.

[@Pablo-ft6un]

bought the D'Angelico Premier EXL-1 (Angie) 9 months ago. to play in a big band. Works very good with Thomastik JS112. Great comping sound. And for the occasional blues excursions: she keeps the tuning even with minor third bendings.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I am glad you’re purchase worked out good

[@biggeniusman]

I feel so burned after buying a D'Angelico acoustic. It seemed ok until a couple years later I went to adjust the neck and found the truss rod was at the end of threads. No adjustment available as the nut is at the end of the thread. I figured I could add a spacer but the nut cannot be unscrewed as it runs into the wood of the head stock. I am BURNED.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I’m sorry that you are having to deal with that. They do not make affordable quality guitars seemingly these days. Hopefully you can get it back running good again

[@michaeldemayo9884]

Had a similar experience with a Sweetwater purchased DiAngellico archtop. Returned it shortly after purchase. Replaced it with an Eastmen.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@michaeldemayo9884 Eastman seems to making some pretty stellar instruments these days. I’m happy you got a good one my friend

[@shaalis]

I had th esame problem on one of my old Epiphone Emperor Regents. They mounted the pickup with WAY too much bass latency. I hd to remove the pickup, and then sanded out the neck so it fit better. I made some wood epoxy at home and filled th eold mounting holes then drilled new ones. It solved about 80% of the issue, especially the gross heavy bass and lost treble side. Now it sounds more balanced. I still decked the pole piece on the bass side and it definately helped.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I’m sorry you had to go to all that trouble. I chose not to put that much effort into a new guitar. I didn’t mind paying for a setup, but not to rebuild a defective instrument

[@benlogan430]

With a neck set like that it shouldn’t have left the factory I wouldn’t think.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Ben I guess quality control is harder to achieve these days, or perhaps the standards are not as high anymore in what is considered of good quality

[@IIImobiusIII]

I bought an Aria Archtop that was made with solid Maple. Because of a contract with a wood supplier, they were able to make them unlaminated for some time. Added Grover Imperial Tuners, Benadetto Ebony Tail Piece. An EMG active Jazz floating pickup (sounds fantastic), put a Nashville Bridge, cut my own Pickgaurd and Bone Nut, and had the frets dressed by a pro. It's Natural Blonde and just shines. Everyone at the luthery shop were amazed and said it was better than anything they had seen. It was a fun project. Lastly, I will need to put in a battery box. I know that Unlaminated Archtops were prone to feedback. I thought the EMG might take care of this. I'm not quite sure, but I never heard it feedback. If it did, I also have a 50 year old Gibson ES-175T that is laminated. This is one I don't want to mod, though I did add some locking Klusons. It already was switched to Grovers when I got it in the early 80s.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Sounds like you have some good axes there. Sometimes doing it yourself is the best way. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@dominiquepierard]

Hi, I've just watched your video and even if it's already back in time a year ago, perhaps will you still be able to read this. The pickup attached to the pickguard is obviously not in it's best position, but you can fix that : 1° working on the bracket that holds it to the body by bending it to come to an adjustment in angle, 2° elevate the top part of it fixed with a screw close to the neck, and that should do the job. Now this particular instrument is the bottom line of the production, it is a "premier" available at a lower cost,... thus less hours spend on the factory line,... Regardless of the bridge hight and neck angle, the most important thing is to check if any sinking has appeared on the soundboard at the bridge emplacement itself that would "justify" such an elevation. If not, well a certain hight can be "tolareted" has long as if it's still confortable to play, and that depends on each guitarist and the strings tension used. The higher the bridge, the more you will sollicitate the sound board, and have a "bigger "acoustic volume. Now a proper set up for electric use is to come to the point where there's no buzz, and obviously the fret work seems of a good quality. I own a d'Angelico Excel 1 Nat (amber) Korean production and still needed to have some adjustments made up to my expectations and playing style, and works perfectly. In the very end you don't seem too happy with this guitar, ... so yes no need to suffer longer, and so I hope you've had it replaced, ... music is to bring happiness and joy. All the best.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@dominiquepierard it has long since been returned. Thank you for your insight though. God Bless you!

[@casandre2]

What a shame!!! the guitar looks nice though! I had the same experience with a newly bought Excel Soho, the bridge had nearly no contact with the top the PU was so cranked, that it was touching the E and A strings, and the action was horrible, the guitar could not play at all, out of the box!!! I sent it back to the company! In all my guitar life I never had / bought a guitar in such a bad shape! I don't what happened to D'Angelico quality!!! I have 2 other D'Angelico models and they are really nice playing! but this one was a catastrophe!

[@localguy8]

I checked on lots of jazz guitars but under a budget of $500. I saw a Joe pass I nearly bought , an Ibanez 75 that was very nice n a 5 Ave that was a little too much but I got an Ibanez GB10en. The manager I knew gave me a deal I couldn’t pass a 15% disc on all equipment even use. I now I have a beautiful Ibanez gb10 em

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I ended up with a Joe Pass. The George Bensons are great so I’ve been told!

[@sblack48]

I’m surprised. Mine doesn’t have these obvious issues. Guess their QC is lacking. Were all the d’angelico guitars made in Indonesia? I thought some were Korean.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I’m pretty sure all are made in Indonesia now. Privately the Sweetwater rep told me all the newer ones were junk. Sad! Thank you for watching.

[@Dr.Turkey]

I love that rose gold color, shame it doesn't look as good up close! I swear Ibanez uses to make an af75 in that color but I can't find it anywhere! Apparently Sweetwater's 55 point inspection means checking that everything meets certain "factory standards" set by the company. I've personally only bought 2 guitars from them and was fortunate that they were both great, this must've been frustrating!

[@Whiffinger1]

I've now got 7 D'Angelico archtops and 5 D'Angelico acoustics and they were all set up perfectly from the factory, with the first one I fell in love and got addicted, I am making two upgrades, Zager soft touch strings, and brass pegs on the acoustics, the first one I got came with brass pegs from the factory, giving it a distinctive what I call a "chiming" tone, great stuff, I have to assume that now and then there will be a bad dog, but that's fixable, or returnable, so far the ones I've got have all been 100%,

[@Whiffinger1]

All the D's I've got are Excels or Deluxe, but I've played some of the Premiers at the guitar store that blew me away for the price,

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Fortunately Sweetwater allowed me to return it, and I went with a Joe Pass

[@Whiffinger1]

@@PatStockdaleMusic I got a D'Angelico Gramercy acoustic that was a lemon too, Guitar Center refunded me no questions, then I got another one and it was all good, Epiphone has been building fine instruments for a long time,

[@L4sleeko]

Agreed, I had a nice Taylor 415 Jumbo acoustic guitar with a satin finish. Looked great, felt super slippery not in a good way and noisy with that finish on my clothes. Never again for me.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Yes. I did once have a mahogany Martin D15 that felt good. Other than that not much on the Satin finishes

[@jimotten3780]

I used to own an excel dc shorline. It was a beautiful guitar but I noticed something was off when playing it. Turned out the bridge didn’t align with the neck. So the strings weren’t really straight on the neck. It was playable still but the idea frustrated me. Sold it after a while. One off the best sounding guitars I ever played though. Seems the qc isn’t that great at D’ angelico which is a shame because they are beautiful guitars. Hope you’ll get a better one back! Thanks for the vid😎👍🏻

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Jim thanks for your feedback! Hope you got something that you ended up loving

[@keithleung4854]

I have the same Premier EXL-1 in white on 2022 summer. The shop has an used EXL-1 , but the feel of the white Premier are much better than the more expensive one which are from South Korea. It is a matter of chance. But I know the walnut color is 2023,s color. The dealer do not get new stock on premier line.Maybe something wrong is under the water. Joe Pass Emperor II now made in Indonesia too since 2022.Before that they are made in China,like PRS SE Hollowboday .

[@jjdillon2007]

I hope the guitar is within the return period?

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

They have agreed to take the guitar back JJ. Thanks for watching

[@racrx7]

The downfall of purchasing a guitar online without getting to hold and play it. I sent back an LP custom because it had bad fretwork. Also purchased an EPI Custom that had rough finished frets. That “55 point” inspection by you know who, doesn’t mean much. My best guitar purchase from them is a Sire L7. Absolute gem of a guitar right out of the box, and cost less than the EPI. At least you know who has a great return policy.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@racrx7 Yes they took it back no issues. Lessons learned

[@ny7294]

You got a lemon , send it back for another one . They are fantastic guitars

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Ended up with a Joe Pass.

[@michaelsantiago6887]

I bought a D’Angelico Excel about 10 years ago. I also have an Epiphone Emperor Regent Korean made in ‘96. I dumped the D’Angelico. I didn’t sound like an arch top and didn’t feel like one either…more like a ‘Bb’electric guitar. The Epiphone blows it at the door…at less than half the price. He’s correct. There build quality and assurance has greatly suffered. I recommend you walk away from this guitar.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Love the Eastman build quality! They are exceptional.

[@craigclu]

I've had two of these over the years and both were perfect. I imagine at this price point, there is variability. Thanks for the honest review of the maker and the dealer.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Thanks for watching my friend. I imagine QC is harder to achieve since Covid. It hard to imagine that ever making it out the door however, and then Sweetwater had another opportunity to catch but missed it

[@50CJAZZ]

I bought 2 in 2014. 1 I kept and it’s exceptional. The other 2014 was a complete disaster and I returned it. Go figure. The price was $1300 plus tax back then.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@50CJAZZ hopefully they will strive for more consistency and QC

[@michaelfenemore1168]

Thanks. I have considered buying that exact guitar. I've ordered an Eastman AR372.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Michael you made a better choice with the Eastman. I have played a few and the build quality seems exceptional. That said, I did send the D’Angellico back. Lesson learn, it was horrible. Thanks for watching my friend.

[@GuitarRailroader]

Have exactly the same issue with the bridge on a JP Epiphone!

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I’m sorry to here that. I guess QC is a thing of the past!

[@safvue1]

hi,, did they reach out to you about this guitar?

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

They did not

[@safvue1]

not good sweetwater @@PatStockdaleMusic

[@LouCurri]

I bought a heritage 530. The guitars was great well made butI realized that the scale length didn’t work for me. Sweetwater took it back with no issues.

[@georgeovitt5443]

I hope Mr. Stockdale's bad experience with with this instrument doesn't prevent others (as has already happened, below) from going to a guitar store and playing the D'Angelico Excel. I have one, already set up for me by my local guitar dealer (not a chain), and it's fantastic ("plays like butter" as someone said). I would never buy a guitar w/o a try out.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@georgeovitt5443 I’m happy you have had good luck with the excel

[@Frustratedartist2]

I absolutely love D'angelico. I have an EXL-1 and it's a great guitar. But this company can fuck up too often. I bought a Supro amp to go with my guitar (Supro are owned by the same company nowadays), and the amp had been problematic and making terrible noises after 20-30 mins of play.

[@Frustratedartist2]

Still I would take a D'angelico over an Epiphone or an Ibanez every day, no question. Comparing these companies to D'angelico is a joke.

[@ReinholdBinder-d9n]

@@Frustratedartist2 No its not. Ibanez guitars are brilliant. I have GB10, a JSM100 and a JSM10. The best guitars I ever owned. I don't like D'Angelo's. They are not what they used to be. I had one and sold it two months later. Totally overrated instruments.

[@allengoyne]

Did you send it back? What happened?

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I did send it back, and Sweetwater made it right. Ended up with a Joe Pass.

[@karlruffing4237]

You should ALWAYS play and inspect an instrument before you make your purchase. If you had, you more than likely would have taken notice of these issues and saved yourself a heap of trouble. I once purchased a Washburn guitar, which had neck issues and finish blemishes, so I returned it and received a replacement, which was worse than the first, so I returned this one as well, to receive a third, which proved to be satisfactory. But that is what may happen when you purchase a guitar at a drum shop!

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I have purchased many guitars through the years which were bought online, and they have proven to be wonderful. It was definitely a quality control issue. The good news is that Sweetwater did the right thing, and all was taken care of. Online purchasing of musical instruments is the way now as the economy has methodically taken out mom and pop stores, and big box stores are closing. It was just a bad guitar, and unfortunately it has to do with manufacturers cutting cost and letting instruments leave the factory in that kind of shape. The fault is squarely on the maker of the instrument.

[@davess237]

How could anyone who knew guitars give that one a 55 point inspection and miss the obvious?

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

That is an interesting question, I am not sure how they missed that.

[@greeremalachi926]

edit: nice review

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Thank you for watching

[@michaeldionne3139]

Bend the bracket at the pickguard to adjust the pickup.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

It’s on its way back to Sweetwater Michael

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

The neck angle was to steep

[@davidaraujo927]

@@PatStockdaleMusic I was gonna say... return it! 😆

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@davidaraujo927 done and done and replaced with a nice Gretsch Power Jet.

[@davidaraujo927]

@@PatStockdaleMusic Great! Enjoy it!

[@larrykehl5300]

Sorry yours has so many issues - I love mine. it's a 2017 Excel EXL-1 in blue burst and is a step above my Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor II - which IS itself.a very good and solid jazz guitar

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

That’s what I ended up with… a Joe Pass

[@axeist92126]

I have an EXL-1 Premier that actually plays better than the “Throwback B”. I have it set up with D’Addario .011-.050 flat.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I am happy that you were able to get a good one my friend. Sadly my first impression had to be a bad one. I think at the end of the day, it’s all about quality control.

[@axeist92126]

@@PatStockdaleMusic I was a bit disappointed with the Throwback B (no cutaway); would have fulfilled the “Big Band” look. My el cheapo Premier plays better. Actually out of the box mine wasn’t the greatest playing with the stock strings. I also put a Tune O Matic bridge on it because the stock bridge was hard to set. I set the relief at .010.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

@@axeist92126 sounds like you have everything working well. I hope it ends up being a keeper for you, and gives you many years of good service. It’s a good guitar and if they would pay a little more attention to the ones going out the door I’m sure they could correct things like what happened to me immediately.

[@axeist92126]

@@PatStockdaleMusic I’ve had it almost 6 years. I thought about a similar Gretsch single pickup (still shooting myself in the foot for selling my Nashville Jr). I’ve had my Telecaster for 22 years. Eastwood is a good bang for the buck (I have an MRG Baritone).

[@jjdillon2007]

For the bridge to sit that high is totally unacceptable.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Yes that guitar has severe issues

[@stardance9442]

Finally a regular guitar player received a so called 55point inspection was a scam and it happened 2 times to me the sweet guys calamed it was my fault what a bunch of jurks if u are a non famous git person they don't care sorry bud G☆ thanks

[@alanhepple8856]

this has really put me off buying one i was going to not now

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Alan you might get lucky , but I definitely got a dud. Sweetwater did however do the right thing, and took it back, and refunded my money.

[@alanhepple8856]

@@PatStockdaleMusic well it seems the quality control in the factory must be very poot i was thinking about the b [ none cuttaway model], i now think ile look at other options

[@davidpotsdam]

glad you got Better guitar

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Thanks pal I’m enjoying it!

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

LOL!! Geeze wiz. What do you want for a $1.000.00 that is cheap!

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

One that plays good, intonates, well and one where you can’t drive a truck under the strings

[@davemcafeeguitar]

Sweetwater’s “55 point Golden Pass” doesn’t mean squat. I bought an EVH guitar a few years ago and it was missing the truss rod adjustment wheel at the bottom of the neck. Seriously, how do you miss something like that?? Sweetwater must have monkeys doing these so called “inspections.”

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I don’t think there is any such thing as quality control anymore. It’s just hype to make the purchase more attractive. Lesson learned

[@micwarren21]

One thing about Sweetwater, they stick behind their products. If something is wrong there is never a hassle and returning it.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Agreed!

[@romperdep]

It will only need a luthier's TLC. Mine had its Tail Piece broken by itself.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Why would you pay a luthier to repair a brand new guitar?

[@PedroMiguel-if3ll]

This sounds like a joke! Hard to believe Sweetwater ever did any inspection before shipped to you

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

you are probably right.

[@marccarter1350]

Not sweetwater as shown on the bill of inspection 😂

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

What are you talking about Marc? The guitar definitely came from Sweetwater

[@mauriceclemens3286]

Send it back and order a new one.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

It has been sent back and replaced with a Gretsch of good quality Maurice. Thanks for watching

[@artem.ostroverkh]

@@PatStockdaleMusic which Gretsch? Synchromatic one?

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I bought a 6118T. Made in Japan.

[@raffyzoo2130]

every guitar needs to be properly set up before criticizing. take it to a luthier for a set up.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

I have been playing guitar professionally for well over 40 years. I have a tech who sets up all of my guitars and I know enough about setups to determine that this guitar would never play right without resetting the neck. That would simply not be cost effective on a new guitar in this price range. It would require more from a luthier than it was worth.

[@davidpotsdam]

send it back. its on them and using That name.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

Happy to report that it was sent back and replaced with a Gretsch. Thank you for watching

[@jamesoliphant4378]

Made in SE Asia………quality I’m sure……………

[@olivejazz]

This is Jazz guitar. I think you dont play jazz. How can you speak about something that you dont know. You play basic chords and judging a beautiful guitar.

[@PatStockdaleMusic]

You are right, it was all made up! The guitar was perfect and I damaged it myself so that I could make a video.