Unboxing the D'Angelico EXL-1 June 21 2022

[@myfavorites9686]

Wow. What a beautiful instrument Once I played one shortly, belonging to a friend. Great sound and playability. I prefer it above my Gibson L5 Wes Montgomery. This guitar is not playable at higher volume due to serious feedback problems

[@jakesmith4506]

HELLO my Friend. Thanks for the shout out. I do like this instrument a lot, but to tell you the truth , I'd rather have a Gibson L-5. You are very fortunate to have one. No... it's not a metal machine but it's got the kind of soul that nothing else has. The D'Angelico is very affordable and a great gigging axe. You don't have too much fear when you take it out. On the other hand, a Gibson L-5 is an heirloom. Highly valuable and sought after by many jazz players. Be very happy that you have one. In the meantime, I hope that your 2024 is a very musical year. The best thing to do is to keep on playing! Never stop. peace.

[@myfavorites9686]

@@jakesmith4506 thanks for your reply Jake . Common friend in music 👍. Yeah I am glad I have the L5 because I like its “dark brown woody sound” specially for jazz that I play. I also have a the Loar LH 700 archtop which is very suitable for bigband playing.Loud but no jazzy character. And a vintage Aria Pro II Herb Ellis similar to a Gibson ES 175 . Great sound too. A friend of mine owns two Eastman archtops and I like them too but I am impressed by this D’Angelico Well nice to write to you. Stay healthy and keep on playing Best regards from the Netherlands Albert

[@pdbordelon]

Love this! Nothing like a good guitar "unboxing"! Thanks for sharing!

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello my friend, Thank you for the shout out. This guitar is great, especially at the price they retail for. So, all I can say is to keep your music rolling and have a safe holiday season. peace.

[@robertclarkguitar]

That is absolutely beautiful. And I cannot say it enough. I love the kindness of your atmosphere in your videos. That stems from you. I cannot be alone on that. Take care Jake!! Always a pleasure my friend.

[@jakesmith4506]

Hey Robert. I think that music brings the best out of just about every soul. I can honestly say that playing music has no negatives or down side. It's a perfect form of therapy for many people. I am honored that you've taken time to view my channel. I am very fortunate in many ways and music is one of those infinite blessings that I have been privileged to enjoy! Much peace and good health to you and your family!

[@christophermitchum6829]

Beauteous, Phatt😎🎶...b Cool, bro... Jazz iz a-wait-in...💯👆🕶️

[@MichaeldeLouwere]

What a magnificent piece of work Jake. You could just sit in front of it and enjoy the beauty

[@jakesmith4506]

Now I have to learn how to play it!

[@jasperjoppegeers8448]

you really got me when all of a sudden you played a little Yes there! :)

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello my Friend, thank you for the kind words. 'YES' was one of my fave bands back in the day. I saw them 3 times back in the 70's. Unfortunately, Rick Wakeman wasn't part of those gigs. I purchasd an SKB case too. SKB does a great job with guitar cases. But....the best thing to do is to take the guitar out of the case and play. I hope that your music is going well this year. It's so much fun to create a few sonic sounds. So, be safe and rock on. Never stop playing! peace.

[@jasperjoppegeers8448]

@@jakesmith4506 Hey cheers to that! I'm put together early 70's so i discovered them much later. Saw them over here in Holland about 6 or 7 times, Open your Eyes tour, Ladder, Symphonic.... They were killing it live!!

[@toms5951]

Noticed some Steve Howe! D'Angelico have a wonderful Art Deco esthetics, never played one I didn't like and this one sounds great. Take care!

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello Tom S. Thank you for viewing my channel. I do enjoy this instrument but I must admit that I was never a fan of D'Angelico in the past. I had never really played one until now. I was looking for a suitable acoustic-electric guitar to do small shows with. There are many different options available for everyone's needs. I didn't want to spend a ton of money but I needed a certain level of quality in sound and appearance. It was a tied between this guitar and a Gretsch that was similar. Either would work and I ended up with D'Angelico, probably because there was more bling on their instrument. Another reason was that the D'Angelico has a humbucking pickup on it whereas the Gretsch had a single coil. If I had access to unlimited finances I would pick a Gibson L-5. hahaha. Oh well, no lottery wins as of yet for me. In the meantime, play your instrument often and above all....PLAY WITH PASSION! peace.

[@georgeovitt5443]

I am playing my EXL 1 as I watch you get familiar with yours.

[@jakesmith4506]

PLAY WITH PASSION my friend!!!!

[@F1carsguitar]

Thanks for playing so fine and a style I can relate to and also a little YES Starship Trooper!

[@jakesmith4506]

Thank you so much for the shout out. Keep your music alive and well.....and yourself! rock on! peace.

[@JayPooler]

I have a DAngelico SS 175 Delux ...they made 50 of the blue and gold trim it has a Bixby I have eyed EXL-1 more than 1s..woza very nice

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello my friend. Yes, these guitars are marvelous. Keep on playing and have a super musical 2024!

[@jaypooler9765]

Only when I can play as well as you..peace out

[@gwalt1985]

Sounds great! Flatwounds or roundwounds?

[@jakesmith4506]

Thank you for the shout out. round wound strings for me.

[@jakesmith4506]

OK. sorry about the very short response in the first reply. Yeah, I use round wound strings. I'm rolling with .010's from D'Addario. They seem to work out well for me. I think that I'm going to grab some STRING JOY's for the next string change. I tried them on my acoustic Martin and I was very impressed. This D'Angelico axe is really fun to play. The quality is fabulous. I am tempted to acquire another guitar from them. These days the options for instruments is endless. Everyone has their own preferences for feel and sound. Is suppose that it's part of what makes music so much fun to play. So, I hope that your 2024 is a very musical year, filled with hapiness and great health. Keep playing my friend. Never stop! my Martin video> kzbin.info/www/bejne/joqnemBqqtdsZpIsi=Bq24Bfmr3Bu_08U7

[@gwalt1985]

@@jakesmith4506 Thanks for the reply. I own an Excel Exl-1 and it's a wonderful guitar. I've been using 12 gauge flatwounds but will try roundwounds next to hear the difference.(You sound great on the Martin sounds nice also.)

[@ianclarke3627]

Love d'angelico

[@jakesmith4506]

Rock on and never stop playing. Peace.

[@PapajamaJoe]

Hey Jake - is this the Premier or the Excel? What hardshell case did you get? Love this guitar and your playing, man. Thanks

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello Joey, thanks for the shout out. here's a video that will show the case I got for this monster of an axe. rock on! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKeTg6GYZZqcgMk SKB case. SKB-20 Deluxe Jumbo Acoustic/Archtop Electric Guitar Case Black

[@RumblinMan]

Wonderful vid. Subscribed.

[@jakesmith4506]

Hey Rumblin Man, thanks for the shout out. Be sure to play often and let a joyous sound ring through the air. rock on!

[@123elvislives]

Very nice is this model the premiere or the Excel I'm looking at getting myself one in ocean turquoise is only one left at the shop in Australia I'm pretty sure it's old stock just your thoughts on this guitar before I go further thanks David thumbs up from Australia 🇭🇲👍🙏🇭🇲

[@ExploreAmerica]

Thanks for posting

[@jakesmith4506]

Thank you for the shout out. I love this guitar. Geez, I never thought I'd have a jazz box. hahaha. It's fun to play. Rock on and keep playing! peace.

[@gregorygetable]

Nice video. Sweet guitar. Want it. I have 3 Dangelico...I have Premiere HH, p90, and a Gramercy Mahogany acoustic electric. Fantastic guitars. I have a small YT channel. Like yours and am subscriber here Keep on. You play well

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello my friend. Thank you for the shout out. The weather in Detroit has officially turned bad so I will be playing a lot more guitar in doors in the coming months. I hope that you are hitting those strings as often as possible. Just think about it....playing guitar has NO NEGATIVE affect on anything. 😀 So, I hope that you and your family are safe and healthy and enjoying a lot of good music. ROCK SOLID my friend!!!

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

Nice guitar. I remember, when you brought it! But really nice! 😉

[@jakesmith4506]

Hey Siegfried, I am learning how to play this guitar. I never had anything like this before. So, I have to put the time into this and figure out what to do. hahha. In the meantime, we a finally getting warm weather in Detroit. I hope that it lasts for a while. We usually have 8 months of winter here. hahha. Two months of monsoon too! haha. Be safe and rock on. peace.

[@christophermckee7092]

Congrats

[@jakesmith4506]

thank you for the shout out. Be safe and play often my friend!

[@sblack48]

I wondered how the heck to remove the piece of foam under the bridge without losing the intonation

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello Rv4 Guy, thank you for visiting my channel. Taking the foam piece out does require a bit of an adjustment for intonation but it's not too difficult. I adjusted for the first and sixth string and everything else falls into place. Overall, this is a delightful guitar to play. They did a great job on everything that matters. I really love the satin finish too. Don't be afraid, you'll be just fine with this masterpiece should you decide to get one. In the meantime, have a wonderful, musical 2023! peace.

[@sblack48]

@@jakesmith4506 i have one

[@timadams9119]

...Jake Let me guess, You've been playing for two... maybe three weeks ?

[@jakesmith4506]

Hello Tim, thank you for visiting my channel. This guitar is so good! I have really been impressed by what D'Angelico has done with the high quality and wonderful playability. I do have to practice more! But in the meantime, making a little noise with this guitar will be fun. Rock steady and stay safe my friend. Play often! peace.

[@timadams9119]

@@jakesmith4506 Jake, Thanks so much for the reply. I've also seen you in a couple of Norms Guitars videos as well. You sir, have a gift from God. I am the proud owner of an exl-1. Beautiful instrumant. COME TO LONG ISLAND !!! Tim.

[@stevesaavedra3609]

Great playing 💥

[@jakesmith4506]

Hi Steve. Thank you for taking a look at my channel. I hope that your holiday season is filled with much music and good times with friends and family. Rock on!

[@richardking2762]

Weird, mine came with a hardcase

[@jakesmith4506]

Hey Richard, this is truly a wonderful instrument and it's a great thing that yours came with a hardcase. Now....it's time to shake those strings and have a great musical time. rock on and have a fabulous musical 2023!

[@PedroMiguel-if3ll]

Bat Cave!

[@jakesmith4506]

hahaha. Thank you for the shout out. Yeah,,,,, Bat Cave. It's always fun there. I hope that all is good for you and your music. have a fantastic Fall season and keep on playing! peace.

[@mjmisp]

These guitars are one of the best kept secrets, cool history too. You should have at least one or two. Or more?...

[@jakesmith4506]

hahahah Yeah Gretsch Pimp. You know I can't stop buying guitars. This one is super cool. Lots of bling. The Gretsch guys had a similar guitar too. The Gretsch G100CE Synchromatic Hollowbody. It's really nice too. Oh well, next time I'll get the Gretsch and a bag of popcorn....just to celebrate. Rock on my friend!

[@pascalrollier6591]

We are far from the jazzsound.It's an ordinary guitar,nothing more.

[@jakesmith4506]

Thank you for checking out my channel. I'm not a jazz player but this guitar will come in handy for acoustic style shows. It has an excellent build and great feel. A real jazz player can play a variety of different guitars to get the right sound. In the meantime, keep playing and have a great musical year!