Hello! I’m new to this so bare with me. I’ve had this bass for some time now, bought it when Sam Ash was closing down their stores. I have yet to find much about this in one in particular. I have looked behind the backplate for a serial number, or anything regarding origin/purchase. When I purchased it, the cashier said he knew little to nothing about this bass, as there wasn’t much info with it. Does anyone know anything on this bass and what it could be worth?
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Seeking information on D’angelico
- Thread starter ashlovescats
- Start date
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- Tags
- 5-string
John D’Angelico was a New York luthier who produced very prized archtop jazz guitars in an art deco style, starting in the 1930s.
After his death the brand didn’t exist for decades until someone bought the name and revived the brand, producing imported instruments inspired by the originals, stylistically, anyway. They’re pretty nice instruments.
I don’t remember when the new version of the company came to be; Late ‘90s, maybe? They made basses for a while but I think production stopped a few years ago and now they stick to guitars.
They can probably answer any questions for you, though:
dangelicoguitars.com
After his death the brand didn’t exist for decades until someone bought the name and revived the brand, producing imported instruments inspired by the originals, stylistically, anyway. They’re pretty nice instruments.
I don’t remember when the new version of the company came to be; Late ‘90s, maybe? They made basses for a while but I think production stopped a few years ago and now they stick to guitars.
They can probably answer any questions for you, though:
Homepage - D'Angelico Guitars
Home of New York City-based guitar brand D'Angelico Guitars.
dangelicoguitars.com
That is a D'Angelico SD bass. I have one that does not have the flame top, mine is opaque black. That is from their Excel line which is a higher end build than the Premier line and below the Deluxe line.
These were built in Korea IIRC at World Factory during the time period yours was made. Possible it's a later one made in Indinesia. The serial # should be on the back of the headstock. It is on mine anyway. These are very nice basses using pickups made by Duncan IIRC (D'Angelico branded), Switchcraft USA electronics, the knobs are actually ebony. They generally go used for $800-1000.
Here is a link to them:
dangelicoguitars.com
They also did a Semihollow version as well.
These were built in Korea IIRC at World Factory during the time period yours was made. Possible it's a later one made in Indinesia. The serial # should be on the back of the headstock. It is on mine anyway. These are very nice basses using pickups made by Duncan IIRC (D'Angelico branded), Switchcraft USA electronics, the knobs are actually ebony. They generally go used for $800-1000.
Here is a link to them:
Excel SD Bass (Discontinued) - D'Angelico Guitars
dangelicoguitars.com
They also did a Semihollow version as well.
Also, if the serial # on the back of the headstock starts with US it is a Korean World Factory bass. Counterintuitive, but is what it is. And that is an excellent factory.
Also, I'll be honest. I have never seen a 5 string. Might be a prototype. I would check with D'Angelico.
DropDeadGorgeous
If I had to guess, that looks like NAMM Show Piece to me, or maybe an endorser piece.
If I had to guess, that looks like NAMM Show Piece to me, or maybe an endorser piece.
The 5 strings is what’s been throwing me off since it doesn’t seem to be an option from one of their discontinued series. I sent them an email and will hopefully hear back soon
Hi! Its been a bit. Unfortunately learned absolutely nothing on this bass. Never received an email back, and learned D’angelico customer service is actually really bad. Just a bit of insight on the bass:
-Already have checked for a serial number, there isn’t one on the headstock, and I’ve opened up the backplate to find absolutely nothing!
-The backplate only had the initials H.A and the number 21 on it. I’m assuming thats the inspector/builder and manufacturing date.
I’ve looked literally everywhere to find something on this bass. I’ve been wanting to sell it for a couple of months now but It’s extremely difficult pinpointing a price when it’s a one of a kind. Again, If anybody knows anything or anyone I could reach out to, that’d be great!
-Already have checked for a serial number, there isn’t one on the headstock, and I’ve opened up the backplate to find absolutely nothing!
-The backplate only had the initials H.A and the number 21 on it. I’m assuming thats the inspector/builder and manufacturing date.
I’ve looked literally everywhere to find something on this bass. I’ve been wanting to sell it for a couple of months now but It’s extremely difficult pinpointing a price when it’s a one of a kind. Again, If anybody knows anything or anyone I could reach out to, that’d be great!
D’Angelico is a high-bling, production-level, imported retail brand. If it’s legit, it’s a really cool piece. However, because there seems to be no evidence D’Angelico ever offered a 5-string bass at retail, my gut tells me it’s an AliExpress special. I’d prefer to be wrong about that. 
Hi! Funny you said this, I just got an email from them confirming my bass is a one-of-a-kind prototype made in 2015 lolD’Angelico is a high-bling, production-level, imported retail brand. If it’s legit, it’s a really cool piece. However, because there seems to be no evidence D’Angelico ever offered a 5-string bass at retail, my gut tells me it’s an AliExpress special. I’d prefer to be wrong about that.
Update! I sent them another email the day I posted the other reply. I got an answer after almost 3 years of ownership.
As I was hoping for, the piece has been confirmed as a prototype made in 2015 or 2016, obviously from Korea. Though I wasn’t told much, this proof of authenticity was pretty much what I needed.
As I was hoping for, the piece has been confirmed as a prototype made in 2015 or 2016, obviously from Korea. Though I wasn’t told much, this proof of authenticity was pretty much what I needed.
Attachments
That’s spectacular, congratulations! You should give it its own documentation thread with the proper model name in the title for posterity. It deserves to have its story told with a better headline than “Seeking information on D’Angelico”.
My suggestion would be to”Rare D’Angelico Excel SD 5-string (1 of 1)”.
My suggestion would be to”Rare D’Angelico Excel SD 5-string (1 of 1)”.
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