%%title%% %%page%% %%sep%% Downto...

Attention all D’Angelico Guitar fans, you’re in for a treat. The 88-year-old Manhattan guitar manufacturer is in the midst of a modern resurgence, offering new designs and a new line of gorgeous products for 2020.

D’Angelico has a storied history since its 1932 inception in Little Italy by master luthier John D’Angelico. The company’s devotees include guitar virtuosos Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Chet Atkins, and Bootsy Collins as fans of their instruments. In 2011, guitars by D’Angelico were included in the ‘Guitar Heroes’ exhibition at the Met. These guitars are absolutely gorgeous as well as being vessels for some of the most noteworthy music to come out of the last eight decades. Original D’Angelico guitars are considered prized collector’s items. Relaunched in 2011 by Brenden Cohen, John Ferolito Jr., and Steve Pisani, the brand blossomed into 125 partnerships in the United States with an additional 200 international dealers just three years later.

Here is the official press release from D’Angelico for the exciting new developments:

The Premier Series will see a refresh on all five of its acoustic models, plus the addition of a new “LS” variation – a satin mahogany option priced at $299.

The popular OM Tammany will be available in all variations for the first time.

The Premier Series also welcomes the all-new Premier Mini DC – an ergonomic double cutaway semi-hollow, featuring a 14″ wide body perfect for players looking for a lightweight, easy-to-wield instrument.

And, coming off its triumphant first year in the Deluxe Series, the Bob Weir Bedford signature model is now available in the Premiere Series. Featuring the unique combination of two stacked P-90s and a middle single-coil controlled by a 5-way blade and blender knob, the Premier Bob Weir Bedford hosts an unbelievable range of tones.

In the long-standing Excel Series, 2020 welcomes new archtops for the first time since the re-launching of the brand. The Excel Series Throwback Collection hosts vintage-inspired takes on the flagship EXL-1 and the fan-favorite Style B. Features include the new Throwback scroll-style headstock, ebony headplate and pickguard, Throwback f-holes, ebony fingerboard, Seymour Duncan electronics, and Jazz Age finishes.

Also joining the Excel Series is the Excel Mini DC, an undersized double cutaway semi-hollow featuring Seymour Duncan 59 humbuckers and coil-splitting push/pull tone knobs.

The reimagined Deluxe Series is built to inspire – featuring Limited Edition takes on all four solid body designs, as well as the semi-hollow DC, SS, and 175. Across humbucking models, the Deluxe Series introduces the all-new Seymour Duncan Seth Love A4 – a pickup with remarkable depth, response, and richness in tone.

Meanwhile, the offset Bedford is now available in a stunning new variation. The Deluxe Bedford SH- a semi-hollow solid body featuring a unique modern f-hole window – adds an edge of acoustic warmth to its unique electronics configuration – two STR-52s and a Mini-Humbucker.

Limited Edition Deluxe Models are available in Matte Black, Matte Wine, and Matte Rose Gold. Only 50 pieces each.

D’Angelico will also debut the opening of its new USA Custom Shop and debut the shop’s first ten instruments at NAMM 2020. For the first time in brand history, solid bodies and semi-hollows will be built to spec in the USA, run by renowned luthier and longtime D’Angelico collaborator Gene Baker. Media outlets can contact jessica@dangelicoguitars.com to schedule an online interview and demonstration at the 2020 NAMM show.

All models will be officially available to select dealers on 16 January 2020.

See More

Album of the Year: Civilian by Frank Tovey

Clan of Xymox Materializes At Le Poisson Rouge

Blake Charleton Keeps It Fresh

Christine Smith Waits On The Far Side Of A Star

Adrian Sexton Draws The Death Card

Mike Keneally first became known to guitar devotees when he joined Frank Zappa’s band in the late 1980s. His work with Frank led to Mike being part of Dweezil Zappa’s band and working with Steve Vai, The Dixie Dregs’ Andy West and The Tubes’ Prairie Prince. The 2000s brought a variety of interesting projects for Mike including playing with Metalocalypse band Dethlok on tour and becoming National Music Director for The Paul Green School of Rock Music. Beyond staying active as a solo artist — often under the moniker Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins — Mike also plays guitar and keyboards in Joe Satriani’s band.

On Oct. 26, Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins will make a rare New York City appearance at Leftfield. In support of that, Mike caught up with Downtown for some Q&A about his history in New York and what else is coming up for him. More info can be found on Mike and his projects at www.keneally.com.

Where was the first gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?

Mike Keneally: Even though I was born in New York, my family moved to California when I was eight years old, so I never actually played there until years later — February 2 1988 in Albany, the first date on the Frank Zappa tour. It was my first professional music gig. I remember being completely stunned that it was happening at all. I was much less petrified than I expected to be, and I was delighted beyond comprehension when Frank chose to spotlight me during the second set in ways I wasn’t expecting, and to have the first words he spoke when coming out for the encore be “Mike Keneally, ladies and gentlemen!” For years I refused to believe that that was what he actually said even though I clearly heard it, until I heard an audience recording which confirmed it. I still have a hard time believing it’s true though.

Were you ever in New York City with Frank Zappa?

MK: Yep. (laughs)

Any New York restaurants or attractions that really made an impression on you?

MK: When I was a kid it was all about Carvel on Long Island. Later as an adult, my friend Matt Resnicoff brought me to various amazing restaurants in the city which have provided intense satisfaction. Actually, Rosa Mexicano was the site of one particularly profound dining experience.

Have you been around the area where you are playing later this month? How did you wind up booking a show at this venue?

MK: I have not hung out near Ludlow Street before and I’m looking forward to experiencing it. We had another New York venue booked months ago for that night — a nice room but with a history of eccentric behavior in my experience — and they lived up to that when they contacted us a short time ago to inform us that our show was cancelled so they could host an MTV taping that night. Our booking agent scrambled and managed to find Leftfield Upstairs on ridiculously-short notice. It looks like a cool room and we are looking forward to a very enjoyable evening there.

What’s coming up for you after this New York City show?

MK: We’ll finish out the tour, alerting the world that I’ve got a new album called Scambot 2, and bringing a 1990s-era trio configuration of Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins — featuring Bryan Beller on bass and Joe Travers on drums — to the East Coast for the very first time. And then I’ve got a couple of relatively quiet weeks in November before heading to South America with Joe Satriani for most of December.

2017 will alternate between more Satriani touring, more solo tours, and hopefully the public unveiling of a new band project with some fantastic musicians that’s been quietly in the works since the beginning of this year — more details to come on that soon. There’s more info for anyone who is curious at keneally.com. Thanks!