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I am very pleased with my new EXL1. I have been playing straight ahead jazz guitar for twenty years, I own a Heritage H575 custom and a Gibson 137, this Excel is just as well made and finished. The Excel has the traditional acoustic jazz guitar tone down pat. It sounds great and projects very well. It is loud enough acoustically to cover the four to the bar Rhythm style of Swing era jazz ala Freddie Green in a combo situation. Not as loud acoustically as a Macafarri/Gitane style gypsy jazz guitar. The electric tone is sublime. Johnny Smith, George Vann Epps type tones spring forth effortlessly. This is a fine, fine working pro level jazz guitar. The case it came with is very well made and adds a lot of value to the overall purchase. I highly recommend this guitar to anyone in search of a beautiful, affordable arch top guitar.

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I really really love this particular guitar. As a matter of fact, it has become my favorite after playing for more than fifty years. Owning over 14 guitars currently, that is saying something. The EXL-1 is not only beautiful to look at, but it is a guitarist's dream. I have a Gretsch Country Gentleman 1959 model which I bought from zZounds not long ago which I dreamed of owning for years but I have to admit, this guitar is my favorite. Trust me when I say if you have what it takes to be great this guitar will take you there and stay with you. You won't sell it.

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Beautiful looking guitar, plays great right out of the box. The neck was straight with low action, compares to any high end jazz box, I own an L5, es165 Herb Ellis and a Gretsch jazz Box. Came with a nice hard shell case, I am happy I bought it

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Just purchased exl-1 natural finish, I have the beautiful ice tea burst. both play great, changed to 11 flats and lowered the action to suit my needs. Both sound fantastic with my Fender Deluxe Amp

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I have many guitars from Martin to Gibson to Gretsch and this is in their category, considering the money difference. It has a great neck and is easy to play. This is a true old style F hole archtop. The pickup is mild, but adequate with a good amp and gives a nice woody tone. Workmanship is excellent.

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I got this jazz box on someone's return for $980.00, what an incredible guitar for under a thousand! I think it was returned because the case it came in was not glued down to well on the top. (who cares....it works) I had to lower the bridge and change the strings, viola! A beautiful guitar that sounds as good as a much more expensive axe....I love it! Very light for it's size, it may be the best deal I ever got on a guitar, and I've been playing for 40 years!

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Great Guitar overall! Whether you're looking for an archtop that can cut in with Big Bands or just looking for a respectable Axe to gig with this is definitely the one to go for!!!

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This is an exceptional guitar, especially for the price. The floating pickup sounds so good and the guitar play beautifully. If you can get your hands on one these... buy it.

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I could not be more pleased with this guitar. It really has everything. Tone, sustain, an old-time feel. Plays amazingly well, very comfortable neck. Beautiful character both acoustically and amplified. Plus, the decorations/build are immediately D'Angelico. Definitely one of the most beautiful guitars I've ever owned. You need one of these. Seriously.

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This is another great guitar I just received mine, it was wrap so carefully and well shipped plus my great friends zZounds surprised me, by sending it a day early. This guitar is high quality, strings is set right, plus its my choice of string. For all jazz guitarist its a must feels and sounds great and its so darn beautiful I just stared at it for a long time. Its my jazz concert guitar, it will be picture on my new CD release first of the year. Thanks zZounds

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Beautiful guitar! It took 5 days to get here, but it finally arrived. After I added new strings and set it up, it turned out very N-I-C-E! Beyond my expectations. I don't give out compliments easily. But this time I feel compelled to. The p/u doesn't slide, for those who thought it would/might including myself. The only drawback, however. Very nice action and beautiful tone. The ad makes it look a little lighter weight than it really is. In real life appearance I thought it might sound a little thudddy, before I played it. But, NO! Very sweet mellow tone-if you like the jazzy sound. I'd encourage anyone who might appreciate that type of sound to go for it. You won't be sorry! PS-Nice H/S case, too.

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Nice acoustic sound, I changed the stock strings for some 12 flat wound. Nice warm tone when amplified, great jazz sound. This is my second EXL-1 had to sell the first one.

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The EXL-1 is a fine jazz box that won't break the bank! I currently own many jazz guitars ranging from a Gibson L5, ES 175, ES335 and a 1949 Gibson L48. This has become my favorite of the bunch. It plays beautifully, feels wonderful in your hands and is responsive plugged in or not. With my Fender Twin Reverb this guitar gives you that real jazz tone we all love. The neck has a great feel and is comfortable to play for hours on end. The craftsman ship is superb and I'm sure John D'Angelico would approve for sure. When I get this one paid off I'm planning on buying another model as well to round off the arsenal. If you're looking for a moderately prices jazz box that will last for years of great playing then this is your baby!

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This guitar is the ultimate jazz guitar to own. I own many jazz guitars including a Gibson L5. This guitar sounds as good as my L5 no exaggeration. It is fun to play, neck is great and comfortable, body is just right. If you want sounds like Wes and Joe Pass this is the one to get. You won't find a better deal at this price or any price for that matter. Buy it! Thank you zZounds for your easy payment plan which made this purchase possible. Also great service from you guys as always. I'll be back for sure!

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I drooled over having one of these for quite some time. It came , it was beautiful to behold. Handled well, played nice and then I plugged it in ....NOTHING . ZZ had no more in stock and I sent it to D'Angelico for repair. They were very nice and said they had found the culprit and returned it to me. I had to turn my amp up to ten to get any sound from it at all and it was ugly. ZZ was nice, I returned the instrument to them ...lets hope that products are checked before they are sent out. This was not supposed to be a POS at $1300. I cannot answer the "hoops" below. Some things are better left unsaid. We tried. oh, this feedback forum forces one to submit a "value" ... Sorry guys.

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