The brand founded by luthier John D'Angelico in 1932, in Manhattan's Little Italy, has evolved a lot since its creation. After training with his great-uncle Signor Ciani, John opened a small workshop in New York and made 3 to 4 guitars a month there. This is where the legend comes to life. In the 1940s, his reputation growing, John D'Angelico became a reference in terms of archtop guitar. The demand is growing, he is spotted by the big manufacturers of the time, but he prefers the intimacy of his small workshop and continues to manufacture his exceptional guitars in very limited quantities.
In 1952, young James D'Aquisto was hired in the workshop at the age of 17 for $35 a week. John doesn't know it yet, but James will be the one to uphold the brand's legacy and continue his work for decades to come. In 1960, John D'Angelico's health deteriorating, James D'Aquisto gradually took over the manufacture of the current instruments and became a seasoned apprentice. John D'Angelico died in 1965 and James took over the master's studio. Workshop where he will continue to manufacture D'Angelico guitars, then launch under his own name some time later.
In 2011, a resurgence of interest in archtop and other hollow-body guitars, as well as a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, once again made the D'Angelico name resonate within the guitar community. The timing is perfect, the brand has just been acquired and the development of a new range is underway. The following year, the brand returned to the NAMM show and received an enthusiastic welcome.
80 years have passed since the small workshop in Little Italy. The legend continues through the standard production which demonstrates creativity and excellent manufacturing quality, and the "tailor-made" Custom Shop, run by master builder Gene Backer, which produces exceptional instruments.
In 1952, young James D'Aquisto was hired in the workshop at the age of 17 for $35 a week. John doesn't know it yet, but James will be the one to uphold the brand's legacy and continue his work for decades to come. In 1960, John D'Angelico's health deteriorating, James D'Aquisto gradually took over the manufacture of the current instruments and became a seasoned apprentice. John D'Angelico died in 1965 and James took over the master's studio. Workshop where he will continue to manufacture D'Angelico guitars, then launch under his own name some time later.
In 2011, a resurgence of interest in archtop and other hollow-body guitars, as well as a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, once again made the D'Angelico name resonate within the guitar community. The timing is perfect, the brand has just been acquired and the development of a new range is underway. The following year, the brand returned to the NAMM show and received an enthusiastic welcome.
80 years have passed since the small workshop in Little Italy. The legend continues through the standard production which demonstrates creativity and excellent manufacturing quality, and the "tailor-made" Custom Shop, run by master builder Gene Backer, which produces exceptional instruments.
