D’Angelico Excel Style B Throwback in Viola Hollowbody Guitar, (Used)

The D’Angelico Excel Style B Throwback in Viola is a hollowbody archtop electric guitar designed as a modern reissue of D’Angelico’s 1930s Style B concept. It features a non-cutaway laminated spruce top with a laminated flamed maple back and sides, built in a full hollow construction with a large 17-inch body and a relatively shallow depth for improved comfort compared to vintage archtops. The neck is a multi-piece maple/walnut set construction with an ebony fingerboard, 24.75-inch scale length, 20 frets, and a slim “C” profile intended for easier modern playability.

The design focuses on traditional archtop resonance, producing a warm, woody acoustic character even before amplification, with a floating bridge and classic hollowbody construction that prioritises natural acoustic response. The Viola finish is a gloss colour option associated with the Throwback series, applied over fully bound body edges and vintage-inspired appointments such as scroll-style headstock detailing and ornate inlays.

The electronics consist of a single floating DeArmond Rhythm Chief-style pickup mounted to the neck area, paired with simple passive volume and tone controls. This setup captures string vibration directly while preserving much of the guitar’s acoustic character, offering a clear, articulate amplified sound that remains closely tied to the hollowbody’s natural resonance.