D'Angelico - Premier DC Desert Gold

There are guitars that simply exist, and then there’s the D’Angelico Premier DC Desert Gold, which makes its entrance with its golden finish and its Harlem-inspired swing. This semi-hollow, double-cutaway guitar carries the DNA of the D’Angelico brand – a historic icon of New York jazz – whilst openly flirting with rock, blues and contemporary pop. It’s the sort of instrument you notice even before you’ve plugged it in.

Beneath this laminated maple top lies a game-changing central block: less unwanted feedback, more generous sustain. The two in-house humbuckers, positioned at the neck and bridge, alternate between velvety smoothness and a more biting edge depending on the position of the three-way selector switch. It’s perfect for switching from a mellow jazz accompaniment to a solo that really bites, without having to change guitars between tracks.

On the neck, the C-shaped profile and the 22 medium vintage nickel-silver frets allow your fingers to glide smoothly from the lowest to the highest register. The Graph Tech NuBone nut stabilises the tuning, whilst the double-action truss rod allows the guitarist to adjust the neck action to suit the climate or their personal preference. The set neck, meanwhile, transmits every vibration right down to the very last mother-of-pearl inlay.

The finishes are equally impressive: multiple purfling on the headstock, fingerboard and body, a mother-of-pearl D’Angelico logo, ebony knobs, a stopbar tailpiece and non-locking stairstep tuners combine to create a look that stands out from standard production models. The cream Scalini pickguard adds that vintage contrast which makes all the difference, both on stage and in photos.

Whether for performing a jazzy set in an intimate club or for laying down some more straightforward riffs in rehearsal, this Premier DC is at home wherever you’re looking for character without excessive embellishment.