D'Angelico Deluxe Series SS Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Satin Brown Burst
A 15-inch jazz-inspired semi-hollow with Seymour Duncan pickups and Art Deco flair. The thin neck and lightweight centerblock make it a dream to play for long sessions, and the tone is warm and articulate.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 humbuckers paired with coil-splittable stacked P90s offer surprising tonal range for a jazz-focused instrument
- +Thin, C-shaped neck with premium ebony fingerboard and Jescar fretwire enables silky playability and singing sustain
- +Lightweight centerblock reduces feedback while preserving the warmth jazz players crave
- +Satin finish and Art Deco details combine vintage aesthetics with modern ergonomics
Cons
- −High-end price ($2,200) limits accessibility compared to entry-level semi-hollows
- −Narrower body width may feel cramped for players with larger hands
- −Requires careful amplifier selection to shine — weak amps can muddy its tonal sophistication
The Verdict
D’Angelico has repositioned the Deluxe SS as a modern jazz instrument with zero apologies, and it’s a stunning execution. This isn’t a retro throwback — it’s a contemporary take on the semi-hollow formula. The 15-inch body is perfectly proportioned for single-note soloing and chord comping without feeling cramped. That lightweight centerblock is engineering-smart: it kills feedback dead while keeping the resonance you need for tone.
The pickup combination is clever. Seth Lover humbuckers are known for transparency and responsiveness to playing dynamics. Pair them with coil-splittable P90s, and you get everything from warm, fat jazz tones to crystalline funk clarity. Combined with the thin neck and premium fretwire, you’ve got an instrument that rewards technique. Every articulation registers. Every dynamic nuance comes through.
The satin finish and Art Deco appointments aren’t just looks — they signal that D’Angelico understands modern players want instruments that perform as well as they photograph. This is a guitar for serious jazz players, session musicians, and experimentalists who want one semi-hollow that can handle anything from Wes Montgomery to modern rock fusion. It’s worth every penny.
