Geezer Butler’s D’Angelico Masterbuilt 1942 Excel Reissue

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This is Geezer Butler’s D’Angelico Masterbuilt 1942 Excel Reissue, serial number 1628 024, hand-built at the Premier Builders Guild workshop in Arroyo Grande, California. These were part of D’Angelico’s high-end USA Masterbuilt series, made to be as close as possible to the original vintage guitars. The Masterbuilt 1942 Excel Reissue, introduced around 2013 and made until 2015, is a top-tier archtop meticulously recreated under the direction of master luthier Gene Baker. Produced through the Premier Builders Guild, these instruments were built using advanced techniques, including MRI scans of an original 1942 D’Angelico, ensuring exceptional historical accuracy.

This beautiful guitar features a fully carved spruce top, highly flamed maple back and sides, a one-piece flame maple neck, and an ebony fretboard. It’s also fitted with a floating Lollar Johnny Smith pickup, with the controls mounted on the pickguard to keep the top clean and resonant. Other details include Grover Imperial tuners and a classic D’Angelico-style trapeze tailpiece. The body is a full 17-inch archtop, just like the originals. Sound-wise, it’s got that classic vintage archtop tone, warm and mellow, but still clear and punchy with great balance.

Geezer bought this directly from the Premier Builders Guild a few years back, and they mentioned it was one of the very last D’Angelicos they produced. In mint condition, it comes with the original hard case and a letter from Geezer, and is a fantastic playing and sounding guitar.