What is the difference between a high-end production guitar and a Custom Shop model?

High-end production guitars (such as PRS Core Custom 24 or Gibson USA Standard) utilize advanced CNC precision combined with hand-finishing in standard production runs. Custom Shop models feature lower batch volumes, hand-selected tonewoods, custom hand-wound pickups, period-accurate construction, and master luthier voicing.

Why should I avoid drop-shipped high-end electric guitars?

Drop-shipped guitars are dispatched directly from logistics warehouses without unboxing or inspection. Without a bench inspection and 5-point setup by an in-house guitar technician, you risk receiving an unplayable instrument affected by climate shifts during storage and transit.

What does MusicStreet's 5-point setup include?

Every instrument sold through MusicStreet undergoes a comprehensive 5-point bench inspection: truss rod and neck relief calibration, nut slot depth check, bridge radius and intonation alignment, pickup height and electronic circuit testing, and fretboard conditioning.

Can I try boutique and custom shop guitars in person at MusicStreet?

Yes. MusicStreet operates a showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where players can test premium PRS, Fender, and Gibson models through high-end amplifiers in a dedicated testing environment.

D'Angelico Excel Style B Throwback Viola

D'Angelico Excel Style B Throwback Viola

Name: D'Angelico Excel Style B Throwback Viola
Brand: D'Angelico
SKU: DAESTBTBVIOGT
Price: 1649.00 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

The beautiful D'Angelico Excel Style B Throwback has been designed as the name suggests, as a time machine back to the jazz age. The Throwback is a traditional looking and sounding non-cutaway archtop guitar that features some refinements to suit the modern player. With the scroll style headstock, Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith pickup, throwback F-holes and ebony fingerboard with full fret mother of pearl inlays the Throwback projects vintage style and tone, but thanks to the slimmed-down body and slender body, it's a guitar that's comfortable for any player.

We love this vintage style guitar and think it would make a great investment for a student guitarist or as a regular gigging guitar for jazz professionals.

Features We Love:

Vintage Style Appointments

The Excel Style B Throwback perfectly straddles the line between traditional and stylish design in the way that only D'Angelico can! Including the authentic scroll-style headstock designed by John D'Angelico in the 1930s. An ebony fingerboard with full fret mother-of-pearl block inlays, adding that authentic "woody" tone you expect from a classic archtop. Finally, the guitar boasts beautiful wider vintage style f-holes and a macassar ebony pickguard, which has been finished with that distinctive D'Angelico Deco twist to match the bridge, tuners and headstock cover and inlay. All of the above create the kind of visual candy that perfectly sets the mood when you pick up the guitar to play.

"C" Neck Profile

The "C" shaped neck profile offers enough depth to fill the hand and promote great resonance, but isn't fat to the point where the guitar becomes a chore to play. Complex chords and voicings can be executed with ease, even for those with smaller hands.

USA Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith Pickup

Johnny Smith was one of the most prolific jazz guitarists of all time, a celebrated session guitarist and arranger who released many albums throughout the '50s and '60s. The Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith bears the name and signature tone of the jazz legend, offering the most authentic mellow tone that resulted in this pickup going on to become the standard choice for jazz guitars.