Founded in 1932 in New York City, D’Angelico Guitars has an illustrious history and reputation for building high-quality, professional-grade instruments. Originally crafting archtop jazz guitars played by legends like Chet Atkins and Django Reinhardt, D’Angelico was considered one of the premier American guitar brands before a hiatus from the mid-1960s through the late 1990s.

After being revived in the 2000s under new ownership, D’Angelico has expanded into solid body electric guitars, semi-hollow guitars, and acoustics while retaining a focus on elegant, hand-crafted designs. Their Deluxe series offers modern takes on classic D’Angelico models at accessible prices.

Body Style and Design

The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS features a compact Grand Auditorium body shape that is slightly smaller than a traditional dreadnought. This gives it a balanced and articulate tone, while still providing a decent low-end punch. The smaller body style makes it extremely comfortable to play, especially for longer practice sessions or gigs. Sitting or standing, the DAPD300TBCBAPS feels well-balanced, and the slimmer waist allows easy access to upper frets. Though not as boomy or bassy as a jumbo or dreadnought, it providesenough projection for both stage and studio use. The smooth Grand Auditorium shape looks sleek and feels great against your body. Those seeking a high-quality acoustic-electric in a portable, player-focused design will appreciate the form factor of the DAPD300TBCBAPS.

The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS has a nice compact body size, but some guitarists prefer even smaller body shapes. For example, the Martin LX1E has an even more diminutive 000-14 fret body size. The 000 body style is Martin's smallest traditional acoustic shape, making the LX1E an extremely comfortable guitar to play for long periods. It's lightweight, nicely balanced, and easy to handle. The narrow width and reduced lower bout allow easy strumming without accidentally muting strings. For travel or couch playing, the tiny LX1E body feels perfect. It fits easily on your lap and won't dig into your chest when playing seated. The tradeoff is that the LX1E lacks the low-end punch and projection of larger bodied acoustics. However, the focused LX1E tone works nicely for fingerstyle playing and recording. The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS offers a bit more robustness in a still highly portable package. Overall, both guitars have excellent build quality and playability in compact frames. The choice comes down to your preferred body size and tonal needs.

Tonewoods

The D'Angelico Premier DAPD300 guitarist with traditional tonewoods that provide a balanced, warm sound. The top is made of solid spruce, which gives brightness and clarity to the tone. Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops because of its lightweight construction and responsive sound.

The back and sides are mahogany, which adds warmth and sweetness to the EQ. Mahogany is known for its rich low-end and mellow midrange. Together, the spruce top and mahogany back and sides create a versatile tonal palette that works for various musical genres.

Strummed rhythm parts have sparkle and definition from the spruce, while fingerstyle playing comes through with full bass and open midrange from the mahogany. These traditional tonewoods give the DAPD300 a classic acoustic voice.

Neck and Fretboard

The D'Angelico Premier Dreadnought features a mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard.

Mahogany is a popular tonewood choice for acoustic guitar necks. It has a balanced tone that complements the guitar's top wood nicely. Mahogany necks offer stability, durability, and a smooth comfortable feel. The mahogany neck on the D'Angelico Dreadnought helps produce full lows, clear mids, and crisp highs.

The fretboard is rosewood which is prized for its rich overtones that add complexity to chords and lead lines. Rosewood also has a smoothness that makes fast playing comfortable. The combination of mahogany and rosewood creates a responsive and well balanced feel. Everything from intricate fingerstyle to strumming chords is enjoyable on this Dreadnought.

The neck join is smooth which allows excellent access to the higher frets. The 25.5 inch scale length and slim taper neck profile make this an easy guitar to handle. It plays fast while still providing the proper tension for rich acoustic tone.

If you're looking for an acoustic-electric guitar with great electronics, check out the Epiphone PRO-1. This guitar has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, similar to the D'Angelico Dreadnought. However, it also features Epiphone's eSonic2 preamp system which includes a built-in tuner, notch filter, phase switch, and more. The Shadow NanoFlex pickup captures your acoustic tone accurately. You get studio-quality plugged-in sound right on stage.

The Epiphone PRO-1 has a comfortable slim-taper "D" profile mahogany neck with a smooth satin finish. The rosewood fingerboard has a radius that allows for easy fretting and fast runs. This guitar plays great unplugged but really shines when amplified through a PA system. The eSonic2 preamp gives you control over your amplified tone so you can easily dial in the perfect sound.

Between the solid wood construction, Shadow pickup, and onboard electronics, the Epiphone PRO-1 is an excellent choice for gigging musicians. It competes with guitars costing much more. The PRO-1 provides studio-worthy amplified acoustic tones at an affordable price point. If you want great acoustic sound on stage, check out the Epiphone PRO-1.

Electronics and Hardware

The D'Angelico Premier Dreadnought features a high-quality L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system that accurately reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic tone. The thin and flexible pickup is installed under the saddle and combines an Element pickup for string vibration with a Lyric microphone to capture the top and body resonance.

The onboard preamp features volume and tone controls and a tuner, allowing you to easily dial in your amplified tone at the gig or in the studio. Users praise the Anthem system for its rich, balanced sound with great dynamics.

It comes equipped with open-back die-cast tuners with an aged copper finish. The tuners are high-ratio for precise tuning and feature a flared post design. Players appreciate the smooth and accurate tuning capability.

Overall, the electronics and hardware are pro-quality and designed to capture the true voice of this impressive acoustic-electric guitar.

Sound and Playability

The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS produces a well-balanced tone that works for various musical styles, from rock to blues to country. The solid spruce top and laminated sapele back and sides give it warmth and resonance without too much boominess. The mahogany neck has a comfortable modern C-shape profile that feels great in the hands.

The guitar plays smoothly up and down the neck thanks to the 25.5" scale length and 16" fretboard radius. It stays in tune very well even during aggressive strumming. The action is set up nicely out of the box for comfortable chording and single note playing without buzzing. The guitar projects loudly when played acoustically, while the Fishman Sonicore under-saddle pickup and Isys T preamp provide quality amplified tones.

Overall, the DAPD300TBCBAPS offers an excellent playing experience with great tone that punches above its price class. The comfortable neck, quality construction, and Fishman electronics make this a versatile, gig-ready acoustic-electric at an affordable price point.

Pros

The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS acoustic-electric guitar has several notable benefits that make it an appealing option for players looking for a quality acoustic-electric instrument.

Quality Materials

The DAPD300TBCBAPS features solid spruce top wood, which helps produce a lush, balanced tone. The back and sides are made from laminated mahogany, providing warmth and resonance. Overall, the use of these tonewoods results in an acoustic with excellent sound projection and dynamics.

Great Electronics

This D'Angelico model comes equipped with a Fishman Presys Blend pickup system. The electronics accurately capture the guitar's natural acoustic sound while also including a built-in tuner, volume control, and 3-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone. The Presys Blend is known for its clear, balanced sound and easy plug-and-play usability.

Versatile Sound

Between its quality build and electronics, the DAPD300TBCBAPS can cover various musical styles and playing scenarios. It works well for fingerpicking and strumming approaches, projecting a balanced tone when played acoustically. The electronics also let you plug into an amp or PA system, making this a highly versatile acoustic-electric. The guitar is a great choice for songwriters, gigging musicians, or anyone wanting flexibility from their acoustic.

Cons

While the D'Angelico Premier series DAPD300TBCBAPS acoustic-electric guitar has many admirable qualities, it also comes with a few potential drawbacks depending on your needs and budget.

The most obvious potential con is the higher price tag. As a US-made instrument with solid wood construction and quality electronics, this D'Angelico guitar sits at the higher end of the market. Players on a tight budget may find more affordable options from other brands.

The onboard electronics and built-in tuner, while high-quality, add to the complexity and cost. For players who plan to play this guitar almost exclusively unplugged, the elaborate electronics may be overkill. The guitar sounds great acoustically, so the electronics package may be more than some users require.

The D'Angelico name also carries a premium price tag. You're paying for the brand's reputation and legacy as much as the instrument itself. While the build quality and components justify the price, you can find comparable specs for less from other manufacturers.

Comparable Options

The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS compares well to other acoustic-electric guitars in its price range from respected brands like Martin and Taylor.

Martin D-10E

The Martin D-10E is an excellent option with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It produces a balanced and well-rounded tone. The Fishman Sonitone electronics provide natural acoustic amplification. The neck shape and satin finish make for comfortable playability. Overall, the D-10E is an excellent all-purpose acoustic-electric with the trusted Martin name.

Taylor 214ce

With a Grand Auditorium body shape, the Taylor 214ce projects clearly with balanced articulation across the tonal spectrum. It features layered rosewood back and sides with a solid Sitka spruce top. The onboard ES-T pickup system allows for flexible and dynamic amplified tones. The neck is smooth and inviting. The Taylor 214ce is a great choice for those seeking top-notch playability and amplified acoustic tones.

Summary

The D'Angelico DAPD300TBCBAPS is an excellent acoustic-electric guitar overall, offering a number of admirable features.

Pros: - Stunning quilt maple top provides eye-catching looks - Slim neck profile is comfortable and fast - Fishman Presys Blend pickup system offers balanced tone - Impressive sustain and resonance

Cons: - Higher price tag - Electronics can be susceptible to feedback

This guitar is ideal for intermediate to advanced players looking for a striking, responsive acoustic-electric at the higher end of the market. It's a quality instrument well-suited for stage and studio use.

Overall, the D'Angelico gets a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. While the price is on the high side, you get an instrument with top-notch appointments, electronics, and tonewoods. The playability, looks, and features make this a guitar any discerning player would be proud to own.