The name John D’Angelico resonates across the pages of musical history like Stravarius...a superlative that designates excellence...the finest there is. The legendary luthier from New York City died in 1964 having made 1164 guitars in his shop in the Bowery — handmade guitars renowned for their craftsmanship and tone quality and exquisite art-deco detailing. Today, the original, one-of-a-kind D’Angelico of America Teardrop is valued at more than $1 million and is owned by a collector from New Jersey. And it’s to New Jersey — in fact, right here in Red Bank at Nevada Exchange on Broad Street — that guitar buffs can come to pay homage to D’Angelico, visit a recreation of his 40 Kenmare Street workshop, see original D’Angelicos on display, and meet Liz Barulic who oversees the whole operation which includes the sale of a new generation of D’Angelico guitars produced by her family’s business, D’Angelico Direct.

“My brother is a collector who honors, not only the genius of John D’Angelico, but his entrepreneurial spirit” Liz explains. “He’s a dedicated entrepreneur himself.” The combination led to D’Angelico Direct, a company that has the exclusive liscense to perpetuate the D’Angelico legacy, maintaining the craftsmanship and imaginative techniques of the original workshop, using only quality woods and components for each of its models that include the original archtops as well as semi-hollows, solid-bodies, flat tops and custom-made.

When Nevada Exchange first opened in Red Bank in 2007, it was an antique shop with D’Angelico guitars as part of the inventory. They proved so popular that the store had a grand re-opening in September 2009 as the center for all things D’Angelico. Sunday is D’Angelico day with an open invitation for guitar players to come and play, but only on a D’Angelico, their own or one borrowed from Liz.

D’ANGELICO at NEVADA EXCHANGE
65 Broad Street
732.747.9797 | dangelicodirect.biz