Best of Gallery

circa 1940's 14 Fret F holes #no serial

Here we have a rare guitar by an elusive Luthier, who like many predecessors immigrated to France, and set up shop in Paris. this model is different in many ways from the "standard" gypsy style guitar..with a pronounced arched spruce top, and two squiggly F holes, it's made of laminated Walnut back and sides, with a solid Mahogany neck..it originally had a darkened soft wood fingerboard with long parallel inserts..due to the scarcity of Ebony.. the fingerboard is replaced with an solid Ebony board and was refretted.. War time bend metal Tailpiece, and original tuners that turn backwards..copy of the original bridge with a bone insert..there is one crack that has been filled and is not moving at all..the body is missing some binding here and there. the playability has been fully restored.. the sound is warm and open, yet not lacking for bark..an original rarity..!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Petite Bouche #no serial

12 fret model.. 640 mm scale.. this is only the second such guitar i have ever had... similar in every way, to the earlier one same material, same construction.. no maker's mark.. apart from the Paul Beuscher label.. laminated mahogany back and sides..solid spruce top.. two piece mahogany neck..ebony fingerboard.. excellent craftsmanship..a high quality instrument in every way..save for the crummy tuners and tailpiece.. it is now outfitted with Schaller gypsy tuners, and repro tailpiece.. the fingerboard was refretted..one top crack cleated and repaired, overall great condition..the playability is spot on, and the sound is OUSTANDING...!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's 14 fret Oval hole

this guitar is back in my life..I loved it when i first saw it, and now I love seeing it again.. it is extremely rare, not seen before original dark sunburst with laminated birdseye maple back and sides, solid spruce top, typical Busato three piece maple neck with a capped and refretted rosewood fingerboard.. three filled small holes on the top.. fitted with a set of DR tailpiece and tuners....I have never held a lighter gypsy guitar in my hands. it is not as deep as other Busato guitars, but it has a truly expressive voice. ....considered the next best thing to a Selmer, for a fraction of the price.. fabulous gypsy sound and vibe.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modèle" with "accordeon" inlays on the headstock and fingerboard. BB tuners and tailpiece, paper label on the neck block. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's 12 Fret Oval Hole

this is an early guitar, with the first address paper label on the neck block. regular 650 mm scale, and a 12fret neck. the "accordeon" decorations on the headstock and pickguard give it a rather festive look. the fingerboard was changed and was refretted. the entire guitar has been gone over..cracks repaired and stable, and now the playability and action are perfect. one thing that i would like to underline is how fabulous it sounds.. truly outstanding..loud and expressive...this is a very rare guitar..the only one like this i have seen in 30 years. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's Oval Hole

The bigger "sister" to the 12 fret model i have had in the past, this one has a 670mm scale,14 fret to the body, the same "accordeon" decorations with the original fretboard. a beautiful set of replacement BB tuners and tailpiece, give the guitar the final touch. the finish is worn in large areas, giving it the charming look of the gypsy life..the neck is straight, the playability is perfect, and the bark is present..finished off with a most festive headstock...rival to none..!! these guitars are extemely rare.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's Tenor

540 mm scale.beautiful guitar with brazilian laminated back and sides. multicolor rosette, solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard..every aspect of the construction of this guitar strives to emulate the Selmer quality.. original tailpiece and tuners that turn "backwards with replaced buttons. outfitted with a tortoise shell like pickguard..this guitar plays and sounds great.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's Sunburst

This is the only sunburst Busato guitar I have ever found. It is also one of the oldest. It has a 670mm scale, and the overall size of a Selmer, albeit shallower. It features a rosewood fingerboard, a solid spruce top, and what appears to be a maple back and sides. It is one of the lightest guitars I have ever held, but it comes with a tremendous amount of volume and outstanding sound. It is outfitted with a set of DR tuners and tailpiece. It is truly an extraordinary guitar. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's Grand Luxe

Circa 1938, this is truly an extraordinary guitar in every way... outstanding condition..rarity..playability and sound..and to crown all this, an original hardcase never seen before. most probably "decorated" at the request of the original owner, with his initials on the headstock. 675mm scale, 4.5 inches thick..a full inch thicker than a Selmer, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, "decorated" and "radiused" ebony fingerboard, original BB tuners and tailpiece..no internal label..original "Grand Luxe" black finish. magnificent "accordeon trim" on the headstock. the top has no cracks but some pick wear. at some point in it's life, it had a "sous-touche" installed to correct the neck angle, ( a "simpler" way than ungluing the neck to reset it) and keep the original fingerboard. the case illustrates the likelihood that before the War, BB had his best cases made to absolutely duplicate the Selmer case. before this one, I had NEVER seen such a case in 35 years. were it not to the specific dimensions of the Busato, one might use it for a Selmer..!!! OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1930's D hole #no serial

this guitar is quite early..and is a "take" on the Maccaferri Model..it sports the headstock plaque with the earliest address "Rue d'Oregemont"..I have never seen another one since that one.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940 Grand Luxe #46

This is truly an exceptional guitar.. by it's rarity, it's condition, and it's extraordinary tone.. Busato Grand Luxe do not appear very often.. this one is even rarer as it is a 14 fret large soundhole..it is also outfitted with a detachable PU, the likes of which I have never seen before.. it is called the "L'Amplific" made in Paris..!!! most probably contemporary to Stimer.. the bracket affixed at the end of the fingerboard, allows for a quick installation and removal. the guitar was refretted while preserving the original inlays, and now the playability is spot on.. the fingerboard is radiused, which is another noteworthy aspect of this guitar.. also sporting a snazzy original pickguard.. no cracks ..the guitar was played but not abused.. the action is perfect and the sound, volume and tone are of a superlative order.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 fret.Oval Hole

"Grand Modele"...no serial, but with a paper label on the neck block as well as a "marque au fer" on the inside and the back of the headstock. rosewood back and sides, spruce top, walnut neck and ebony fingerboard. this model is the closest copy of the Selmer.. Busato made many variations.. this one is the right one. the guitar has a long repaired solid top crack, and many scratches, and it shows it's many gypsy lives, but it is the next best thing to an original Selmer for a lot less. outstanding gypsy sound. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 fret oval hole

"Grand Modele"..14 fret oval hole. spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, walnut neck with an ebony centre inset, and ebony fingerboard..this represents the next best thing to a Selmer...Busato guitars are rare.. few turn up and are much sought after by all gypsy players.. the playability is perfect, and the sound is pure vintage gypsy.. a true gem.. for lots less the the Selmer... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modele"....gorgeous example of a rare guitar.. this is the late production.. the comparative image of the Selmer and the Busato illustrates the intention to copy very closely the original.. many players in Europe think some Busato guitars are better than the Selmer originals..this one is in excellent original condition, with the tailpiece and the tuners..!!!.. 2 minor cracks on the top..big manly neck.. outstanding bark and volume. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modele"... this guitar used to belong to Tony Weiss, and is featured in Francois Charle's book. Curly Mahogany Back and sides, solid European spruce top, mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard, with brass frets. it has it's original BB tailpiece, and is fitted with a new set of DR tuners. It has a little area on top where wood filler was applied to hide a hole in the top The playability is perfect, and the sound is tremendous..Busato guitars rival with Selmer guitars, and this one is no exception.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modèle"..This is most probably a near Post-War guitar, when materials are scarce..it came originally from Busato with a set of cheap individual tuners that turned backwards, and an even cheaper bent metal tailpiece. it now has a beautiful set of correct, albeit later, original BB tailpiece and tuners. with a paper label on the neck block with the "Cité Griset "address. most unusual "unrolled" Quilted Cypress back and sides, mahogany neck and thick rosewood fingerboard.. this is a "SUPERLATIVE'"guitar....the only one of it's kind I have ever seen..excellent playability and spot on Busato sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modèle", Laminated Brazilian back and sides, this guitar sports the "Accordéon" jewels on the headstock, as the French call those "embellissements". unusual one piece Mahogany neck , with brazilian rosewood fingerboard. this guitar plays like butter and sings like a gypsy angel. Paper label on the neck block with the "Cité Griset" address. old style tuners that turn backwards and plain tailpiece. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's Grand Modèle #44

This guitar shows certainly the most beautiful brazilian laminated back.. and is nicknamed the "VBBBB". no cracks on the top, the neck has been reset, the fingerboard replaced and refretted.. the adjustable bridge is original to the guitar.. it has the paper label, the headstock plaque was there, but fell off unnoticed, and is now gone, an unusal BB taipiece with a wood inset, and a proper set of modern BB tuners.again, this guitar is simply tremendous..playability, action, sound.. THIS IS A GREAT GUITAR.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's Moyen Modèle # 43

"Moyen Modèle" Egg shaped sound hole..680mm scale..made most probably during or soon after the War.. it has the same dimension of the Selmer guitar but 1cm shallower.. . solid spruce top, laminated walnut back and sides, and replaced ebony fingerboard, as well as a new set of tuners and tailpiece to replace the cheap old set that turned backwards, and the cheaper yet bent metal tailpiece.. the top has a couple of "Chanteaux".. as per shortages.. the playabiity is spot on and the sound is "superbe".. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's Grand Modèle Pantin

This is a beautiful example of the Grand Modèle. most probably built during the War times, or soon after..the neck is one Walnut piece construction.the fingerboard was replaced, and refretted..a couple of top cracks were repaired..the geometry of the top is like the first day..680 mm scale. this is an outstanding example of sound and playability. trace of the original paper label is on the neck block..originaly outfitted with cheap tuners and tailpiece (war restrictions) it now sports a set of BB tuners and tailpiece.THIS IS AGREAT GUITAR NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's Grand Modèle du Passage

This is an OUTSTANDING example of the Grand Modele..laminated walnut back and sides..solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard, complete with the paper label and the headstock plaque as well as the tailpiece and original tuners.. it was refretted recently, and the playability is perfect..guitars like this one are the quintessential.. it is pure and beautiful..showing years of life but no abuse.. the sound is superb.. this is THE model that rivaled with the Selmer.. I have the original case that came with it with is SO rare..but it does not afford the needed protection, so it is coming also with a modern case..THIS IS A GREAT GUITAR NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's Grand Modèle #44

Beautiful laminated Walnut back and sides.."shaded top to match.. with the Cité Griset paper label. ebony fingerboard, with new frets.. three piece neck..BB tailpiece and Tuners..this is the "quintessential" Busato Grand Modèle.. one repaired cleated and stable top crack, and one scrape that is not a crack.. the "geometry" of the top is perfect.. two back braces.. this guitar is outstanding in every way..a wonderful example of the "next best" thing to a Selmer.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's circa Grand Modele

This is an outstanding example of the Busato "Grand Modèle". illustrating why players as far back as before the War, where choosing this guitar over the much more expensive Selmer. the structure of the guitar is perfect.. the neck is straight..the original Brass frets in great shape..the "bombé" of the top as well as the back, are like the fisrt day, and the neck angle too. the finish on the back and sides is quite worn, and the top received an ever so thin French Polishing to seal it. It is sporting the original tuners, tailpiece, as well as the paper label on the neck block. the playability is perfect, and the sound is outstanding. plenty of bass and cristal highs. it is "miraculous" that this guitar suffered no "injuries" over the course of it's long life. the top is free of any cracks.. just a few nicks here and there.. it came in a wooden case that looks original to me..not something that was build by an amateur, but a rather well constructed and well fitting job..missing all of it's interior lining..keeping the guitar "suspended" by bits of cork..!! OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's circa Grand Modele

the classic Grand Modele..laminated rosewood back and sides, outfitted with a set of period "clover-leaf" tuners that turn backwards..BB tailpiece.. chunky neck, with ebony fingerboard. outsatnding sound an playability the next best thing to a Selmer.. SOLD NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's circa Grand Modele

This is an outstanding example of the Busato "Grand Modèle". known as the "Bastille"...illustrating why players as far back as before the War, where choosing this guitar over the much more expensive Selmer. the structure of the guitar is perfect.. the neck is straight..the original "brass" finish frets in great shape..the "bombé" of the top as well as the back, are like the fisrt day, and the neck angle too. the finish on the back and sides is quite worn, and the top received an ever so thin French Polishing to seal it. It is sporting the original tuners, tailpiece, as well as the paper label on the neck block. the playability is perfect, and the sound is outstanding. plenty of bass and cristal highs. it is "miraculous" that this guitar suffered no "injuries" over the course of it's long life. the top is free of any cracks.. just a few nicks here and there.. it is simply outstanding..hard to top this one.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1942 Grand Modèle #44 #no serial

"Grand Modèle 44".. this is BB's model that always rivaled with Selmer.. most probably built in the latter part of 1942, the headstock shows the Boulevard de Ménilmontant plaque. laminated Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, solid Spruce top,Mahogany neck with Ebony fingerboard..original BB tuners, with a reissue BB tailpiece. the neck was reset, over-sprayed, and the board was re-fretted. one can see that prior to resetting the neck, two "plugs were present.. at some point, somebody installed a Stimer 48 behind the bridge, leaving a visible shadow, but fortunately without damaging the top at all..the cosmetic touch up clearly shows what was done.. the top is in great shape, and retains it's original "bombé".. the action is spot on, and the playability as good as it gets. Grand Modèles are getting harder and harder to find in any condition..this one is simply outstanding..great projection, with loads of natural reverb in the upper register. needs nothing but to be played..!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1943 Moyen Modèle #43 #no serial

Known as the "Moyen Modèle"..Petite Bouche "Egg Shaped".. with the " Cité Griset" white label on the neck block..longer 680mm scale..Selmer size, but 1cm shallower.. laminated rosewood back and sides..solid spruce top..solid Walnut neck with ebony fingerboard.. this is a War time instrument, when materials were scarce. so this top was made of several pieces of spruce. considering that it was an "accepted practice", they gave those pieces a name.. "Chanteaux"..the top has several cracks..most noticeably one that runs the length of the top..it's been cleated and is stable. the guitar is outfitted with Schaller gypsy tuners and a Delaruelle Busato replica tailpiece..it was also refretted, so now the playabilty and action are perfect..the back of these are "thermo-formed" and not braced, so they are stiffer and produce an even barkier and more compressed sound than the others.. creating the distinctive in your face kinda voice.. this guitar wants to be played..!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1943 Moyen Modèle Selmer size 12 fret #43 #no serial

with a pink "Cité Griset" label on the neck block..this is a War time "Egg Shaped" sound hole 12 fret model 650mm scale . Selmer size with two back braces. solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, walnut neck with an ebony fingerboard, and brass frets. is outfitted with a Wartime bent metal tailpiece, and now with a set of Serge Gallato Selmer tuners..no cracks anywhere, this guitar is in outstanding amazing condition for it's age..it weighs next to nothing, and sounds like it wants to be played..!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1945 circa Grand Modèle #44 #no serial

We have here a late War time Grand Modèle..it began life with a bend metal tailpiece, and a set of classical tuners..due to shortages at that time..Busato used what he could get. it is now outfitted with a Killy Nonis Busato reissue tailpiece, and a set of early SB tuners. the fingerboard was replaced and it was newly fretted.. the neck angle is perfect, and the action is spot on.. there are no cracks, but the center seam of the top was re-glued.. there are 4 small holes plugged where Stimer pick ups once lived..the geometry of the top is perfect, and it needs absolutely nothing be to be played NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

195* TENOR

This is one nifty rare guitar.. sporting the headstock plaque with the Rue de Ménilmontant retail address. "Grand Modèle" body, with a silly little neck..!! solid spruce top, typical Busato neck construction, of mahogany with a little sandwich in the middle, Ebony fingerboard, and Brazilian laminated back and sides.. the back is a single gorgeous piece of Brazilian Rosewood, that hints at the wide logs they could get then.. several top cracks professionally repaired, 100% original, tuners tailpiece and finish.. great sounding and playing guitar, to complete a Gypsy Jazz combo..you'll be the proud owner, and for certain, the only one on your block..!!! NHS SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's 13.3 Fret D hole

this guitar further illustrates the Busato "Saga".. many models, many "innovations".. the cutaway, a departure from the gypsy tradition, might have been chosen to broaden the appeal to greater playing styles, and greater upper register access.. this guitar has the Busato "Marque au Fer" on the top, and the diamond plaque on the headstock with the retail address of the "Boulevard de Ménilmontant".. laminated Birdseye maple back and sides, solid spruce top, "standard" three piece neck construction. it has been refretted, and the binding has been reglued in one area..still with a beautiful set of BB tuners and tailpiece.. this is a fabulous playing and sounding guitar, with a broader than usual tonal range..This is the only one I have ever seen..simply outstanding condition.. you will be proud..!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's 14 Fret Oval

"Grand Modele"..beautiful Brazilian laminated back and sides..complete with paper label, tuners and tailpiece.. a bit of ugly cosmetic surgery on the soundhole...but what a killer sounding box..!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's 14 Fret Oval Hole

this is a beautiful late production Busato with the "rue de Menilmontant" address on the customary little plaque.. fancy "accordeon" headstock inlays, original BB tailpiece and tuners. grainy laminated Brazilian back and sides. the fingerboard was badly warped and needed to be replaced.. one noteworthy item about the top is that is was originally made of FIVE pieces..!! one can clearly see the lines.. a 2 piece bookmatched middle piece, and two "wing' pieces..hardly what one sees on a guitar today..but apparently an "acceptable" decision then..the top is absolutely solid, and maintains it's original arch and "pliage". the guitar sounds absolutely fantastic.. rating as one if not the best sounding Busato i have ever had.. the playability is perfect, and the neck angle is perfect and the action can be adjusted up or down.. a near miracle for one of these.. need i repeat that Busato guitars are considered by some to be the "nec plus ultra" of Gypsy guitars.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modele"..this is a late production guitar with both the paper label inside, and the retail headstock plaque. a couple of very well repaired top cracks. the other lines are the often seen added "wings". Walnut neck with an Ebony fingerboard replaced and new frets. beautiful laminated Brazilian rosewood back and sides. complete with original set of BB tuners and tailppiece. like her other sisters, this is a great playing and sounding Busato.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's 14 Fret Oval Hole

"Grand Modele".. this is indeed the one everybody wants.. considered the "best" model he made.Beautiful Brazilian laminated back and sides. 3 piece European Spruce top, 3 piece Mahogany/Ebony neck with an Ebony fingerboard. no cracks, traces of 2 clear plastic pickguards installed and removed with just a little bit of finish off..PERFECT action, playability and sound.!! complete with the BB tuners and tailpiece, this guitar is 100% original and the Busato "Holy Grail"...!!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950'S D HOLE

12 Fret D hole, birdseye maple back and sides, solid spruce top, mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. this is the first one i get. it's virtually weightless..and thus it is resonant and lively. good volume and bark. with several top cracks repaired, cleated and stable..this will make a super cool "pompe" guitar. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Grand Modele

This guitar has a back and sides, that people in France, refer to as "Citronnier" everything to do with Citrus..!!! (thanks Bob) the name in fact is Ceylonese Satinwood...at some point in it's life, somebody "carved" a space near the end of the fingerboard to accomodate a Stimer..the neck angle being too shallow.. the neck is now reset, the top is repaired, the fingerboard and frets are new..the whole guitar has been "French Polished".. it is gorgeous and it is ready to go for decades to come..the action is perfect, the playbility is perfect, and the sound is outstanding. as a bonus it comes with all it's original bits. paper label on the neck block, headstock plaque, as well as the original tuners and tailpiece. you can own a gorgeous Grand Modele for a fraction of it's "normal" value. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Grand Modele

Beautiful example of B.Busato's late production..the Grand Modele was and still is today the closest rival to the Selmer..Laminated Brazilian back and sides, spruce top with full "bombé", perfect neck angle, refretted so now the playability and action are spot on.. original paper label, and headstock plaque, perfect reissue tuners and tailpiece, this guitar plays and sounds tremendous.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Grand Modèle Erable

This is most probably the last version of the model..13.3/4 frets to the body..!! exactly like Michael Bauer's "Beast"..laminated birdseye maple back and sides, Grand Modèle, 680mm scale. gone is the 3 piece neck.. we have here a modern feel of a neck..there is a faint trace barely visible shadow of a pickguard. it still is outfitted with the the tuners that turn backwards and the original tailpiece. the guitar is crack free, the geometry is perfect. the instrument is practically weightless.. 100% original..no restoration of any kind.. superb playability and sound..you will not find a better example.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Grand Modèle #45

this is a late 50's guitar, laminated Rosewood back and sides, white binding.. this is a Champigny workshop production, so the Cité Griset paper label is no more, Delaruelle tailpiece..SB tuners that turn backwards, one piece pear wood neck with an ebonized fingerboard..solid spruce top with perfect geometry .. no cracks..excellent playability and sound.. this is a good one.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Jazz Noire # 46 #no serial

This is the first F hole Busato i have ever had.."Noire" because it is black all over..!! by the time it was built, the one feature that made it a "special" Jazz guitar was a radiused fingerboard, never seen so far on any other Busato..it is in excellent 100% original condition with it's original set of BB covered tuners and tailpiece. this guitar never had a pickguard, perhaps due to the fact that most players would remove them..670mm scale, with it's black finish it is hard to determine the outer wood it's made of, but it looks like it.could be mahogany. bits of the fingerboard inlays are broken off, but it does not hinder playing. the neck is quite modern in contour, and the playability is perfect. it not only sounds great with a broad spectrum voice, it literally "sings".. this is truly an amazing sounding and playing guitar NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

early 40's 14 fret Oval hole

"Petit Modele"..with a Selmer style body but shallower depth. Apart from it's distinctive signature "egg shaped" oval hole, the rest of the guitar follows closely..outstsanding sound and playability.. this one is made of laminated rosewood back and sides.. solid spruce top..ebony fingerboard.. walnut neck with a grafted headstock.. the guitar had the neck reset at some point, the frets were changed, and the whole guitar has a thin thin layer of French polish..it is outfitted with a set of of DR tuners and tailpiece. this is the next best thing to an original Selmer, and the only one I have ever had... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

early50's 14 fret oval hole

I am going out on a limb on this one.. and there is little to back me up other than physical evidence.. this guitar, in my opinion is likely to be one of the last "Grand Modèle" style the Busato shop ever built.. and the likely influence to Jacques Favino's classic model.. the ressemblance between the two guitars is undeniable.. same shape.. same dimensions.. Jacques Favino worked for Bortolo Busato... you draw your own conclusions.. it has a solid spruce top, laminated maple back and sides..classic Busato neck and headstock shape, with a rosewood fingerboard..when I got this guitar it had no tuners,no tailpiece, no strings.. now it has a set of DR tuners/tailpiece and some strings..!! the result is outstanding.. this is the loudest Busato I've ever had..a lot of gypsy life..and much much more to give.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

late 1940's 12 Fret D Hole #no serial

Here we have an absolutely gorgeous Maple guitar..solid spruce top, laminated birdseye maple back and sides..solid 12 fret maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. marquetry binding. outfitted with a Busato tailpiece, and a set of original plain Busato/Selmer brass tuners..the top is enhanced with a beautiful ornate pickguard..this guitar is in gorgeous condition and is ready to be played..I have never seen another one just like this one..thhe playability is spot on, and the sound is just so perfect.. SOLD (BEST OF)

circa 1950's 14 fret D hole #no serial

This is a really good example from a family that has been building guitars in Paris for decades, joining the ranks of established Italian Luthiers.. laminated Mahogany back and sides, solid Spruce top, with a Rosewood fingerboard, 670mm scale, with a really comfortable and fast neck. it has been refretted, and outfitted with modern tuners and tailpiece..it came with really crummy tuners of that period that turned backwards and an equally crummy tailpiece. there is a "Symphonia" label on the inside, which was a retail shop boulevard Magenta that sold String and Wind Instruments. no cracks anywhere, just some honest dings here and there..you can remark the lovely touch of marquetry all around the rims of the guitar, as per Castelluccia's tradition.. the guitar plays and sounds great, with an extraordinary amount of built in reverberation in the upper register, as well as a resonant bottom end..the guitar weighs 3lbs 12 oz.. light and lively.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1975 #no serial

Charles Summerfield Ltd of England decided to try and offer again the Classic Maccaferri Dhole complete with resonator..He teamed up with Hoshino Gakki of Japan to recreate it..there is a photograph on the Web of Maurice Summerfield playing one with Mario Maccaferri in NYC in 1975.. laminated rosewood back and sides..solid spruce top, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, and an internal resonator reminiscent of the original one.. This guitar is in absolute brand new condition..most probably rarely if ever played..in a state of amazing condition.. that said, the guitar plays and sound great..it is set up, and ready to go..not bad for a 45 year old instrument.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's di Mauro Chorus Rig

This outfit turned up recently in central France, featuring a brand new condition di Mauro Chorus, equipped with an ST 48 Stimer Pick up with the original cord and an equally near new condition Stimer Amp "Modele M 10" with dual voltage selector 110/220. A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a complete near new gypsy rig that is 65 years old..!!! SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's Chorus

This is a great sounding and playing example of the di Mauro's signature model.. a big chunky manly neck, a bark that is "sans pareil" Vibe and Mojo at no extra cost.. just in case you did not know it, a nice little plaque across the shoulder...it is a DI MAURO..!!! excellent playability, this guitar needs nothing. original SB and tailpiece, replacement bridge. it is ready to bark..!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Chorus

by the early 50's, the Chorus has stock SB tuners, and an adjustable bridge, earlier considered upgrades. Mahogany back and sides, maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, the guitar is 100% original. the playability is perfect and the 50's style C neck is quite comfortable to play, albeit somewhat beefy for smaller hands.. the sound is spot on..volume and character..another great example of the di Mauro creation. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Chorus #no serial

arguably the best model to come out of the Antoine di Mauro Workshop..this one is no exception..great sounding and playing..it was refretted, so the playability is spot on..soon after it was born, a more "modern", yet original tailpiece was installed, to accommodate loop ends, and the "new" style of strings with ball ends. it has original SB tuners, that look like Selmer tuners, with one replaced, due to it having been broken..!! the shadow on the top confirms that this guitar was outfitted with a ST 51 Stimer for a very long time.. sadly the pick up is gone, but modern reissues exist for those who might want that special sound..!! showing signs of gypsy life, this guitar wants to be played and played.. comes in a modern hardshell case NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

circa 1940's Tenor

a beautiful example of the di Mauro workshop, in very excellent condition. solid spruce top, maple back and sides, outfitted with a pickguard, di Mauro decal on the top, and "marque au fer" on the back of the headstock. "clover leaf" tuners that turn backwards..original frets..original in every way..excellent playability..sweet "perched" voice ready for your enjoyment..!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

late 40's Chorus Deluxe #no serial

We have here a rare model Chorus Deluxe, with original arm and knee "rests". the finish has somewhat peeled off over the years, as can be seen in the various photos. one interesting detail, on the headstock, is the presence of the two "stiffening" aluminium bars sticking out at the end..directly "borrowed" from the Maccaferri design, installed in two channels standing "on end" to afford rigidity to the neck without adding significant wait.. the body and sides are maple as well as the two piece neck with a refretted rosewood fingerboard. SB tuners that turn the "right"way, making this guitar one of the earliest to have them installed..original Tailpiece that will only accept loop end strings..original adjustable rosewood bridge, multi-ply binding, bound F holes, all being part tof the "Deluxe" appointments..this guitar plays and sounds great.. to illustrate the difference between a regular Chorus and the Deluxe, you can see a photo of them next to each other.. the regular has non original moustaches and bridge. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's 14 fret Heart shape hole

once in a while, I come across a super rare instrument.. this is one.. to start, Joseph di Mauro is not to be confused with Antoine's son.. this is Antoine's brother.. he worked on his own and his guitars are quite rare..initially, I thought his name was Francois..Michael Dregni pointed out the confusion, i called Joseph's daughter, and she confirmed her uncle's name was Joseph.. this is the first and only one I've ever had.. solid spruce top with a somewhat heartshape soundhole, laminated birdseye maple back and sides, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.original tailpiece that only takes loop ends, and original tuners that turn backwards.. this guitar has a wide sound spectrum, plenty of volume and tons of gypsy vibe.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940's circa Heart-Shape

This is the earliest version of the model I have ever had..the distinctive shape of the headstock confirms the precocious design.. the soundhole is slightly larger as well.. everything else about the construction is identical to later models.. solid spruce top..laminated birdseye maple back and sides.. two piece mahogany neck with rosewood insert, and a rosewood fingerboard.. the guitar was refretted as the original ones were popping every which way..earlier in it's life it had a different tailpiece, and the original cheap tuners that turns backwards...now it has a proper modern set installed..the playability is spot on, and the sound is what made these guitars the most sought after model Joseph di Mauro "the Elder" ever made.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's 14 fret heart shape hole

only the second such guitar I've ever had..this one is made of laminated mahogany back and sides, solid spruce top, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, with rectangular inlays..the guitar had really cheap tuners, and the wrong tailpiece.. it now has a beautiful set of DR tuners and tailpiece.. playability is perfect and the gysy sound is loud and clear. This guitar is simply outstanding..!!!! making you understand why vintage guitars are SUPERIOR in sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950'S 14 Fret Heart shape

only the third such guitar I've ever had..and this one confirms what I felt.. these guitars were terrific... solid spruce top, laminated birdseye maple back and sides, mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard.. this guitar as per usual, had non original cheap tuners and tailpiece.. it now has a beautiful set of DR tuners and tailpiece.. excellent sound and playability.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950'S CHORUS

Joseph di Mauro's version of the family creation... this guitar has birdseye maple back and sides, spruce top, and a maple neck with rosewood insert, capped with a rosewood fingerboard..original S. Bilardi tuners and tailpiece..this guitar is responsive, lively, fun to play, and sounds outstanding...!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Heart-shaped

only the third such guitar I've ever had..this one is made of laminated birdseye maple back and sides, solid spruce top, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, with dot inlays..the guitar had really cheap tuners, and the wrong tailpiece.. it now has a beautiful set of DR tuners and tailpiece.. playability is perfect and the gysy sound is loud and clear, making you understand why vintage guitars are SUPERIOR..!!!! This guitar is simply outstanding, insanely clean, and virtually unplayed..!!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Chorus

This is Antoine's version of the family creation. birdseye maple back and sides, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard.spruce top got from on skinny tree..!!. from tight to wide grain..!! guess what..??..it works..!!. equipped with a set of DR tuners and tailpiece, refretted, this guitar is ready to go.. good action, good sound and playability. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950's Heartshape

Three piece mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard, laminated birseye maple back and sides, and solid spruce top. Original SB tuners and tailpiece, this guitar is in excellent 100% original condition down to the bridge without "moustaches".. the playability is perfect, and the sound is spot on..getting harder and harder to find in any condition NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950s Heart-Shape #no serial

This is an outstanding example of the Joseph di Mauro's creation..with it's distintive "heart-shape" soudhole.. laminated birdseye maple back an sides, solid european spruce top..three piece mahogany neck, with rosewood fingerboard, and original SB tuners... this guitar is in very excellent condition..the geometry of the instrument is perfect...the fingerboard and frets are new.. the playability is spot on and so is the sound.. no matter what opinion one may have about vintage guitars, this one proves why I personnaly would choose a vintage guitar like this one over any modern "interpretation".. and these are also getting harder to find in any condition.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1960's Heartshape #no serial

laminated Birdseye Maple back and sides..solid Spruce top, three piece Mahogany neck, SB tuners and Delaruelle tailpiece..this is likely to be one of the last guitars he built..at some point, a previous owner decided to install a Pick Up, and to accommodate it, probably had somebody slightly "modify" the soundhole to fit it.. the PU is gone, but the trace remains.. this is an excellent sounding and playing guitar, which is in otherwise great condition.. no fret wear whatsoever..set up and ready to play..this is such a great guitar..and rare too.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

late 1940's Heartshape #no serial

This guitar is an early version of the model.. the very narrow headstock, the tuners that turn backwards, the slightly larger soundhole, and the tailpiece that only takes loop ends.. The rest of the instrument conforms to later models.. solid spruce top, laminated birdseye maple back and sides, three piece mahogany neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The previous owner had the guitar refretted over a new fingerboard and an internal truss rod was also installed. when the work was done, it was discovered that the bridge had been sitting in the wrong spot for years, showing a lighter mark where it stood. a couple of cracks were repaired, and some finish touched up on the top.... Joseph the Elder's guitars are truly special instruments.. and this one is no exception..perfect playability, volume, clarity, balance.. it is simply outstanding.!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

2006 Vieille Reserve #086

The Vieille Reserve was created to replicate the original Selmer guitar.. Aged European Spruce top..Laminated Brazilian Rosewood (in this case..Selmer never used Brazilian) Walnut neck with an Ebony fingerboard..choice..choice.. choice materials, for a superlative instrument.. this guitar is in practically new condition..with only the slightest signs of use.. spot on playability and excellent volume and sound.. this is the best that Maurice Dupont builds...a new one today costs $9000... treat yourself to a not so "vieille".. but seasoned Vielle Reserve for less.. OHHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1957 one of a kind #no serial

This extraordinary one of a kind guitar, was made by Jacques Favino in 1957 for the then popular teenage singer Marie-José Neuville..carved solid spruce top..carved solid flamed maple back, three piece maple neck, round hole, with elevated fingerboard. conceived as a nylon string guitar, it projects as well as any classical guitar. on the inside, there is a long handwritten dedication by Jacques Favino.. great action and sound.. this one is a piece of French History. I wish I also had the guitar in this photo..!! her recording contract stipulated that she was forbidden to cut off her braids..She had to continue projecting the image of a teenager..way past that time.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1960's Modèle 1 B

Laminated maple back and sides, solid spruce top, three piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. before Jacques Favino made the "grand modèle" we are most familiar with, he made this modèle and the modèle 1 A. a sort of smaller version of his later guitar with a round soundhole... this particular model is quite rare today, and is the "fancier" of the two... it is now fitted with a set of DR tuners and DR tailpiece, and it sounds and plays great...for half the price of the bigger sisters.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1960's 1A 14 fret round hole

this guitar is one of 2 models Jacques Favino made in the 60's..1A simpler..and 1B "fancier".. this one has a solid spruce top, three piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, laminated rosewood back and sides.. the tuners have been changed.. it's likely to have had SB's.. boy, I hate it when people steal them.. they're worth so much money now, that few people seem to hesitate to take them.. this guitar surprised me, because it sounds a lot better than I imagined..almost as good as it's bigger sisters, and that takes you to the Favino World for nearly half the money..!!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1960's 14 Fret Oval Hole

This is Jacques Favino's version of the Selmer guitar..after the style 1A and 1B, and before the Grand Modele, he is famous for. laminated maple back and sides, solid spruce top, three piece maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, outfitted with a set of DR tuners and tailpiece. the guitar has a paper label inside saying " Jacques Favino Luthier Artisan a Paris". it is in very excellent condition and the playability and sound are spot on.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1965 14 Fret Oval Hole #10

This is the earliest Grand Modele Jacques Favino I have ever had with serial #10.. laminated rosewood back and sides, spruce top, ebony fingerboard with three piece maple neck. SB tuners, and replacement DR tailpiece. the guitar has a thin overspay all over, and has been refretted. excellent sound an playability. these guitars are becoming near impossible to find.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1968 1A 14 Fret Round Hole #no serial

This guitar has an early Jacques Favino paper label, AND a lovely plastic namesake right on the top..!! three piece maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, laminated rosewood back and sides with a solid spruce top. The modèles 1A and 1B were succesfull because they cost less than the Grand Modèle, but sounded very good. This one is no exception and today, you can get an early Jacques Favino for less... One cannot fail to notice how much they resemble a model introduced by a certain Bortolo Busato many years before.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1969 Child Oval hole #189

Here is an extraordinary instrument.. a Child size perfect Jazz Oval Hole made by special order for a certain Mr Joseph Burgos in June of 1969. solid spruce top, solid curly maple back and sides.rosewood fingerboard, 540mm scale.. imagine the child who got this fabulous unique instrument..in beautiful original condition today.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1970 14Fret Oval Hole #144

laminated maple back and sides.. three piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard. dot inlays (later the Macias model gets block inlays).. minor pick wear on the top. strap button added on the heel.. SB tuners with metal buttons..great sounding and playing early oval hole... this is as good as they get.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1970 Enrico Macias #148

laminated curly maple back and sides, 3 piece maple neck with thick ebony fingerboard. this is the earliest Macias I've ever seen... at some point in it's life, it was sent to Jean Pierre Favino who refretted it and shot a clear overspray on the whole guitar, and as was his custom, added his own decal logo on the headstock. it sounds and plays excellent..!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1970's 14 fret oval

over the course of its life, this guitar lost the label.. it is a Jacques guitar.. it has a slimmer neck, and is fitted with a pick up in the bridge, most probably a Big Tone.. since the guitar came from Germany...! excellent sound and playability OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1970's 14 fret Oval Hole

the top, back and sides have been completely oversprayed, and a couple of cracks repaired, with the area of the pickguard filled.. the neck is original, and it has been refretted..it is fitted with the original SB tuners that turn backwards.. excellent playability and sound.. NEW HSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1970's Petite Bouche #no serial

laminated rosewood back and sides..solid spruce top, three piece maple neck, SB tuners..Delaruelle tailpiece.. the classic Favino, outfitted with a Big Tone Pick Up.. these are getting harder to find.. set up..ready to go..needs nothing but to be played.. this one has lost it's label..and the srial number that was on it..no sign of tempering there..it just happened.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1971 14 fret oval hole #171

early model..laminated rosewood back and sides. solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard, 3 piece maple neck, SB tuners with metal button. DR tailpiece upgrade..this guitar is one of the best sounding one i've ever had.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1971 Grand Modele #171

classic model form the "Golden Era" of Jacques Favino's work.. outfitted with a period Stimer..outstanding sound and playability. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1972 14 Fret Oval Hole LEFTY

this is only the 3rd lefty Jacques Favino i have seen in 30 years..needless to say they are rarer than rare..but this one is in like NEW condition. solid spruce top, laminated brazilian back and sides, three piece maple neck, with ebony fingerboard. original SB tuners, and tailpiece. only the bridge is a recent replacement by JP Favino. the serial # was carefully erased at some point in it's life, but the label is totally intact, and shows the 1972 date handwritten by Jacques himself.. this guitar plays and sounds great, needing nothing but to be played by a lucky southpaw. as a footnote, a new Jean Pierre Favino custom lefty would set someone back nearly $7K, making this 36 year old original an actual bargain.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1972 Érable #213

This guitar has so much "mojo"..just looking at it, will bring you chills.."Modèle Érable".. Maple body back, sides and neck..too often, this model is "confused" and mistakenly called the "Macias Model..identical in every way, except for the rectangular fingerboard inlays..the Spruce top shows some playing wear,, weather checking, but no cracks..the weather checking and scratches greatly contribue to it's massive appeal..original frets and bridge. the action is perfect. original SB tuners with beautiful original buttons.The guitar plays and sounds OUTSTANDING.. in my humble opinion, it rates as one of the best looking , best playing, and best sounding early 70's Jazz Favino on this Planet..also comes in the always super rare original case.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1973 Petite Bouche #296

This is an outstanding example of "Jacques'" work built during his "Golden Era"..( not forgetting that his son Jean Pierre and TWO helpers..Gino Papiri and Ugo Terraneo were buiding these guitars with him all along..that's FOUR sets of hands)..So when certain comments are made about a guitar being a "Jacques" guitar..one needs to remember, that HIS guitars were made by 8 hands..!!! One originality about this one is the slim fast neck..illustrating that one could indeed get whatever neck shape one wanted..laminated rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, three piece maple neck with an ebony fingerboard and original SB tuners.. it arrives today in brilliant condition..not a crack in sight.. somebody had the top "shaded" to cover an area of pick wear, as well as the addition of a clear "golpeador" to further protect the top.. perfect top geometry..perfect neck..perfect playability..OUTSTANDING sound.. this is indeed a great one..and of course getting harder and harder and harder to find in any condition.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1973 Oval Hole #297

Spruce top. Maple back and sides, Ebony fingerboard, three piece maple neck. Modèle Macias with block inlays. unusual Favino logo on the headstock as well as metal button SB tuners. here is a rare version on the gypsy guitar, in excellent condition.. no cracks... it's been played, but not abused.. at some point somebody had a pick up installed, with end pin jack... nothing's in it now.. excellent tone and playability. HSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1974 Oval Hole #352

rarely in the gypsy world do 30 year old guitars turn up in this condition.. this guitar was bought from the original owner who basically played it at home and took great care of it.. excellent gypsy sound and playability.. some years ago, he had a saddle pick up installed professionally.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1974 14 Fret Oval Hole #369

Laminated Indian rosewood back and sides.three piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard. this guitar has several hairline cracks on the top that are closed and not going anywhere.. the body has been oversprayed and the neck has been refinished..SB Tuners with metal buttons.(one button is replaced). excellent sound and playability NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1975 Oval Hole #418

Solid Spruce top. Laminated Rosewood back and sides, 3 piece Maple neck, with Ebony fingerboard. SB tuners. Another beautiful example, not quite as clean as #448, but equally good sounding and playing, fitted with an internal pick up. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1975 Oval Hole #448

Solid Spruce top. laminated Rosewood back and sides. 3 piece Maple neck with Ebony fingerboard. SB tuners. A beautiful example, 100 percent original(except the bridge). Great sound and playability. with a Big Tone pick up installed. a gorgeous 30 year old guitar that is getting harder to find.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1976 D hole #489

solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard.. rare model, in excellent condition, with the mandatory added pickguard.. excellent playability and sound, fitted with a Mc Intyre internal pick up... this 12 fret model was played by Matelo Ferret, this is a LONG SCALE 670mm instrument.. not the short scale version.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1976 Oval Hole #501

Solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard.SB tuners. in 1998, Jean Pierre Favino refretted the guitar for Serge Krief, and oversprayed the back of the neck..he put a little paper label inside stating his repair.. excellent playability and sound... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1976 oval hole #518

laminated Indian rosewood back and sides.. three piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard, this guitar shows a little bit of gypsy life.. primarely a hit on the top that is kinda ugly, but has no bearing on the integrity of the top...great gypsy voice..excellent playability.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1976 14 Fret Oval #518

Laminated rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, three piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard. the guitar shows a bit of gypsy life, with a hit on the top, and some scratches. but an excellent gypsy voice. the guitar is refretted and the playability is great.. there is a Big Tone installed.. this guitar is ready to go.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 MACIAS #540

This guitar is the namesake model of the "Pied Noir" singer Enrico Macias.. similar in every way from the "standard" model.. except it is made of Maple.. three piece Maple neck, with an Ebony fingerboard, laminated curly Maple back and sides..at some point in it's life, the guitar had a couple knobs on the upperside of the guitar.. as was the "practice" to have "onboard" controls, in the 80's and 90's.. the holes were masterfully plugged..the guitar also had a pickguard, which was also masterfully removed, with a super thin finish application in the area.. and finally it suffered a "bump" on the side...it is outfitted today with a beautiful set of Miller Replica Tuners...and now for the really good stuff.. the guitar plays and sounds great.. needing absolutely nothing done but to be played.. so enjoy..!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 Petite Bouche #547

This guitar shows a little "gypsy life".. scrapes and nicks, but no cracks anywhere..the frets are in great shape..the action is spot on, so is the playability and sound. with a cedar top which seems to have been a "classic" option during the 1970's..laminated rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and sporting the original tailpiece and SB tuners. it is the quintessential Favino.. no apologies for the shadows in the photos... I feel they create a certain seasonal mood... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 14 Fret Oval Hole #553

This is a Jacques Favino guitar, that was sent back to Jean Pierre Favino.. he refinished it, and refretted it. As per his customary, he glued his decal on the headstock. laminated rosewood, ebony board, three piece maple neck, with original SB tuners and tailpiece.. the guitar is ready to go..!! perfect action and playability. and excellent gypsy sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 Oval Hole #561

Solid Spruce top, laminated Rosewood back and sides, 3 piece Maple neck, with Ebony fingerboard replaced and refretted, SB tuners. This guitar shows it's had a gypsy life. With scrapes and scars, but it's the best sounding of the lot I have today. HSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 14 Fret oval Hole #561duplicate

SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 14 fret oval Hole #569

laminated Rosewood back and sides, tinted european solid Spruce top, 3 piece maple neck with an Ebony fingerboard, original SB tuners. the classic Jacques Favino guitar in excellent condition, that is getting harder and harder to find, and is getting more and more expensive.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 Enrico Macias LEFTY #579

I thought I would NEVER have a lefty Favino for sale..!!! I do.. this is a Macias model.. laminated maple back and sides, solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard, three piece maple neck. the fingerboard was replaced and I have the original one with the mother of toilet rectangular inlays. the tuners have been replaced with Klusons.. this guitar is in suberb condition, needing absolutely nothing..on the back of the headstock, in the finish one can see "Speciale Gaucher" "special lefty".. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 Jazz #580

Three piece maple neck, laminated rosewood back and sides, tinted solid spruce top Delaruelle tailpiece and SB tuners.. outfitted with a Big tone pick up.. this is the quintessential Favino guitar... built by four people..not just Jacques.. for those who still don't get it.. excellent playability and sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1977 14 fret oval hole #582

absolutely fantastic one owner guitar is near new almost never played condition..unusual and original three piece Beechwood neck (Hetre en francais).. the rest is standard.. ebony board.. Indian rosewood laminates.. excellent playability and sound.. Jacques' guitars are the "...." and the price keeps going up NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1978 Petite Bouche #606

laminated rosewood back and sides..solid spruce top, three piece maple neck, SB tuners..Delaruelle tailpiece.. the classic Favino, outfitted with a Big Tone Pick Up.. these are getting harder to find.. set up..ready to go..needs nothing but to be played NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1978 14 fret oval hole #612

cedar top, laminated rosewood back and sides,solid spruce top, three piece neck with ebony fingerboard.SB tuners and DR tailpiece.. the top has overspray and it has been refretted..fitted with a Big Tone pick up, it sounds and plays great NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1978 Oval Hole #648

Solid cedar top, laminated rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck. this guitar belonged to Maurice FERRE. the previous owner took lessons from him and ended up buying the guitar. some years ago, he sent it to Jean Pierre Favino, who, AS PER HIS USUAL, replaced the tuners, refretted, and oversprayed it. I have a 1983 method from Romane playing the same guitar. I have posted a comparative photo so one can notice the curvaceous body differences..!!! excellent condition, sound and playablility... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1979 14 fret oval #658

Solid spruce top, laminated Indian rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard. SB tuners, and original bridge..(a true rarity), this guitar has a top scrape that looks like a crack.. pumpkin color top and sunburst back of the neck.. this guitar is 100% original and sounds a plays great..needs nothing but a new owner..these are gettting harder and harder to find, and more and more expensive as well.. if you can't (or choose not to ) afford a Busato or a Selmer, this is the best money can buy.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1979 Oval Hole #667

Solid Cedar top, laminated Rosewood back and sides, 3 piece Maple neck, with Ebony fingerboard. SB tuners one of the few with a Cedar top, excellent sound and playability, light overspray on the body only. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1979 Grand Modele #667

Solid Cedar Top, Laminated rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. the guitar has been refretted, outfitted with original tailpiece and SB tuners..classic Favino sound.. comes in the super rare original hardshell case...ready to go..priced to sell.. you cannot find a Favino guitar for less in France at this time.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1979 14 Fret Oval Hole #686

The guitar has been refretted, and the finish has been removed from the back of the neck, it has the almost mandatory added pickguard..as you can see in the photos, most of the finish on the back and sides has "peeled" off as well..structurally, it is in perfect condition.. it has a set of original brass finish SB tuners and tailpiece.. the playability is impeccable, and the sound is outstanding.. making it obvious, as to why 70's Favino guitars are disappearing... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1980 Jazz #702

I bought this guitar from BIRELI LAGRENE in early 2001...sold it..bought it back..sold it.. and now it's back in my life for the third time.. three piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard..laminated rosewood back and sides solid cedar top... outfitted with a set of DR tuners and tailpiece.. over the course of it's life, it was refretted, and shows signs of a light overspray.. it has the Jacques label with his signature.. he was "retired" but would come to the workshop once a week to lend a hand to Jean Pierre and Ugo.. this is a perfect example of their work in great shape..no cracks anywhere..playability ..tone..sustain..reverb..volume.. a great guitar that needs nothing but to be played.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1980 14 fret oval hole #750

beautiful laminated brazilian back and sides, three piece maple neck with ebony board.. the top shows a trace of a small clear pickguard having been there.. it's gone now... the sound and playability are excellent as usual for a Jacques guitar.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1980 14 fret Oval #751

This is a gorgeous example of the "Macias" model.. laminated maple back and sides, with 3 piece maple neck. ebony fingerboard and solid european spruce top with original SB tuners. The guitar has had 2 top cracks repaired and cleated and are perfectly stable.. the overall condition is superb and the playabilty and sound outstanding. It is equipped with a "Fishman" adjustable bridge and the sound amplified is excellent. however if somebody insisted, the whole rig could be taken off without a problem, and the original bridge put back for a total acoustic experience..!! you will notice that it comes with the near impossible to find original hardshell case.. back in the day, in France, most buyers would have their dear Mommy sew them a beautiful gigbag made from a plaid tablecloth..!! hence the rarety..here is an incentive the price has been lowered from $8500 to $7500 OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1980 14 Fret Oval Hole #767

solid spruce to, laminated Brazilian rosewood back and sides, three piece maple neck, with ebony fingerboard.. the original SB tuners are still on the guitar.. two cracks along the board extension are repaired, as well as another top crack.. excellent sound and playability.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1980's 14 fret oval

this a Jean Pierre Favino guitar..gone is the 3 piece maple neck, replaced by a mahogany neck..gone is his father's label. there is a decal on the headstock and a "marque au fer" on the neck block. laminated rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top. this guitar has 2 pick ups.. a Big Tone in the bridge, and a conctact pu under the top.. excellent playability and sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1981 14 Fret Oval #801

this guitar used to belong to famous Corsican guitar player Paolo Quilici..laminated curly maple back and sides, three piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard, solid spruce top.. the whole guitar has a warm orange glow...!!! two repaired cracks on the top. one little ding on the back of the neck....excellent playability and sound...in Francois Charle's book, you can see the small photo of a 45 cover, with Paolo and the guitar.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1982 14 Fret D Hole #867

this is a guitar by Jean Pierre which is in every way what a Jacques guitar is/was. same body style and dimensions..670mm scale, D hole, Brazilian laminated rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top and 3 piece maple/ash neck with Ebony fingerboard. the guitar has been completely "gone over". it had a pick up which was removed..refretted and refinished. the guitar sounds and plays great.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1983 Petite Bouche #882

This guitar is, in every way, the model that Jacques and Jean Pierre built alongside each other for years..no difference whatsoever.. Laminated Brazilian rosewood back and sides. Solid European Spruce top, 3 piece maple neck with an Ebony fingerboard..it is also fitted with a Big Tone pick up in the bridge. it sounds and plays great and needs nothing. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1983 14 fret 0val hole #887

beautiful laminated brazilian rosewood back and sides,made by Jean Pierre Favino at a time when he was simply carrying on his father's model..his early guitars are quite rare in this condition.. early in its life the guitar got a set of knobs and a input jack rig, when there were no other choices yet... it later had another rig under the bridge... overall, this guitar is in excellent condition, and would be worth (in my mind) a thousand $ more if it weren't for the holes.. I would get rid of all of it.. possibly install a "Big Tone" and have a gorgeous guitar for less.. on consignment NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1984 14 Fret Oval #933

this guitar built by J.P. favino is essentially a Jacques Favino guitar... no difference whatsoever.. during the early years of his work J.P. was making his father's guitars..3 piece neck, same body style, this one with Brazilian back and sides.. Jacques Favino label inside, and the J.P. logo on the headstock.. excellent sound an playability...get this guitar for a little less.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1986 Lefty Patrick Saussois #965

In April of 1986, Patrick Saussois took delivery of this guitar that he had custom built. The label reads "construite pour Patrick Saussois..Affectueuement.. Jean Pierre Favino" with the serial number # 965, This shows further proof that Jean Pierre continued to use his father's serial numbering scheme as late as 1986. Selmer size, it has the classic Favino three piece maple neck with an ebony fingerboard. brazilian laminated back and sides and european spruce top. Jean Pierre crafted a wooden tailpiece of ebony and put the PS initials on it. at some point, Patrick may have been curious to check as to how different the guitar might sound with a "conventional" metal tailpiece.. the original is now back on. apart from a couple of hits and scrapes, the guitar is in excellent condition. the action, playability and sound are spot on.. Letfy Favino guitars are quite rare.. this one comes a celebrated "Gadjo" who is missed for his charming personality, quick with a smile, and with a tremendous contribution the the "rebirth" of the genre, with his playing and efforts through his own "Djaz" label.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950 Petite Bouche #no serial

This is one gorgeous vintage guitar, in fabulous condition.. solid spruce top, beautiful laminated Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a replaced and refretted ebony board on what could be a Beechwood one piece neck..it is outfitted with a Busato reissue tailpiece..and with a set of most beautiful Selmer style tuners.. I am including a shot of 4 generations of SB tuners from the Favino Book.. none look like these..they are Selmer without the initials.. Busato has built so many different guitars, one could be inclined to call it one..I do not believe it is..every single aspect of this guitar is different in subtleties..the headstock size and shape, the neck material, the heel, the soundhole shape, the purfling..the kerfing, the thermo-formed two piece laminate back the shape and size of the moustaches..etc..etc.. now for the great part..it's an outstanding vintage guitar from the late 40's early 50's.. nobody could have been making dead identical tuners other than Selmer in spite of they having ceased building guitars. they had the tooling, and most probably loads of professionals asking for them to be put on their guitars..I have seen photographic proof of of at least three guitars with these tuners on them ..it plays and sounds great..light as a feather as most old guitars are.. arrived in the 21st century in brilliant condition..the neck angle is perfect, and the action is spot on...just needs to be played... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1920's circa Classical

This guitar screams of the early influence the Master Luthier Luigi Mozzani had on his talented pupil..made in Cento Italy, one can see in the shape of the headstock and the heel of the neck, the Maccaferri/Selmer guitar to be born..the elongated bridge with compensated saddles, the "grafted" headstock.. it is made of solid Chesnut back and sides, solid European Spruce top, and what could be a Walnut neck with an Ebony fingerboard. the guitar has no cracks and the original finish remains, now fitted with a beautiful set of Irving Sloane classical tuners.. the sound is lively, well balanced, and a pleasure to play.. it is the first and only original Classical guitar made by Mario Maccaferri i have ever had in 44 years.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1960's Concert

this is the first guitar I have the pleasure to find made by Mr Roccia. who for years worked at Clifford Essex's shop in London. He was the "specialist" of gypsy guitars, and is behind a lot of the conversions and repairs which took place at the shop. this is his version of the Maccaferri Concert classical. made of absolutely exquisite materials. solid rosewood back and sides, solid european spruce to, mahogany neck with a nebony fingerboard. the top has one ancient crack repaired and very solid. fitted with a beautiful set of original classical SB tuners. the guitar plays and sounds outstanding. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Maccaferri 12 Fret D Hole

This guitar belonged to Francis Alfred Moerman, and began it's life as a 7 string Hawaiian. when he came across the instrument, he fell in love with the outstanding sound of it.. years ago, he asked Maurice Dupont to create a cutaway, so the guitar would be more usable to him.. the work is so extraordinary, that it is simply undetectable.. if I did not know the story, I wouldn't have guessed it a conversion..the fingerboard was replaced and refretted. the resonator had been removed at an earlier time, and it lost it's serial number. this guitar is photographed on the cover of two his albums, and in several publicity shots NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Maccaferri 12 Fret D Hole

without the internal resonator..this guitar is indeed from the earliest production..having the Selmer logo set low on the headstock.one can faintly see where the Maccaferri patent would have been set.. this guitar is in outstanding condition, excellent playability..no big cracks anywhere.. traces of the resonator presence still to be seen.. unfortunately, removing the resonators, was very much in fashion in the past, and thus losing the serial number.. it has been refretted on the original fingerboard, and the original tuners (replaced buttons) are on, as well as the tailpiece. the sound is outstanding NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Concert #130

this guitar has had most of the restoration work done on the top.. several cracks repaired, and the whole top French Polished.. it also had the neck reset, and has been refretted.. that's it for the negative.. for the positive, it remains an extremely rare and highly collectible early Maccaferri, retaining the resonator inside, as well as excellent sound and playability.. as of 2005, only half a dozen of these guitars have been actually found.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 7 string Hawaiian #152

this is truly an extraordinary instrument, with an extraordinary life.. I will never attempt to upstage Stan Jay when it comes to diatribe..he is the uncontested master of it.. and so I will try to make it short and sweet.. only a handfull of these were ever built, and this one has traveled very well in time.. it surfaced in the hands of an old gypsy in the Swiss Alps... how about that Stan..???!!! when I got it, it was set up Spanish... proving that one does not need a cutaway to play gypsy music... it is now set up Hawaiian.. but with a simple switch of bridge, tailpiece and nut, the guitar becomes a perfectly suitable six string instrument... I will of course provide all the bits necessary.. the tailpiece holes line up perfectly with the original ones, making it a breeze.. the guitar in both settings, sounds like a Church on sunday morning at 11am... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Tenor D Hole #162

With internal resonator. this is the "Grand Modele" which is a guitar body fitted with a tenor neck.. very very few of these early models have survived in their original incarnation, having almost all fallen to the conversion option... rosewood back and sides, walnut neck and ebony fingerboard, this is a perfect example. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Maccaferri D Hole #163

Provenance.. Provenance..This guitar has quite a past.. it was brought to the US in the 50's,.. bought in Paris from Joseph Reinhardt, who ran an ad in the paper to sell it.. this is oral history.. no reason for me not to believe an elderly person who got it from his friend.. at some point, the top was deemed scratched enough to warrant a "protection"..a sticky paper was applied in the shape of a pickguard.. Now, it has a more recent version of a pickguard.. the top is whole underneath, and perfectly solid..the resonator is intact as well. it's label is uniquely placed on the inside of the reflector... the guitar truly plays and sounds great...with the original case..!!! OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Espagnole/Classique #216

This guitar is extraordinary in many ways, and puzzling in so many other ways.. The # 216 entry on the Selmer log book is blank.. no model description or details of sale.. like so many other entries left blank for us to ponder..what is puzzling about this guitar is that it has the dimensions of the "Classique" although it has a label that says "Espagnole".. a trace of the possible inprint of a "reflector" belonging to the internal resonator.. but no sign of ever having one installed.. it has a rounded headstock, where they "decided" to eliminate the "stairstep" outline of the "Classique" and repositionned the Selmer brand to accomodate.. it sports the early patent number suggesting it having been built before July 1932..it has signs of having had at some point some sort of tailpiece.. even TWO sorts of tailpieces.. but yet not showing anywhere on the the guitar any signs of damage from those installations.. in 1933, Mario leaves the Selmer company, and the direction of the Atelier..during and after that period, a number of drastic changes are made..the internal resonator is abandonned, and models are modified, transformed, or simplified.. could this guitar be one of them.. today the guitar is set up with nylon strings as it was intented.. the sound is outstanding and the playability is spot on... the condition is superb.... making this example, albeit most "unusual", a truly extraordinary Selmer guitar..and most probably the best example of this "hybrid" model in existence anywhere.. HSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Tenor #226

This is the only example of the "Petit Modèle Tenor" I have ever had complete with resonator in 30 years of dealing vintage guitars. In outstanding original condition, I consider it "the Holy Grail "of Tenor guitars.." entry 226 is blank in the Selmer book, leaving the exact date of manufacture a guess.. most probably late 1932, during a time when "L'Atelier de Mantes la Jolie" is in full swing, with Mario Maccaferri at the helm. Apart from 3 top cracks repaired with splints (to the highest level of quality restoration), the guitar is simply in pristine condition, with excellent sound and playability. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1932 Maccaferri D Hole #85

Where to begin..!!!! indeed the first thing say about this guitar is that it is in fact the first recorded serial # in the Selmer Log Book. does it mean it is the first one...??? possibly not, but then again they began with it..!!! another peculiar thing about it, is that it also bears an addtionnal number on the back of the headstock " 1050" not corresponding to any know other numbering scheme.. during the course of it's life, it was repaired of two top cracks and what looks like 4 tiny holes in a most qualified manner, by a most accomplished Luthier, utilizing the " flipot" method of laying in the cracks a sliver of spruce, thereby rendering the repairs almost invisible and then French polishing over, with the thinnest layer of lacquer. More recently, Maurice Dupont replaced the fingerboard, as it had been previously replaced with a "wrong" one. while doing this he also repaired some scrapes and "eruptions' on the back of the neck, and then sparingly finished it . the intentions have clearly been all along to do the absolute minimum possible, while doing what was needed. the guitar is ultimately in outstanding condition, and a most significant piece. the sound is perfectly balanced and projects quite well. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Tenor #219

A beautiful untouched 1933 Selmer Maccaferri Tenor "Petit Modèle" serial #219. Complete with the internal resonator and a period gig bag, this guitar has had a most unusual life. It left the Mantes la Jolie workshop on the 27th of February 1933, mistakenly entered in the log as a "Grand Modèle 4 cordes" when it is in fact a "Petit Modèle 4 cordes" along with many other guitars headed to Selmer London. In the beginning of 1933 a large shipment of Tenors along with the new model Eddie Freeman were being delivered. Fate must have been that this cute little guitar never got sold, and eventually was returned to France, where it languished until it became part of the Pierre Beuscher sale in early 1952. Pierre promptly afixed his paper label inside the guitar, as well as his store "plaque" on the back of the heastock. The guitar is in pristine condition...absolutely pure...no cracks...no modifications...no scratches, and no "moustaches" either. Likely to be the most pristine example of this model in existence!!!" SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Tenor #221

This is a lovely instrument, with a beautiful perched voice..the playability is perfect and the action is spot on. as with most of these guitars, the top suffered several cracks, which were all repaired and are now stable.. the rest of the guitar is again as always unscathed.. it still has the internal resonator, and all the bits are original..if you look in my gallery, you will see that i sold a number of them..all more expensive...this one is priced to sell..bring this 1930's voice to your combo..!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Tenor #233

Entered in the Selmer log has having been sent to London on the 27th of Febuary 1933 and listed as a "Grand Modele 4 cordes".. it turns out to be the "normal" Tenor size..they did not have in Paris, quite the methodology of Nazareth PA..!! 3 top cracks were superbly splinted and the finish was gone over ever so lightly on the top only..the rest of the finish is original..it was also refretted, although one can hardly see any wear or a clear reason to have done it. most probably lost or broken over time, a correct set of DR tuners and tailpiece have been installed and "patina-ed" for the complete look.. dare to jump and add your "Tenor bark" to your favorite string combo.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Eddie Freeman #238

This is an absolutely PERFECT example of the model..and the earliest serial # i have had. already with the headstock shape, but without the Eddie Freeman name. the label inside reads "Orchestre". in pristine original condition along with an excellent original case. The playability is spot on, and it has a amazing amount of volume. One could not hope to ever find a better example. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Maccaferri D Hole #254

6 string with internal resonator. formerly owned by english guitarist LOUIS GALLO. this is a superlative instrument, being part of that initial batch of guitars that were send to London. For an instrument nearly 70 years old, it remains in exquisite condition, resting in it's beautiful original case. it has been refretted, and in the process, the fingerboard was thinned down. the dot markers are unoriginal, and there are some side dot makers added. At some point in it's life, the whole guitar was oversprayed. It still has the oversized clear plastic "pick protector" that can be seen on the 1972 cover picture of BMG, as well as the replaced bridge with a bone inset. Although the Selmer log states that this serial number was attributed to a 4 string, there is no definitive sign that this guitar was ever converted.. There have been numerous examples of serial number having been used twice and sometimes three times. This is likely one of those. It is in excellent condition without any cracks, and the sound is what sets this guitar apart.. making obvious why LOUIS GALLO chose to keep this guitar. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 E.Freeman conversion #256

This is a most unusual, and clever way to have converted an Eddie Freeman. Generally people remove the original neck and put on a brand new one, thus "robbing" the guitar of half of it's identity. In this case, the Luthier who did the job kept the neck and added a wider neck and fingerboard on top of the original neck..all this done most expertly, thus reaching an excellent result of playability and comfort. The top has had several cracks repaired and cleated. The guitar plays and sounds great, needing nothing done.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Eddie Freeman #261

Gorgeous example of a guitar that is becoming harder and harder to find in its original condition.. this one even has the original case. the sound is tremendous, the playability, just like it was when it left the "Atelier de Mantes la Jolie" OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Eddie Freeman #282

Beautiful example of a fast becoming rare guitar..in it's original configuration..the fist dot is a replacement, and the bridge as well.. the rest is 100% original down to the case.. excellent playability and sound..no cracks save for a small one at the end of the fingerboard.. excellent playability and sound. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1933 Eddie Freeman #317

solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, walnut neck with ebony fingerboard..one of the few that have survived the "conversion".. excellent playability and sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934 Grande Bouche #284

Rarely in life is one afforded the opportunity to own any two consecutive items.. I got lucky.. after owning # 285, i had the good fortune of being able to purchase # 284.. the guitar is in remarkable condition..save for a couple of cracks that were repaired and are nearly invisible now. Two small "fissures" were repaired on the back of the neck . the guitar sounds amazing and it is complete with the resonator and the original case. at some point in it's life, the guitar was refretted and got the "English treatment", with additional inlays, as well as the dot on the 9th, instead of the "French 10th".. enjoy.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934 12 fret D hole with resonator #285

Where else to begin on this one, but to simply state that this is the best Maccaferri guitar I have ever seen, heard, and owned...!!!! if there was a Holy Grail of early gypsy guitars, this one is it... to add to the Lore, it lived most of it's life in Scotland...!! the fresh North Atlantic air did this one a world of good... it simply has the best voice I've ever heard.. the playability is outstanding, and it's gypsy soul radiates... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934 Orchestre #286 Bis

rarely in one's "career", is there an opportunity to come across an 85 year old guitar, in practically new condition.. this is one such guitar.. registered in the log book as a "bis"..on that page, as many as 7 other instruments are marked that way.. A French way of inserting something in between two numbers.. the label says 286, but the log book more accurately names it a "bis".. the other # 286 being a Freeman.. this guitar was sent to London on the 13th of March 1934.. making it most probably one of if not the last early Maccaferri to leave Mantes La Jolie.. in extraordinary condition..save for a short surface crack next to the treble fingerboard extension..at some point the owner had a clear protector pickguard installed. it has been removed, and one can barely see the outline when looking at a certain angle. the Resonator is intact, and the finish is in pristine condition. the playability is spot on and the sound is superb..this guitar rarely saw daylight.. it comes in the ultra rare original red covering Pergamoid hard case, itself in near new condition.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934 Maccaferri D hole #350

This guitar belonged to Francis-Alfred Moerman, who, for many years carried the torch of Gadjo players.. a long time accompanist to Sarane Ferret, and his most fervent disciple. the guitar is from the generation of the Maccaferri without resonators.. the label reads model "Orchestre". over the course of it's life, it's had at least 3 different fingerboards, and has had some overspray, as well as several well repaired top cracks.. it is in perfect playing condition and the sound is tremendous.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934 Maccaferri D Hole #372

Without internal resonator. Rosewood back and sides, Spruce top, Ebony board. This guitar comes from the transitional period. Mario is gone, and without anybody at the "creative helm", the guitar workshop continues to produce [albeit, at at reduced output] and experiment. this one is likely to be one of the last "Maccaferri" 12 fret D hole, the internal resonator having been abandoned, as too complex and expensive in construction... the guitar shows it's gypsy life.. the top has several repaired cracks, the guitar is original , save for the replaced bridge.. Macs are quite rare in any condition... this one produces a clear even tone and is quite lovely...I am given the green light to lower the price on this great guitar that has been sleeping instead of being played.. from $17.5K it is now reduced to.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934 (Circa) Oval Hole

Transition Model. Oval Hole. Erased serial number. This model hinges the Maccaferri period, and the Selmer period.. 12 fret 640 mm scale, it's most probably a guitar that was build when they finally figured out what kind of new top design Selmer would adopt. Rosewood back and sides, walnut neck, oval hole spruce top. This guitar suffered some moisture damage, and needed restoration, the neck was also reset. Today this guitar is a vibrant instrument showing clearly why it was worth the trouble to bring it back to life. The playability is impeccable and the sound is one of the best I've ever heard. Original case with lots of character. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1934.(circa) 7 string Hawaiian #418

beautiful example of Mario's early design. this guitar was prominently featured in Francois' book on page 111. it has the internal resonator and is in outstanding original condition. the sound transports you to the mellow shores of Hawaii.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1938 Bouche Ronde #442

This guitar is also part of the batch that was left from the Maccaferri era. when the decision was made at the factory to finish the "left over" bodies and outfit them with a "traditional" Round Hole...It wa sold on October 28th 1938 to a Mr Gatti in Nice. The guitar had two top cracks that were extremely well repaired, and is otherwise in excellent condition..it has been refretted, and it now plays like a dream. i has a big open voice, broader sounding than the oval. only half a dozen have surfaced in the last 35 years.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1938 Round Hole #445

13 fret, rosewood back and sides, walnut neck and ebony fingerboard. this guitar is part of the small group of Mac bodies and necks, that were assembled in 1938-1940, the round hole was most probably an idea that would help in completing a series of guitars, made from bodies and necks that had been produced earlier.. only a handful have ever surfaced. the guitar needed restoration..several top cracks were repaired, it was refretted, and the whole thing was French polished.. it is now a vibrant instrument, and quite rare as well. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1938 Bouche Ronde #448

This guitar is part of a batch of unfinished guitars that was left from the Maccaferri era.. the decision was made at the Atelier to complete the "left over" bodies and build them with a "simpler traditional" Round Hole Bouche..in the Selmer log it is marked as having been sold to a Mr Montreux (or sent to the city of) on 27/10/1938. the guitar shows it's gypsy life..with several well repaired top cracks..it also has been refretted, and now plays like a dream. It has a big open voice, broader sounding than the oval. only half a dozen have surfaced in all the years..it is truly a special guitar.. with an even more attractive price now.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1940 14 Fret Oval Hole #520

built at the beginning of the War, only a few numbers away from Django's.. one of the few Solid Mahogany guitars recorded.. traversing all this time without a crack on the top.. and still in it's original case.. this one is a gem.. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1941 circa 14 Fret Oval #526

This guitar is likely to have been built in december '41 or early january '42.. it has had the fingerboard replaced, the neck reset, and has been refretted.. several top cracks have been closed and repaired.. making it a superbly playing instrument.. it happens to be the oldest oval hole I have had in the last 10 years.. early 40's Selmer guitars are extremely rare..this is a great sounding guitar, and with the work done, is bound to offer years of exciting playing..tall bridge, excellent string angle make for a lively, expressive voice.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1942 Petite Bouche #529

This guitar was built at the beginning of WWII..production was reduced to near halt..very very few guitars of any sort leave the Mantes-La-Jolie workshop. this can only be assumed, as the ledger of the period shows massive gaps in the production.. with numbers attributed but seldom the confirmation that an instrument exists.. and boy does this one exist.. it is in outstanding condition..having been refretted for playability, and two splits have been repaired..they are nearly invisible, and the top retains it's full "bombé" and "plié", as it did the day it was built..the playability is spot on, and the sound is simply outstanding..to have a Wartime Selmer Petite bouche from the most coveted 500 series is just a thrill..it comes in the original life beaten case..THIS ONE IS THE BEST PETITE BOUCHE ON PLANET EARTH..~~~~ OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1942 Classique #548

This is one of only 2 known surviving "Classique" model. solid Rosewood back and sides, solid European spruce top, Walnut neck with Ebony fingerboard. several top cracks have been addressed and a super thin "French Polish" applied. the playability is perfect and the sound is so outstanding, that everybody who's played it has been floored. although the likely date of "release" in 1942, the consensus is that this guitar and the other surviving one #550, were in fact built much earlier and simply never sold, until such time, early in WWII, when anything ready and alvailable was finally offered for sale. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1942 Petite Bouche #575

This guitar belongs in the "Pantheon of Gypsy Players"...This is Roger Chaput's Petite Bouche..many will wonder why on earth the "transformation" to a round hole.. why the "marquettry..why the pickguard..?? he was a Musician, a Painter, a Sculptor..an Artist with a capital A, and there is no doubt that he tried his hand at "Lutherie" as well.. Mr Chaput is no longer with us to answer these questions..he was the first and BEST Gadjo guitar player to play with Django..he does have a place in that small Pantheon..a very elite spot along with Henri Crolla, Didi Duprat and Loulou Gasté....I lifted a couple of shots of Roger with Django when they were both playing Maccaferri D holes... The guitar sounds and plays great..it is part of the 500 series guitars..where we find all the best sounding ones..although it is far enough down that series, that the Atelier might have decided that 5 tone bars under the top was "better" than 4...and i am convinced that Roger Chaput went to the shop Place Dancourt to choose the one he liked...and this is it.. it sounds absolutely fantastic..perhaps the best sounding one I ever had.. and that, dear readers, is saying something.. The neck was reset and the fingerboard refretted..so the action and playability are perfect.. Roger Chaput was a musicien and an artist... he was part of the primary scene, and so is this guitar.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1946 Petite Bouche #619

This guitar left the Mantes la Jolie worshop on the 30th of October 1946, and was sold to a certain Mr Delavaux on the 14th of February 1947 and is part of the batch of 35 guitars made somewhat differently than the rest of them..traditionally, the back and sides were made of rosewood, with grafted headstocks and walnut necks.. this one is made of beautiful Honduras mahogany, with a solid non grafted headstock Honduras mahogany neck, with an ebony fingerboard. it is in the purest condition.. nothing was changed or done to this guitar.. no cracks anywhere but an obvious sign of serious "pompe"...it even still has the original factory bridge.. the sound and playability is outstanding, and it is quite a treat to have a guitar that never had anything done since it left the factory 68 years ago.. THIS IS A GREAT GUITAR NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1946 14 Fret Oval Hole #625

in the Selmer log book, this guitar is registered as being completed on 12.12.46, and sold along with #626 to a Mr Deschamps early in '47. Built with laminated mahogany back and sides, this is an example of these limited such guitars. 60 years later, it remains in outstanding condition.. the top has one crack repaired, and the bottom of the center seam reglued as well. with two little added "wings" on both edges of the top, the company showed little concern for this "miser" practice.. the fingerboard is replaced and new frets installed following the Selmer tradition of rounding off the edges. 100% original, this guitar plays and sounds simply outstanding..rating among one the best Selmer guitars I've ever had.. harder and harder and harder to find in any condition... NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1947 Oval Hole #645

14 fret, mahogany back and sides, walnut neck and ebony fingerboard. this is one of the few mahogany Selmer's, at some point, someone tastefully inset a black pickguard on the top... it was a professional job..., this guitar sounds and plays excellent, and is a lovely example of Selmer's post war work... period European hard case. Period European Hard Case SOLD (BEST OF)

1947 14 fret oval hole #662

this guitar belonged to Sarane Ferret and was entered in the Selmer log book on the 10th of November 1947. The first impression one gets, is that the guitar spend very little time in a case...it's hard gypsy life shows clearly..many scars and scratches, and at some point, the top wmust have been so worn, that the decision to install a "pickguard" was taken as well as several cleats underneath. For all it's outward signs of hard gypsy life, it retains a total structural integrity, and it's soulfull, vibrant voice, comes through...it's simply a great sounding and playing guitar..if it had been in better cosmetic shape, I would have been willing to pay three times the price for it... one of the best I've ever heard.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1947 Oval Hole #665

14 fret, brazillian rosewood back and sides,walnut neck and ebony fingerboard, this guitar suffered some terminal damage to it's back, and it was replaced with a beautiful solid brazilian new back.. in the process, several top cracks were also repaired, a pickguard was removed, it was refretted, and finally the back an sides were French polished.. the guitar sounds great and plays as well...it is fitted with a unique set of factory nickel plated tailpiece and tuners. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1948 Oval Hole #698

14 fret. rosewood back and sides, spruce top, walnut neck and ebony fingerboard. this guitar was bought with another one.. this one belonged to Matelo FERRET, the other one # 662 belonged to Sarane FERRET. It shows it's many gypsy lives, with several closed to cracks as well as an area of wear where a pickguard used to be. nothing though, seems to prevent it from playing and sounding great. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1948 Petite Bouche #703

Very rarely, do opportunities like this one ever occur.. the rig was found in central France, purchased from the son of the original owner, who bought it directly from Selmer in 1948, and recently given to Jerome Casanova, who for years has been the preeminent restorer of these guitars.. in the Selmer log book, # 703 is entered as having been finished on 16 January 1948, and sold on 21 January 1948. it is now in perfect playing condition.. several top cracks were repaired and cleated, the fingerboard replaced, and refretted. the finish is original on the guitar, apart some touch up where the cracks were.. it is accompanied by an outstanding period rig.. a ST51 Stimer and a a period M 10 Stimer amplifier.. the type of set up that evolved from Django's ST 48 set up.. I guess players balked at the idea of screwing a pick up directly on the top of the guitar.. the playability is spot, on and the sound outstanding, NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 Petite Bouche #717

this is a gorgeous guitar in every way..beautiful condition..beautiful sound and playability.. and as always..hard to find in any condition NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 14 fret oval hole #744

Sold to Mr Rodeau on april 2nd 1949.. it is today in excellent condition, with perfect playability and sound.. it has a funky smoky look, leading you to imagine the crowded Gauloise infested cafés where it might have lived..this is an outstanding guitar, crack free, but with a small practically invisible... I mean really invisible repair on the top above the soundhole, that was done decades ago, and that has blended in such a fashion that it can really clearly only be seen with one's face on it..a lovely guitar in every way.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 Oval hole #763

this guitar was entered in the Selmer logbook on the 5th of september 1949 and was sold to a Mr Boursin. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 14 fret Oval Hole #786

Bernard Desquaires bought this guitar brand new at the Selmer shop Place Dancourt on the 3rd of November 1949, and kept it for over 50 years..!! being unable to play it anymore, he decided it needed a new home, hopefully for the next 50 years..!!! rarely in the gypsy world, does one find an original guitar in the hands of the original owner, this is one such rare case... Bernard played and cared for this guitar... it is almost perfect, save for two small repaired cracks on the top, alongside the fingerboard extension... great playablity.terrific gypsy voice.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 Petite Bouche #786

Bernard Desquaires bought this guitar brand new at the Selmer shop Place Dancourt on the 3rd of November 1949, and kept it for over 50 years..!! being unable to play it anymore, he decided it needed a new home.. rarely in the gypsy world, does one find an original guitar in the hands of the original owner, this is one such rare case... Bernard played and cared for this guitar... it is in excellent original condition, save for two small repaired cracks on the top, alongside the fingerboard extension, that were repaired, and cleated. the top still has it's original "bombé..Hank Marvin of "The Shadows" bought this guitar and added it to his already extensive gypsy guitar collection..admitting that one can only play one guitar at a time, after years of playing it, he sent it back to me to offer it to the next luck guy who will own this tremendous sounding and playing guitar.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 14 fret Oval Hole #795

on September 22nd 1949, this guitar was entered in the Selmer log book as having been sold to Mr Cotard..nearly 54 years later it appears in outstanding condition.. it's had some top cracks repaired and cleated. the top shows it's beautiful original arch, and the general condition is really exceptional.. there is no sign of this guitar having been played much.. the frets are like they were when they left the factory... the playability is perfect. it even still has the original Selmer bridge. it has a clear and powerful voice, tons of presence and volume, it simply is a superlative instrument., that is 100% original... !!!! NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 14 fret oval hole #822

this guitar is entered in the Selmer log book as having been sold on October 15, 1949 to a Mr Levy.. judging by the photo of Mr Duchesne, he must have bought it soon after, as it appears like new in his photograph..today, the guitar is in excellent condition.. a couple of near invisible cracks have been repaired. and some frets have been replaced to match the originals.. playability is excellent, and the sound is dead on..comes with a $600 reissue case.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 Petite Bouche #823

This guitar was sold on the 7th of October 1949 to a Mister Seurol..at some point in it's life, it became the property of Challain Ferré..you can see a photo of him playing on stage, the guitar as a Lefty.. since then, the black "stick on" pickguard was removed without damaging the guitar..it is the "classic" model. laminated rosewood back and sides..solid spruce top that is both "bombé" and "plié" at the bridge line.. the fingerboard was replaced and refretted at some point. the neck angle is perfect and does not show to have been resetted at any time..the action is spot on, and there is a second bridge in the case for those hygrometry variations.. in comes in a beautiful reissue case, that is the best copy of the original case.. sturdy and perfect fitting.. the guitar plays and sounds great, and needs absolutely nothing but to be played.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1949 14 fret oval hole #831

Sold to Mr Martinez on the 14th of October 1949...insanely clean.. 100% original.. fabulous sound and playbility.. the "Holy Grail" of Selmer guitars.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950 14 Fret Oval hole #824

This guitar was sold on November 10th 1950 to the retail store of Jean Beuscher.. with no indication as to who the client was.. Beuscher was one of the few "outlets" for Selmer guitars, outside of their own store Place Dancourt. The guitar is in excellent original condition.. a couple a top cracks have been repaired.. the top arch is as it was the day it was born.. the playability is superb, and the sound is everything one might expect.. clarity, volume, and bark.. during it's life, Hubert Leduc wrote his name on the bottom of the top.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1950 14 Fret Oval #866

This guitar was shipped to Leon Agel's Paris shop on Sep 20th 1950. In the Selmer log, on can notice several guitars sold through his shop, towards the end of production.. one caracteristic of the late production, is the solid rosewood neck, without the habitual grafted headstock. the "pliure" across the top along the bridge, is as strong as the day it was built..no caving signs anywhere, no cracks anywhere.. just some playing scratches..at some point, the neck was reset, and the guitar refretted, following Selmer's method of rounding off the edges of each fret, and I just replaced the bridge, which will be darkened to match the moustaches..the playability is perfect, and the sound is tremendous.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1951 14 fret oval hole #849

FABULOUS...!!! this is how this guitar is... late example with a rosewood neck without the grafted headstock... it belonged to Loulou Gasté, and is entered in the Selmer log book as having left Mantes on 21/9/51 and having been purchased on 13/12/51.. anybody alive in France during the 50's has heard of Loulou.. songwriter, guitarist, and band leader.. he certainly was quite a presence.. his photo appears in Francois' book on page 13 in the Ray Ventura band with an oval hole, then with a round hole non cut on page 84, and again with a round hole cutaway on page115.. must have liked those Selmer guitars..!! at some point the guitar was refretted in Jean Beuscher's shop, and his label was put inside above the original label... it's got NO cracks, no finish work or overspray.. it does have scatches, but remains in extraordinary condition, with a beautiful original arch to the top... excellent playability and sound...a superlative instrument.. VintageHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1951 14 Fret Oval #851

This guitar was built in October of 1951, and sold to a Mr LEGRAND, on january 23rd 1952. it has had the neck reset, it's been refretted, and fitted with a new bridge.. the top shows some pick wear as well as general wear, but apart from the cosmetic side, it does not have any cracks, and it retains the original arch, so with the reset, it now has a perfect angle, with plenty of string angle, as well as miles of adjustment.. the playability is perfect, and the sound is tremendous.. in short, I feel it is a perfect example of what everybody hopes for.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1951 14 Fret Oval #859

This is a gorgeous example of a late production instrument. the most noticeable detail being the solid rosewood neck, without the usual "grafted" headstock. showing practically no playing wear, the guitar has nonetheless had the fingerboard replaced and new frets installed..the previous owner applied a light coat of French Polish to "clean it up"..the top, or body, or back, have no cracks, and the geometry is a perfect as the day it was built..most excellent playability and sound.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1951 Petite Bouche #862

just a dozen numbers away from the last one, it comes with a solid rosewood neck, ebony fingerboard, laminated rosewood back and sides. the top had a three little holes to fasten the Stimer..as well as a couple of "wear spots" which were addressed with little spruce inlays. remarkably, the top has no cracks and the geometry is perfect..the whole guitar has been French polished and apart from the cosmetic work, the guitar is in outstanding structural condition. the playability is perfect, and the sound is superb. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1951 Petite Bouche #882

This is the "Avant Avant Derniere" official Selmer.. entered in the Selmer log book on December 22nd 1951 and sold to a certain Mr Canavier on February 4th 1952. It has a solid Rosewood neck as many of the latter ones do, it also has a set of new tuner buttons, as the original galalithe ones may have crumbled.. the guitar is in oustanding condition..no cracks anywhere.. the geometry of the top is as it was the first day, it plays and sounds great, the action spot on, and the original frets are in great shape.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1952 Oval Hole #861

This guitar has an unusual solid rosewood neck, without the "grafted" headstock, as well as laminated rosewood back and sides. no cracks anywhere, but a lot of nicks and scratches, consistent with it's gypsy life. at some point, one of it's previous owners, decided to add a little finish to the top only.. Maurice Dupont refretted it some time ago, and it is now in fine playing condition. it comes with the nearly impossible original Selmer case. beautiful gypsy sound. OHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1952 Oval Hole #872

This guitar was entered in the Selmer log as having been completed on the 19th of Feb 1952, and sold to a certain Mr Moyzene on the 5th of march 1952. it is one of the last ones.. it has a solid rosewood neck. no "grafted' headstock as many of the last ones..it is in excellent condition, with 4 cracks that have been splinted and touched up so as to be virtually invisible.. the top retains it's original "bombé"..the action is spot on, and the sound is most excellent with greater volume than some.. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1960's 'Frankenselmerstein'

No label. No date. This guitar turned up in England. probably the child of an opportunist... made of Selmer parts, it has a Maccaferri body and a Selmer neck.. the neck joins the body at the 13th fret for good luck.. it sports a 680 mm scale.!!!! almost 27 inches..!!! fitted with original Selmer tuners and an original Selmer tenor tailpiece with two additionnal posts..when it surfaced, it had been literally "painted" dark brown with a roller...!!!! Rob Aylward spend hours endeavouring to salvage it.. the back and sides were showing "blisters" or "eruptions" [as in coming apart].. the lower side had also been repaired in the cutaway..the top a couple of cracks... in short it was a big mess... but upon strumming the two rusty strings left holding the bridge, one could hear a cry for help..!!! even in it's condition of "FrankenSelmerstein" it is made of original parts.. therefore worth the salvage... and boy was it worth it...it is now so happy to be alive..!!!! it sings a thunderous tune... [I'm really letting go...] call me for more exhuberant details if you'd like. NHSC SOLD (BEST OF)

1951 M-12 #no serial

the early version of the"mythic" French amplifier..12" speaker..a few Watts for your electric enjoyment..being a early post War, as with most "appliances" of the time, when France was transitioning from 110to 220. it has a nifty and simple switch between the two voltages.. recreate the Django electric version, with this piece of vintage era.. SOLD (BEST OF)