Best of Gallery
1930's 14 Fret Oval Hole
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"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
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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 14 fret Oval hole
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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 Oval Hole
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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"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
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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
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"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
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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 14 fret oval hole
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"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 Grand Modèle du Passage
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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
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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 14 Fret Oval Hole
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"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 circa Grand Modele
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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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
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"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
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"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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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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
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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)