2004 Dupont Vieille Reserve Gypsy Jazz Django Selmer Guitar

SN# 045 Very Early Vieille Reserve

Body size at lower bout: 15 3/4" (400mm). Scale length: 26 3/8" (470mm) Nut Width: 1 11/16" (43mm) Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .86/.94 (22-24mm)

Materials: Solid Carpathian bearclaw spruce top; Brazilian rosewood laminate back and sides; solid walnut neck; solid ebony fingerboard; 5 ply body binding

Hardware: All original gold hardware including DM tailpiece and tuners, solid Brazilian rosewood bridge, clear scratchplate, adjustable truss rod.

Notes: From his workshop in Cognac, in southwestern France, Maurice Dupont remains the most prestigious name among contemporary gypsy guitar luthiers, and his instruments are renowned as meticulously faithful recreations of the original Selmer orchestra guitars. This spectacular instrument is an example of his top-shelf offering, the Vieille Reserve, a limited edition of Dupont's long scale 'petit bouche' guitar, as played by Django himself. This ultra-premium model has been used by such illustrious modern performers as Birelli Lagrene, Romane, and Patrick Saussois, among other top players worldwide.

The back and sides are graced with intensely figured Brazilian rosewood, the same tonewood used on the prewar originals, and the top is crafted of solid Carpathian spruce some 60 years in age. With pronounced 'bearclaw' crossgrain figure, the soundboard is bent over a hot iron, in the traditional 'pliage' method of construction.

At just 4lb 2oz (1.88kg) the instrument is notably lightweight and well balanced, and the solid black walnut neck is handsomely flamed, with a comfy, slightly flattened D profile, and smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup. With all original finish and gold hardware, the instrument appears virtually unplayed, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The voice is clear and brilliant, with exceptional power and projection, and headroom to burn, with outstanding dynamic range.

The instrument is supplied with its original Certificate of Authenticity, and polish cloth, all within its original formfit Dupont plushlined hardshell case. With tone, playability and extravagant good looks, the Vielle Reserve is simply as good as it gets: a true handbuilt masterpiece.

Shows minimal signs of use and wear, nut is partially broken on 6th adn 5th string but it does not affect guitar