Favino #686, Petite Bouche (1979) - Gypsy Jazz Guitar - BIG AUTHENTIC VOICE!

SN# 686, Jacques Favino label, dated 10 November, 1979 

This *is* the guitar everbody wants. A truly incredible 1979, original Jacques Favino Modele #10, signed by Jacques himself.

The guitar is all original and in fantastic condition. Finish (while thoroughly played) is original through out the top, back, and sides. Beautifully figured Brazillian Rio back and sides. And original (rare) gold SB tuners and tailpiece.

The guitar has a booming classic gypsy sounds - sound round bass, and biting, yet subtly sweet high.

1979 is one of my favorite years. By the early 1980's the shop transitioned to Jacques son, Jean-Pierre Favino. But having played literally dozens of these guitars, the late-70's are exceptional -- some of the last Jacques built (with help from Ugo and Gino), and with knowledge earned over the past 30 years.

Only selling because I'm back in graduate school, and can't afford to keep every guitar I wish I could. Purchased 2 years ago from a top-shelf dealer in the United States:  - more info there.

Materials: 
Bookmatched solid European spruce top; figured Brazilian Rosewood laminate back and sides; 3 piece maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; rosewood bound body.

Hardware: 
Original hardware includes RARE Gold three-on-a-plate SB tuners and tailpiece. Dupont compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, Bigtone pickup with endpin jack.

Notes: 
Of all the luthiers working in the wake of Selmer, none are more renowned than the Favinos, who for over 70 years have made instruments for virtually every Gypsy jazz guitarist of note, starting with Django himself. Franco-Italian master luthier Jacques Favino opened his atelier in Paris in 1946, building big bodied guitars in the style of Busato, where he had apprenticed before the war. His son Jean-Pierre joined the workshop in the early-80's, and has continued the family tradition to this day. Favinos remain among the most highly coveted of gypsy jazz guitars.

The Favino Modele #10 has the classic petite bouche soundhole, with exceptional punch and projection. The extra deep and wide body is significantly larger than the Selmer guitars, with greater bass response and phenomenal projection. Using the materials found in the original Selmers, the Favino has a solid Alpine spruce top and back and sides of highly figured bookmatched Brazilian Rosewood. A very well balanced instrument, the instrument has a figured three-piece neck of European maple, which joins the body in a slim, elegant heel.

Aggressively strummed for decades, this guitar has the wide open voice of a superbly played-in instrument. The voice is extremely powerful, with a clarity and bark unique to this body design. The neck is unlacquered, cello-style, and the finish to the body is all original, showing extensive playwear and flaking. Given its vigorous playing career, it is remarkable that the instrument shows no apparent cracks or repairs, a testament to the integrity of its construction. The neck has a comfortable C/D profile, in shape, with smooth low action over tall, undented fretwork. A soundboard pickup and endpin jack have been installed, along with a thick black pickguard.

A true gypsy player in the classic tradition!

Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge silvered steel strings, and will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.

Case: Deluxe black plush lined arched hardshell case.