VV: Gitane DG 330 John Jorgenson Tuxedo gypsy guitar, signed, EXL+++ Guardian HSC, K&K pup, DEAL!

AMAZING GUITAR, terrific DEAL:  2009 John Jorgenson DG 330, signed, in very near MINT condition, with built-in K and K double dot transducer (internally mounted under each side of the bridge), with very near mint Guardian Deluxe Vintage gypsy hardshell case ($125 sold alone--and the only type case that will fit this instrument).  

These discount for no less than $1,000 without a case--new, with the case and the professionally installed pickup, this instrument would cost at least $1350.  PLUS:  In addition to having had 5 years to open up, it's also been juiced with a ToneRite 3 for 100+ hours (and counting), so it really sings--and is really LOUD.

I've owned many (many) gypsy guitars and this one stands alone--and not just because of its astonishing looks.  First, unlike the Dell'Arte guitars of this kind, it's not overbraced--light in weight, resonant as hell, and, while it's set up for gypsy style playing, the action is still incredibly comfortable; probably the easiest-playing long scale guitar I've ever played.  (It has a good truss rod, so it can easily be adjusted to any player's requirements.)

Second, it's the only gypsy guitar I know of with a mahogany body, and, in addition to being a lot lighter than rosewood, it has a really nice, woody resonance and depth which, at least in my opinion, is a big plus for this type guitar, giving it a rounder, fuller bottom end without any sacrifice to the biting attack you need for gypsy music.  (It's also has a much broader spectrum than other Django type guitars and is thus suitable for a greater variety of styles.)

Exquisite details:  superb tuners; ebony everything--fretboard, bridge and finish; the trim, rosette and tailpiece plate are in pearlescent celluloid, which, at least to my eye, is way cooler than abalone.  

Because the case is a tank, shipping on this will not be cheap--the $50 I'm asking is well under what it will cost me to send it just about anywhere beyond New York city.  However, if you want to pick up here, let me know and, obviously, I'll waive the fee.  

Finally note:  The only thing that separates this from mint condition (other than light fret wear), is a tiny hole drilled under the bridge to feed the wire from a Big Tone pickup into the jack.  (The K and K in there now is a superior, much more transparent system.)  The hole is only noticeable if you go looking for it--I wasn't able to get a good picture of it.  (And ignore the specs--the piano finish shows any dust in the air, but there are no mars or dings.)

And if you're into specs: 

• Longer scale 26 5/8"
• Horizontal cutaway
• Mahogany back and sides
• Spruce top
• NEW Saga authentic U shaped
• mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard & M.O.P. oval position markers
• Bone string guide with traditional "zero" fret
• Adjustable truss rod
• Silver Gitane logo
• Modele John Jorgenson in silver script
• Ebony peghead overlay
• Ebony moustache bridge with movable center
• White pearloid body binding
• Inlaid wooden rosette with white pearloid square insert and white pearloid
• center rings
• Silver-plated tuners with pearl buttons
• Silver-plated tailpiece with white pearloid insert
• Signed label
• Glossy black finish on body

This is a really special instrument--contact soon; if it doesn't go in a week or so, I'll probably put on Ebay (for more).