Michael Dunn Fleche D'Or Gypsy Jazz Guitar (2005), ser. #487, original black hard shell case.

Michael Dunn Fleche D'Or Model Gypsy Jazz Guitar (2005), made in New Westminster, BC, Canada, serial # 487, natural finish, Port Orford Cedar back and sides, Sitka spruce top, mahogany neck, original black hard shell case. While today the design is fairly well known to most modern players, Michael Dunn is thought to be first North American luthier to build Selmer/Maccaferri inspired guitars. Starting in the late 1960's, Michael Dunn virtually single-handedly jump-started the revival of these instruments on this side of the Atlantic. To this day Dunn remains the single most imaginative builder of Gypsy jazz guitars, shaping each by hand without a form and unafraid to evolve the traditional specifications. While based on Mario Maccaferri's original designs, Dunn's guitars are never mere copies, but a breath of fresh air in the very conservative world of "Django" style instruments. His variations of materials, design and aesthetic make each Dunn guitar is unique unto itself. This Fleche D'Or model is a perfect example. Built in 2005, it breaks from tradition in using Port Orford Cedar for the back and sides, highly unusual in this context. The top is tight-grained Sitka spruce and the neck is mahogany with an ebony fingerboard. The lighter body woods give this guitar a very lively but still rich tone, different in detail while remaining within the Gypsy Jazz tradition. Dunn's headstock, bridge, tailpiece and many decorative touches are his own, giving this guitar a very distinctive look and feel compared to the more familiar straight Selmer copies. It comes from the original owner maintained in wonderful condition, a unique and extremely fine instrument.Overall length is 40 3/8 in. (102.6 cm.), 16 1/16 in. (40.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 in. (10.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 26 in. (660 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.). This guitar shows only very light signs of use for having already been around nearly 20 years. There are a few tiny dings and scuff marks, but overall it looks hardly played. This evolved Selmer-style guitar is a very easy player with a most lively sound, which the cedar body is a definite contributor to. This is a cool variant of the familiar Gypsy Jazz pattern, complete with the original case and the builder's handwritten spec sheet, with a copy of the original appraisal letter from Mandolin Bros. when it was purchased in 2005. Overall Excellent + Condition.