Maurice Dupont has long been known as the premier maker of Gypsy jazz guitars in France. However, his talents by no means end there, as he also produces a line of archtops which rival some of the best makers of jazz guitars. This ATTM 17 features an X braced spruce top, gorgeous flamed maple back and sides, flamed maple neck, ebony headstock veneer, bridge, and heel cap, and maple binding. Hardware includes Schaller tuners, an ebony cello style tailpiece, and a mounted humbucker. Aesthetically this instrument is inspired by the modern, clean look that Jimmy D'Aquisto made famous in the 1980s (i.e. stylized f hole and pickguard shapes, cello style tailpiece, dotless fingerboard, etc.)

Built of entirely solid woods, this 17" instrument produces a rich tone that translates beautifully through the humbucking pickup. Warm, woody, and clear, the natural acoustic resonance of this guitar blends seamlessly with the power and sustain of it's amplified sound. It's a very versatile guitar that would work well for anything from swing, bebop, and even electric Gypsy jazz.

This instrument is in excellent condition with just a few small dings on the body and some mild fretwear. At some point it had a floating pickup so there are some screw holes still visible in the side of the fingerboard.

Finely crafted archtops like this one routinely sell at prices approaching that of a new automobile! If this instrument bore the name of one of the better known American makers, it could easily be 10 times the price. Here's a great opportunity to get a world class archtop at a price that seems too good to be true! 

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/2005-dupont-attm-17-custom

2005 Dupont ATTM 17 Custom

This beautiful guitar was built by the renowned French luthier Jean Barault. Biréli Lagrène, Tchavolo Schmitt, Dorado Schmitt, Angelo Debarre, and Stochelo Rosenberg currently play and endorse Barault guitars. With an All-Star list of endorsements, there's no doubt Barault is building the sort of guitar that meets the criteria of the world's most discerning players.

This guitar includes:

    Mahogany back and sides
    A real pliage (the top is heat bent just like the older Selmers!)
    European spruce top
    670mm scale
    14 fret neck
    Walnut neck
    Body specs (15 13/16" body, 3 13/16" deep)
    Lacquered interior (just like the vintage Selmers)
    Barault tailpiece

The sound of this instrument is among the best Selmer copies being made today. It's no wonder Biréli and Stochelo chose to endorse Barault guitars as his instruments produce a very traditional Selmer sound but have the playability of an ultra smooth archtop.

Barault's specialty is building instruments which sound very close to the early, pre-war Selmers like Django's Selmer #503. The tops were somewhat flatter on these guitars and the result is a warmer tone with a rich bass and a lush, satisfying midrange. This instrument possess those qualities in abundance, making it the perfect instrument for someone trying to emulate Django's classic tone. Furthermore, it produces this full bodied sound without sacrificing projection, which is so often the tradeoff with lesser guitars.

Barault is one of the very few luthiers today actually making Selmer copies with a real pliage. He uses the method that Selmer did...the top is bent with a hot iron which creates a fold, or "pliage," in the top just under the bridge. 99% of Selmer copies being made today have forced tops which generally don't have the punch, volume, and quick attack that the pliage tops have.

Barault certainly wins the award for weight...this guitar is feather weight at only 3.6 pounds! Hard to find anyone making guitars that lightweight today. The lower weight allows the guitar to resonate freely....no wonder it sounds so good!

This instrument has some pickwear on the top, including one larger scratch that is visible in the right light. There is some very mild fretwear as well, but is otherwise in excellent condition.

As one of the, if not the top luthier in Gypsy jazz, Jean's guitars have usually been priced in the upper range of Gypsy jazz guitars. With these new Studio Models, Jean has made exceptional sound and craftsmanship of his instruments available to students and pros alike!




For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/jean-barault-studio-7

2022 Jean Barault Studio Model

This beautiful guitar was built by the renowned French luthier Jean Barault. Biréli Lagrène, Tchavolo Schmitt, Dorado Schmitt, Angelo Debarre, and Stochelo Rosenberg currently play and endorse Barault guitars. With an All-Star list of endorsements, there's no doubt Barault is building the sort of guitar that meets the criteria of the world's most discerning players.

This guitar includes:

    Indian rosewood back and sides
    A real pliage (the top is heat bent just like the older Selmers!)
    European spruce top
    670mm scale
    14 fret neck
    Walnut neck
    Body specs (15 13/16" body, 3 13/16" deep)
    Lacquered interior (just like the vintage Selmers)
    Barault tailpiece

The sound of this instrument is among the best Selmer copies being made today. It's no wonder Biréli and Stochelo chose to endorse Barault guitars as his instruments produce a very traditional Selmer sound but have the playability of an ultra smooth archtop.

Barault's specialty is building instruments which sound very close to the early, pre-war Selmers like Django's Selmer #503. The tops were somewhat flatter on these guitars and the result is a warmer tone with a rich bass and a lush, satisfying midrange. This instrument possess those qualities in abundance, making it the perfect instrument for someone trying to emulate Django's classic tone. Furthermore, it produces this full bodied sound without sacrificing projection, which is so often the tradeoff with lesser guitars.

Barault is one of the very few luthiers today actually making Selmer copies with a real pliage. He uses the method that Selmer did...the top is bent with a hot iron which creates a fold, or "pliage," in the top just under the bridge. 99% of Selmer copies being made today have forced tops which generally don't have the punch, volume, and quick attack that the pliage tops have.

This example has a fair amount of pickwear on the top as well some moderate fretwear. Otherwise, it's in excellent condition with easy playing low action and an amazing tone!

Barault certainly wins the award for weight...this guitar is feather weight at only 4 pounds! Hard to find anyone making guitars that lightweight today. The lower weight allows the guitar to resonate freely....no wonder it sounds so good!

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/jean-barault-2022-2

2022 Jean Barault

Maurice Dupont has long been one of the most respected luthiers in France and one of the first contemporary makers to specialize in producing the Selmer Maccaferri guitar. Maurice first gained recognition as a builder of classical guitars and in 1989 was bestowed with the honor of "Best French Craftsman." Maurice was an apprentice of the legendary Gypsy guitar maker Jacques Favino, and in 1986 he began building his own Selmer style guitars which quickly became the most popular choice of professional Gypsy guitarists. Countless Gypsy stars including Raphael Fays, Biréli Lagrène, Tchavolo Schmitt, and Romane have played Dupont guitars which appear on hundreds of recordings.

Dupont's Gypsy models are built entirely in Cognac, France by master luthiers Patrick (who joined the Dupont team in 1994) and Mathias (since 2002) under the supervision of Maurice Dupont. The collective experience.of the Dupont team along with Maurice's stock of well aged, select tonewoods yields instruments of unsurpassed tone and playability.

This rare and beautiful MD-50B is a deluxe version of the tried and true workhorse of Gypsy jazz, the MD-50. Upgrades include gorgeous, highly figured Brazilian rosewood and European maple binding. The top is European spruce top and the neck is walnut.

This guitar has the refinement of tone and playability you'd expect of Dupont's flagship MD series model. Single notes are thick, almost syrupy, with a roundness and sweetness reminiscent of some of the best Selmer guitars of the 1940s.  If you tend to shy away from brighter guitars in favor of more mids, then this guitar is for you!

This guitar also posses Dupont's signature "dry" sound which is free of annoying echo and overtone ringing. Each note is clear, present, and precise. Chords are rich and complex making chord melody playing a joy.

This instrument is in mint condition, with almost no sings of use over it's long life. There's is just a slight bit of fretwear, but otherwise looks completely new! Action is set at a very comfortable 2.8mm. Strung with Argentine 1510 strings.

Faux leather Dupont hardshell case included (made by TKL)

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/dupont-md50b-1995

1995 Dupont MD50B

Here is a wonderful short scale D hole guitar by the illustrious Vancouver, B.C. builder Michael Dunn. This very experienced and capable luthier has a career that stretches back to the late 60s. As far as anyone knows, Michael was the first North American luthier to make Selmer inspired guitars. 

While Michael's instruments are clearly based on Mario Maccaferri's original designs, they are much more than mere copies. Always unique, Michael's guitars are a breath of fresh air in the very conservative world of Selmer guitars. His willingness to experiment with materials, design, and aesthetics appeals to those looking for something different.

This beautiful Mystery Pacific model features a short 635mm scale, 14 fret neck, and a 16 1/4" body. The top is sitka spruce, the back and sides are myrtle, and the neck is Honduran mahogany. This model features a Maccaferri inspired resonator, Spertzel tuners, wood strap peg, and a compensated ebony saddle. 

The tone is rich and complex with a very thick midrange and an exceptionally resposive bass register. It is especially nice for solo chord melody playing and rhythm.

The condition is excellent and looks almost new. Only small signs of wear: just a few very small scratches and dings as well as some mild fretwear. At some point the instrument sustained some shipping damage to the side of the lower bass bout. There are signs of two repaired cracks on the side and the endblock was replaced by Michael Dunn.

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/michael-dunn-mystery-pacific-6

1990 Michael Dunn Mystery Pacific

This is something you don't see very often: a 1930s Busato 12 fret D hole! If guitars could talk this one would certainly have a lot to say. It has undoubtedly lived many "Gypsy lives" and has the mojo to prove it.


This guitar was built at the begining of Busato's illustrious lutherie career in Paris. The name plate on the headstock (never seen one like this before!) indicates that the guitar was constructed in Busato's first shop at 40 rue d'orgemont in Paris. He later moved on to other locations: 4 Cité Griset and 140 Boulevard de Ménilmontant.


Being an older guitar, one can only guess that it may have been made with Busato's own two hands. In his later years he employed up to 40 people, so it's unlikely he made every "Busato" himself. The early date of this guitar suggests this may be one of his own! Additionally, this guitar is the most "labeled" Busato I've ever come across. In addition to the name plate on the head stock, the name "Busato" is stamped on the neck block, the back, and on one of the top braces. Busato clearly wanted people to know who built this guitar!


The guitar has Rosewood back and sides, a Spruce top, and a three piece Mahogany neck with any ebony spline.


It has the original cloverleaf enclosed tuners that turn backwards. Also features some fancy banjo style fingerboard inlays.


The proportions are similar to a Maccaferri: 640mm scale, 15 3/4" body.


This guitar has numerous top and back cracks, some of which have been cleated, some have been glued, and others have yet to be repaired. There is one long crack that runs along the entire back of the guitar. There is also top separation on the waist (treble side).Good news is that after all these years the neck is still perfectly straight!


The guitar sounds very full with fat, rounded lead notes and lush chords. This guitar doesn't have the ferocious volume that the Grand Modeles have, but the tone is interesting with the complexity and maturity you'd expect from a guitar that is over 70 years old! 

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/busato-12-fret-d-hole

1930s Busato 12 Fret D Hole

Here's a rare opportunity to own a fine, handmade guitar at a price normally reserved for Asian imports. This high quality Selmer copy was handmade in Dell'Arte's California workshop and features laminate rosewood back and sides, a bear claw spruce top, and a walnut neck. Hardware includes a set of Gotoh Three-on-a-Plate tuners and a DR tailpiece. 

As it is named after Django's famous Selmer #503, it is fairly accurate Selmer copy which produces a very traditional tone. It has the crisp highs and juicy, complex mids that are so characteristic of the classic Selmer sound. 

The condition of this instrument is excellent, showing only a few signs of mild use. Other than a few light scratches on the body, it's almost like new and plays easily with low 2.6mm action.
Dell'Arte stopped producing guitars over a decade ago. Here's a rare chance to get one in fantastic condition!

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/dell-arte-503-2

2008 Dell'Arte 503

Over the past several decades Leo Eimers has been one of the prominent builders of Selmer Maccaferri guitars in the Netherlands. Based in Almere, just outside of Amsterdam, Eimers builds his instruments entirely himself by hand. He is particularly well respected as a student of "Golden Age" luthiers such as Maccaferri, Selmer, Busato, and Favino. He uses his knowledge of these luthiers to build some of the most authentic and well constructed Selmer copies available. His instruments have been used by many professionals over the years, most notably Stochelo and Nous'che Rosenberg of the Rosenberg Trio, Robin Nolan, Boulou Ferre, and Wawau Adler.

This is Leo's Solitude model which pay homage to Selmer's original roundhole models from the 19930s: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/1938-selmer-roundhole-448

This instrument features a spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and a walnut neck which has a Selmer style grafted headstock. A set of brass Schaller three on a plate tuners and a brass HSC tailpiece are included. A bigtone pickup is wired to an endpin jack.

Weighing in at 4.25 lbs, this guitar is light weight and resonant. The round soundhole yields a more flatop like tone, with more bass and mids than a typical Gypsy guitar. The highs are very round and warm, resulting thick, mellifluous leads.

This instrument is in excellent condition and is set up with easy playing 3mm action. There is a large scratch on the lower bass bout of the top. Otherwise, the guitar is near mint!

Only one, call now!

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/eimers-roundhole

2021 Eimers Solitude

This stunning instrument was built in Ontario, Canada by the exceedingly skilled and well respected luthier Zach Lefebvre. Zach's highly creative deigns push the boundaries of aesthetic beauty and tonal refinement resulting in maximal visual and sonic fulfillment. 

This wonderful Ember model exemplifies Zach's approach in it's striking looks and impressive resonance. The comfortable 16" birdseye maple body is fitted with a carved spruce top, a cantilevered maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard with brass frets. The headstock features a rosewood veneer and the binding and bridge are ebony. The top and back are embellished with an attractive vine motif. Hardware includes a hammered bronze tailpiece, floating humbucking pickup, and a set of Gotoh 510 tuners. The upper bass bout includes a soundport which provides more accurate monitoring for the player.

This instrument's fascinating exterior is only matched by it's unique internal design. The top is supported by a sophisticated X based bracing which includes numerous additional tone bars for maximal sonic refinement. Additionally, there are two beautifully carved free floating braces that connect the end block to the tail block. This innovation was likely inspired by the famous Larson Brothers design which employed metal rods for a similar purpose.

This instrument produces a lush, full acoustic tone that has warmth and depth for delicate chord melody playing while also possessing the strong single note projection one needs for acoustic lead playing. It's so rare to find an acoustic archtop of any era that can achieve this, especially newer builds which are largely constructed with idea that some sort of amplification will be used. This is a purely acoustic instrument through and through, but when on stage the lush sounding humbucker will allow you to get the volume you require.

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/treehouse-ember

2021 TreeHouse Ember

Parisian luthier Christelle Caillot has attracted much attention over the last decade, including endorsements from such luminaries as Angelo Debarre, Kamlo Barre, and Christophe Astolfi. Her instruments combine a deep knowledge of the traditional Selmer guitar with modern standards of playability and aesthetics. This example features a sleek modern look, excellent playability, and an extremely clear and deep tone.

This instrument features traditional Selmer wood choices: spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and a walnut neck. The ebony fingerboard was done in the modern D'Aquisto style (i.e. no fret makers, just side markers) which is a nice blend of old and new. The all brass hardware includes a set of Miller covered tuners and a DR tailpiece.
This instrument is in dead mint condition and plays easily with 2.8mm action.

Caillot guitars are hard to come by, in fact this is the only one we've ever had. Grab it while it still here!

For more info or to buy see: https://www.djangobooks.com/Item/caillot

2005 Dupont ATTM 17 Custom

DjangoBooks.com

Related tracks