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2011 ALD La Brune

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2011 ALD La Brune

A superior Gypsy guitar built by Gerald Alonso and Fabian Le Dosseur in Rouen, France. ALD guitars are all the rage in Europe now, and are currently endorsed by Angelo Debarre. The distinct and beautiful tone of ALD guitars can be heard on Debarre's recent recordings such as Gipsy Unity, Live in Paris, and Trio Tout A Cordes.

ALD's have a unique and easily distinguishable tonal palette that is open, complex, and bold. This instrument is well suited to the needs of the contemporary Gypsy jazz guitarist as it has a well balanced frequency response, plentiful volume, and a modern neck profile. The precision fretwork and neck geometry allow for an easy-playing low action setup that is critical for today's highly technical style of playing. The workmanship is phenomenal, with every little detail done to perfection, making this instrument a treat both for the eye and the ear.

The Brune model is ALD's flagship Selmer copy. It features standard Selmer body proportions with deluxe wood choices: cedar top, maple neck, and stunning Macassar ebony back and sides. The beauty of this instrument is accentuated by the ebony headstock veneer which appears on both the front and back of the headstock, a unique and attractive feature! Additionally, the guitar is outfitted with Schaller Classic Deluxe tuners and a lacquered interior.

Cedar is known to provide new guitars with the character and maturity of old seasoned instruments. This is certainly the case with this exceptional guitar. The shimmery high end this instrument produces is rarely found in guitars built after the 1960s. Most newer guitars would sound somewhat muted and dull by comparison. Additionally, the active high end makes the guitar sound very big and open, as there is a lot of sonic activity from the very highest limit of human hearing all the way down to the bass register. When you play chords on this guitar they sound like huge five octave piano voicings....that's the magic of cedar at work!

I'm also very fond of the mids in this guitar. They really growl with character and attitude.

If you're looking for a guitar that has a unique, highly identifiable voice then this instrument should suite you nicely.

This instrument is in good condition. There are no cracks or serious damage but there are numerous dings and scratches on the top and body

This is the CASH price...add 3% (4% for International orders) if you'd like to pay with a credit card.

Pricing Info:

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Guitar Specs

Brand

ALD

Year

2011

Model Number

La Brune

Serial Number

265

Sound Hole

Oval

Fret Neck

14 Fret

Condition

Good

Size

15 3/4"

Scale Length

670mm

Nut Width

1 3/4"

Body Depth

3 15/16"

Top

Cedar

Back and Sides

Macassar Ebony

Neck

Maple

Fingerboard

Ebony

Binding

Ebony

Finish

Nitrocellulose

Tailpiece

RM Gold

Tuners

Schaller Gold

Action

2.8mm

Strings

Argentine 1510MF

Case

Stagg Softshell Black

Pickup(s)

Bigtone

Truss Rod

Yes

Weight

4.35 lbs

Reviews and Ratings

Overall

Quality

Value

Perfect!

Pros: quality, craftsmanship, attention to detail, tonal complexity (tonal string separation), beauty and visual combination of woods

Cons: I would prefer satin finished neck backs, even on high gloss finish guitars for better playability. But that's personal and not really a con.

I've long waited for this one to come up! And it turned out to be all it promised to be and maybe more. The attention to the smallest detail is so impeccable, one wonders how one can build something so perfect by hand. There is not the slightest flaw. And I don't just speak of beauty. The playability is as good if not better as any of the other great French guitars I have. The tone is quite different than anything I have laid my hands on. Actually, at first I had to get used to it and maybe even adjust my playing. The guitar HAS the Manouche tone, but it's more "complex", at times it is so "articulate" it spells Jazz so clearly and unmistakeably as an electric Jazz guitar. Even big fat chords seem to be spelled out in 4, 5 or even 6 clearly discernible tone without however to sound "wide"... actually much to the contrary, the sound is very much projected out. I don't like to compare musical instruments to cars, but if we had to, this would be the "Bentley". I doubt one can get more quality and craftsmanship for even much more money on a new guitar. It's just so outstanding. ... J-D.

Submitted by: J-D. Sauser on 10/16/2012 11:00:33 PM