2016 Holo Traditional 12 Fret Short Scale

Bob has made a name for himself over the last few years as an aficionado of the Franco-Italian guitar designs of Selmer, Maccaferri, Busato, Favino, etc. He spent years studying vintage Selmer style guitars including nearly every Selmer, Favino, and Busato that has come through our shop. He has taken on the challenge of making new guitars that have the elusive and ineffable qualities heard in the very best vintage Selmer type guitars. Few will doubt he has been incredibly successful in his quest, as his guitars are now in the hands of many of today's leading players: Rocky Gresset, Stephane Wrembel, Mathieu Chatelain, Neil Andersson, Antoine Boyer, Alfonso Ponticelli, etc. Bob has essentially been a "luthier for the stars" these past few years...but now you can take home one of these gems yourself!

This instrument was inspired by the legendary "Transitional Model" Selmers built in the mid 1930s. It combines the shorter scale and 12 fret neck of the original Maccaferri with the petite bouche soundhole of the later models. Bob carefully studied an astounding vintage 1934 Traditional Model Selmer we had in the shop and was able to recreate some of the magic of that guitar in this new instrument.

Django Reinhardt made the Transitional Model Selmer famous in the 1939 J'Attendrai video and can be seen holding it in many photos from that period.



It features traditional wood choices: a Carpithian spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and a walnut neck. It has been outfitted with a Dupont DR tailpiece and a set of Schaller Classic Deluxe tuners. Notable features include a compensated bridge and a fingerboard extension that allows playing up to the 22nd fret.

The shorter scale makes it a breeze to play and interestingly, it doesn't loose much projection, making it a great all around guitar for both lead and rhythm. The tone is rich and balanced with a fantastic low-mid growl that makes chords bark and lower string work punchy and clear. It also produces glorious, shimmery highs that add just enough sizzle to your single note lines and keep chords crisp and clear.

Like the original Transitional Model Selmers, this Holo short scale guitar is a rarity that may even end up being a one-of-a-kind. If you're looking for a compact, spunky guitar then this is your chance to own one built by one of the most revered luthiers in Gypsy jazz!

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