2017 Geronimo Mateos Django

Geronimo Mateos has long been one of the leading Selmer Maccaferri style luthiers in Spain. Based in Madrid, his guitars are played worldwide by such notably luminaries as Angelo Debarre, Tchavolo Schmitt, and Gonzalo Bergara. Angelo Debarre played a Mateos guitar on the CDs "Come Into My Swing," "Entre Amis," and "Memoires," (Tchavolo Schmitt plays one as well on "Memoires") and Gonzalo Bergara played a Mateos built guitar on the CD Porteņa Soledad. Some of his earlier instruments were rebranded as "Gallato" but were built in the same shop as this Mateos instrument.

The Django model is a Selmer copy so it has all the specs you'd expect of a classic Gypsy guitar. The comfortable 15 3/4" body is constructed from a highly figured piece of ziricote and the 670mm scale walnut neck features a modern, ergonomic profile. The top is built from select European spruce which has been tastefully tinted to give the guitar the look of a finely aged instrument. A light, oil based finish has been applied  which allows the instrument to resonate more efficiently than heavier polyurethane finishes. The natural, earthy quality of the oil finish really shows off the beautiful figure of the wood.

This instrument is equipped with Mateos' own magnetic LC pickup system. The LC pickup is a singlecoil pickup that clips into the soundhole and is wired to an endpin jack. The wire is easily detachable, so you can easily remove the pickup when not in use. It produces a warm, clean sound and has a better string balance than most magnetic Gypsy pickups.

The high quality spruce top of this instrument produces a lush, warm tone that is dry and crisp. The fundamental of each note is strong and present, with little of the distracting overtone ringing that results from inferior tonewoods. These qualities make this guitar very clear and present which is especially beneficial in loud acoustic jam sessions. This instrument is not only very loud, but direct and defined as well.

A European handmade instrument of this quality is rarely found for less than $4000 making this instrument an exceptional value. The fact that the instrument is equipped with a magnetic pickup only sweetens the deal. If you're looking for great Gypsy tone for less, this is it!


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