Jean-Pierre 1996 Favino 12 Fret LONG SCALE D Hole Guitar #1087 (Mahogany Back and Sides) with HSC

Well this is a first! A 12 fret JP Favino D hole modele 10 S with a 666mm scale. I've never had a Favino 12 fret guitar before (they are exceedingly rare) and have never had a 12 fret guitar of any kind with such a long scale length. Nearly all 12 fret Selmer type guitars have a 640mm or 650mm scale. On this guitar, JP Favino used the same scale he uses for his 14 fret guitars which is just shy of the 670mm scale that Selmer used. Apparently Jacques Favino made long scale 12 fret guitars from time to time, so there is some precedence for this.

These unusual specs yeild some fascinating results! This guitar has the warmth and complexity of a 12 fret guitar yet it still has enough zing to propel your lead lines through the din. The guitar has volume to spare and the tone is very fat with just enough sizzle to keep it from being dull. It's not one of the nasal type Favinos...very balanced. Actually probably has the most "even" response of any guitar I've had here. It also has a slight "openness" to the sound, but not excessively so which is the downfall of so many D holes. Just enough echo to add complexity without making it sound muddy or diffuse. If you're looking to get away from more traditional Gypsy guitars which are often very aggressive and bright, than this is it! Ultra modern tone that is complex and satisfying yet not wimpy. Only the best luthiers can pull this off....

Normally you would relegate a 12 fret guitar such as this to strict rhythm duty. However, the longer scale and slender heel give it the tone and high fret access you need to play lead. The heel has the most radical taper I've ever seen. Really helps you get your hand into a better position for high fret playing.

Other than the unusual 12 fret/long scale combination, the specs are very Selmer like. Body is 15 3/4" wide, 3 3/4" depth. The nut is 1 3/4". Take note of JP's signature fingerboard extension.

The top is Spruce, Mahogany back and sides, and the neck is two piece Maple with an ebony spline.

Like the original Selmers, the inside of the guitar is lacquered.

This guitar has a 9th fret dot.

The condition is extra fine, with some mild checking on the back and top. A few very small dings here and there. Looks really nice! There is clear mylar pick guard and a strap pin in the heel.

Action is very low at 2.75mm. It's strung with 10 gauge Argentines and still sounds good with the action so low. As you'd imagine, with a setup like this it's almost effortless to play.

This guitar is a fantastic value!  A new JP will cost over 8,000 dollars and there is wait of two years or more. JP Favino only builds six guitars a year, so owning one of these puts you in a very elite club.

Comes with a fiberglass light flight case.

This is the CASH price...add 3% if you'd like to pay with a credit card. 4% for international cards.