2002 Hahl De Luxe Gitano

This 2002 Gitano de Luxe hole by Stefan Hahl represents the ultimate in contemporary Selmer guitar design. Most builders today obsessively try to replicate the design and building techniques of "golden era" guitars like the original Selmers, Busatos, and later Favinos. Hahl has dared to be different by using the Selmer design, which he has studied extensively, as a starting point for something new and unique. His guitars characteristically combine the complexity, warmth, and listenability of archtops and flatops with the punch and clarity of Selmers. The real genius of his work is that he has succeeded in making a contemporary, sophisticated sounding Gypsy guitar without loosing the essence of the Selmer sound. Others have tried to make such a guitar, but the end result is that warmth and complexity are traded for clarity and punch, which results in a very muted and dull sounding guitar. Not so with Hahl. His guitars produce notes with a rounded, satisfying tone that still retain enough cutting power to be easily heard in even the most challenging acoustic environments.

Hahl's work has been well received by the very finest Gypsy guitarists today. Most notably, by Bireli Lagrene who owns three Hahl guitars and has used them on most of his recent recordings. check out: Move, Just the Way You Are, To Bi or Not to Bi, and Live in Paris.

Gypsy legends Stochelo Rosenberg, Dorado Schmitt and Hono Winterstein also play Hahl guitars.

As with any Hahl, playability is closer to the super smooth feel of an archtop than the more cumbersome action you'd expect from a Selmer style guitar. At only 2.8mm action, this guitar will allow you to play things that can rarely be executed on a Gypsy guitar.

This instrument features some of the very best woods available: stunning flamed maple back and sides, a five piece flamed maple neck with walnut splines, ebony binding, and a 70 year aged spruce top. This guitar has been fitted with a Hahl brass tailpiece and a set of Schaller three on a plate tuners. A Gullansky pickup is wired to the endpin jack.

Few luthiers can build a D hole guitar that achieves the proper balance between treble and bass. So often, D holes are too dark and bass heavy. Hahl is the rare luthier who can build a guitar that has the rich, full sound of the D soundhole while still retaining enough bite for leads. This example is exceptional in it's ability to produce HUGE sounding chords one minute and crisp leads the next. The leads truly sing which makes it so easy when playing in a group setting. Just touch the pick to the string and the notes fly out almost effortlessly.

One aspect I find particularly intriguing about Hahl's guitars is that they have a somewhat "open" tone in that there is a touch of natural reverb to the sound. Many guitars have this, but usually it is too much and creates the overtone ringing and muddiness that is the sign of a poorly made guitar. But when you have just enough it adds a lot of complexity and interest to the tone. Hahl's guitars have this "open" character in just the right amount. If you are turned off by some of the more traditional, "dry" sounding guitars then you'll be pleasantly surprised by this guitar which is definitely something different.

This instrument is in very good condition with just a number of dings and scratches on the body and one area in the pickguard area which has some finish discoloration. The frets were recently dressed so they are free of any ruts or snags.

It's only once in a blue moon I have a Hahl in stock, grab it while it's still here!

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