Stefan Hahl 2009 Gitano Oval Hole Guitar (Indian Rosewood Back and Sides) with Hardshell Case ***SOL

This 2009 Gitano 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 but are still springy enough to shoot out of the instrument in volume challenged situations.

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 Dorado Schmitt and Hono Winterstein also play Hahl guitars.

We were lucky to get this Gitano as Hahl is no longer making these more affordable base models. Only the Deluxe (K) and Super Deluxe Gitanos (K) are currently in production. So this is a chance to own a great sounding Hahl guitar for less.

This Gitano model features Indian Rosewood back and sides, Spruce top, and a Mahogany neck. Hahl used a particularity beatiful piece of Rosewood...it has a lot of figure and color shading, almost looks like Brazilian!

This is one of the most unique sounding Hahls that I've had come in....my first impression is that it sounds like a Cathedral! It has a very open, complex, and beautifully rich tone...but also very, very loud. It's one of those rare guitars that can really project lead lines without being overly harsh or bright. In fact, the high end is very warm and rounded, but it still carries nicely. That's a unique trait that very few guitars can pull off. The low end is also very full, much more so then you'd find on more conventional Selmer copies like Dupont. Chords sound fat, warm, and big...really fills the room when playing rhythm! But again, the most outstanding feature of this guitar is it's Cathedral like "openness"...even the simplest music sounds so complex and interesting on this guitar.

Hahl is known for the ultimate in playability and this guitar lives up to that....it is set up with 10 gauge Argentines and 3mm action. Plays very, very easily...could also easily take 11 gauge strings if so desired.

One of Hahl's innovations is the use of a bone saddle. He includes several saddles of different heights which allow you to easily change the action on your guitar. Ingenious!

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