Dell'Arte George Cole Model

jonpowl

Does anybody know anything about the 2005 Dell'Arte George Cole model? Good or bad, import of US made, worth just under a $1000 or not? Any input appreciated.

jonpowl

@Stuart, sorry but I can't fathom why I mentioned $1000 as a price. It is advertised at $499. I'm passing as I want something a bit better and the used Paris Swing GG-39 I just bought is an outstanding guitar, great sound, chunky neck, good playability and workmanship.

younglv

Hi Jon!
That guitar is literally one block away from where I live. In fact, I checked it out yesterday. It had these horrible non-gypsy 12's on it, so I ran home, grabbed a set of argentine 11's and the guy put them on. I played it for a while. Really nice neck. The action is super low and way too buzzy, and I think it also killed the tone, but I think whoever had it didn't understand gypsy sound and put those awful strings on and then adjusted the truss rod. I think if you tweak the truss rod and undo whatever they did it will fix that. I have a paris swing gg-42 (I'd like to sell it!) and if your gg-39 has the same neck, I would much prefer playing the george cole.
Don't expect too much from the tone as it's a $500 dollar guitar, not a dupont.
It's in perfect shape though and with a little tweaking I think it's a great guitar for that price range.
If it didn't sound so much like another guitar I have already I would grab it in second.

Thanks
Randy

younglv

oh also, I'd make him an offer of something less that $499.

younglv

ha ha! I just noticed the guy updated the craigslist to say it has argentines. Those are my strings.

jonpowl

@younglv e long trip from Santa Cruz to Walnut Creek. I just sold a nice Gitane DG-255 after picking up what I think is a very nice Paris Swing GG-39. The Paris Swing has a chunky neck, nice tone, a bit of crunch, and nice gypsy jazz tones throughout the neck. I think the Paris Swing will make a nice travel guitar when I finally pick up a luthier made guitar in the next year or two.