A newcomer and a guitar question.

diminishedrun · December 2017

Wow, that Dupont looks amazing. Thanks for those links. And yes the guitars here are good but import duty into UK is massive.

ChrisMartin · December 2017

So, you are in UK? There are a few around and some other Brits regularly post on here. You don't say where exactly, but some of them might be able to let you try their instruments.
Or, it might be worth treating yourself to a trip to Paris for a day or two. There are a couple of places where you can see and try a lot of different guitars, such as R.F.Charle -

http://www.rfcharle.com/HTML/ListeA.html#Gypsy guitars

or Castelluccia -
http://www.castelluccia.fr/

or just to the north is Guitar Village -
http://www.guitare-village.com/occasion/jazz/jazz.php
and
http://www.guitare-village.com/neuf.php

Having instant access to all of those guitars should either make choosing easier, or drown you in overload!

If you are considering importing, you may want to consider the CITES rules too, but as I understand it moving guitars containing rosewood within Europe does not need certification (although that may change if and when Britain leaves the EU).

ChrisMartin · December 2017

jonpowl wrote: »

https://www.gypsyguitar.de/
Here is a great looking Dupont DM-100 which I have never seen before but I would love to have. https://www.gypsyguitar.de/guitars/maurice-dupont/11092/maurice-dupont-dm-100-dimauro

That Dupont has been the cause of some trouble. Dorothée Di Mauro, grand-daughter of Antoine claims the name is protected and although there is nothing to stop other luthiers copying designs or details from each other, (I have one made by Tony Petrarca that is in the style of the Di Mauro Special Chorus - see photo), but she let Dupont know she objected to his using the Di Mauro name. Dupont has already appropriated the Busato and Stimer names, but it seems this time he may have a problem. The DM models are no longer listed on the Dupont website, but I notice that one for sale in Germany is listed as 'new'. Last I heard, Dorothée was trying to set up a partnership to start making the Di Mauro range of guitars again; her father (Joseph Jr) stopped production in 1993.

Jazzaferri · December 2017

About 15 years ago I was in a large music store that had a section of high end guitars, basically $2k and up if my memory is correct and keep in mind this is 15 years ago or so. I ran into another player there and we started to jam with the different instruments We were both fairly experienced players and had some fun going through all 40 odd guitars. While all were nice guitars there were maybe 2 or 3 that had that special magic something.

Unless you are having one made for you or buying an interim guitar, it always makes sense to try em before you buy. It really helps if you know what sort of sound you are looking for.

diminishedrun · December 2017

Thanks again for the informative comments - very helpful.

A trip to Paris isn’t out of the question but I will have to factor in traveling costs etc. I have tried my teachers le voi guitar and really like that but his prices are just out of my range. I’m not in a great rush to buy so it maybe that I can save a bit more.

diminishedrun · December 2017

I might add that just over a year ago I fell victim of a scam, in the form of a confidence trick. I lost £3000 pounds buying a guitar that didn’t exist. The week prior to that I was paid £500 in counterfeit notes selling a bit of gear. It has subsequently put a massive dent in my spending budget.

ConorF · December 2017

John you are more than welcome to call and try my guitars in the next few weeks.

I mentioned you calling to Ian Meredith and he said he can provide one of his for you to try.

As everyone has already said the important thing is to try before you buy.

I'm the JWC agent in the North West of England but regardless of that I'd rather see someone get the guitar that's right for them even if I lose the sale.

Conor

diminishedrun · December 2017

Cheers Connor and yes I’d like to make arrangements to come over. I’ll get in touch via fb and arrange.

crookedpinky · December 2017

Hi there another option for at least trying out different guitars would be to come to the March Manouche festival in Menai north Wales. It's on from the 23rd to 25th Feb 2018 if my memory serves me right. Lots of friendly players with a range of guitars to hear and I'm sure we'll let you try them all out.