Thoughts on Vintage Strings Manouche Moreno guitar

Jangle_Jamie · December 2023

I've found one of these Manouche Moreno models for a very sensible price. A little internet trawling suggests the early ones were handmade by Jeongwoo Cho. The one I've found is I believe a later version, though I'm guessing as I haven't seen the label. The Moreno inscription is not on the headstock. The tuners look lovely. It also comes in a nice ivory Hiscox case.

I have no idea about how it will sound and how faithful it is to a true Selmer construction. It appears to be a spruce top (stained a rather horrible orange) and rosewood laminate back and sides as per usual.

Does anyone here have one and what do they think of it? It's been years since they were made. I wonder how they measure up to some of the more recent offerings from Altamira and Gallato (thinking mid-priced/affordable guitars here).

Thanks, Jamie

Jangle_Jamie · December 2023

crookedpinky · December 2023

Hi Jamie, I'm sure that all JWC guitars are made by Jeongwoo Cho. But there are two versions, one made under the partnership between two chaps - John Vickers and Tony Walker (I think) that's when they were branded Vintage Strings. Tony and Jeongwoo then st up JWC guitars.

I owned one of the Moreno guitars from Vintage Strings and while it was a lovely thing to look at, we'll maybe the orange stain was a bit strong, soundwise it didn't measure up. I remember there were posts about this particular guitar and model and the concensus was that either early models were better than later ones or vice versa but I can't remember which was which.

Later guitars built by Jeongwoo are much much better in my opinion. I suppose it all comes down to how much is being asked.

CraigHensley · December 2023

The earlier ones made by Jeongwoo Cho are better than the latter. They will be signed by him on the label, "J.Cho", or some variation.

Jangle_Jamie · December 2023

Thanks for the info. That's pretty much what I've read too. I've bought it and should have it in my hands on Thursday. I thought I'd take a chance as it was £300.

I will report back on what it is exactly and most importantly, how it sounds! If I think a heavy finish is holding it back, I may well do my usual trick of stripping the whole thing and finishing with shellac.

Then, to give me more problems, there's a nice looking David Hodson oval hole with flamed douka back and sides. Goodness knows what that sounds like, but it's a very reasonable £465. Pickup only, from Devon. That's about as far away as anyone can be from me in the UK!

lucky · December 2023

£465 for the Hodson is a steal. That barely covers the costs of the materials and Hodson was a good luthier.

I agree with crookedpinky, the early JWCs were nothing special, his more recent guitars have been excellent.

Jangle_Jamie · December 2023

Get yourself to Devon and it's yours!!!

Jangle_Jamie · December 2023

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/david-hodson-gypsy-jazz-guitar/1471287602

Jangle_Jamie · December 2023

Manouche Moreno arrived today. Impressions are: Heavy guitar, heavily built. Very similar to my Gallato RS1939 Angelo Debarre, but with a mahogany neck. Nice tuners and tailpiece. Traditional chunky neck. The top is thick and could do with 1mm taking off it, plus the thick layer of top coat! I will totally strip the guitar of all finish and take some thickness off the top. It plays nicely and feels good. The strings have probably been on it for a few years - dead! There's no label inside which is a shame. No sign there ever was one.

Oh, and I've bought the Hodson - picking it up tomorrow!

*must stop buying guitars

Scoredog · December 2023

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/19207/thoughts-on-vintage-strings-manouche-moreno-guitar

I had one and it was good, well worth what you paid for it. I sold it to a friend and he had the neck shaved down...that improved it more...I like the guitar a lot, especially at that price.