Yes, the Creme de la Creme de la Creme.
This is the award winning Vielle Reserve Brazilian that originally sold for $7000 on gypsyguitars.com. I acquired it a year ago, but now I need money, so...
Anyway, it's probably the nicest guitar I've ever played. It's a little scuffed on the back, and there were some hairline fissures where the neck meets the body, and also under one of the moustaches, but I've had them repaired by master luthier Rodrigo Shopis. Apparently this happens to a lot of Gypsy guitars when the weather changes.
I'm kind of on the fence about selling it. I'm curious to try new instruments, but unless I can find a a suitable replacement guitar, and unless someone makes me a really great offer, i'm probably going to keep it.
Here are the photos that were on Jacques' website. There's also an article in which this particular guitar (VRB #62) beat out the competition in a UK guitar magazine called "Guitar Buyer":
Www.alexsimonmusic.com
Learn how to play Gypsy guitar:
http://alexsimonmusic.com/learn-gypsy-jazz-guitar/
Comments
Learn how to play Gypsy guitar:
http://alexsimonmusic.com/learn-gypsy-jazz-guitar/
Learn how to play Gypsy guitar:
http://alexsimonmusic.com/learn-gypsy-jazz-guitar/
"This is the first Brazilian VR I get.. and as always, Maurice is using the best materials for the VR series.. 100 year old air dried European spruce, the Brazilian rosewood is gorgeous.. the European walnut of the neck is equally beautiful and figured.. the Ebony is the best he can get.. and so on.. all the knowledge and experience is going into making these guitars... and the result is here.. outstanding in every way..this guitar was entered in a lineup by the British magazine "Guitar Buyer".. the result was that it crushed the competition, coming in as the clear frontrunner.. not just for appearance, craftsmanship and material, but for SOUND... OHSC $7000.00 SOLD"
Learn how to play Gypsy guitar:
http://alexsimonmusic.com/learn-gypsy-jazz-guitar/
Mike A
He also said that this guitar had a sound that is very close to the original Selmer in it's tone. It cuts through in a live situation and really shines when recorded. It likes low action and is very easy to play...which might have something to do with why Bireli used a Vielle Reserve.
I showed it to Marc Ribot and after a playing a few notes he said "Oh yeah..you can tell immediately."
Learn how to play Gypsy guitar:
http://alexsimonmusic.com/learn-gypsy-jazz-guitar/
Learn how to play Gypsy guitar:
http://alexsimonmusic.com/learn-gypsy-jazz-guitar/
This is the short review from Guitar Buyer October 2004,