New axe

bigeric

Off to see **** on Tuesday. Going to buy new guitar!. Will post pics upon my return.

bigeric

Wow! Drove 700 miles in 2 days. Got a killer axe, Played 20 high end gypsy guitars. UNREAL!
Busato Dupont Dell Arte Manouche etc.......More details to come......when I sober up!

bigeric

I picked up a Dell Arte Hommage yesterday. Master grade top. I drove down from Vegas to San Diego to visit with Alan Cola Dell Arte guitars. What an amazing cat. He had over 60 gypsy guitars in his shop. What a sight to walk into a room with nothing but Gypsy guitars! I was stunned. Alan was sitting in the middle of 20 or so lined up for me to play. I played many guitars over and over trying to pick one out. It was a difficult decision and honestly I changed my mind countless times.

He pulled out a 1940's Busato that was amazing. Gigantic neck wonderful sound. It played well and was still in good condition.

Then the Dupont 12 fret grand bouche. His personal guitar and not for sale. The Dupont was killer. I have only heard recordings of these guitars and this was a winner.

Then the Latcho Drom Manouche came up. These guitars have quite a reputation already. Punchy, loud, bright and dry an excellent voice. One had a walnut neck I think. They both were Rosewood.
I really liked these a lot.

A used Mateos I believe. Very nice guitar well balanced softer sound.

All the Dell Artes were excellent. I really don't remember them all in detail.
They all had different voices. All unique. A Rosenberg model was very nice.
I was most interested in the Hommage. He had 2 studio models. Favino sized bodies with a matte finish. Less trim etc. They were great. One Hommage studio had a cedar top with walnut neck and petit bouche. This guitar almost came home with me.

I also played a music link Hommage it was surprisingly good.

At the end I chose the Hommage with the master grade top D hole the sound just killed me.
Alan had his luthier Scott install a bigtone pickup and do a setup while we went out for lunch. Alan filled up the gig bag pocket with picks, strings, DVD'S and CD'S.

Got in my car and drove 5 hours back to Vegas..........

HCQ

Congrats!

Heretic

It sounds like you had a splendid time, and well worth the trip.
It's interesting that you picked a model that Michael Horowitz has been telling us is so good. From the videos that he posted, I would have to agree.
Congratulations!

David F.

Does he have any short-scale guitars in the Dell Arte line?

bigeric

The Hommage has a huge sound. It is just amazing. I have been looking to buy a new guitar for several months. I almost ordered a guitar from AJL. After watching the videos on this site I personally was knocked out by the Dell Arte Hommage. I have only been playing Gypsy style guitar for 2 years. But I have been playing jazz guitar for many many years. I really wanted to be able to play as many GJ guitars as I could hence the trip to see Alan Cola at Dell Arte. I am still knocked out from playing so many guitars one after the other. It was unreal to walk in and see an entire room filled with GJ guitars. Every Dell Arte I played was a keeper. It just comes down to what you want to spend.
BTW after playing the Hommage all morning I picked up my Cigano. Its a really nice axe as well.
Its a completely different animal of course.

I did not see every Dell Arte guitar so if you want to know if he has short-scale guitar you would need to contact him.

Pugs47

I have a 14 fret short scale d-hole hommage in flame maple. Alain has lots of stuff in the pipe-line and can quickly accomodate custom orders. Call him, he's a great businessman. I've purchased six guitars from him in the last five years. Three of which I still have. I had both the MusicLink Nolan and d-hole and they were unbeatable for the price. Only sold them to upgrade.