1938 Busato???

M. van de Wijdeven

Hello everybody,

A few weeks ago I bought an old guitar. The previous owner told me that it belonged to Lulu Reinhart. Lulu got it from his grandfather when Lulu was 6 years old. Supposedly it was Django himself who has also played this guitar. The seller beleved it's a 1938 Busato, but wasn't sure.

Is there anyone who can tell me more about this guitar. All information is welcome.
To me it looks like a Busato, but to me it could also be a Di Mauro.

Michael Bauer

If Michael doesn't know, I'd contact Jacques Mazzoleni at gypsyguitars.com or one of the many experts in Europe (Francois Charles, for example). I am certain of two things. It is not a Busato, nor is it a di Mauro. Both use pointed headstocks (although the angles are different), and I have never seen or heard of them doing otherwise. Your headstock is rounded at the end. Also, every Busato I have ever played, and both that I own have a laminated neck, with a center strip of wood running right up the middle of the neck. I have seen Busatos with multiple strips in the middle, but never one with a "one piece" neck like yours appear to be. The same is true of di Mauros, both by Antoine and Joseph (the elder). You can easily see this if you check out the photos at Jacques' site. The tuners, if original, are also not like any I've seen on a Busato.

It could well have been made in Mirencourt, but that's just a guess. Perhaps another reader here will know more. I wish I could tell you it was a Busato, or even a di Mauro, but I'm as certain as I can be that it is neither. I hope someone can tell you what it is. It's probably still be a great guitar though.

As far as the age, who knows. It could be anything from the 1930's to the 1970's. I can't tell if the fretboard is original, because those inlays look Favino-inspired. It's much more likely a post-war guitar, though, if I had to guess. Maybe late-40's to early 50's. I wish I could be more helpful, but that's the best I can do. Here's hoping another better informed reader can get you closer to the truth.

Michael

MichaelHorowitz

I agree with Michael that it's probably not a Busato. It's hard to tell with Busato as he made so many variations. There are some Busato's with one piece necks and untapered heels, but the body shape, headstock shape, sound hole shape, fret markers, etc of this guitar don't really fall in line with what you normally see with Busatos. Michael is probably right, it is probably an anonymous Mirecourt guitar of some sort.

Pretty much EVERY Gypsy will tell you Django played their guitar.

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M. van de Wijdeven

Yes, I also thougt it was a story that's hard to swallow. :?
I live in the Netherlands an bought it in Germany.
I'll try to contact Lulu Reinhardt , who lives in Germany, and see if he recognizes the guitar.

I'll also contact gypsyguitars.com and see what their vision is.

frater

I agree with Michael: I would say the guitar was made in Mirecourt probably in the 50s. It doesn't look like Sicilian school... the cutaway execution and the fact that the guitar seems a little bit thinner than a standard Selmer reminds me slightly of a guitar I saw once labelled J.M. Brun but I'm pretty sure that was the name of the shop who sold them in St. Etienne-
In any case, it's a one of a kind guitar, has a very beautiful old top and whoever built it knew his job very well. So you probably made a good deal...

And, about Django having played it, you should see the film "Swing" by Tony Gatlif!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI7S1Iu3Eow

redblues

I'm impressed by the big mans acting skills

frater

Tchavolo is a natural...

crookedpinky

Hi there, I would suggest this a guitare by Henri Miller, the body shape and the headstock are what initially prompted me to think this but then - when looking for a picture to substantiate my thoughts - I found this

http://www.benoit-de-bretagne.com/phpBB ... 801047a739

Apart from the fact it's an oval hole I would suggest that the "Busato" is in fact a Miller. I think the rosette is very similar but I do think the heel has been replaced on the "Busato" along with the fingerboard as I've never seen a Miller with a rounded end - or an oval hole for that matter.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. And yes Tchavolo is magnificent in Swing........eat your heart out Tom Cruise

Michael Bauer

I'd say you got it spot on! Everything about it seems right.

M. van de Wijdeven

I also think you're right!
I found a couple of pictures from Miller guitars with the exact same rosette and headstock-shape!!!

I've send out an email to gypsyguitars.com. Maybe they can tell me more, and I've also send out an email to the management of Lulu Reinhardt ans see if he recognizes the guitar.

p.s. Lulu Reinhardt from the RIGO WINTERSTEIN & LULU REINHARDT SWINGTETT and not the younger latin guitarist...

M. van de Wijdeven

I't almost unbelievable, bur I recieved amazing news from Lulu:

hallo guten tag.ja stimmt die guitar war von lulu reinhardt.die hat sein opa von die reinhardt clan.von django rein hardt gekauft 1940 in paris.django hat selber auf diese gitarre gespielt.und alte lp platten da kann mann sehen das django auf diese guitar gespielt hat..lulu sagt dieser guitar ist sehr gut und sehr schön.viele grüsse von lulu und rigo.

ihre rigo winterstein swingtett

I'll translate:
Hello, That's right. The guitar was Lulu Reinhardt's. He got it from his grandfather. His grandfather bought it from Django in 1940 in Paris. Django himeself has played this guitar, and on old records you can see Django playing this guitar. Lulu says its a great guitar. Greetings Lulu and Rigo

Is there anyone here who can confirm this?????? :? :? :?