1979 Favino Petite Bouche Gypsy Jazz Guitar Selmer Manouche Style Django Guitare

This stunning 1979 Favino guitar is a prime example of a REAL vintage Django Reinhardt style Gypsy Jazz guitar! It was crafted during the transitional phase of the Favino workshop. Jacques Favino retired around 1978. His son Jean-Pierre carried on making guitars in his father's style. This particular guitar has a Jacques Favino label but was probably made by Jean-Pierre just after his retirement. 

This guitar is still from Jacques’ modele #10 era, which gained legendary status among top musicians from the 1960s and 70s. However it deviates in important ways. In the 1980s, Jean-Pierre started experimenting with various design modifications, which eventually led to the creation of his modern modele S.

One of his most important modifications to the design was to move to a 666 mm from the traditional 675 scale length. This eased the playability of his instruments without sacrificing tone and power. This unique example is one of the very first to feature this change! The body also seems just a hair smaller than a typical Modele #10, which makes it feel very comfortable in playing position. 

Scale length: 26.22 in. (666 mm.)
Nut Width 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.)
Lower Bout: 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm.)
Overall length: 39 13/16 1n. (101 cm.)
End Block Depth: 4 1/8 in. (10.48 cm.)
Serial Number: 658

One remarkable aspect of this instrument is its dry clarity and focus on powerful fundamental notes throughout the scale. This is a highly desirable feature of the best guitars of this style. 

Like many guitars of this age and style, it has lived a life making music! It has scratches, dings and wear throughout, consistent with normal use, as well as several professionally sealed top cracks. These signs of use in no way impede the tone and sheer power of this fine instrument.

The rarely seen original bridge and some shims are also included. A new precision fit bridge is currently on the instrument, and it’s set up perfectly with ideal action for the style! There is a small wire hole under the bridge from a previous Big Tone pickup installation. A lovely set of vintage SB tuners of the correct vintage cover evidence of a variety of tuner sets being on this guitar throughout its life. A slightly oversized near new archtop style hard shell case is included.

Very Good (VG) Condition