Montpellier Jazz
I designed this guitar to achieve the sound of both the Oval hole Selmer guitar and also the D hole Maccaferri guitar in one guitar, depending on the strength with which the strings are played. This also allows the Montpellier guitar to be versatile for other jazz styles.
The guitar has a modern feel with a comfortable "C" profile neck and is equipped with 24 frets joining the body at the 14th. The offset elliptical soundhole, combined with the open bracing system, gives this guitar a tremendous volume and tone. The guitar produces clear ringing trebles with a sharp attack, smooth balanced bass and also a great sustain when required.
The Montpellier guitar is played and also endorsed by John Etheridge (Sweet Chorus) and Blake Wilner (the Puppini Sisters and Blake Wilner Group). You can hear the Montpellier guitar on the album "Small Hotel" by John Etheridge - Sweet Chorus.
SPECIFICATIONS
Selected European Spruce
Laminated Indian Rosewood back and sides
Rosette with rosewood and BWB purflings
Rosewood bindings
High gloss finish
Macasser ebony fingerboard with bound edges
Macasser ebony headplate wit inlaid "toon" logo
Bi-directional truss rod
Bone nut and saddle
Gotoh 510 tuners
Scale length 660mm
Nut width 46mm
Gypsy Jazz - Oval Hole
This is a Selmer-type Oval hole guitar, with 14 frets to the body.
Internal bracing is as the original guitars and is then "tuned" to achieve the real gypsy sound typified by Django Reinhardt.
SPECIFICATIONS
Selected European Spruce top with hand made rosette
Body with laminated Indian Rosewood back and sides and wooden bindings and purflings. Inside of body is lacquered as the original guitars
Mahogany neck with Rosewood/Maple centre section
Neck stiffening bars and also bi-directional truss rod
Ebony fingerboard
670mm scale length
Width at nut 46mm
"Grover" Sta-tite tuners
High gloss finish
Hard case
Gypsy Jazz - D Hole
This is a "Grande Bouche" style guitar with 12 frets to the body. The bracing has been optimised to achieve the loud punchy rhythm sound of these guitars.
The guitar is also available fitted with an internal resonator - by request - and I also build a Nylon String version of this guitar.
SPECIFICATIONS
Selected spruce top with optimised bracing and hand made rosette
Body having laminated Indian Rosewood back and sides with a lacquered interior
Mahogany neck with stiffening bars and a bi-directional truss rod
Ebony fingerboard with MOP position markers
Macasser ebony headplate with inlaid "Toon" logo
640mm scale
48mm nut width
"Grover sta-tite" tuners
High gloss finish
Hard case
Gypsy Jazz - Oval Hole
Gypsy Jazz - D Hole
This is a review by Chris Quinn who plays one of my Gypsy Jazz guitars.
