This wonderful Favino style guitar was handmade by Canadian luthier Michael Collins. A graduate of the Roberto Venn school of luthiery, Collins was one of the first luthiers in North America to construct accurate copies of Selmer guitars. Collins is equally famous as both an instructor and luthier. He is currently teaching Selmer luthiery techniques at the Roberto Venn school. Collins' research on the subject is contained in his book Building a Selmer-Maccaferri Guitar as well as in his instructional video.
This example of Michael's work is a unique Favino style model loaded with high end features. The wood choices include a spruce top, European curly maple back and sides, and a maple neck. Additionally, the guitar is outfitted with premium Schaller Deluxe closed tuners and a DR tailpiece. The interior of the body is lacquered and attractive veneers decorate both the front (ebony) and back (Brazilian rosewood) of the headstock. There is a Schatten HFN-S2 pickup mounted on the underside of the top which is wired to the endpin jack.
The condition of this guitar is excellent. The top is very clean, with just some light scratches, pick wear, and a small ding or two. The back shows evidence of a removed strap button, with the hole now filled. The frets are lightly worn and still have plenty of life left in them.
This instrument is unique in that it has a short, 635mm scale, a 12 fret neck, and a wide 16 3/4" Favino style body. The result is an easy playing, short scale neck paired with an over-sized body that produces an unusually rich, dark tone. The bass response it particularly noteworthy, producing chords that are thick and warm with the sort of depth and projection that allow this guitar to fill any room with its luscious, full bodied tone. As you'd expect, the high end is very round and sweet, free of the edgy bite that many Gypsy guitars produce.
A French made guitar with these features would cost you at least $6K which makes this well preserved and gig ready instrument one of the best deals in the shop!
This is the CASH price...add 3% (4% for International orders) if you'd like to pay with a credit card.
Brand | Collins |
Year | 2006 |
Model Number | GB Favino "Texas Gypsy" |
Serial Number | 128 |
Sound Hole | D Hole |
Fret Neck | 12 Fret |
Condition | Excellent |
Size | 16 3/4" |
Scale Length | 635mm |
Nut Width | 1 3/4" |
Body Depth | 3 7/8" |
Top | Spruce |
Back and Sides | European Maple |
Neck | Maple |
Fingerboard | Ebony |
Binding | Walnut |
Finish | High Gloss |
Tailpiece | DR Gold |
Tuners | Schaller Deluxe (Gold) |
Action | 4mm |
Strings | Argentine 1510 |
Case | Hardshell |
Pickup(s) | Schatten HFN-S2 |
Truss Rod | Yes |
Weight | 4.35 lbs |
The original "Wegen" Gypsy Guitar pick. 3.5mm thick, 30mm long, 26mm wide.
The original Gypsy jazz strings! Used by Django Reinhard and nearly every other Gypsy guitarist.
Vintage Django tone for Selmer/Maccaferri D hole guitars.