2011 Bob Holo Busato

Bob has made a name for himself over the last few years as an aficionado of the Franco-Italian guitar designs of Selmer, Maccaferri, Busato, Favino, etc. He spent years studying vintage Selmer style guitars including nearly every Selmer, Favino, and Busato that has come through our shop. He has taken on the challenge of making new guitars that have the elusive and ineffable qualities heard in the very best vintage Selmer type guitars. Few will doubt he has been incredibly successful in his quest, as his guitars are now in the hands of many of today's leading players: Rocky Gresset, Mathieu Chatelain, Neil Andersson, Alfonso Ponticelli, etc. Bob has essentially been a "luthier for the stars" these past few years...but now you can take home one of these gems yourself!

This guitar is Bob's most meticulous Busato copy to date. This instrument is based on extensive research of the best surviving examples of Busato's famous model #44 (Grand Modele) guitar. This guitar is a bench copy of Bob's own personal vintage 1940s Busato (which is an amazing guitar in its own right.) He copied every detail, especially the construction of the top and the braces. It doesn't get more authentic than this!

The proportions are that of a classic Busato: 16 1/4" body, 4" body depth, 675mm scale.

The top is spruce, back and sides are highly figured cocobolo, and the neck is walnut with a rosewood spline. The top has the classic Busato bombé (top arch.) The arch is particularly massive on this guitar!

The most noteworthy feature is the very pronounced arch in the back of the guitar. This is the first Holo guitar I've seen with this feature (nearly all Busatos have a similar arched back.)

The bridge is compensated for better intonation.

There is no truss rod, but the neck is reinforced with carbon strips which will keep it eternally straight. The fingerboard is made of ebony.

This guitar also features a Favino style rosewood pickguard. Ingeniously, Bob installed the pickguard before tuning the top. This avoids the age old problem of pickguards altering the sound of a pre-tuned top.



Playability is ultra smooth with 3.2mm action and 10 gauge Argentine strings (the E and B strings are from a heavier 11 gauge set).



The sound of this guitar is classic Busato all the way! It is rather dry with a very clear, simple tone. Lead lines are bright and singing but not harsh. Bass notes are gutsy, defined, and deep with lots of Gypsy attitude. Overall the tone has a balance which is ideal...this is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best guitars Bob has made!



All in all,  a fabulous guitar for a price far below what most luthiers charge for fine work like this.

This is the CASH price...add 3% (4% for International orders) if you'd like to pay with a credit card