Fun guitar musings: Barault, Dupont, or Favino?

flaco · April 4

We've got a thread going about how "everyone is better than me" (https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/21334/everyone-is-better-than-me), and I should be practicing, but it's easier to sit and dream about guitars. Let's say a person had up to $10k to spend on a guitar, what would be the pros and cons of a Barault Brazilian vs. Dupont VRB vs. like a 70's Favino? I've read all the forum posts so I kind of know some generalities, but I'm wondering if someone has more direct experience with these choices. From the sound samples I've heard I think I actually prefer the Barault. Even though the guitar is bright, there is a lower pitched, dry attack that gives it a very full sound:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uYlEn1T-qE

And here is the same player (Jon) on his Favino:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ujTzAfdC4

And here's a pretty good solo recording of the Dupont. This sounds great, but it's more of the brightness without that low-end thump of the Barault:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh0pcl64rHE

What I find interesting is that I haven't seen anyone really stick with a Barault for a long time. Bireli jumps around to all different makers, Jon sold his, Duved was playing one for a while and is now on the Dupont. In general I prefer a more traditional sound and players who play in the older style: Fapy, Duved, etc. My experience with dreadnaughts tells me no matter how good the modern guitar sounds, a good vintage guitar will always beat it AND appreciate in value. I'm not sure if that's true in the Gypsy jazz world.

lucky · April 4

To be honest I expect most of them sold them for the money, 10k is a lot to have tied up in a guitar and it’s not practical for bring on the road when there are cheaper options or endorsements.

If it was me, playing fantasy guitar, I would look out for a Selmer at auction, they still come up from time to time and I’ve seen them go for about 10k.

geese_com · April 4

I sent you a message 😀

DoubleWhisky · April 4

Just a little detail, when i saw Duved play last year he played a 1934 Henri Selmer :)

littlemark · April 4

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120700#Comment_120700

Send me a message too!!

geese_com · April 4

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120703#Comment_120703

ok

billyshakes · April 4

Well many of us know that @geese_com has direct experience with Jon's exact guitar from the video above. He's had a lot of these through his hands so his dm is probably pretty good to have.

flaco · April 4

Yes, that Favino is still for sale and the one I had been looking at!

wim · April 4

I've been playing my Barault for about 12 years. Owned about 5 other guitars before (including another Barault) but I sold them all when I got the current one, now I'm monogamous :) no reason to have inferior guitars sitting around unplayed, when I would always reach for the best one.

I can give you some background on these guitars, having played that Barault and that Favino (but I'm not sure about that particular Dupont). Jon's an old bandmate and we've played countless gigs around Melbourne. That Barault is excellent, it was the best guitar I'd ever tried in 2011 and it's the one which inspired me to order my (first) Barault originally. It was made for Bireli, but I presume the instrument didn't meet his satisfaction, so it found its way to Caravan guitars. I'm not sure who owns it now, but I hope it's a player and not a collector.

I can tell you Jon's problem with it: too much bass heavy. He preferred the piercing treble sound of the Favino. Personally I didn't agree with him and found his Barault to be far superior to his Favino, but then again I never liked that nasal Favino sound - so a lot of it comes down to personal preferences.

Duved is currently playing Selmer #291, but you're correct that he played a Dupont for a short time in between his Barault and his Selmer. I will DM you some more context about that.