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2018 DeFurne Millesime

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SN# 19318

Body size at lower bout: 17", Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .81/.85

Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain Euro spruce top; hand graduated solid Euro curly maple back and sides; solid flame maple neck with walnut centerstripe; solid ebony fingerboard; pearl headstock logo and fret inlays; 7-ply body binding; Macassar ebony truss rod cover.

Hardware: Solid ebony hardware includes deco-design tailpiece and compensated adjustable ebony bridge; multi-bound pickguard; gold Schaller 16:1 locking tuners; Kent Armstrong floating humbucker with thumbwheel volume and tone controls, 1/4" endpin jack.

Notes: After a full-time career as a performing guitarist, French luthier Gerard DeFurne left the footlights to master the art of violin making with celebrated artisan Laurent Kappler. Now from his workshop in Marseille, DeFurne applies the art of hand graduation and tap tuning to the soundboards of his meticulously crafted archtop guitars.

This instrument is DeFurne's top-line model, the Milleisme (or Vintage), a full depth Venetian cutaway guitar in the classic tradition, carved of all Euro tonewoods, including the bookmatched curly maple body and neck, with a hand-graduated tap-tuned quartersawn spruce top. The back shows exceptional bookmatched flame figure, and the neck is criscrossed with rollers of barber-pole flame.

The pickguard, tailpiece and bridge are all carved of solid black ebony, to match the pearl inlaid fingerboard. The peghead, fingerboard extension, and tailpiece are all notched asymmetrically as well, echoing the style of the prewar Epiphone Masterbilts. Upscale touches include the ornately inlaid rear peghead facing, and the heel extension on the back plate, as seen on Gibson's ultra-premium Citation model. And of course, the pearl inlaid Pegasus, perched prominently on the peghead, bien sur.

At just 5lb. 7oz. the guitar is phenomenally light in weight, particularly for a full depth 17" body. Careful graduation and lightweight bracing give this guitar a remarkably lively voice, clear and brilliant, with exceptional detail and projection. The neck profile is particularly inviting: a gently flattened D, with remarkably consistent taper up its range, and smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup. Best of all, the nimble 24 3/4" scale, quite rare in a 17" guitar, is ideal for fast solos and stretch chords.

The instrument has 100% original finish, hardware and electronics, free of cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The vintage style true nitro lacquer finish is masterfully shaded from rim to rim, and apart from some light lateral checking on top, the instrument is without other signs of age or play altogether.

A rare find this side of the pond, and an exceptional value in a pro-quality full sized carved archtop. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe black arched plush hardshell case.

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