Italian born Antoine DiMauro (1900-1976) was fairly well known for building Mandolins and Guitars, moving to Paris in the height of the swing jazz era. DiMauro guitars are well known having a favorable price point compared to Selmers of the same vintage. These have become increasingly collectable, and more notable in playing circles.

Stamped "A DiMauro" in the back of the peg head near the volute, The St Louis Blues Model would be a "standard" offering in DiMauro's product line, as a full size yet budget model. A great player, it offers up a nice and interesting tone for a Manouche guitar - with more defined bass response, significant volume, and bright trebles. Constructed with a fully bound, tight grained spruce top, and carved flamed maple arched back - it is a well made instrument that will impress the most seasoned players. This example comes to us in very good well preserved condition. Notably, the bridge had been moved back at some point to accommodate the long 26" scale length intonation better - resulting in some finish touch up at the mustache extension on the bass side. The top shows two small sealed cracks near the treble side fingerboard extension which never traveled all the way through, and have been sealed from the top. Minor nicks and dings are present, but overall its been well preserved - the finish having a matte sheen, likely having been touched up in its distant past. It appears to have small, repaired nail holes in the top near the treble side waist. The binding is strong and not separated, but shows some mild wear. It appears the back has been off at some point in its past - with a slight separation present to the touch around the edge. The back and sides are constructed out of flamed maple, showing a bit more buffed sheen that has checking/crazing present in the finish namely at the elbow. There is some well repaired back cracks present, along side some buckle rash. More significant wear is present in the side nearest the bass side lower bout - including a repaired crack. Internally, one would note that the solid kerfing appears to have been reglued - which is likely the primary culprit for the back having been taken off. All together, the repair work is solid, and structurally has well preserved this instrument, maintaining the original integrity well.

The neck is constructed out of three piece Maple with what appears to be an ebony center strip. Interestingly the heel on this guitar is built from a separate piece, doweled in place to the neck block. The neck has a D style profile with a notably flat back. The profile measures .93" in depth at the first fret, tapering to about 1.12" at the ninth fret. The profile is clean and generally free of nicks and dings, with only a mild separation between the treble side maple ply and the center ebony - which could be addressed if one so chose. It has a thick ebony fingerboard with MOP inlay dots (likely one replaced) that is nice and straight showing slight divots towards the first position, and a few small cracks towards the extension nearest the third string. The frets themselves are clean, likely having been replaced in more recent times. The neck plays well, with a 1 11/16" nut width, again with a 26" scale length, the action measuring a comfortable 6-5/64" in height at the twelfth fret - the bridge standing tall. Original plate tuners present and in good functioning condition.

Includes newer hardshell case.