Jacques Castelluccia came from a lineage of instrument builders in France - beginning with his grandfather Francesco building fine violins. This skill set was given generation to generation, and resulted in some very fine Gypsys Jazz instruments being built by Jacques in the 1960's before he would focus more efforts on concert classical guitars, and ultimately teaching the following generation (currently operated by Jacques son, Jean-Baptiste). Jacques Castelluccia famously met with Django Reinhardt, and would become a recognized figure in the Parisian luthier world. We are proud to see one of these rare instruments. This example is not heavily appointed, and features a casual Spruce top with Mahogany back & sides. Once upon a time, this guitar appeared to have been outfitted with a more traditional (likely Selmer style) tailpiece. This would dramatically alter the tonality of this instrument, and it appears to have been original braced for that. At some point in this instruments near 60 year life span, the bridge was converted over to a more standard, albeit large, Classical type bridge, and outfitted with nylon strings. The bridge is lifting, but has been structurally stable with its previous owner for years, and appears to be holding. There is plenty of saddle height currently, and it is actually shimmed - the next owner might entertain fitting this with a solid saddle appropriate for their playing. This instruments top has began to buckle, which is not too uncommon for any gypsy guitar as the tops are uniquely thin and braced sparingly. A slight belly behind the bridge is present, along with a hard to see center seam crack that has been cleated internally. The southern side of the sound hole, near the bridge, has also sunken. There is a repaired crack parallel to the fingerboard extension on the bass side (which runs parallel to the 6th string by the 15th fret).
Given its condition, it is listed as is - as some decisions are best left to its next owner. Regardless, the instrument sounds very impressive, with plenty of volume, balanced basses and trebles, appropriate for rhythm or lead playing (even with the nylon strings it is strung with). Cosmetically the guitar is in good shape with typical blemishes in it, what appears to be, varnish finish. It has a three piece neck (Mahogany & Rosewood), with a thick ebony fingerboard, and the original frets present. The fretboard and frets are clean with insignificant wear, having likely been strung nylon most of its life.
The action at the twelfth fret measures 7/64" in height evenly on the 1st and 6th string. It has a 650mm scale length with a 49.5mm nut width. The neck has a C profile with broad shoulder, and measures .90" thick at the first position, and about 1" at the 11th fret before the curvature of the heel. This is a unique 14 fret to the body guitar. It has a body depth of 3 15/16" at the butt end of the body, and 3 5/8" by the neck. The top measures 15.25" across at the lower bout.
Weighs 3.3lbs.
Comes with a hardshell case.