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so I’m looking into seriously buying my first gypsy jazz guitar, and the two that are on the table right now, is a studio model Barault, and the prospect of ordering a new Dupont MD 50. What I like about the Barault is the pliage, but I’m not just about the mahogany sides.
the Dupont MD 50 is a standard with all the usual specs, but without the pliage.
I want to make the most informed choice I can for my first gypsy jazz guitar because I want to keep it for a lifetime. Let me know your ladies and gentlemen,Last edited by KyOteSwing; 01-03-2024 at 09:50 AM.
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01-02-2024 05:30 PM
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If you got the scratch, Dupont.
Personally, I don’t care for mahogany guitars, though I have no experience with Beraults.
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Just get a dupont.
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Yep, DuPont is the gold standard. I have had mine for 20 years now.
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Thank U for the input… everyone I’ve spoken to seems to say the same thing about it, so that is what I’m gonna roll with. Appreciate the responses
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I feel the same way. I think that Indian Rosewood is much more the classic “sound” that one is after when they go for a gypsy jazz guitar. That was one of my main reservations about the Barault, as nice of a guitar as it is.
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Did you end up buying new or used?
Originally Posted by KyOteSwing
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Didn’t most all of the classic laminates have mahogany as a substrate? Curious if anyone knows how that layering of rosewood actually added to the sound?
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Few years ago I upgraded from a Asian built GJG and after playing several European and North American builds went with a 1998 Dupont MC-30 14. This model is a little different as it has solid Indian Rosewood back and sides. I'm the second owner, the first was a celebrity player. It's a outstanding instrument that's been around a campfire or 12.
If you ever decide to sell your upgrade, as SS pointed out, the Dupont is going to be much easier to sell. Kind of the Gibson of GJG's.
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I have also owned a Dupont for 20 years. Mine is a standard MD50, with a Dupont Bigtone bridge/pickup. It’s a fantastic sounding guitar, very responsive and quite loud acoustically. I’m not crazy about the amplified sound of the Bigtone, but it does allow you to get a somewhat acceptable amplified sound at higher volumes and doesn’t seem to affect the acoustic qualities of the guitar. I bought mine for all the reasons mentioned in this thread. They seem to be an extremely popular and respected brand, and after owning one, I understand why. I have noticed recently that there don’t seem to be any new Duponts available at the regular GJG dealers in North America. Has there been a supply problem as of late? Also, there don’t seem to be any used ones in stock at the same dealers either, so I assume the demand exceeds the supply. These are good reasons to try and get into a Dupont if you are in the market for a GJG.
Keith
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Both GJ dealers have been pretty light on stock in general the last few years. At one point you could buy directly from Dupont, if that's still the case that'd probably be the way to go. I'm looking at buying a Stringphonic (archtop, not Selmer style) in a few months and I'm buying directly from them instead of going through either dealer. It's faster and will come out a lot cheaper considering the current Yen exchange rate.
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Originally Posted by olejason
Keith
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Originally Posted by floatingpickup
From what I can recall that's still a decent savings over what either of the American dealers charge for them.
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I don't know how true the story is, however I heard there was some kind of labor dispute at the Dupont shop and it resulted in a slowdown of production. No timeframe was given, so this could have been years ago. Apparently over some working conditions.
Could be totally fake news.
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Originally Posted by olejason
Keith
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Duties & Customs charges in the US are kind of a crapshoot. Sometimes you'll get hit with fees and sometimes you won't. The rate itself depends on the country of origin. I ordered a $4k bass from Italy a few years ago which should have incurred fees but I never received a bill for anything. On the other hand I ordered a $200 gamba from China and had to pay fees.
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