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2003 Charles Shifflett Grand Bouche

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Serial #: 150, hand signed by the builder. Body size at lower bout: 16" (410mm) Body depth: 4" (112mm) Scale length: 25 3/16" (640mm) Nut width: 1 3/4" (43mm) Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: 79/.88

Materials: Solid fine grained Englemann spruce top; solid highly figured Macassar ebony back, sides and headplate; solid Spanish cedar neck; solid ebony fingerboard; figured Bocote soundhole rosette; clear scratchplate.

Hardware: Nickel Waverly 16:1 Sta-Tite style butterbean tuners; chrome tailpiece with Macassar insert; compensated ebony bridge; adjustable truss rod.

Notes: Starting in the late 1960's, Michael Dunn virtually single-handedly jump-started the revival of Selmer/Macafferri style guitars in North America. The single most imaginative builder in the world of Gypsy jazz guitars, Dunn worked in the classical and flamenco style of his Spanish teachers, using only the difficult and laborious hand rubbed French polish technique, just like the finest violin builders. And boasting celebrity players like Chet Atkins himself, what more needs to be said?

To say there's been a Dunn school of Northwest luthiers is not an understatement, it's literally true: he created the instrument construction program at Douglas College in Vancouver, BC, where he mentored an outstanding group of young luthiers. Among them is Shelley Park, famed worldwide for her elegantly crafted Selmer style guitars and ukes. And of no less stature is Chuck Shifflett, who has crafted instruments of surpassing quality from his own workshop near Calgary.

This striking guitar is an adaptation of the original Selmer/Maccaferri Grand Bouche design, updated for the contemporary player with a 14 fret neck, adjustable truss rod, and a solid peghead, for easier restringing (yes!) Very much in the Dunn tradition, the guitar is fitted with his signature lattice-braced back, hand made hex bolt tailpiece, and a lightweight Spanish cedar neck, a nod to his own mentors in the classical tradition. And most dramatically, Shifflett's choice of rare and spectacularly figured Macassar ebony for the body echoes Dunn's fondness for exotic and eyecatching tonewood from around the planet.

The soundboard is hand graduated from fine grained Englemann spruce, liberally interwoven with crossgrain silk, and inlaid with a handsome soundhole rosette of tropical Bocote hardwood. The solid ebony fingerboard is inlaid with classic diamond position markers, with smooth, low action over an elegant, gently flattened D profile neck, a generous 1/34" nut, and a fresh high precision setup. The compensated moustache bridge is dark ebony as well, with the peghead graced by a figured Macassar facing and fleur-de-lis inlay, a stylish touch.

The instrument has all original hardware and finish, and has been well maintained, without cracks or repairs. A clear scratchplate has been fitted between the soundhole and bridge, covering a bit of gypsy style pick wear, apart from which the instrument shows notably little playwear otherwise. The voice is particularly clear and open, with excellent brilliance and projection, aided by the exceptional stiffness of the hard ebony back and sides. At just 4lb 5oz, the guitar is nicely light and well balanced, thanks in part to the lightweight Spanish cedar neck, one that will never dive on you.

And since quality like this deserves nothing less than the best, the guitar is equipped with costly top-drawer Waverly butterbean tuning keys, and a custom fitted ultra-premium Calton flight case, a more than $1500 value alone.

Having devoted his considerable energies to his meticulous craft, rather than his marketing, Shifflett remains one of the best kept secrets of North American luthiery. And best buys, too. Discover for yourself: one only, call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with light silvered steel strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference.

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