1960s Jacques Favino

Here's an unusual Favino in great shape for it's age! It has a beautifully rich tone and is a breeze to play. 60s Favinos are hard to come by...so this one is really rare! Most Favinos were built in the 70s.

The label has been roughed up a bit and is no longer legible. It is with out a doubt a Jacques Favino from the 60s. What is left of the label is identical to the labels he used in the 60s. For comparison see: 1965 Jacques Favino

One very unusual aspect of this guitar is its shorter then normal scale length: 665mm. I've never seen a Modèle #10 with such a short scale. Some of Jacques Favino's other guitars had the Selmer scale length which is 670mm. But the more commonly seen Modèle #10 has a 675mm scale. It's also worth noting that JP Favino builds most of his guitars with 666mm scale...maybe he got this idea from his father? This guitar was probably custom ordered like this. Apprently Georges Brassens had Favino build his guitars with a 665mm scale, so maybe this was built for him?

As you would expect, the shorter scale on this guitar makes it very, very easy to play. It is strung with 11 gauge Argentines which rarely sound good on a Favino. Also, the action is exceptionally low at 2.75mm. It plays like butter with no buzzing...an amazing feat for a guitar of this age!

After playing dozens of these old Favinos I've come to the conclusion there are two basic types of Favino tones. One is the more commonly known sound which is very nasal, loud, and aggressive (the longer scale Favinos usually sound like this). The other is a more complex, warm, deep sound that is characteristic of the shorter scale Favinos (670mm and below). The Enrico Macias modele and the Favino owned by Han'sche Weiss were both like this. This Favino also has that warm complex tone. It's a really satisfying, full bodied, thick tone that really gives your single note lines a lot of depth and character. Also, the low end is nothing short of stunning! Big fat bass notes with nice definition and clarity. If I had to compare this guitar to a famous recording, I'd say it's the most similar to Stochelo Rosenberg's first recording: Seresta (I wonder if Stochelo's Favino had a 670mm or shorter scale?).

The rest of the body specs are typical Favino: 16 1/2" body with a 4" body depth. The back and sides are Indian Rosewood. The guitar has a three piece Maple neck.

The dot has been moved to the 9th fret and there is a strap pin in the heel.

The hardware was replaced with a DR tailpiece and Waverly style tuners.

The condition of the guitar is very good, especially considering most Favino's have suffered the proverbial "Gypsy life." The finish is original. There are two hairline cracks along the fingerboard (very common for Selmer type guitars.) These were repaired 16 years ago and are totally stable. It has it's share of dings, checking, and pick wear. But overall, it's pretty minimal considering the age of the guitar. Overall, it's a really nice looking instrument!


For more info see: https://shoppingcart.djangobooks.com/item--1960s-Jacques-Favino-14-Fret-Oval-...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Favino
• Selmer
• Gypsy
• Jazz
• Manouche
• Django
• Reinhardt

[loup57]

hi,no this guitar was not built for brassens.the brassens model is a classic guitar modified  for argentine string,the scale is 625mm.

[DjangoBooks]

Yes, I'm aware that Brassens played a classical model. I was just suggesting the idea that Brassens' model may have inspired this unusual Favino.

[DjangoBooks]

If I get a chance I'll film the Selmer too!

[loup57]

i think that guitar coud have been modified for antoine bonelli(guitarist for tino rossi),but matelo ferre,henri salvador or even joseph Reinhardt(brother of django) are strong possibility. Mr favino was mainly inspire by jean chauvet.

[claytw1]

You have to record a vid of that 1951 Selmer!!

Cheers from Texas~

[montereyjacques]

What a great sounding instrument!