Jean Barault 2009 Selmer style Oval Hole Guitar

The sound of this instrument is among the best Selmer copies being made today. It's no wonder Biréli chose to endorse Barault guitars as they offer a very traditional Selmer sound but have the playability of an ultra smooth archtop.

The tone is just spectacular on this guitar. Barault has achieved a delicate balance between stinging highs and rounded lows. Most guitars favor one or the other while this one has a biting high end when you need it for lead, but at the same time there are all these thick lower mids that make the chords sound super fat! The guitar is very full and satisfying yet still projects just as loud as a Dupont Vieille Reserve. In contrast to Duponts, the Barault is more "open" in tone....it has a swirling complexity that is really unique. A somewhat "boxy" sound whereas a Dupont is ultra dry and direct.

Barault is one of the very few luthiers today actually making Selmer copies with a real pliage. He uses the method that Selmer did...the top is bent with a hot iron which creates a fold, or "pliage," in the top just under the bridge. 99% of Selmer copies being made today have forced tops which generally don't have the punch, volume, and quick attack that the pliage tops have.

It is currently strung with Argentine 11 gauge strings. Action is very, very low at 2.8mm...but is buzz free and sounds great at this height. As you would expect, the guitar plays very, very easily.

I have never ever had a Selmer style guitar that can be setup so low and still sound this good. If you're looking for the ultimate in playability than this is it...takes so little effort to play yet still sounds amazing!

Barault certainly wins the award for weight...this guitar is feather weight at only 3.8 pounds! Hard to find anyone making guitars that lightweight today. The lower weight allows the guitar to resonate freely....no wonder it sounds so good!

This is the CASH price...add 3% (4% for International orders) if you'd like to pay with a credit card

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3250 NW 59th St Seattle, Washington 98107 United States

Telephone: 206-528-9873 Fax: 206-528-9873