Maurice Dupont MD50E

(Originally written by seba.j/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
- The MD50E (by Maurice Dupont) is a French instrument made in Cognac.

The fingerboard has 22 frets. I use it with a Stimer pickup also made by MD. The sound is very clean but I find the instrument tends to sound too much like an electric. It's a pity for an acoustic instrument. But I must also mention that I use a Laney LC50 amp, which isn't really conceived for acoustic instruments.

The edge of the body begins at the 15th fret.

- An additional bridge is provided with the guitar but the first one doesn't seem to wear away...

Features:

- Curly or birdseye multi-ply maple back and sides (mine has a wonderful curly maple)

- French spruce top

- Curly maple neck with wonderful ebony fingerboard. This pleasant neck reminds me a Gibson LP

- Glossy varnish (very fragile)

- Brass tailpiece

- Golden machine heads (very good quality)

- Sold with a case (average quality compared with the guitar)

UTILIZATION

- Slim (see above).

- Easy access to the upper frets thanks to the cutaway (at least up to the A of the thinest string, above that you'll have to place your thumb on the back of the neck).

- This Selmer copy is very ergonomic. You'll understand why Django Reinhardt chose this body shape.

The guitar is very light.

- The instrument produces the typical gypsy sound, which it can't be described, just listen to it! It produces exactly the sound I wanted. No other guitar I've ever played gave me this sound. However, before buying it I hesitated between the MD and the Puga Alves DR670, which is also made of curly maple.

I find the lows could be more powerful but I'm still looking for the right string set.

The sound is VERY accurate from the first to the last fret.

SOUNDS

- Does it fit my music style? Yes it does!

- I don't know how to answer this question... I just love the sound of this guitar.

OVERALL OPINION

- I've been playing it daily for over one year and I'm addicted.

- I will only mention what I like least (everything else belongs to the pros of the guitar): the varnish is quite delicate. If you want your instrument to stay in a perfect condition for a long time, you'll have to cover everything with soft cloth... But that's the price you pay for such a high-quality sound. And when you look at the guitars of renowned artists you understand that the sound is the only thing that matters. Nevertheless, I talked about it with M. Dupont, whom I met during a festival in June 2008, and rubbing and varnishing the guitar is not expensive considering the instrument's price.

- I tried out many guitars in a short period but I had never tested a gypsy guitar. I'll test other instruments in the future.

- When I bought it I thought the guitar was expensive but guitars above a certain price do sound much better... The value for money is perfect but I only compared it to budget guitars.

- I'm sure I would buy it again. If I ever want to buy another guitar I'll buy one of the same brand and perhaps made of some other wood.

-The MD50E (Maurice Smith) is French and has Cognac.
"It is a 21 boxes (22 frets). I use a micro Stimer manufactured also in MD, but I find that the sound (although nickel) loses its nature and become like that of an electric. Shame for acoustics. At the same time, I have a Laney LC50 which is not really made for acoustics.
It is a 14 boxes before the edge of the box.
-A second bridge comes with the guitar, why not, but the first does not seem to wear ... it wears out?
Features:
- Back & Sides flamed maple plywood or speckled (mine is wavy, beautiful)
- Spruce French
- Curly maple neck, ebony fingerboard beautiful to the top of the head bright. I do not lose comfort from the LP Custom or stratum.
- High gloss (very fragile as fine)
- Cordier quality brass
- Mechanical golden (good quality too)
- Supplied in a case (quality too)

UTILIZATION

- Damn, I answered the question about holding the handle on top.
- Access to acute is easy thanks to the cutaway at least until the early string, you must let go after the run.
- Excellent ergonomics, a copy of Selmer, one can see why Django has chosen this form.
It is very light.
- The sound that comes out is very characteristic gypsy, but it can not be explained, we must listen! Anyway, that's what I expected of her and I have not found trying several famous brands in Paris. I hesitated but with Alves de Puga DR670 in curly maple that I could also try at Guitar village where the seller is very friendly and the price more competitive.
I think however that it may lack power in the bass, but I'm still looking in the string sets.
Otherwise, the sound is very accurate and it hardly moves (provided it is in the same room at the same temperature, etc ...)

SOUNDS

-If it fits my style? Obviously yes!
-Here there are no switches or Tune, a single sound, good.
I'm not sure what to say again that I love the sound of this guitar, but no one has that of Django o)
If I change, it will be to go for a ride in Cognac to try his big sisters.
In fact, I saw his dad at the festival in Samois Django in June 2008. Very nice.

OVERALL OPINION

- It's been a little over a year since I played with every day, it's a drug.
- I'll just talk about what I like least, everything else is in the best: the fragility of the varnish. For those who love the instrument is nine long, unfortunately it will line the piece of velvet ... This is the price for this quality of sound. Moreover, when looking at the G. .. guitar artist, there is the sound that matters. Nevertheless, I asked Mr. Smith that I met Samois Festival in June 2008, and a sanding / refinishing full cost around € 570 which is low compared to the price of the instrument.
- I tried so many models, but in a short time, and without the experience of playing a gypsy, and I confess that on this one, I had a lot of luck. I will try the expericence in some time to try others.
- I found rather expensive purchase, but the sound changes past the barrier of € 2000 and there was more of the barrier 3000 also ... Value for money is of course nickel, but I have not tried guitar at € 300 for comparison.
- I will not repeat my choice, that's for sure. If I change one day, at least to use the same brand and perhaps another type of wood.