Beneteau MJ Fanfret (Italian/ABW) *Video Added*

[Dustinfurlow]

Marc installing the final Snakewood appointments:



Saddle goin' in!


Feeling so satisfied this theme exceeded my expectations:

Final photos to come soon before she heads south across the border!

[Treenewt]

Man, Dustin...that looks stellar! I know you're stoked!

[islandguitar]

Wonderful, Dustin!! The wait is almost over......gorgeous guitar!!!

[Scallywag]

This is awesome! I actually just spoke with Marc today about my upcoming fall build, and I used this guitar as a reference point. He's like "oh yeah Dustin's guitar is right here next to me. Glad you like it." Then I'm like "um yeah please build that for me." I'll admit that I'm going to be stealing a number of the details on this guitar Hope you don't mind! I really dig the new rosette, so I'll be pilfering that haha.

Anyways, really excited for you! Can't wait to hear it!

[Dustinfurlow]

Originally Posted by Scallywag

This is awesome! I actually just spoke with Marc today about my upcoming fall build, and I used this guitar as a reference point. He's like "oh yeah Dustin's guitar is right here next to me. Glad you like it." Then I'm like "um yeah please build that for me." I'll admit that I'm going to be stealing a number of the details on this guitar Hope you don't mind! I really dig the new rosette, so I'll be pilfering that haha.

Anyways, really excited for you! Can't wait to hear it!

No, I think that's really cool, man... I'm glad the thread has inspired you and he had also mentioned he was looking forward to doing that rosette more often so I'm glad I put the bug in his ear to try something he hadn't previously done! The fact that he chose Wenge for the first two geo-rosettes still blows my mind a bit, it's my understanding that wood can be really difficult to work with.

I remember when coming up with some concepts for this build I had some pretty clear visual references such as my first Beneteau (a Snakewood-bound Model M with Ebony b/s pictured below) and an African Blackwood Concert Standard (with the super dark visuals, haunting voice and longer scale which I discovered was really nice for my tunes, pictured 3rd below) and then on other parts it was sort of a "leap of faith" thing, like the rosette and floating back strip. It's nice when you have a clear visual reference of something you like and that you'd never find on Google (example: Florentine Beneteau snakewood headstock w/ gold Gotoh w/ snakewood buttons). He had so few Florentine Cutaway build photos online I was actually hesitant about how the MJ would look with it's extra tight waist (believe its the only one made so far with sharp cutaway, could be wrong though)

All this being said, I think it's really good to have a mixture of things you are sure of and things you put faith in the luthier for... so you have a pleasant surprise and it really feels collaborative in the end. Marc is super flexible and open to new things and I like that alot...many builders in the +10k+ range are extremely set in their ways about even small visual things like only using Ebony bindings or never doing bevels and it can be a turnoff (imo).

Hope you will post your build thread later this fall so I can drool!

[j. Kinnaird]

Beautiful guitar. I like everything about it.

[Dustinfurlow]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Beautiful guitar. I like everything about it.

As do it! Thanks for stopping by, John.

[Dustinfurlow]

Lord have mercy.....you guys might not hear from me for awhile but when you do I'll have a nice studio demo to share and some professional photos. I am completely enamored after seeing the final, finished guitar! Thanks guys for following along, will update in a week or two!

[fitness1]

Very nice - you've got a double whammy coming with the Urlacher too!

[Nemoman]

Holy smokes, Dustin--that looks incredible!

Love the lines, the woods, the detailing--it's all so cohesive. And I know it will be conducive to some awesome music in your hands!

Congrats, buddy--can't wait to hear it!

[Cocobolo Kid]

Congrats Dustin!!!

I can't wait to see how she sings in your hands!

[iim7V7IM7]

Beautiful instrument.... Always nice to see the creator with their creation as well.

[islandguitar]

Let's just say.....the complete package! And now the "big Brown truck" or however it's getting to you! LOL! Even that's a moment of drama making sure all is ok with this special package that's arrived.
When my Doerr arrived I had called the post office to check on things and because we're a small town, I talked directly with Paul in the mail room who I knew quite well. He actually put it in his personal car and drove over to deliver it himself as I took pics of him walking up our front steps! We talk about that even today.
Hope she arrives in great shape......we'll see you back here asap with those new recordings.
Fred

[Teleplucker]

That is a nice looking guitar!

[gregc]

Congrats on a great looking instrument!