The French Dupont brand has been building up something of a name for itself, with the likes of Eric Clapton and Steve Miller owning examples of their instruments. Jazzwise took a look at the Florentine cut, all maple laminate, 16-inch bodied Style Classique Bebop. With a 649mm scale length it has a shallow set mahogany one-piece neck and headstock which is fitted with individual Schaller machine heads. The Indian ebony fingerboard is headed by a 42mm nut and comes adorned with mother of pearl dot position markers and 22 jumbo frets. To the body is a solid tune-a-matic bridge on an ebony footing, which carries the strings down to a steel lyre tailpiece. The Style Classique is fitted with a Benedetti humbucking pick-up in the neck position that is controlled via two nylon composite “top hat” tone and volume knobs set into the lower rear bout of the instrument. Powered up, the Bebop displays an extraordinary tonal smoothness and evenness from the very top of the upper register right down to low E. Articulation is exceptional, as is separation – there is total clarity within a full chord. The Benedetti pick-up helps to produce a clean, bright sound, yet with a mellow, warm and rich bass. From head to heel, the Bebop is a beautifully balanced instrument with faultless finishing and tones to die for – a true jazzer.

For more go to www.sandarac.co.uk