Gypsy Sound Hole Styles
Oval “Petite Bouche”
The archetypal gypsy jazz guitar. The “petite bouche” is both the most-common and most-desirable sound hole shape. It’s commonly found on later Selmer models, Busato Grand Modele’s, and most Favino’s. Oval holes produce a compressed classic gypsy sound.
D-Hole “Grand Bouche”
Where it all began. The first steel-string guitars designed for Selmer by Mario Maccaferri boasted D-Hole style sound holes with an internal resonator. D-Hole instruments can be found from the earliest Selmer’s, Busato’s, Favino’s, and through to today. Larger sound hole can mean a warmer less-biting sound.
F-Hole
Reminiscent of classical style instruments like violin and cello, the f-holes give a tasteful aesthetic note. They can sound quite good.
Round Hole
Round sound holes are the most common among acoustic flattop folk guitars. However, they also play an important role in gypsy appearing on transition era Selmer's (between D-hole and Oval eras), as well as other instruments from Busato and Siro Burgassi.
Bean Hole
Similar to the D-hole, this ellipse shape hole is characteristic of Castelluccia instruments from the 1940’s and 1950’s. There are lots of variants here.
Heart Hole
Unique to only a couple instruments, like the older Heart-Guitars built by Joseph DiMauro “The Elder.”