New used Gypsy Jazz guitar day

[sloppychops]

I'm not a gypsy jazz player, but I like listening to it and have made attempts at faking it. Happened upon this Gitane at a local store yesterday, but forgot to try it. Went back today to try it, just out of curiosity.

Well, that was that...

It's a Gitane DG-255. One of their lower tier models from what I gather, made in China.

Workmanship is flawless. There a few small dings here and there, and some strum scratches on top. Only the slightest bit of fret wear, barely noticeable.

Really nice looking spruce top with a honey tint:

Solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck

My scale is MIA, but I'd estimate it's a little over 5 lbs

No strap pegs fore or aft

Ebony fretboard, 1.75" nut, flat-ish D shaped neck, longish 26.7" scale

Nice looking ebony fretboard with a zero fret:

This is the only gypsy jazz guitar I've ever played, so I can't compare it to other similar models. It has that dry, bright/midrange focused sound and it's loud.

The 26.7" scale length gives it some snap, and the guitar doesn't feel a whole lot harder to play than shorter scale acoustics. I really noticed the longer scale at first. Hardly at all now after noodling around a couple hours. It stays in tune well and intonation is nearly perfect.

I really wasn't expecting to like this guitar as much as I do, but it has that responsive, lively feel of a great acoustic and the way notes jump out from it is inspiring.

I'm sure there's someone here who's into these type guitars and music. Let's see what you've got!

 

[nojazzhere]

I'm not a gypsy jazz player, but I like listening to it and have made attempts at faking it. Happened upon this Gitane at a local store yesterday, but forgot to try it. Went back today to try it, just out of curiosity.

Well, that was that...
View attachment 1011417

It's a Gitane DG-255. One of their lower tier models from what I gather, made in China.

Workmanship is flawless. There a few small dings here and there, and some strum scratches on top. Only the slightest bit of fret wear, barely noticeable.

Really nice looking spruce top with a honey tint:

View attachment 1011418

Solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck

My scale is MIA, but I'd estimate it's a little over 5 lbs

No strap pegs fore or aft

View attachment 1011419

Ebony fretboard, 1.75" nut, flat-ish D shaped neck, longish 26.7" scale

Nice looking ebony fretboard with a zero fret:

View attachment 1011421

This is the only gypsy jazz guitar I've ever played, so I can't compare it to other similar models. It has that dry, bright/midrange focused sound and it's loud.

The 26.7" scale length gives it some snap, and the guitar doesn't feel a whole lot harder to play than shorter scale acoustics. I really noticed the longer scale at first. Hardly at all now after noodling around a couple hours. It stays in tune well and intonation is nearly perfect.

I really wasn't expecting to like this guitar as much as I do, but it has that responsive, lively feel of a great acoustic and the way notes jump out from it is inspiring.

I'm sure there's someone here who's into these type guitars and music. Let's see what you've got!

One of the reasons I chose a Godin Multiac Nylon was that Dos Amigos & Co. use them. The Godins are about the ultimate in "electric" nylon string guitars.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Sweet. I am a huge gypsy jazz fan but don't attempt to play it. What I have have always heard of SelMac guitars is that they are often a disappointment for "normal" jazz players because they are so optimized for that iconic sound. Enjoy

 

[black_doug]

Congrats!!

Like @Freeman Keller I love gypsy jazz, but can’t play it. Wouldn’t know where to begin.

 

[Sparky472]

Beautiful. Congrats!

 

[telestratosonic]

One of the reasons I chose a Godin Multiac Nylon was that Dos Amigos & Co. use them. The Godins are about the ultimate in "electric" nylon string guitars. View attachment 1011427

I just listened to two of their live YT videos. Impressive band and impressive sound coming from the Multiavc Nylon. I'll be sure to try one out next time I'm in Calgary. I've been looking seriously at the Godin acoustic nylon-stringed guitars and have only given the Multiac Nylon a passing glance. Thanks for the post.

 

[Controller]

Congrats, beautiful guitar! I love jamming with Reinhardt as I enjoy his music on YouTube.

 

[sloppychops]

Congrats!!

Like @Freeman Keller I love gypsy jazz, but can’t play it. Wouldn’t know where to begin.

View attachment 1011473

I've been finding some decent tutorials on youtube. Even though I can't play that style, playing this type of guitar is really enjoyable and I find myself coming up with interesting licks. Although it's a 1.75" nut width, it feels wider than my other guitars with that nut width. It makes those "weird" chords easier.

 

[ndcaster]

here's my Gallato Modèle Noir, which I bought well-used



Gallato's from that era are very bright and crunchy, so I'm told this guitar was reworked by Cyril Gaffiero, and indeed there's evidence it was reworked

the sound is pretty nice

the gents down at Center Stage Vintage Guitars gave it a truss rod adjust and did some fretwork on it recently -- I haven't even changed the strings back to Savarez's

Selmer-style guitars are tweaked a lot -- people use all kinds of things for bridge shims

eventually, once I get the guitar where I like it best, I'll have someone like Tommy Davy make a bridge of the perfect height for it

I have a buddy with two vintage Favino's (can't remember if father or son, or both) and a really nice grande bouche, a Dupont

these guitars are uniquely voiced and wonderful to play outside

 

[HaWE]

Congrats!!

Like @Freeman Keller I love gypsy jazz, but can’t play it. Wouldn’t know where to begin.

View attachment 1011473

Same with me- I like Django Reinhard and that style of music but can not play it on guitar.

 

[sloppychops]

here's my Gallato Modèle Noir, which I bought well-used

View attachment 1013885

Gallato's from that era are very bright and crunchy, so I'm told this guitar was reworked by Cyril Gaffiero, and indeed there's evidence it was reworked

the sound is pretty nice

the gents down at Center Stage Vintage Guitars gave it a truss rod adjust and did some fretwork on it recently -- I haven't even changed the strings back to Savarez's

Selmer-style guitars are tweaked a lot -- people use all kinds of things for bridge shims

eventually, once I get the guitar where I like it best, I'll have someone like Tommy Davy make a bridge of the perfect height for it

I have a buddy with two vintage Favino's (can't remember if father or son, or both) and a really nice grande bouche, a Dupont

these guitars are uniquely voiced and wonderful to play outside

That looks bada$$ to the max!

I've been reading on the Djangobooks site various comments about how a bridge upgrade really improves the Gitane guitars, like a blanket was removed from the sound. I'm not ready to go down that road, but curious to hear your thoughts since you know more about these guitars.

I could almost swear the bridge/saddle on my Gitane is some kind of plastic. It looks and feels like it, but I'm not about to cut it with a knife to find out.

And, yeah, I've read comments about people sticking popsicle sticks under the bridge to shim it up, and Django apparently was photographed with a matchbook under his bridge. I don't feel the need to raise my bridge. The string height is perfect where it is.

I looked up the serial number on mine and per info online it was made in 2005. For being 17 years old, it looks to have hardly been played.

 

[ndcaster]

That looks bada$$ to the max!

I've been reading on the Djangobooks site various comments about how a bridge upgrade really improves the Gitane guitars, like a blanket was removed from the sound. I'm not ready to go down that road, but curious to hear your thoughts since you know more about these guitars.

I could almost swear the bridge/saddle on my Gitane is some kind of plastic. It looks and feels like it, but I'm not about to cut it with a knife to find out.

And, yeah, I've read comments about people sticking popsicle sticks under the bridge to shim it up, and Django apparently was photographed with a matchbook under his bridge. I don't feel the need to raise my bridge. The string height is perfect where it is.

I looked up the serial number on mine and per info online it was made in 2005. For being 17 years old, it looks to have hardly been played.

thanks! I don't mind the rustic look, this is music played around campfires

I've been around this music for a while, and I'm not really sure how to separate bridge material from bridge height as a factor -- of course, you want the bridge to transfer as much string energy as possible to the top of the guitar, which is why most bridges on Selmac guitars are ebony, rather tall (more downward pressure), and have wide feet, the bottoms of which should make complete contact with the top

shims are common because these are acoustic instruments played outside, so they're always moving around a little bit

I'm not surprised about the condition of these guitars: people buy them, but the learning curve is very steep, especially for a beginner

they say "the first thirty years are the hardest"

this is a wonderful documentary, and a film that cemented my own interest in this music

I think it captures the vibe of the scene (at least when it was made) perfectly

 

[Dukex]

Congrats, that's really cool!

I, too, like Gypsy Jazz and Django. Been to a couple of local concerts and was just mesmerized.

 

[Telekarster]

I love gypsy jazz and have tried to learn to play that sort of music, man it's tough. I need to get back into it. Congrats on your find!

 

[schmee]

I'm not a gypsy jazz player, but I like listening to it and have made attempts at faking it. Happened upon this Gitane at a local store yesterday, but forgot to try it. Went back today to try it, just out of curiosity.

Well, that was that...
View attachment 1011417

It's a Gitane DG-255. One of their lower tier models from what I gather, made in China.

Workmanship is flawless. There a few small dings here and there, and some strum scratches on top. Only the slightest bit of fret wear, barely noticeable.

Really nice looking spruce top with a honey tint:

View attachment 1011418

Solid spruce top, laminated rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck

My scale is MIA, but I'd estimate it's a little over 5 lbs

No strap pegs fore or aft

View attachment 1011419

Ebony fretboard, 1.75" nut, flat-ish D shaped neck, longish 26.7" scale

Nice looking ebony fretboard with a zero fret:

View attachment 1011421

This is the only gypsy jazz guitar I've ever played, so I can't compare it to other similar models. It has that dry, bright/midrange focused sound and it's loud.

The 26.7" scale length gives it some snap, and the guitar doesn't feel a whole lot harder to play than shorter scale acoustics. I really noticed the longer scale at first. Hardly at all now after noodling around a couple hours. It stays in tune well and intonation is nearly perfect.

I really wasn't expecting to like this guitar as much as I do, but it has that responsive, lively feel of a great acoustic and the way notes jump out from it is inspiring.

I'm sure there's someone here who's into these type guitars and music. Let's see what you've got!

My neighbor is into those, I think he 3 that look very similar to that. They play and sound amazing. I was surprised with the small soundhole how good they sound.

 

[cminor7b5]

Congrates! I've always considered Selmer-styled guitars to be the "Telecasters" of the acoustic guitar world.

 

[sloppychops]

Congrates! I've always considered Selmer-styled guitars to be the "Telecasters" of the acoustic guitar world.

Funny you should say that, because I've been thinking that for the past few days! They both have that very articulate, snappy voice and "crispy" tone.

 

[sloppychops]

thanks! I don't mind the rustic look, this is music played around campfires

I've been around this music for a while, and I'm not really sure how to separate bridge material from bridge height as a factor -- of course, you want the bridge to transfer as much string energy as possible to the top of the guitar, which is why most bridges on Selmac guitars are ebony, rather tall (more downward pressure), and have wide feet, the bottoms of which should make complete contact with the top

shims are common because these are acoustic instruments played outside, so they're always moving around a little bit

I'm not surprised about the condition of these guitars: people buy them, but the learning curve is very steep, especially for a beginner

they say "the first thirty years are the hardest"

this is a wonderful documentary, and a film that cemented my own interest in this music

I think it captures the vibe of the scene (at least when it was made) perfectly

Thanks for the link, that's a great documentary! I'm only halfway through but really liking it.

 

[ndcaster]

Thanks for the link, that's a great documentary! I'm only halfway through but really liking it.

documentaries like this can have a very large but subtle effect on the development of scenes and styles

they create myths, of a sort

we all have our icons, and these kinds of films (and magazines, back in the day) helped to create those icons by building stories about and around them

this particular documentary is so patient and gentle in tone that it creates an experience long and detailed enough to make people want to be part of it

I don't know if that happens enough, these days, but I've aged out and don't know

you might be interested in a YT account by patrus53: he has conducted interviews with hundreds of players in this style

here's one with Stochelo -- obviously with a few years under his belt!

 

[teletina]

On Facebook is a group called Gipsy Jazz guitar secrets, where Robin Nolan's giving many advices and lessons on gipsy jazz guitar !