Cigano Gypsy Jazz Guitars

Bflat · #1 05-17-2011, 05:51 AM

Hi all,

I have read some favorable things about these instruments on this board. They seem like a good value. I can't find any stores that carry them around here. How is playability for someone that is used to playing electric archtops etc...? Are the necks wider and thinner than a standard full sized acoustic guitar?

In particular I like the GJ 15 (D shaped hole). Is there a sound difference with the D hole vs. the oval hole besides volume? Does one sound better for rhythm vs. soloing than the other?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Scolohofo · #2 05-17-2011, 06:58 AM

D hole guitars are traditionalyy used for rythm playing but is not a must do!Th is cigano GJ15 has a wider neck(45)but the shorter neck ,the oval hole by cigano has the long scale(670) and a thinner neck.
I gues they good beginners instrument (so i was tell)but not to compare with the higher priced ones.

lindydanny · #3 05-17-2011, 08:04 AM

I haven't been able to find them at any guitar stores around me either. Count out the big boxes on these; way too specialized.

You might consider trying to contact Cigano directly and see if there is a store or a distributor close to you. Even if they aren't close, you might be at least able to take a weekend getaway to go and try them out. Crazy as it sounds, I've known people to do this.

Or, you might be able to locate a dealer or distributor that could "lend" you one to try out.

Just a thought.

~DB

mr. beaumont · #4 05-17-2011, 08:14 AM

Where are you located?

Cigano's are a great value.

Actually, I'd go out on a limb and say that Cigano and their prettier, more expensive sisters (Gitanes) are the only budget Selmer-styles out there that actually get pretty close to that sound (and provide the volume!)

I ended up with a Gitane in a trade because I liked the idea of a long scale Grand Bouche, but I'd have no problem playing a Cigano.

As for the necks, from what I remember, they have kind of a "D" profile, and yes, the "D Hole" model is a wider neck as far as nut width. Playing these guitars is a little challenging at first (that goes for anything in this style, not a comment on the quality of the Cigano), you've got to dig in to make them sing (it's gonna mean some sore fingers if you're used to an archtop that you can barely touch and it sounds great) but the effort is worth it.

beasleybubba · #5 05-17-2011, 08:40 AM

A really advanced gypsy jazz player strongly recommended I buy a Cigano a couple years back... I did and I loved it for a year or so. Really got the sound out of it i was looking for. Then, last winter the neck twisted and now it sounds like crap. So much of playing gypsy jazz has to do with the sound that you get out of those guitars that I haven't played that style since my Cigano warped - really disappointing. I know someone else that this happened to around the same time. Now that I have a job and a steady paycheck I'm going to have someone look at it... I hope it can be fixed cause the guitar sounded great before.

Do research, my problem might be an isolated occurence, atypical of the Ciganos (although I do know someone else who has experinced similar problems). There are great reviews all over the internet and they do sound better than the Gitanes, so I'd probably say take the risk. They are mass produced guitars so they will differ from instrument to instrument... and the price is right. Just hope that you get a better cut of wood than I did.

Good Luck!

mr. beaumont · #6 05-17-2011, 09:19 AM

When you say "twisted" do you mean bowed or now it's skewed from bass side to treble side? (The latter is weird and bad)

beasleybubba · #7 05-17-2011, 09:39 AM

When you say "twisted" do you mean bowed or now it's skewed from bass side to treble side? (The latter is weird and bad)

Slightly bowed and skewed from treble side to bass side... I know, it sucks. Truss rod adjustments have proven futile. I don't have much of a chance; and gypsy jazz ain't the same on my Gretsch archtop or my Martin flat top acoustic.

Dookychase · #8 05-17-2011, 09:49 AM

Bflat, you might try Musicians Friend. They have a 45 day return policy. I once ordered a Telecaster from them and didn't particularly like it, so I called them and got a return authorization number and shipped it back.

No problem. They credited my account with no questions asked.
You might give them a try.

Good luck

82Benedetto · #9 05-17-2011, 02:38 PM

That's unfortunate about the neck twisting. I don't think I've heard of that issue with the Cigano's before.

That being said, I'd spring for a Cigano. The Gitane's are prettier, but there's a mojo in the Cigano's I really dig. Maybe it's because they don't have a thick glossy finish on 'em or something, but they are very solid instruments.

I say take the leap!

Anyone know if Elderly still carries 'em? I know they are a pretty solid store to deal with.

mr. beaumont · #10 05-17-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82Benedetto

That's unfortunate about the neck twisting. I don't think I've heard of that issue with the Cigano's before.

That being said, I'd spring for a Cigano. The Gitane's are prettier, but there's a mojo in the Cigano's I really dig. Maybe it's because they don't have a thick glossy finish on 'em or something, but they are very solid instruments.

I say take the leap!

Anyone know if Elderly still carries 'em? I know they are a pretty solid store to deal with.

I'm almost positive Elderly still does.

jazzbow · #11 05-17-2011, 03:00 PM

Hey mate, find the cash and buy this one! It's the real deal.

2001 Dell'Arte Anouman

signed by the man himself.....

AlohaJoe · #12 05-21-2011, 02:25 AM

Elderly does still carry them and Musician's Friend does too. Both price them at $400, but MF has free shipping and a good return policy. I've played them and thought they were a good value at that price. The "grande-bouche" (D-hole) is easier to hear when you are playing it and has a 25.5" scale. The "petit-bouche" is much more directional and has a longer 26.5" scale (as I remember). Django played both at different times in his career. He started on the Macaferri (D) and when Selmer came out with the long scale 0-hole they gave one to Django but not to the rhythm players. Over time the older d-hole style became thought of as a rhythm instrument and the other lead. Of course, you can do either with either, but I think of the D-hole guitars as generally having a somewhat 'thicker' tone.

beasleybubba · #13 05-21-2011, 06:56 AM

Okay, so maybe it did just need a truss rod adjustment by someone who knew what they were doing. It plays and sounds great again!

Check out this site called Djangobooks, that's where I got mine... I paid 300 for it. Not sure if they still have them for that price, but worth a look. Also, as soon as I got it I bought a new tailpiece and tuners and they greatly improved the tone. The new tuners and tailpiece made it sound "legit" - I expected the thicker tailpiece to affect the tone, but I was really surprised with how much the new tuners affected the tone.

Good Luck!

I'm off to play a (morning) gig at some benefit thing an hour away. We'll see how this goes...