My gypsy guitar build

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:12 AM

In the summer of 2024, I became a bit interested in Gypsy Swing Jazz Guitars. I bought three or four oldies from France, from the 50s era. However, those guitars needed a lot of work, so I started practicing for fun myself with refretting and small repairs and the like. That turned out to be a fun hobby – especially when you sit behind the computer all day at work, it is nice to do some sanding and routing and glueing in the evening. A year ago, my youngest child moved out. So I had a spare bedroom, which was destined to be a study. After careful consideration however, the laptop stayed on the kitchen table, and I started building a guitar entirely by myself there. I try to do everything myself. I buy raw wood, not a kit, although in all honesty I had the sides pre-bent (I don't have a bending tool). The rest is done entirely by myself, mostly with hand tools. I bought the guitar plan from Michael Collins, watched some youtube instructionals, and sometimes asked a local luthier. Then just went along by trial and error…

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:13 AM

Many strips of colored veneer to become the rosette

My gypsy guitar build-img_3786-jpg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:14 AM

The rosette glued up

My gypsy guitar build-img_3812-jpg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:15 AM

The top wood; torrified euro spruce. It will be bent 7 degrees on the dashed line to make the “pliage”, gypsy guitars do not have a flat top

My gypsy guitar build-img_3818-jpg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:18 AM

putting in the rosette, was one of the most difficult and delicate jobs. I need to figure out how to do that better

My gypsy guitar build-a54a0b00-d7fc-40eb-abc8-0bc7b00a9c05-jpg

My gypsy guitar build-a54a0b00-d7fc-40eb-abc8-0bc7b00a9c05-jpg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:21 AM

Making solid linings (not kerfed) inside the body. I don’t know if that makes a difference, but that is how the old ones are too

My gypsy guitar build-img_3955-jpg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:24 AM

Luthiers will notice in the image above that I goofed up the cutting direction for that back brace, next time I ll make sure to use quarter sawn braces ;-(

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:27 AM

I used an African mahog neck, no trussrod, but two carbon fibre rods. Ebony headstock overlay. This is the shaping of the headstock

My gypsy guitar build-img_3992-jpg

**kris** · 05-30-2026, 05:30 AM

Great work!!!

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:32 AM

Spent a whole day carving and sanding the neck. First time it was way too beefy, so next day repeated - whole weekend gone :-)

My gypsy guitar build-img_4329-jpg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:34 AM

Test fitting the body, the neck, and rough-cut fretboard before glueing everything toghether

My gypsy guitar build-img_4566-jpg

**kris** · 05-30-2026, 05:41 AM

It is a beautiful guitar.

**GuyBoden** · 05-30-2026, 05:46 AM

Well done. Looks very good.

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:47 AM

The end result after fretting and installing the hardware. The finish is tinted nitro lacquer…

My gypsy guitar build-img_4908-png

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:48 AM

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:51 AM

Me and the guitar - it sounds and plays better than anticipated

My gypsy guitar build-c362d101-f48a-47c0-bed5-6e5a83c5188d-jpeg

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:56 AM

I have a fulltime day job so building is restricted to one or two evenings per week, and every other weekend - still I managed to make 3 so far, within the time span of one year… I dont dare to show nr 1 :-) but this are nrs 2 and 3. I have a busy time ahead but if all goes to plan I ll make 3 more by end ‘26 / early ‘27. Not intending to become a luthier or start selling guitars… it will remain a hobby for sure.

My gypsy guitar build-img_4909-png

**fws6** · 05-30-2026, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by kris

It is a beautiful guitar.

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

Well done. Looks very good.

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

thanks guys ;-)

**alltunes** · 05-30-2026, 06:31 AM

looks great would love to hear it

**djg** · 05-30-2026, 08:42 AM

amazing work!

**Stringswinger** · 05-30-2026, 09:51 AM

Years ago, a fellow named Bob Holo introduced himself to me at Djangofest Northwest and asked me what I liked in a Gypsy guitar. Eventually he shipped one of his early guitars to me asking for feedback and also asking me to pass the guitar on to another Bay Area Gypsy jazz guitarist for his feedback (which I did). Little did I know that he would become one of the most respected Gypsy jazz guitar luthiers on the planet. You never know where a "hobby" might take you.

Nice work Frank!