Gypsy Guitar Strings

[iim7V7IM7]

I use Savarez Argentine 1610 MF strings (.011"-.046", ball end). Wonderful strings on a Grande Bouche. I have tried .010s, but prefer the .011s. I like the way they sound and feel. I can't imagine putting acoustic flat top or archtop strings on my gypsy.

[Klatu]

I use Savarez Argentine 1610 MF strings (.011"-.046", ball end). Wonderful strings on a Grande Bouche. I have tried .010s, but prefer the .011s. I like the way they sound and feel. I can't imagine putting acoustic flat top or archtop strings on my gypsy.

What scale length is your grand bouche? I ask because I recently tried stringing my long scale oval hole with Argentine 11s and found them to be too stiff to comfortably execute for long stretches of time. However, the set I replaced them with is a GHS custom set that has basically the same strings as the Argentine 10s with an 11 on top, and found that I like the feel and tone of the lower tension wound strings with the tighter high E.

By the way, I was never under the impression that Galli Silk and Steel strings and Argentine strings are equivalent.

[iim7V7IM7]

It is only 25-1/2" (648 mm) scale length. shorter than most 14-fret petite bouches. My old Grande Bouche (Gitane DG-370) had a 26-5/8" (677 mm) scale and I used .011s on that as well.

What scale length is your grand bouche? I ask because I recently tried stringing my long scale oval hole with Argentine 11s and found them to be too stiff to comfortably execute for long stretches of time. However, the set I replaced them with is a GHS custom set that has basically the same strings as the Argentine 10s with an 11 on top, and found that I like the feel and tone of the lower tension wound strings with the tighter high E.

By the way, I was never under the impression that Galli Silk and Steel strings and Argentine strings are equivalent.

[Sacco]

Sacco, thanks for bringing this thread back from the dead. I have recently jumped back into the swing of things with my gypsy guitar and am once again experimenting with strings. For years, I played 10 gauge Argentine strings. Then came the urge to experiment, so I went ahead and installed Argentine 11s. I noticed that the extra tension caused more bow in the neck which led to higher action. That, plus the added overall tension, made the guitar uncomfortable to play for long stretches.

Since then, I installed a set of GHS Customs which are approximately the same as Argentine 10s, but with a 11 gauge high E. The set sounds great and has the added benefit of being the cheapest available silver plated gypsy string on the market. The next sets I intend to try are the Galli silver played Argentine copies and their Silk and Steel V027s.

I'd appreciate the input of anyone who has played both set of Galli and compared them to the Savarez Argentine 10s.

I'm still liking the 11s. I'd rather adapt to the tension by making my hands stronger cause the sound for me is quite better.

Luckily on my DG-300 the neck didn't move a bit. I tried tightening the truss rod just for the sake of it but I couldn't move it a bit, is that normal while the strings are on? I don't wanna force it and damage something.

Height is, using a GEWA ruler (acoustic marks), a tiny bit on the high side on the higher E, at the end of the high limit within the range and the lower E dead center within the range. This at the 12th fret (14th fret almost the same)

I guess that is ok. Right?

[D.G.]

I use 10's -- DA's, either silver gyspy's or phosphor bronze -- on my long scale JWC. I play with a 5mm Wegen Trimus pick. I play really, really, really hard. Lots of jam sessions struggling to be heard gives you the necessary technique

I did try using DA round wound electric strings for a while, but they tended to have an annoying bright "after-ring" from slapping the frets -- no matter how old and cruddy they got! The phosphor bronze don't seem to do the same thing and are a bit louder than standard silver strings. The drawback is they can be a bit "harsh" with my current pickup system, a custom mounted Duncan MagMic. I've got a Bigtone bridge on order and will be trying that out, so the bronze strings might come back to life

[Klatu]

I'm still liking the 11s. I'd rather adapt to the tension by making my hands stronger cause the sound for me is quite better.

Luckily on my DG-300 the neck didn't move a bit. I tried tightening the truss rod just for the sake of it but I couldn't move it a bit, is that normal while the strings are on? I don't wanna force it and damage something.

Often, there is little to no change in the neck with a difference of 1 gauge. As to the truss rod, if you tried to tighten it and it didn't give at all, it could be maxed out in which case you wouldn't want to push it and risk a catastrophic break.

[Klatu]

It is only 25-1/2" (648 mm) scale length. shorter than most 14-fret petite bouches. My old Grande Bouche (Gitane DG-370) had a 26-5/8" (677 mm) scale and I used .011s on that as well.

I think that the appropriate gauge set may have a lot to do with the individual guitar that it is being installed in. My instrument sounded strident when using 11s. Were it to have sounded better with 11s than it did with 10s, I would have considered sucking it up and sticking with the stiffer strings.

[Sacco]

I tried loosening too, couldn't move it. I assume is either stuck with some glue or the fact the strings are on makes it to be way harder to move. This is a completely new guitar, only two weeks of use.

[Klatu]

I tried loosening too, couldn't move it. I assume is either stuck with some glue or the fact the strings are on makes it to be way harder to move. This is a completely new guitar, only two weeks of use.

I'm the type of guy who would be bothered by your situation. My first move would be to take it to my repairman to see if he can determine whether there is a problem with the truss rod or if it simply needs to be lubricated.

[Sacco]

I would definitely be bothered if the neck develops a bow, yes!

I'll look some more on the subject, is the first time I have a trussrod that doesn't wanna move, in all my other guitars is just very easy.

I've contacted Gitane, let's see what they say.

I also read that you cannot go wrong by loosening if it's kinda stuck. I can also imagine since the guitar is new the trussrod can need a bit of soft wiggling to finally move. Though, that never happened with any of my e-guitars.

[jaco]

I was surprised when my first set of Argentine's third string started unravelling after the third week. I have a second set on now and will wait to see if this happens again. I've never had a string go bad so quickly.

[Sacco]

I was surprised when my first set of Argentine's third string started unravelling after the third week. I have a second set on now and will wait to see if this happens again. I've never had a string go bad so quickly.

From the loop/ball? or from the wounded part of the string?

I know the ball end loop can unravel if you bend fiercely on an electric guitar, happened twice here while playing the long solo from "another brick in the wall" and bending the B string, happened with different brands (slinky and optima gold both 10s)

[Klatu]

I was surprised when my first set of Argentine's third string started unravelling after the third week. I have a second set on now and will wait to see if this happens again. I've never had a string go bad so quickly.

That sounds extremely aggravating considering that they aren't cheap strings. Perhaps I've been lucky in that the Argentines I've installed in my guitars have lasted for months without incident. I have, however, read reports of folks having had problems with Argentine quality control.

[christianm77]

Just to resurrect this thread, I tried a maccaferri strung with bronzes yesterday and thought it sounded pretty good actually, very GJ rhythm sound and also good for more mellifluous chording - might increase the versatility of this instrument, which given I am not a purist GJ player these days might be a good thing.

I also rarely play with rhythm guitar.

I've been a Savarez Argentine user for a few years, and while I think they are great string I am starting to get a bit tired of that standard nasal GJ sound. It's great for cutting through and I love Django, but over the past couple of years I notice my hand has crept up towards the sound hole - I think I'm hearing something else.

I think we are so used to looking at selmer/maccaferri guitars through the filter of Django that we might be missing some other uses that these excellent instruments might be put to.

I'll post a before/after video maybe...

[Stringswinger]

Just to resurrect this thread, I tried a maccaferri strung with bronzes yesterday and thought it sounded pretty good actually, very GJ rhythm sound and also good for more mellifluous chording - might increase the versatility of this instrument, which given I am not a purist GJ player these days might be a good thing.

I also rarely play with rhythm guitar.

I've been a Savarez Argentine user for a few years, and while I think they are great string I am starting to get a bit tired of that standard nasal GJ sound. It's great for cutting through and I love Django, but over the past couple of years I notice my hand has crept up towards the sound hole - I think I'm hearing something else.

I think we are so used to looking at selmer/maccaferri guitars through the filter of Django that we might be missing some other uses that these excellent instruments might be put to.

I'll post a before/after video maybe...

My friend Tony Green has used bronze 12's on his Dupont for many years. My friend John Jorgensen used Bronze strings on his Selmer way back when (before the internet age). John told me that he had no idea that they were wrong! (He uses Gypsy jazz strings these days and has for many years).

One caveat, on a heavily built Gypsy jazz guitar like a Gitane, Bronze 12's will be fine (do not go heavier). On many lightly built Gypsy guitars, going higher than 11's could damage the guitar. Proceed with caution!

[christianm77]

I'm going to try .11's - I figure the longer scale length will give them enough tension...

[Sacco]

12's might be good for those with very strong fingers. I can't play 12's myself, they're pretty stiff to me and playing clean chords hurts.

Maybe for a strumming Jumbo is ok, but not on a gypsy guitar IMHO.

I use 11's all the time because 10's are too thin on the higher strings. Going from 10's to 11's made a huge difference in tone as the higher strings ring much louder and fuller.

[christianm77]

Right I am aware that this might out me as a total flipping wierdo, but I gigged a set of .11 80/20 bronzes on my Altimira D hole and totally loved it. If anything the guitar is louder than it was with Argentines.

As a lot of the gig was unamplified this was great - I was drowning out the bass player a bit TBH and had no trouble projecting for solos.

So - I'm going to try .11 monels next - mellower sound and slightly friendlier gauging. Watch this space...

[neatomic]

interesting, i'd think the 80/20's would give you more volume and low end than the silverplated round core argentines...

i think the monels (martins?) will be somewhere in between..a little more midrangey

good stuff..

cheers

[christianm77]

interesting, i'd think the 80/20's would give you more volume and low end than the silverplated round core argentines...

i think the monels (martins?) will be somewhere in between..a little more midrangey

good stuff..

cheers

Yes the 80/20's definitely have more low end, but mostly I was taken aback at how flipping loud they were.

[neatomic]

i'd think it also suits your music style better, with the lone guitar and as a solo instrument (i assume)..with true manouche style groups, the solo instrument needs that midraney brightness to cut through the other guitars behind him


cheers

ps- in reading over this thread, i see that there are issues with the argentine strings unravelling..this is due to their round core...if the outer wrap gets a kink in it, it can unravel...one must be very careful not to put any severe bends while stringing...

why hex cores were invented (via the push of maestro john d'angelico)....

[christianm77]

i'd think it also suits your music style better, with the lone guitar and as a solo instrument (i assume)..with true manouche style groups, the solo instrument needs that midraney brightness to cut through the other guitars behind him


cheers

I think you are right....

TBH two guitar line ups in Manouche jazz can be a bit problematic unless one guitarist is purely rhythm, because it ends up with all the solos sounding kind of samey. I'm much more a fan of having one electric archtop and one maccaferri in this line up.

In fact, many proper gypsy jazz players seem to do this, either by using a Stimer or an actual electric guitar for lead. Birelli was playing a Yamaha Pacifica when I saw him last week, and when I caught Angelo in Paris, he was playing a guitar with a magnetic pickup.