Django Style Acoustic

**jeffstritt** · 03-08-2011, 12:41 PM

I've been getting into Gypsy style music for a while, and have been playing it on an archtop, but I would really like to get an actual "Django style" guitar. This would just be something to play around the house and maybe occasionally record with, it doesn't have to be amazing, but just something that style that will play easy and stay in tune.

If possible I would like to stay around the $500 range. Any reccomendation?

**mr. beaumont** · 03-08-2011, 12:49 PM

In that price range, look for a new Cigano or a used Gitane. With the Cigano's I played, I like the D hole better than the O Hole I played.

I had a little bigger budget, so I ended up with a Gitane John Jorgenson D Hole. It's a fantastic guitar--beautifully made and it has "the sound." New, it's out of your price range, but used, you get close. Some of the non signature models of Gitane are right about your budget new, and certainly within it used.

These (Cig and Git) are the ONLY budget instruments out there that have it right when it comes to Gypsy guitars, IM not so HO.

String 'em with Argentines, get the heaviest pick you can handle, and practice those m6 chords.

By the way, if you haven't seen them already, John Jorgenson's books on Gypsy Jazz playing are EXCELLENT, as are all of Dennis Chang's videos.

**jeffstritt** · 03-08-2011, 01:01 PM

Yeah I was looking at Cigano, but it isn't like there are a tons of stores around that carry Gypsy guitars that you can just go try out. In fact there isn't a lot of information about Gypsy Jazz Guitar in general. Some of the educational stuff I have seen is really suspect quality-wise, granted I haven't seen the John Jorgensen stuff, I'm sure that it is first rate. I started learning the style by trying to transcribe Django and then putting a few things together. Eh. enough of my rant lol!

**mr. beaumont** · 03-08-2011, 01:39 PM

Look into Django Reinhardt & Gypsy Jazz Books, Guitars, CDs, Videos, Strings, and More!

WARNING: Drool-on-keyboard inducing guitars for sale.

Oh, and elderly.com has a lightly used Cigano D-Hole for $325 right now. I say pounce!

**82Benedetto** · 03-08-2011, 02:32 PM

You really can't go wrong with the Cigano instruments.

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Look into Django Reinhardt & Gypsy Jazz Books, Guitars, CDs, Videos, Strings, and More!

WARNING: Drool-on-keyboard inducing guitars for sale.

Oh, and elderly.com has a lightly used Cigano D-Hole for $325 right now. I say pounce!

**newsense** · 03-08-2011, 03:03 PM

Hi Jeff

Just to give you an opinion from a different continent......

I think Mr B got it right (so much for a different opinion !). I have the Gitane DG255 (petite bouche) and couldn't be more pleased with it. At UK prices it is well above your $500 limit, but it is probably the nearest of the current crop to what Django used for most of his recordings (not that that should matter !) and you may get it cheaper in the US. Notwithstanding the accurate Gypsy jazz sound, these guitars are really great to play. The necks and finerboards are superb, prompting one non-jazz guitar magazine reviewer to dub them "true acoustic shred machines"; I think he meant it as a compliment ! If you pounce soon, I'm sure you'll have fun.

**jazzbow** · 03-08-2011, 04:43 PM

Hiya,
Could'nt help notice this thread. I have a soft spot for Gypsy jazz guitar. +1 on everyones comment on the Gitane, D hole is always warmer sounding than the O hole so it's up to you which you prefer. There are hybrid versions of D holes with the longer string length of the O hole, dunno what they sound like but I do love the cutting tone of the O hole (petit bouche).
Anyhoo here's a link to a Django fake book to help with your new found taste!
http://www.gypsyguitar.de/downloads/...jango_2008.pdf

**mr. beaumont** · 03-08-2011, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by jazzbow

There are hybrid versions of D holes with the longer string length of the O hole

That's what I have--it's a nice compromise, and great for chord melody.

**newsense** · 03-08-2011, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by jazzbow

Hiya,
Anyhoo here's a link to a Django fake book to help with your new found taste!
http://www.gypsyguitar.de/downloads/...jango_2008.pdf

Great link ! Thanks.

**nado64** · 03-09-2011, 04:13 AM

Aria mm20 or mm15, I don't try it, but I know some guys very happy for the price.

**monk** · 03-09-2011, 01:29 PM

I have a Gitane D-500 "Grande Bouche" that I bought back when it was the only model Saga offered. I have been very pleased with it. That said I would still like to have a "petite bouche".

Shoulda done it story: In 1980, I stopped by Gruhn's Guitars in Nashville. They had a Selmer petite bouche Modele Jazz for $2000 US. I played it and it was unbelievable. I seriously considered getting a bank loan to buy it but backed off. Not one of my better decisions.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-09-2011, 01:43 PM

Yeah, I should have stressed more how good Dennis Chang's stuff is--even if you just start with the free snippets he's put on youtube. The patience that guy has to make whole videos about a 1/2 second nuance in rhtyhm is pretty amazing--probably accounts for how he got to be such a good player and expert in the genre.

Jorgenson's books come with videos too, and they're also excellent. What's great is the inclusion of a "fake" student that he talks to (the guys an excellent guitar player) so the approach is very conversational, as opposed to a guy staring into a camera.

Mind you, while I'm glad I've learned some techniques to get an "authentic" sound out of my GJ guitar, I'm also one for putting tradition in the backseat...I play straight ahead jazz, soft chord melody, and other things on this guitar as well--they have a trick they do well, but by no means is there only one way to enjoy these guitars!

**jazzbow** · 03-09-2011, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'm also one for putting tradition in the backseat...I play straight ahead jazz, soft chord melody, and other things on this guitar as well--they have a trick they do well, but by no means is there only one way to enjoy these guitars!

I could'nt agree more, I've used my piezo equipped petit bouche with valve amps with overdrive with a compressor pedal for a real wild drive...!! It's sweet with chorous and for a different trip how about with a little octave pedal for arpeggios, it sounds like its 'Mars' from Holsts' planet suite..... Wah!!!! Woah....
But seriously :-/ wide fingerboard with a domed top plate and back plus tone woods and you have a recipe for a excellent instrument for any genre of music you'd care to play on it! Experiment, inspire but most of all....Enjoy.

**jeffstritt** · 03-10-2011, 11:49 AM

Well a guy that used to live around my area played a petite bouche guitar, not sure of the brand, with a bassist, drummer, and alto, and it really sounded nice. They were playing mostly straight ahead stuff too. Really fun.