Gitane Gypsy Jazz guitars - is high action normal?

**Mr JDG13** · 11-30-2012, 07:42 PM

Well, I was not considering the resonator for the Favino, just curious about it. As I don't want to focus on traditional gypsy music (although I have gigged with the Paul Nolan book once...not a really good experience), but would like to incorporate it into more modern acoustic jazz, I am not really after the typical Selmer sound. I want more basses and resonance. So I contacted Leo Eimers whose guitars are both very reasonably priced and appreciated. The built will be his model Quatre with solid IR back and sides, and his thin antique finish, + a few cosmetic things and a fretboard extension as on the D-hole models. That might be almost equivalent to Oberg's gypsy fire from AJL with the XO option I guess, albeit way cheaper (around 2500e for my built, base gypsy fire is 2700 VAT free, XO option is expensive and sounds like a more advanced aging method). I do like the gypsy fire though, and have never read or heard anything bad about AJL anyway (the only one I played was really good and packed a lot of punch by the way).

**Tele295** · 11-30-2012, 08:50 PM

I didn't realize the Eimers were about 1,000 Euros cheaper than the AJL.

**Roberoo** · 11-30-2012, 11:36 PM

I have been playing Django style guitar for many years. The fast guys do not have high action, and, in fact, guitar action is lower than in most acoustic guitars. Also, string gauges are lighter in the Django style (e.g. 0.10s or 0.11s). The volume is not necessarily from high action but is mostly from the pick, the picking style and guitar design. Django style players tend to use a high mass pick (e.g. up to 3mm thick) they use mostly down strokes and that increases volume, and the Macs have a bracing design to project through the mid-range. I can guarantee that the fast guys are not do the stuff they do with a standard flat-top action! It is closer to an electric guitar action in fact.

**Mr JDG13** · 12-01-2012, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by Roberoo

I have been playing Django style guitar for many years. The fast guys do not have high action, and, in fact, guitar action is lower than in most acoustic guitars. Also, string gauges are lighter in the Django style (e.g. 0.10s or 0.11s). The volume is not necessarily from high action but is mostly from the pick, the picking style and guitar design. Django style players tend to use a high mass pick (e.g. up to 3mm thick) they use mostly down strokes and that increases volume, and the Macs have a bracing design to project through the mid-range. I can guarantee that the fast guys are not do the stuff they do with a standard flat-top action! It is closer to an electric guitar action in fact.

Look at around 6mn, that's exactly what I thought of when I read your post. If a 10 years-old can do it, imagine what an experienced adult can do with a standard folk action guitar

. I don't think you would have any trouble finding fast guys that play up to 13's with standard action on a jazz forum, so most people could do it with a little work and 10's or 11's, whatever the action is... How difficult the guitar will be to play is also likely to result from a combination of not only string gauge but also the scale length and neck angle.
Of all the guitars I have tested including many Dupont's (considered by many the pope of Selmer reproduction back in France), none had action as low as electrics, rather standard/high for some. As much as my knowledge is limited, I agree with the rest of your post though, for the loudness of the instrument is also linked to construction (of course the air volume in the guitar body, the bracing that will set the stiffness of the top, etc), and is potentiated by the agressive rest-stroke picking technique.

**jazzbow** · 12-01-2012, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Tele295

I'm really taking a hard look at Favino size instruments when I upgrade from my Gitane.
However, I will not upgrade until I can perform (and competently solo over) every tune in the Robin Nolan Gigbook. I'm maybe 1/2 - 2/3 of the way through. The Gitane is doing just fine for me at the present. I won't be recording our next album for at least a year, or sooner if I can move a couple hundred more CDs!

Hey Tele, My Le Voi is for sale! It has a big tone piezo in the bridge and is killer! PM me if interested!

**Mr JDG13** · 12-01-2012, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Tele295

I didn't realize the Eimers were about 1,000 Euros cheaper than the AJL.

Actually I even made a mistake, my build is 2300 (2050e for the base model VAT free or something like that), he charged me 300e for shipping to the USA... 2600 total... If Jazzbow's is a favino style, might be interesting too...