Gypsy Jazz Guitar - Oval vs D-Hole

**miken** · 10-14-2012, 09:04 PM

I'm getting very close to ordering a Cigano gj-10 or gj-15. I can't seem to find any stores around here that have any to try. So I'm having trouble deciding between an oval hole or a D hole. My basic understanding is that the oval is best for lead and the D is best for rhythm. Is there anything else to concider? I'm probably going to use it mostly for rhythm playing, but I prefer the look of the oval hole. I know, my problems are huge, I don't know how I make it through the day. Any friendly advice regarding the two styles or the guitars in general would be appreciated. Thanks.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-14-2012, 09:22 PM

Get the oval hole...you can play rhythm on either, and you'll like the extra fret access if you do get into lead...

Good call on the Cigano...of the budget gypsy jazz guitars out there the Ciganos and Gitanes are the only ones I can reccommend.

**miken** · 10-14-2012, 09:43 PM

Thanks Mr. Beaumont, that's pretty much what I was thinking. By the way, I see that you're in Chicago. I'm just up the road in Milwaukee and my wife said just this morning that we need a good excuse to go to Chicago. Do you know of any stores around there that might keep some in stock. I'm not a huge fan of buying guitars online.

**Spook410** · 10-14-2012, 09:45 PM

Scrutinizing our choices is one of the fun things about guitar. I ordered a gypsy jazz style guitar but no idea what it will be like as an instrument yet. Most of what I've read says get the oval soundhole. Be sure and post pic's when you get it.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-14-2012, 09:59 PM

Miken, Ive seen them at Different Strummer on Lincoln av. (at the old town school of folk music) and at Andy's music on Belmont (I bought my Gitane there)

Probably wise to phone first.

**nosoyninja** · 10-14-2012, 10:57 PM

D-hole "grand bouche" guitars tipically have a 12 fret neck join, 25 in scale, and really fat, classical guitar like necks. Oval hole "petite bouche" guitars have a 14 fret neck join, more regular neck geometry, 26.5 inch scale length, and a fret marker at the 10th fret instead of the regular 9th fret marker.

Typically, oval hole guitars will be more mid-rangey and therefore are more suited to single note lines, whereas D holes have a bit more low end and are therefore "chunkier" for rhythm work.

But these are just general guidelines and many players use whatever suits their fancy. I have an oval hole Gitane DG 255 which suits me fine except for a flat c shaped neck. I use it for rhythm and lead and it sounds good enough for my needs in either context.

I would recommend an oval hole as well, on account of the 14th fret join.

K

**eddy b.** · 10-15-2012, 09:24 AM

I have a Gitane D500 with the D hole. It is a fine guitar and works for my application rhythm with the occasional solo...plus it's a real eye catcher and people always ask about it..

**amusiathread** · 10-15-2012, 01:34 PM

I aslo hear that the d-hole disperses the sound more quickly, so it sounds louder/better to the person playing it, whereas the oval hole is more focused and projects better, but doesn't sound as good from the player's perspective. I have little experience with gypsy guitars, this is just what I've been told.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-15-2012, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by amusiathread

I aslo hear that the d-hole disperses the sound more quickly, so it sounds louder/better to the person playing it, whereas the oval hole is more focused and projects better, but doesn't sound as good from the player's perspective. I have little experience with gypsy guitars, this is just what I've been told.

This is pretty much true from my experience.

I play a long scale D hole, which is the best of both worlds....or neither...

**Spook410** · 10-15-2012, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by amusiathread

I aslo hear that the d-hole disperses the sound more quickly, so it sounds louder/better to the person playing it, whereas the oval hole is more focused and projects better, but doesn't sound as good from the player's perspective. I have little experience with gypsy guitars, this is just what I've been told.

I'm having a side port put in mine. I suppose that's cheating.

**D.G.** · 10-15-2012, 02:19 PM

Talk to Michael at Djangobooks.

Gypsy guitars can be a real shock if you're used to flattops. It's only when you get 'em in context that you can really hear what they are about, i.e in a gypsy jam your prized martin will get buried by a cheapo Cigano.

Also, get yourself a Wegen standard gypsy pick and play back by the bridge, using rest strokes (i.e. downstrokes where the pick comes to rest on the next string down) as often as possible. You're not looking for purity of tone, but attack and punch.

If you stick with it, you'll out grow that Cigano in about 3 months. After that, if you want the next step up I'd recommend a Paris Swing, or if you want an even better guitar, an Altamira.

**RClegg** · 10-15-2012, 05:49 PM

I have an oval hole (Gitane DG250 M) that, though I am trying to sell it at the moment as I haven't played it much lately, can be a blast to play. The necks on the oval's are much closer to a standard flattop; the D holes are really set up like a nylon string guitar. They both sound great, but I would agree that the oval hole will work for rhythm or lead. The one D hole I had the pleasure to play did have a very pleasant and resonant quality to the tone.

Good luck.

**jekyll & hyde** · 10-17-2012, 12:25 PM

Take a ride down to Chicago and visit Caravan Guitars. They specialize
in Gypsy Jazz guitars.

**miken** · 10-17-2012, 05:14 PM

Thanks to all who have replied. I did check out Caravan Guitars in Chicago, on line anyways, and they have some. Josh was a great guy on the phone and he will be getting it out on UPS tomorrow. I'm hoping to have it for the weekend. From what I can tell, he specializes in this style of guitar and all that goes along with it. I did order the GJ-10. By the way, it was the best price that I found and he through in a couple of sets of strings. So far, I would recommend him.

**Stevebol** · 10-18-2012, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by miken

Thanks to all who have replied. I did check out Caravan Guitars in Chicago, on line anyways, and they have some. Josh was a great guy on the phone and he will be getting it out on UPS tomorrow. I'm hoping to have it for the weekend. From what I can tell, he specializes in this style of guitar and all that goes along with it. I did order the GJ-10. By the way, it was the best price that I found and he through in a couple of sets of strings. So far, I would recommend him.

Hey miken, steve here. Good choice on the Cigano. I went to one of those workshops at WCM over the summer. I could tell you about it if you're interested. Maybe we could get together again sometime. I'll give you a call in a week or two.

**mr. beaumont** · 10-18-2012, 12:26 PM

Good call on Caravan! I completely neglected to mention them, probably because last time I was there they only had high end stuff hanging on the walls.

You'll find few people more knowledgable in the business, though. Glad your experience was a good one.

**miken** · 10-18-2012, 12:56 PM

Stevebol,
I'm glad that you chimed in. I still have your book and DVD. I would love to get together and see what this thing does. And thanks again to all who replied. I'm hoping to have it tomorrow. I will follow up with my impressions after I play it a bit.

**AmundLauritzen** · 10-18-2012, 03:18 PM

It's good for developing technique, but it won't give you the tone of Stochelo, Angelo or Bireli. For that you need to get a more expensive guitar and put in years of practice.

However, if you haven't been playing much gypsy jazz it's much better to go for a guitar like that and see if it's something you want to invest your time in before spending big money on a guitar built by the top luthiers.

Regarding luthiers, there are some that really excel in my opinion, and that is Leo Eimers, Bob Holo and Ari Jukka Lumoaranta who makes AJL guitars(my apologies if I spelled his name wrong). When it's time to upgrade, you will not be disappointed by these, although it will cost you.