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In the djangobooks forums the guys said that the Gitane GD-300 John Jorgenson is amazing, and also they told the same about Altamiras. Well, I want an instrument, which neck is comfortable as my Epi Elites neck. I also found a spain luthier, who makes maccaferri style guitars but on djangobooks the guys didnt say any good comments about those.
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04-04-2012 02:49 PM
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Ooh! Then you don't want the jorgenson...I've played epi elitists and they have a slim, fast neck...the jorgenson gitane is a very thick neck...very old school.
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That's not exactly true, if you are speaking of the Geronimo guitars. I'd re-read what you've read.
Originally Posted by mrblues
The Altamiras are essentially the same guitar as the Dell'Arte Latcho Droms, with some cheaper hardware. A few people over there have posted that they own them and they like them. It is not a universal endorsement, but it seems to be pretty positive.
It's kind of subjective. I generally think these guitars are kind of overpriced, in particular the asian guitars, because its a niche market. But the hand made stuff is great.
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Hi jkaz!
Thanks for the input! Im not talking about Geronimo guitars, and to tell You the truth I never heard of them. So after this post I go and take a look on the Geronimo guitars website if that exists.
And yes, You are right, those asian guitars are overpriced, especially if You are outside US. And I am...
But still I dont know anything about that LEGRande LG30 what redwater suggested. If any1 knows anything about those instruments, post it here, please.
thanks
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I like my Dell Arte quite a bit and they might be available used in your price range. I haven't played that many manouche guitars though so I have little basis for comparison.
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Yeah, I just looked at what the Gitanes go for in Europe...no way...
squeeze that budget and get a Nomade, I say.
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Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
Yeah, that will be the solution for me. I already sent a mail to Dupont manufacture, and got a feedback from them, 1390 Eur (this includes hard shell case and shipping+insurance) is the nomade. Well I asked in my 2nd mail from Miss Helene Dupont who I am contact with, if is there an option to build a nomade without those bolts in the neck and instead of those how much would be the extra costs to make a glued neck on the body.
I dont like those bolts... I know they can make it really good, but I was talking to my luthier this morning and he said he doesnt know Dupont instruments but warned me about instrument which can be dismantled. OF course Im also a bit conservative, so glued neck would fit my tastes better. Waiting for thier feedback now.
Happy EAster guys!
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Actually a bolt on neck is much easier to service and repair.
I'm sure your lutheir is a good guy, but just because he's not familiar with dupont shouln't concern you...maurice is regarded as among the best.
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I have an acoustic Taylor 314 (bolt on neck) that is ten years old, no problem since the beginning
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Hi,
I believe the price differential relates to import duties (tariffs) and value added tax (VAT) on any imported instrument. Hence the difference in price in the USA and the EU.
Bob
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Thanks guys!
Well, Im waiting for that feedback from Dupont manufacture.
Also I am interested in the Geronimo MAteos Modele JAzz "B", which is 1390 eur, Im also looking for reviews on that.
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Hi,
Just to confirm, original selmers were made of laminates, just the top was made of old solid spruce. Playing with a full solid model is a really good choice for a folk guitar, i've got one, but for Django's music i think it's likely better to be very close to the standard if you want to get the right sound. (although there are many other points to take in account for getting the right sound : strings, right hand position, picks, left hand effects, velocity ...)
Regarding the Legrand models, i've played on a LG01 in France and also tried to find them on the net without any success. I know now that they are built in Asia by a manufacturer who call his guitars "Legrand" because it's a common name in France, and a gypsy guitar with a french name is obviously better to play french jazz music ;-)
I also tried many Gitane models and the sound was not better than the Aria MM20 i've bought to start out.
I 'm currently waiting for my furch Gie-52SR which will be delivered in May. I will try to post some details about it as soon as possible and also record a youtube video in order to provide an audio sample for this instrument.
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The fact, that many Manoucheguitar Luthiers are building Hi-End all solid Guitars makes me question your statement. Originally Posted by Veperaso
Could you verify your Statement?
Django sometimes played a L5.
For me and my playing, the all solid Selmerstyle is much more dynamic and it reacts better to the picking attack then the ones I tried with just a solid top.
The Sound is much richer.Last edited by redwater; 04-11-2012 at 03:22 AM.
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I'm pretty certain that all the dupont including the high end 'vielle reserve' and 'busato' series are laminate.
I'm also pretty certain that dupont makes the most accurate reproductions of selmers.
I haven't seen many manouche luthiers building solid manouche guitars with solid woods. Some do it but they are usually coming from the arch top/jazz world and are looking for another sound.
A good manouche guitar has a LOT of dynamics, almost no bass, but a lot of low mediums. The solid wood manouche guitars i played had too much bass for my liking (sounds better alone, not as good in the mix), laminate wood sounds more medium to me and thats desirable for that sound.
Paying that much money for a laminate guitar is another discussion... i agree it's expensive for guitars that don't have the best woods. but the manouche sound doesn't come from these best woods in my experience.
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Thank You guys!
Veperaso, Im really curious about Your Furch La Gitane! Waiting for Your audio asmple and review. Thanks for the info on the LEGrands.
Timo! Thank You for Your feedback!
Add4! Its interesting how those woods make difference in sound. I am thinking about going to Germany through Vienna to try all the django guitar models I can. In Vienna I found a Gitane dealer, and in Germany at Thomann I can try a lot of them including solid wood and laminated guitars.
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I had an opportunity to play an early 50s Selmer much like the one Django played when I was shopping for my guitar. I played it as long as I could stand it (the neck was too big for me). It was a very interesting collectible for $30,000 but a rather mediocre guitar IMO. Heavy laminate construction required heavy strings, very high action and a very aggressive attack to get a good sound out of it. I'm sure Django could have made it sound great, but it sounded like a cheap plywood guitar when I played it. "Authentic" isn't always all it's cracked up to be.
I played lots of laminates and solid wood guitars and in the end opted for a (used) solid guitar that had a sound I liked and great playability. If you can, play lots of different guitars... pick the one that speaks to you.Last edited by AlohaJoe; 04-13-2012 at 04:54 PM.
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I'll chime in here about the Asian guitars as I own a Gitane DG-250M. I've owned this guitar for several years and for the price it's a great sounding guitar IMO. I had to get used to the wide neck but once I did smaller width necks just don't feel as good. There's no doubt there are better sounding Gypsy style guitars but at what cost? I think I paid a little over 600 w/case when I bought mine.
Good luck with which ever model of guitar you choose and be prepared to do a tremendous amount of practicing to become fluent in this style of music.
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The 250M is very different from the rest of the Gitane lineup.. very cool, modestly piced. I have had some Asian made Sel/Macs... the 250 M is a good one. Mybe I'll score a used one and do some set up and mods...
ie tuners and bridge/tailpiece.
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Hi, I recently started to learn to play Gypsy Jazz style, now I'm looking for a entry level guitar. I'm lefthanded by the way. I searched a lot and I found this three models of manouche guitar for left handed:
- Aria MM-20.
- Gallato Django.
- Richwood RM-70.
I need some help: Which one you think its a better option? Anyone know of another left-handed guitar at this level?
Thanks a lot!
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I'm guessing by the choices you have Aria, Gallato, Richwood that you must be in the UK or Europe. We don't seem to have those choices except the Aria in the U.S., so most players learning the gypsy jazz style go for the Gitanes, which are widely available at discount prices from many vendors in the U.S. I am certain they offer LH models. I started working with an excellent violin player a few years ago with my Eastman Pisano 880 doing American Songbook material, and we added some of the Django stuff to the setlist. Not saying I can do it justice but I get by with it OK. Anyway I couldn't justify the outlay for a "proper" Dupont or such, and got a Gitane DG-250M. I use a Schertler Basik contact pickup thru my Schertler Unico and it gets the gig done. As far as the Gitane goes, I've played some high-endy GJG, including Dupont,Del'Arte, a Shelly Park. While they are in a whole different world quality wise, the Gitane will get you very far in that style without breaking the bank. Are they available where you live?
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I don't know how the mm10 compares (the mm20 has the small oval hole, doesn't it?)- but the mm10 has been a big disappointment for me. Just not much of an instrument- feels cheap and sounds that way- but it was cheap. Looks good- until you get really close. Spend a little more and reap the reward.
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@SierraTango Yes, you guessed right, I'm from Europe, concretely from barcelona. I know about the gitane guitars but saga is not importing to spain and its impossible here to put your hands on one to check. Also, thanks for your answer!
@voxwerx Yes, I think the MM20 is the petit bouche (oval hole) model equivalent to the MM10 grand bouche (D hole). Thanks for your advice!
I'll wait to see if anyone has any experience playing the gallato or the Richwood ...
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The Gallato guitars seem to have good reviews. Like the Saga Gitanes that are difficult or impossible for you to try out in Spain, in the US a Gallato would be very difficult to audition. The Asian made guitars over here are usually regarded as merely acceptable while honing your chops and waiting for the funds to upgrade to a European built instrument,or one built in North America by one of the respected shops. I'm sure you are aware of the Djangobooks website, also Caravan Guitars website might have some ideas for you as far as choices we have on this side of the pond. Best of luck on your quest, it's a noble undertaking and a mountain I am still climbing.
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I have owned a Gallato Angelo DeBarre RS1939 petite bouche for a year now which I sourced from France. I'm not sure which model you are talking about but it may be a lesser model(?) In any case I can only tell you that I am very happy with mine but keep in mind that the neck profile is not thin or modern like the Dupont Nomad or other guitars on the market. I personally am ok with this feel & remains a more authentic beast !
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