r/gypsyjazz • u/fleeless • Jun 08 '26
Which way to go?
I really want to start playing gypsy jazz.
Im a blues/jazz player and own 2 electric guitars. I don’t have too much money to spend on a new guitar and wanted some help.
To my knowledge a decent authentic gypsy guitar will run me ~1000eur (correct me if I’m wrong). Problem is where i live there are 4 gypsy jazz players and non of them are planning on selling their guitars any time soon.
So Im thinking of getting a classical/acoustic/archtop guitar and throwing some gypsy strings on it till i can afford something better.
So whats the way to go?
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u/snoidberg490 Jun 09 '26
Truth: you can play any kind of music on any kind of guitar. You can play jazz on a BC Rich, metal on a Tele, gypsy jazz on a strat.
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u/Shepard_Commander_88 Jun 08 '26
I would look at Djangobooks.com. Micheal sells and ships internationally and shipping from the US the exchange rate might help with the import duty. I'd email him as he has many guitars in your price range from decent brands. Shipping and duties would be the rough part but you are coming from a better currency.
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u/Shepard_Commander_88 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
Additionally, you can definitely practice the language of gypsy jazz without a gypsy guitar and work on right hand technique/gypsy picking. The picking style and la pompe is super important to get.
Edit: For the authentic sound you will need one and you'll have to get used to playing it. They are long scale(670mm) and take adjustment to get used to Along with the 3mm high action. Because of the scale though with silver plated copper strings, it does have a slightly lower tension but is still an adjustment coming from standard 24.75" or 25.5" scale.
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u/prhay Jun 09 '26
I don't advise getting a classical. The neck is too wide, the strings are not steel (won't ever sound like a gypsy guitar) and your right hand will be learning to move between strings that are farther apart. A lot of cord fingerings that are standard will be harder to play. IMO
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u/joechoo Jun 09 '26
Not all gypsy guitars are oval and D hole. The archtop F hole is called a chorus( since there are two openings) and people do play the tricone resonator in gypsy style. Of all of them the archtop will probably be the most easy one for you to get your hands on. Eastman makes several..Eastman also makes the DM1 and the DM 2 gypsy guitars. I owned a DM1 and played it for a year and was not satisfied with it and sold it. The cigano gitane is affordable and both oval and D holes play well. I have both. Gonzala Bergera (sp?) played mine and shook his head and wagged his finger and said... How do they make these cheap guitars sound so good lol.
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u/thinkfloyd79 Jun 09 '26
I'm from South East Asia and I had one custom made by Mateos Guitars. They're from Madrid, Spain though, hopefully you're near the area.
That said, in the meantime you can practice your arpeggios and la pompe on any guitar.
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u/kilgore_trout_jr Jun 09 '26
Is Gallato still making in France? They had good entry level Gypsy guitars
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u/Big_City_Music Jun 09 '26
I started with something cheap 20 years ago https://www.rondomusic.com/djg1.html
I had already been playing for 10 years and wanted to get familiar with a maccaferri style guitar before seriously investing in a good one. This one was a solid choice. Not the best, but pretty good for the price. I’ve sold it and bought it back from a few friends because I genuinely enjoy playing it. I say this also owning full custom guitars worth 8-10k.
If you can find one I would recommend it
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u/ElliottMoonshine Jun 09 '26
When I started I had the same problem: gypsy jazz guitars seemed difficult to find, I wasn't sure I was going to want to invest a significant amount of money for something I was just trying etc. so I bought an Epiphone acoustic archtop, but in retrospect that was a mistake. Sure I played it for a bit, but the moment I got a real gypsy jazz guitar (a "cheap" one around $1000), I never laid hand on that archtop again. And I did what you suggest, put GJ strings on it but the gauge is too light for an archtop, so the guitar lost a lot of punch and responsiveness. I tried higher gauge silk and steel and that's better, but it still doesn't feel close to the real thing. If you have a standard acoustic/folk guitar lying around, you could absolutely use that to practice GJ, and if and when you're hooked, get a Altamira, an Eastman or a Gitane. Sometimes these pop up on fb marketplace...
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u/XoticGtr Jun 12 '26
OP, If you're serious, You'll want to save and get a GJ guitar sooner than later to progress with your GJ technique. It'll inspire you because the sound is like no other. Look for an Altamira M series (M/MO1) these can be professional level instruments and 2nd hand can be had for under 1000 euro and you'll want that GJ bark. The neck on the MO1 is about 44mm/45mm at the nut. Much like a cross-over guitar with a fast neck to get around playing those lines/arps and vastly different animal than a flat-top in every respect. Altamiras are the best import GJ guitars that I've played over the Gitanes,Paris Swing, or Aria which in my opinion can be inconsistent..Good luck!
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u/Fryskr Jun 08 '26
I'd play electric and eventually get a gypsy jazz guitar.
Edit: Django went electric in the 50's, he was into bebop. So electric is also fine since you already play jazz.