Eimers? ALD? Dell'Arte?

Charles Meadows

Hi all. Great site. I am a player in the US who has gotten into gypsy jazz (by way of bluegrass and country). I have been practicing a lot on an old Cordoba but would like to get a nice instrument. I have a Collings and a Gibson for the bluegrass but ehy just don't have the right sound! The problem I face is that I have no real way to get my hands on and test out many of these choices, since I live in West Virginia. My favorite is Angelo Debarre, with Stochelo a close second. I am probably looking for something in the $2000-3000 range (US). Probably petit bouche. Any suggestions? Thanks.

AmundLauritzen

Since you like Angelo Debarre, check out his signature by Dell Arte. If I remember correctly, it's in your price range.
If you decide to throw in some more cash, the Stochelo model from Eimers is a great choice. It's modeled after Stochelos old Selmer guitar. Can't go wrong with that.

I want to advise you to stay away from the low end gypsy guitars like the Saga Gitanes. I was disappointed with the D hole model I bought. Might as well have bought a dreadnought.
Guitars in the low price class just don't produce the authentic tone and playability.

The Dell Artes usually have an Ebony fretboard which I prefer. But that's a taste thing. I find the neck of my Dell Arte Jimmy Rosenberg model is very easy to play compared to rosewood necks.

Bottom line, it's better to spend a little more than to be disappointed.

Steveareno

i've been realy happy with my US built Dell Arte Studio Homage (Favino body size). It has a big, fat, smooth tone and is opening up nicely. Walnunt neck,ebony fretboard, bearclaw spruce top, mahogany back and sides, plus the dots are in the "right" position (9th fret). If you're a bluegrass and country guy, you'll appreciate this. For a while they did some Dell Arte lower priced imports (not sure it ther're still doing this under the Del Arte name), but the US made ones by John Kinard in San Diego are still in production. Seen a couple of new ones in McCabes recently. They're great, hand built, made in USA guitars. not cheap, but probably a lot less expensive than the Eimers or ALDs. Look around, you may be able to get a good deal on a used one. I got lucky.
Swang on,

Stringswinger

Forget Dell Arte and Eimers.

Get a used DuPont. It's the real deal and is what you really want.

I owned two USA built Dell Arte guitars and I have played a few Eimers. You will need to trade up again if you go that route. Get a DuPont and you will be set for life as a Gypsy jazz guitarist.

Buying the guitar is the easy part. Learning to improvise well? That will be hard.

Passacaglia

Stringswinger wrote:

Forget Dell Arte and Eimers.

Get a used DuPont. It's the real deal and is what you really want.

I owned two USA built Dell Arte guitars and I have played a few Eimers. You will need to trade up again if you go that route. Get a DuPont and you will be set for life as a Gypsy jazz guitarist.

Buying the guitar is the easy part. Learning to improvise well? That will be hard.

As an additional experience point, though I don't have one, I've known several players who are very happy with their Dupont Nomade. I think it could be characterized as a "player's guitar," no bells and whistles, a bolt-on neck, but plays really well, every bit the sound you'd expect from the Dupont MD-50's and so forth. The bolt-on may or may not bug you, aesthetically, but it's sound is pure Dupont, and the retail - I think around $2100, something like that - is on the low end of your budget range.

Bones

I ended up with a Gallato RS 1939 Angelo Debarre oval hole which I really like. Really loud and dry. Tone is not the 'sweetest' though so it forces you to play with good technique especially for rhythm or it will sound harsh (i.e. if you overplay it, if that makes sense).

Problem is I don't know where you get them in the states anymore. I'd buy a D-hole too if I could get my hands on one.

Maybe you can order direct from France. They are within your budget even with shipping probably.

Or maybe Michael will start to carry them?

Also, the neck is pretty old school (big and square) so that may be a problem if you don't like the old Selmer style necks. Personally, I don't like that but I've gotten used to it and that compromise is worth it to me because I like the sound.

If anyone knows how to order them please let me know.

Bones

PS- I found this old thread about the Gallatos.

viewtopic.php?t=5471

Charles Meadows

Thanks for all the great replies.

It looks like there are a few Duponts at Gruhn's in Nashville.

I must have played 50 Collings guitars before I settled on the one I have now (D1AV). Not much prospect of even getting my hands on any of those high end European makers before potentially getting one (unless I go to a festival)!

So can I still even order a Dell'Arte? Some of the links on the site are broken.

How do the ALDs compare? I see Angelo has several of them now. Of course he could probably my the crummy Cordoba I have sounds like a million bucks!

I would spring the extra $ for a really nice one if it had the sound.

What about Caravan in Chicago? Do they have an actual store to visit?

Thanks.

klaatu

Duponts are always good investments, and you should be able to find a good used one in your price range, probably an MD60 or MD100. The Nomades are supposed to be quite good, if you can handle the bolt-on neck.

Caravan has an actual storefront in Chicago.

BluesBop Harry

+1 on what StringSwinger said... If you're going high-end get a Dupont!... I don't think your other options can compare, really...


On a budget a Gitane or Cigano is great... On the right hands they sound really good

Michael Bauer

In your price range, a Dupont is going to be hard to beat. A Nomade is a nice guitar for the money. One of my bandmates plays one, and it hangs quite well with all my vintage stuff. Another good choice would be a MD/MDC-100, which are basically MD/MDC-50s with a matte finish and less ornate woods. As far as sound, the ones I have tried are every bit as good as their more expensive brothers. I think Michael has an MDC-100 for $3K in his store right now. He probably has a Nomade or two as well. Like any maker, Duponts will vary in sound from guitar to guitar, but I don't think anyone is more consistent than Maurice is.

I've never liked Dell Artes much, but once I came across an absolutely amazing one that a friend in Philly owns. There are a bunch of guitars in your price range, but few of them will hold their value as well a a Dupont, and many of them won't sound all that "gypsy". There are a few I would tell you to avoid like the plague, but I'd rather not start slagging off someone's hard work.

As for Caravan, there is a store front in Chicago. It is not always open, and I do believe you'd want to make an appointment. The only thing he has in your range that I'd suggest considering is a used Dupont MD-50. I have not had good experiences with Caravan, which is an entirely different story, but look into it if you want to. If you asked me, and you haven't, I'd recommend dealing with Michael.