Advice for SAGA DG 100

bebs21 · December 2014

hi everyone
I am new in the django style and i m looking for a gypsy guitar.I have found a saga DG 100 well kept for 450 euros. Does anyone knows something about this guitar? good deal?
Thanks

pickitjohn · December 2014

@bebs21 where are you located perhaps someone can suggest another place to check some guitars.

Sounds a bit high for the BASE Model.
I picked up the DG-500 for $360.00 USD with hard shell case needed bridge work actually came with a Dupont Bridge but sounded much better to to me with a Cheap Chinese Bridge.

It's in the Guitar Archive here...

http://www.djangobooks.com/gallery/dg-500/

In the late 1980s, Saga instruments of San Francisco were importing a range of oval-hole Selmer copies under the Saga brand. I have also seen them under the "Blueridge" Brand, with an inlaid "B" in the headstock. (I was once told these originated from the K. Yairi factory in Japan, but cannot confirm whether or not this is the case.) According to a review in "Frets" magazine in May 1989, these came in the following models:

- DG-100 (base model: laminated mahogany back/sides, laminated spruce top)
- DG-100S (laminated mahogany back/sides, solid spruce top)
- DG-200 (laminated mahogany back/sides, solid spruce top)
- DG-250 (laminated maple back/sides, solid spruce top)
- DG-500 (top model: solid rosewood back/sides, solid spruce top)
At that time, the DG-250 listed for US 950 dollars without case, or 1049 with hardshell case.

:peace:

rgrice · December 2014

Those predated the Gitanes, but I don't know exactly how old. I have a 90s Gitane so it would've been before that. That seems like a very high price. My 250m was $500 with 6 sets of strings! If you could swing a bit more (450 € is about $550) an extra $225 and you can get an Altamira, a much better guitar, that's been professionally set up, from my pal @Chiefbigeasy on classified page here. Check it out. While the Gitanes are OK for money, the Altamiras are generally considered the best Asian GJ guitars.
http://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/13722/altamira-m10d-in-mint-condition-for-sale#latest
Good luck!

pickitjohn · December 2014

I was going to suggest the same as @rgrice however I believe the shipping cost to you @bebs21 would be cost prohibitive.

"SOMEONE should snatch that baby up QUICK."

http://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/13722/altamira-m10d-in-mint-condition-for-sale#latest

:peace:

rgrice · December 2014

Maybe so on shipping, @pickitjohn. Still maybe a good deal tho? There was also a 250m on here.

bebs21 · December 2014

thanks guys,
i am from belgium. yeah the dg 100 looks very expensive. Thanks for the link john but i can not afford more than 400-450euros ( +-500 USD ) and shipping cost from states will be to expensive. The old saga series looks hard to find in belgium or France (i only found this dg 100) but i found a dg 250m for 450 euros ( 550 USD). i will come back later with more questions when i will know a bit more about this brand but right now i have to study,some exams is coming soon. If anybody have some other model/brand where i can find good guitar in my range of price,i will appreciate;) thanks to all of you

Rob MacKillop · December 2014

There is a Cigano 10 on the UK ebay, just listed. £320, including Big Tone pickup.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cigano-gj10-gypsy-jazz-guitar-/141516273767?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20f306f867

rgrice · December 2014

My 250m is a decent guitar but for the price the Cigano, which sounds drier than the Gitanes according to Michael, (with a Bigtone!) is a much better deal. You could sell the Bigtone and pay for most of the guitar!