New member looking for used guitar

guitarshark

Always wanted to learn how to play gypsy jazz. Looking for an affordable guitar. Anyone got anything?!?! The choices on Reverb.com are pretty slim.....please let me know as its a holiday gift to myself.

I've been playing for about 15 years and can get a decent gypsy tone out of an old simon and patrick acoustic I put silk and steels on.....but it's not a cutaway....and isn't the exact tone I was hoping for.

Thanks!

Jim Kaznosky

Welcome! What do you want to spend?

woodamand

Spend every last dollar you will ever make! Nothing beats getting a good GJ guitar, although it may kill off your guitar lust forever, it has for me, and that is way more than amazing to me.
Seriously though, set a price you are comfortable with and don't go above that, there are more of these guitars our there than you think, if you can just be patient. I never have been, but maybe you can!

guitarshark

Well the entry level cigano is like 400....cj10....

But I wanted to save up till mid december and maybe spend like 800-1000. Anyone got any leads? I've seen a few dell arte models go around that price. Are they worth buying? Or should I just go cheap and grab a cigano.....

jonpowl

Advice from a guy whom has been playing GJ for going on 4 years and has been through a Gitane DG-255, a Paris Swing GG-39, and a Cigano GJ-10. Of the entry level guitars, the Gitane was well made, but had an overtone problem. The Paris Swing sounded the best of the 3, but lacked volume. The Cigano sounds fairly authentic, and plays quite well. I figure it offers the best value of the three, and I'll keep it around as a travel/back up guitar. The trouble with Ciganos is that they vary greatly in quality and tone, and it is smart to try them, or deal with a vendor that knows GJ guitars. I did finally buy a French guitar and it is worth every $$ spent. If you're in the Baltimore area check out luthier Craig Bumgarner. He is making some great guitars.

guitarshark

Word.

Cj10 on Monday might be real cheap.......musicians friend with the coupon is 330 shipped

guitarshark

I was also surprised to find absolutely none of these gypsy jazz guitars used on guitar centers website....

t-bird

I am also a proponent of the Cigano. I've owned a Cigano GJ-0, a Gitane DG-250M, and a Paris Swing GG-42 and firmly believe the Cigano is the way to go sub $800.

guitarshark wrote: »

Cj10 on Monday might be real cheap.......musicians friend with the coupon is 330 shipped

guitarshark wrote: »

I was also surprised to find absolutely none of these gypsy jazz guitars used on guitar centers website....

The small amount you'd save isn't worth it. Buy it from a reputable gypsy guitar dealer (like djangobooks). Or hold out until you find one you can play first.

jonpowl

Here is a possible good one in Orlando: http://orlando.craigslist.org/msg/5871170673.html

guitarshark

Im looking for a petite bouche. Anyone think that aria is a good deal?

Yeah if I can swing the setup special here from django books I'll probably do that.

Gotta pay the gypsy tax I guess haaha.

richter4208

My opinion is go with the Altamira M01 from Djangobooks, it's a petit bouche. It comes with a free setup special, so no additional cost there. If thats too much for you than just wait for one to come up used on eBay.