WTB: My first Gypsy Jazz/Manouche guitar (JWC/Dupont Nomade/Stringphonic/Altamira)

AndrewUlle

Caravan guitars in Chicago?

Brad Herman

Andrew Ulle wrote: »

Caravan guitars in Chicago?

Forgot about Caravan... Great shop, not too far from you. Appointment only though if I recall correctly.

Buco

Re Caravan it used to be when Josh was running it, jams would be on Thursday nights and you could come and pretty much ask to play any guitar at the store and you'd immediately hear it in the proper jam setting.
There was this one Favino one time, ohhhh that Favino, the only time i felt if I could come up with $6,000 I'd do it without thinking.

Brad Herman

Buco wrote: »

Re Caravan it used to be when Josh was running it, jams would be on Thursday nights and you could come and pretty much ask to play any guitar at the store and you'd immediately hear it in the proper jam setting.
There was this one Favino one time, ohhhh that Favino, the only time i felt if I could come up with $6,000 I'd do it without thinking.

I think Josh moved down to Indianapolis (and opened another shop there)

woodamand

Two years into owning my JWC, I agree with Brad - its a great guitar, and I always get compliments on the tone and projection. Couldn't be happier and Tony from JWC is just the best to deal with.

crescendo

MichaelHorowitz wrote: »

geese_com wrote: »

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I have been playing guitar for almost 20 years and listening and (not seriously) messing around with gypsy jazz guitar music for the last 10.

Budget is less than $2,500.

If you can spend $2,500, then there's no need to consider any of the Asian models are there are a few excellent handmade options in that price range. These two models are the most popular in the $2K range:

http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/dupont-nomade-2017-d-2

http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/geronimo-mateos-jazz-b-7

Both are constructed from properly aged woods so you won't have to deal with the setup headaches and the tonal harshness that is inherent in lower quality models.

Want to throw some support behind Michael's second rec here -- Geronimo Mateos builds a fantastic gypsy guitar at a price that boggles my mind.

They're based in Spain, originally focused on building classical guitar. They bring a lot exceptional quality construction to their Manouche guitars. But they're pretty efficient in their build process, so they keep the prices lower.

Played one at RF Charle back in January, and sounded better to me than the AJL that he also had there at the time.

Dupont Nomad... dupont is obviously a storied builder, but personally not in love with the bolted neck attachment.

If you're thinking dupont >>> http://www.djangobooks.com/Item/dupont-md50-2004-2


As always, just one man's opinion,
- Spencer



PS - a couple other great builders:
- ALD (la brune, original, la cocobella)
- AJL (503 XO specifically)
- Mauro Freschi -- a total sleeper. Played Johnny Rosenberg's one time and really loved it. I know of a similar one for sale
- Leo Eimers
- Bob holo - obviously great, and resale value is excellent because he has a big following
- Yohann Cholet - makes a super loud chorus style guitar
- Martin Tremblay
- Jean Barault

geese_com

Just as an update to this thread, I ended up buying an Altamira M10. Someone contacted me on another forum with a really good deal on an Altamira M10 plus hardcase and the deal was too good to turn down. It should arrive tomorrow.

I watched my first gypsy jazz jam last night and had lots of fun. I might join them in a couple weeks once I practice up.

When I have funds from some other gear that I am selling I will probably sell the Altamira and upgrade to one of the suggested guitars in this thread. This is the list of guitars I am thinking of upgrading to listed by preference.

1. JWC Modele Jazz maybe with cocobolo back and sides
2. Geronimo Mateos Jazz A or Jazz B
3. Stringphonic
4. Save a little more and get a Dupont MD model

Jim Kaznosky

You did fine. Play the one you have and learn its nuances without looking that far forward to the future. Stephane W told me when I was scoffing at the the guitar I had to use during a repair for a good deal of time during lessons "Let me see this guitar that you hate so much" and proceeded to play beautifully on it, achieving great tone. He handed it back to me and I got the message.

The advice I got from folks around here years ago was, if the bug for this music sticks (like more than a few years), just go right to a luthier built guitar. In the mean time, try some out. Try not to be swayed by what others say is good or bad about any particular brand...just keep notes as to what you liked about guitars. With enough notes, time, and money, you'll get pretty close to what you want.

geese_com

Well....I just got a Dupont Nomade in today and and it is noticeably a step up from the Altamira in both sound and feel.

billyshakes

geese_com wrote: »

I am located in Madison, WI. If anyone has recommendations of places that I can check out GJ guitars in my area that would be great.

If you are in Madison, then you should check out Harmonious Wail if you haven't seen them. They used to have a regular jam at one of the bar/restaurants downtown...can't remember which. I think there is still a gypsy jazz jam down at the Irish pub on Monroe St. Internet tells me it is called Brocach. Finally, there is the annual Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival that you probably just missed if you weren't there.

All great places to check out players with different guitars and you could probably get a chance to try some out as well as jam on some tunes and improve your skills. I'm from the Fox Valley originally....next time I'm home, I'd be happy to jam with you.