Django's String Gage???

Bones

Does anyone have any idea what string gage Django used?

Thanks

wim

I think they were the Argentine strings then too, 10's, although the manufacturing process was probably different in some ways. This has been discussed here a few times before. The most authoritative comment came from Sam Adams (via Teddy Dupont):

The strings were of extremely light gauge and when I played a few chords I was amazed at the lowness of the action

The heavier 11's are a modern thing, an idea proposed to Savarez by Romane if I recall correctly. If the 11's were available in Django's time he probably would have switched to those immediately, as he switched away from the short scale instrument, for more power on the high melody notes.

pdg

Somewhere I might have read that he used an 011 as the 1st string -- which he could have gotten separately. But I'm not sure.

Bones

That makes sense. Thanks Ted!

Teddy Dupont

Django was once asked how he managed to get guitar strings during the war and he implied he had some very good contacts. - Perhaps Baro with his blackmarket activities.

Bones

Yep, I bet if anyone could get them it was the maestro! Thanks for the info.

ChrisMartin

I thought the same when I read Ted's comment. Django was known to hang out with some dodgy types and gangsters, not only Baro, and certainly everything would have been available on the 'black market' if you knew the right people and had the cash; Django certainly qualified for both of those during the war years. But, I still like the idea that we are hearing music from those times recorded under extreme conditions of shortages and fear, possibly with less than ideal equipment.

Bones

Well certainly he could pick up a pretty poor instrument with old strings and still make it sing.....

ChrisMartin

Bones wrote: »

Well certainly he could pick up a pretty poor instrument with old strings and still make it sing.....

I have seen others who could do that, the true mark of a great player.

Bones

From the manufacturer:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your message.
Django Reinhardt used to play our Argentine strings because they are the only ones perfectly adapted to legendary Selmer-Maccaferri guitars.
You can learn more about our Argentine strings on our website. We have 4 differents sets from 10-45 to 11-46. Both sizes are adapted.

Best regards,

Margot MAIRESSE
Chargée de Communication



SAVAREZ S.A | 5, avenue Barthélémy Thimonnier | BP133
69 643 Caluire et Cuire Cedex | FRANCE
Office : +33.4.37.40.32.03
comsavarez@savarez.com

AndrewUlle

I've read accounts of Django playing gigs with broken/missing strings because he'd forgotten to bring along spares, and he'd use whatever was handy for a pick if necessary.