Does anyone know the value of Stringphonic guitars?

Scoredog

Actually i believe the top of the line Stringphonic has a pliage.

Bones

Oh cool, I'd like to check one of those out.

Buco

I saw on their site where they say the basic model has forced top, advance model is with pliage.

Bones

Ok yeah I see that in the description on Michael's site. Pretty good deal for $2700 if you get a good one. Love to try one out.

dennis

I tried the advanced model and the basic models. In fact I’ve tried quite a few of them. If I had to buy a stringphonic, I’d personally choose the basic model. I wouldn’t even say that the advanced model sounds better than the basic one. They’re roughly similar in that they have the “modern” sound that I previously described.

Here’s the difference between Altamira and Stringphonic. They both sponsored the event that I played at with Antoine and Tcha. Altamira sent a bunch of guitars ouf the factory, with zero set up whatsoever. Some guitars arrived with broken tailpieces and strings. The Stringphonics arrived fully set-up , and the boss was there to make more adjustments. That’s the level of workmanship of the Japanese.

Please note, i’m not badmouthing Altamira, I just got an Altamira Model M for my homestay students and I play it myself. Altamira’s strength is that they’re low cost instruments that sound “authentic”. And they’re great if you buy them from a respectable dealer that will set it up correctly for you. Stringphonic does it already

cbandla

I've got a couple of questions about things brought up in the discussion. What's the difference between piliage and a forced top? Also, Dennis, how would you describe the difference between the modern sound and the authentic sound?

Cbandla

Jim Kaznosky

Great questions.

Buco

A guitar with pliage has been thought of as better in terms of volume and projection. I asked the luthier who made my guitar that same question (my guitar has a forced top) and he just replied "both can sound good if you know what you're doing".

MichaelHorowitz

cbandla wrote: »

What's the difference between piliage and a forced top?

@cbandla “pliage” just means “fold”in French so technically every Gypsy guitar has a pliage of some sort. However, when people say pliage they’re often referring to a heat bent top which is the traditional method that Selmer used. This method employs the use of a hot iron and results in what is usually a more pronounced bend with the apex right under the bridge. Nowadays more manufacturers use the forced top method which means the top was bent using some moisture and then forced into position resulting in a shallower bend with the apex of the bend on the backside of the soundhole which slopes down towards the bridge.

Because of the time and expense of implimenting the heat bent method, few luthiers do it and when they do, it’s usually reserved for expensive flagship models like the Dupont Vieille Reserve. It does sound different, resulting in a faster, snappier attack and a generally more aggressive sound. But not always, as there are so many factors involved so just heat bending the top isn’t some sort of a miracle technique. And even among heat bent tops, you’ll see a lot of variation, with the early, pre-war Selmers having shallow bends that didn’t extend all the way across the body and later Selmers with very steep bends that went from rim to rim.

The same holds true for forced tops, they vary, with the most unique design being the the forced bend, which some call a bombe, that Busato employeed which was very steep, and like the heat bent method, placed the apex of the bend right under the bridge. The result is pretty explosive and uniquely Busato. Other luthiers have built Gypsy guitars that have almost no discernible bend at all.

Anyway, I hope that helps!

ChrisMartin

As Dennis said above, there is, and always has been, too much hype around names and labels.
Sure I would love a Busato/Selmer/Favino/Hahl/Dupont Vielle Reserve - insert name here - too, (who wouldn't?) but really, would it benefit my playing any?
I doubt it, sure I would feel good in my head and probably go to great lengths to bore anyone within earshot about why it is the best, but who are we kidding?
There are very few who are good enough to make the difference count.
90% or more of what we hear is from the head, heart, hands and fingers.

Or to put it another way, every time we see Stochelo or Bireli it seems they have another top of the range luthier made masterpiece but the reality is they would still sound great with a Cigano.

I have by luck stumbled across a few that suit me, fit my hands and make a sound I like. I am fortunate in that having more money than talent has allowed me to go this route and sell on those that didn't fit, but it seems a recurring theme on here that whenever a discussion starts about what brand is better within a price range, or whether to buy new or vintage, the inevitable irrelevant posts will follow where each person recommends what worked for them.
I know what guitars I like and why, but I would never presume to tell another player to do what I do or say.
All I can say is forget prejudices about factory v luthier or what country they are made in and try as many as you can. To that end maybe we need a post on here where those willing can offer to let others try their guitars so there is even wider choice than just what is in the nearest shop.

The only caveat to all of this is that as we are mostly fooled by labels and act like sheep according to what is hip or not, the guitars with the 'right' names will always have a better resale market. Not a problem if you buy what you like and aim to keep it, but for those who are just putting a toe in the GJ water and not sure if they will stay the course stick with the names that sell if you want to get some of your money back fast.