Vandora guitars

oderus

It seems that Vandora is the name the Farida factory uses to sell their guitars in China, as it's not allowed to use the brands Saga, Guild, etc...

This is what I've found in a chinese link

https://zhidao-baidu-com.translate.goog/question/1430248508795463539.html?qbl=relate_question_0&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=es&_x_tr_pto=wapp

oderus

Hi again

Finally some photos of my new Vandora MASC-800SANA

The previous owner replaced the original bone nut, wich I also have, with a handmade ebony piece

The original label that was in the soundhole was removed, it's possible to see some scratches and there are still some adhesive behind the new label which appears to be in the shape of Gitane's label. Maybe a bit difficult to see in the pictures

There is a number in the headstock, through the soundhole

Here the cosmetic issue, the whitening of the varnish in the cutaway area

The tailpiece is not original. The former owner replaced the plastic with a piece of exotic wood, but I don't like how it is installed and plan to replace it. I find the part over the soundboard too long, and is way too high!!

Which should be the normal distance between the tailpiece and the soundboard in this guitar? I guess the hump at the bottom should be the level of the tailpiece, is this correct?

oderus

and even if I am off topic, since the guitar comes to me from Cadiz, I share with you this song of a great guitarist from that area. Quite gypsy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZJuvtumXFo&ab_channel=cabraroad

Jangle_Jamie

Cut a nice piece of thin leather to go under the tailpiece - it will spread the load more evenly and reduce the possibility of the tailpiece breaking across the bend.

I bought my Gitane D500 twenty years ago this year. It's still a great guitar and I use it occasionally for solo gigs where I play a mixture of styles from bossa to gypsy jazz to Pat Metheny. Mine is loud, a bit brash but can be played with sensitivity. My original tailpiece broke about fifteen years ago (across the bend) and I replaced it with a Killy Nonis one.

So it's definitely a re-badged Gitane you have. Great detective work!

oderus

Thank you Jangle_Jamie

Yeah, I think it's an excellent guitar. I'm very impressed with its versatility, it seems to adapt to any style you play. I work with a gypsy guy who plays guitar, 100% flamenco. I'm looking forward to hear how it sounds in his hands.

Thanks for your suggestion about the thin leather piece, I'll definitely put it on, besides the usefulness, for the gold plated gangster tie look that will fit great.

I've found a tailpiece that looks like the original Saga one at a good price, still unbent. I will install it myself, but the fact is that I have doubts about how is the correct setup. I imagine that, being the top curved, the angle should be a bit more than 90º, and the piece of wood -or whatever material- bites the leather piece against the hump.

Could you please take a side picture of the tailpiece of your guitar? I have never had in my hands a guitar like this, and it would be of great help to be able to see how is a proper tailpiece setup on a D500

Buco

There is no tailpiece setup per se. As long as it's centered and squared to the strings that's all there's to it. The tailpiece will follow the angle and the pull of the strings, you won't be able to set the tailpiece angle. Maybe save your money for a high quality tailpiece. The one that's on it looks ok, the wood insert will look nicer with a leather piece underneath as Jamie said. Looks like it still has original bridge, replacing that will be the best improvement for low investment.

Jangle_Jamie

Exactly as Buco says above. The other modifications I've done to mine are to refinish the top - I took the thick lacquer (and orange stain) off and french polished. It's a shame Gitane used such a bright orange stain when they could have gone for a more natural look. I also chamfered the edges of the fingerboard and frets, just to take off that sharp edge, though I tend to do this with all my guitars. Finally, I refinished the headstock and took off the Gitane logo. I'll post some photos here later if you like.

As Buco says, replacing the tailpiece with a nice handmade one (Dupont/Killy Nonis/Miller) would be best, but if you already have the unbent replacement Saga tailpiece: get the leather in place and screw the tailpiece onto the guitar (the screw holes may well line up), then use your thumbs to push the tailpiece over the angle. Make sure you get it right first time - you can't bend it again!

EDIT: I see from your photos above that there are currently no upper screws fixing the tailpiece on. The strap button may be a thicker screw and will possibly need a larger hole drilling in the base of the new tailpiece.

How close are you to Madrid? Maybe Geronimo Mateos could help you out

oderus

I will remove the strap buttons, I find them a nonsense on this guitar.

What made me think of a wrong setup was, indeed, that it's not possible to fix the upper screws, as the holes are too close to the soundboard. I tend to think that the longer the bridge part over the top, and the closer it is to the bridge, the greater the downward pressure at the bridge when modifying the break angle. I think it should affect the tone, but maybe it's just my imagination.

As the new tailpiece is on its way, and I have a 5 hour drive to Madrid, I will enjoy the process of replacing the tailpiece. I usually adjust my guitars myself, I live in a village lost in the mountain and a visit to a luthier always takes me more time than I have available. And is something that I really enjoy

I forgot to take a picture of the bridge, but yes, I think it is the original. Nowadays I don't want to invest more on the guitar If not needed, but maybe later on.

Jangle_Jamie

This all sounds good. You will probably need to fill the old strap button hole. I have used sawdust mixed with wood glue in the past, but I have also used two-part car body filler! Possibly frowned upon, but it certainly gives a solid result! Yes you're right about positioning the new tailpiece so that the upper screw holes are not so close to the soundboard.

Where in Spain are you? I have climbed in the Pyrenees quite a lot over the years, mainly on the French side, but also a bit around Torla/Bujaruelo plus Canfranc too.

Cheers, Jamie

Buco

Gitane used to put that piece of wood where the tailpiece breaks over. I think it was thought that it helps with open(er) sound? None of the modern builders do that, at least I can't remember ever seeing it on any other newer guitar. That could probably be sanded down and it would help the whole process.