Strings

voutoreenie

Count me as another who always comes back to Argentines...next favorite is probably La Bella, followed by GHS, Galli and D'Addario (in that order)

Jojo

Thanks everybody.

The Argentines arrived but were promptly sent back as I did the rookie error of ordering loop ends instead of ball ends. That’s with the guitar in front of me and me ‘magically thinking’ “Oh it’ll be fine”…🤷🏻‍♂️. I then bought the D’Addario ones and noticed the immediate clarity on the upper strings. A third more expensive than the Argentines but I had to get the problem sorted. Quickly. I’ll look into @Twangs suggestion and using John LeVoi.

Interesting to hear the feedback about the APC as I too have reservations, @crookedpinky . I’m not that familiar in what ‘ a great sound’ would be. I went into Hobgoblin’s (London) a while ago and tried a Gitane and didn’t think it was too dissimilar. Mine’s a D hole so the sound seems to me a bit ‘fatter’. I am aware that quite a bit of the guitar needs upgrading, the bridge perhaps and the tuners. Don’t know whether I’d go so far as you did @Jangle_Jamie .The guitar is pretty flawless in terms of machining but the frets suffer from being quite cheap and there is a small gap between the underside of the edge of the fret at the neck ( nearest top E) with a slight drag on my fingers, though not enough to cut. Someone better than I might be able to confirm that the backs on a GJ guitar have a slight curve? This has none; I’m not sure if that affects the sound production. One of the more amazing things was that it was perfectly in tune having come from Portugal via Germany, albeit a tone down. Not sure if they go through a final set up in the U.K. though. However, sending a guitar in a such a flimsy cardboard box is sacrilegious

crookedpinky

What was the problem with the loop end strings ? Or does your tailpiece differ in some way from others ? I'm just curious.

Also it depends on what model of Gitane you tried out as they can vary enormously in sound. As for having a slight curve on the backs again this varies a lot with most of mine having a very slight curve, barely noticeable but some older guitars - Busatos, Favinos, Di Mauros - sometimes have a more distinct curve which is built in during the laminating process.

Twang

Perhaps the guy’s not aware the loop ends fit over the thingies with the holes drilled in?

Jojo

the tailpiece on mine doesn’t have anything for the loops to hang on to. It’s a very thin piece of metal that has a thin slip of cork underneath it to stop it bending. I believe most other GJ guitars have a far more substantial tailpiece that wouldn’t bend. Another way for the manufacturer to keep costs down ( and obviously something to consider replacing….however, I’m not sure how it would improve the sound)

Willie

"(….however, I’m not sure how it would improve the sound)"

At least audible, maybe even really upgrading.

Jangle_Jamie

Ah yes, the APC tailpieces are formed from a single piece of metal, with just slots to poke the ball end strings into. It works, but it's better to have a nice brass stamped tailpiece with a wood insert. It would be an upgrade well worth adding. As for the bridge, if it's the same as mine - thin and insubstantial - I would replace that immediately with a correctly-sized bridge which will give a better tone and volume I'm sure. A good new bridge and moustachios is about £30. A good brass tailpiece is about £75. PM me if you want a bit more info and advice.