are gitanes classical guitars?

jattendrai

are they steel string or nylon. would a gitane be classified as a classical? and how much different does it sound from a normal steel string acoustic?

Jeremy

Gitanes are steel string guitars, nothing like a classical guitar at all. In comparison to a standard steel string, my gitane sounds much louder and brighter.

blindjimmy

i recently saw a post somewhere the author was comparing the sound of these guitars to a banjo mixed with a classical guitar.

guit_box

Some similarities the Selmer/Macaferri has with a classical guitar

Some early European classical guitars were ladder braced like the Selmer.
They both have a slotted head
The winding on the bass strings are silver plated copper


Some differences:
All the strings on a selmer have a steel core, the core of a classical guitar string is nylon
Most modern classical guitars are fan braced, or lattice braced, but usually not ladder braced anymore.
The soundboard on a Selmer is usually more arched than a classical, but there are exceptions
The strings on a classical are attached to a glued-on bridge, the center portion of the selmer bridge is not glued.

There are more, but these are the main differences/similarities that come to mind.

jattendrai

so would it be easier or harder to play than a fender steel string acoustic? im looking into either a gypsy style guitar or a classical.

Jeremy

If you want to play gypsy jazz, a gypsy guitar would be best.

HCPhilly

Manouche makes a nylon string Selmac.
If it's anything like their steel string guitars, it'll kick ass!