Gallato guitars

klaatu

Does anyone know whether the current model Gallato 1939 is entirely made in France (versus assembled in France with some Asian components)? There seems to be a question about this. I wonder how they're able to produce a quality GJ guitar at this price in France.

frater

Gallato gave this answer to a similar question on the hotclub site:

"I don't live in Paris but in Toulouse, and my workshop is in Cahors. Depending on where the wood comes from, the guitar is handcrafted there or in Spain, with mechanicals from Montauban, where we make the exact replicas for the Maccaferri's ones. The brand is "Gallato Paris" because that's where I founded it, but the rents became a bit expensives for a craftsman, so I moved.

It's a bit complicated, but that proves it's still traditional. We adapt our work to our world. If one day I find a better wood from Austria, that's where the wood will come from. I just want to have great material to make great guitars from it.

I know it's a good deal, but when your passionnated, making guitar sound more like fun than work, and 1200 € per guitar seems to be enough for us. "

Hope this helps...

klaatu

Cool, thanks, that's helpful. I'm considering one. I've got a lovely custom Dell'Arte Anouman but would like a European model as well, and can't really afford most of them. A Dupont MC50 is my dream guitar, but is just a dream at this point.

frater

In that price range you should also check out Castelluccia... the Gypsy model is around 1200 euro. Both Gallato and Castelluccia have walnut necks, a feature not so diffused in this price range. That's a big plus,IMO.

klaatu

Hi - thanks for the suggestion. Actually, Norman Ort at gypsyguitar.de has the Gallato for 985 Euros. I'm in Canada, the Euro goes for about CAN$1.60, so the exchange is pretty high. Add in shipping and customs, every little bit counts.

Where are you located?

klaatu

Serge Gallato just sent me this response to my inquiry:

I can assure you that this guitar hasn't any outside-european part. Wood usually comes from spain or germany, and the guitar is handcrafted in France or Spain, because I've got two workshops. Even the tuning keys are made in Montauban, France. If you really want a gypsy guitar made in France only, you can have it. You just have to tell it to the webmaster of my website when you buy it, and he'll know which guitar to send you. I'll pass him the word.

Guess that pretty well settles it.

frater

I like Gallato's attitude. In Italy (where I'm based), we use to say: "l'occhio del padrone ingrassa il cavallo". Which means the owner has to take care of his horse if he wants the horse to prosper...
Bravo Serge!

klaatu

Well, I wound up ordering a Gallato 1939 from Norman. It arrived yesterday, and first impressions are very favorable. It looks great, seems to be very well put together, and best of all has that gnarly, nasty sound that is very authentic to my (admittedly not sophisticated) ears. It simply slays my Manouche Modele Jazz, and I may even like it better soundwise than my very lovely maple Dell'Arte Anouman. Better definition in the bass for sure. Volume galore. Very well balanced with no dead spots that I can tell. It's brand new and has a lot of breaking in to go through, so I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing how it turns out in the long run, but right now I'm very pleased.

I find it very easy to play. The neck is squarish but comfortable, rather flat and not bulky at all. It does have a truss rod. The action was too low when it arrived (about 2.5mm), but there was an extra bridge in the case which brought it up to a nice 3mm.

Norman was great to deal with. If anyone is interested in the Gallato 1939, I'd suggest getting in touch with him. His price is excellent, and it is IMHO a great value for the money. As he says, it may not be as good as the Mateos models were, but they were way more expensive, and it is a great-sounding and high quality guitar for the price. Even with shipping costs and customs charges to Canada it was a good deal.

BluesBop Harry

Congrats on the new Gallato!
I have tried other models and loved that squarish neck.
Gonzalo Bergara played one in his album and sounds incredible.

Just out of curiosity, Does yours have a pliage on the top?
How much did you pay in the end?
Did you ask for the "completely made in France" guitar?
Thanks.

klaatu

Thanks, Enrique. I like the neck, too. Curiously, my band mate who tried it commented that the neck was the one thing he didn't like.

I didn't think to ask for a totally made in France guitar. I'm not sure Norman would have known. If you order one directly from Serge, they will do that for you. Otherwise, it could be French or Spanish built, from my understanding.

I don't see what I would call a pliage, although there does seem to be some arch to the top. I think of a pliage as being a pronounced bend, like you see in Italian mandolins.

All in all, I think it's a great guitar and really good value for the money.

BluesBop Harry

Thanks man and enjoy!