Gitane D-500

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 07:08 PM

My wife decided to let me order a somewhat inexpensive guitar as a graduation gift to myself (woo-hoo!). I picked up a Gitane D-500 that was on the used GC site. I currently only have one guitar, so this will be a nice instrument to properly learn some manouche style guitar.

I'm going to order some new Argentine strings and a Wegen pick next week. The instrument should arrive early next week. The salesman said he thinks it might need a fret level, but that is a rather inexpensive job if nothing else is wrong.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-13-2014, 07:40 PM

Congrats! On both cool things.

Gitanes are about as cheap as you can get the "sound." Great value. Enjoy!

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 08:05 PM

Thanks Mr. B! I had done a search here and come across your posts, and it was certainly a reason I felt confident that this was a good choice.

I have a few Jazztone picks, do you think it's worth the $15 to try a Wegen?

**mr. beaumont** · 03-13-2014, 08:17 PM

Definitely.

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 08:24 PM

Thank you Sir. I will go ahead and order a set of the 11-46 Argentine strings and a Wegen pick. I appreciate your insight!

**RClegg** · 03-13-2014, 08:30 PM

That is great, there are fun guitars and have a true gypsy sound. Being in a small metro area, I had to order strings online, from Big City Strings. I had a lot of problems with the 3rd string going dead with a lot of gypsy string brands. It was always a moment of tension (so to speak) bringing that string up to pitch, hoping it stay bright.

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 08:37 PM

Thanks! I have heard the same complaint about the G string, so I am going to order a couple sets so I'm not without strings. I'm really looking forward to receiving the instrument!

**D.G.** · 03-13-2014, 09:04 PM

DDG 500 was my first gypsy guitar, it's a good starter instrument. What style to you currently play?

**PTChristopher2** · 03-13-2014, 09:14 PM

Way to go JSanta. Just don't get disappointed if you find the Gitane usable for more than just Jazz Manouche.

I have been rather happy with the John Pearse Nuages in .011 for balance and G lifespan.

Looking forward to hearing how you like the guitar.

Chris

**RClegg** · 03-13-2014, 09:17 PM

That is great, there are fun guitars and have a true gypsy sound. Being in a small metro area, I had to order strings online, from Big City Strings. I had a lot of problems with the 3rd string going dead with a lot of gypsy string brands. It was always a moment of tension (so to speak) bringing that string up to pitch, hoping it stay bright.

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

DDG 500 was my first gypsy guitar, it's a good starter instrument. What style to you currently play?

Currently I've been studying traditional jazz in the vein of Howard Alden and Bucky Pizzarelli. I'm just a hobbyist, but enjoy taking weekly lessons. It's been a great relief to "study" something that wasn't a textbook. I should add that I'm 28 and took a few years out of my playing and school to join the Army. Working full time and going back to school has made me appreciate playing so much more now.

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by PTChristopher2

Way to go JSanta. Just don't get disappointed if you find the Gitane usable for more than just Jazz Manouche.

I have been rather happy with the John Pearse Nuages in .011 for balance and G lifespan.

Looking forward to hearing how you like the guitar.

Chris

Thank you PTChris,

i wanted this guitar specifically to play in the gypsy style. Many years ago, one of the first CDs I bought was the soundtrack to Sweet and Lowdown, and that sound has always stuck with me. When I met Howard a few months ago he encouraged me to pick up the manouche guitar for a bit of fun during my studies.

**JSanta** · 03-14-2014, 04:38 PM

Well, I just received a call from the store and apparently the instrument was already sold before they processed my order. Too bad as I was looking forward to it.

**D.G.** · 03-14-2014, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by JSanta

Currently I've been studying traditional jazz in the vein of Howard Alden and Bucky Pizzarelli. I'm just a hobbyist, but enjoy taking weekly lessons. It's been a great relief to "study" something that wasn't a textbook. I should add that I'm 28 and took a few years out of my playing and school to join the Army. Working full time and going back to school has made me appreciate playing so much more now.

If you can, try to jam with other players in the gypsy style. You'll also find a fair amount of bluegrass players can switch hit in swing.

Get the Nolan Gig Book. Expensive but worth it.

An internet radio station: jazzradio.com/gypsyjazz

**mr. beaumont** · 03-14-2014, 04:54 PM

Call Michael at Djangobooks. He'll get ya one.

**PTChristopher2** · 03-14-2014, 05:15 PM

Yeah, now you are committed to the idea, so you HAVE to buy one,...

Seriously, it is a lot of guitar/cannon for the $$$ and I am sure you would enjoy playing it. Hope it all works out.

Chris

**JSanta** · 03-14-2014, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Call Michael at Djangobooks. He'll get ya one.

I'm going to wait for another good deal to come along. I'm bummed, but I guess these things happen.

**teleman3726** · 03-14-2014, 05:49 PM

Congrats on the new guitar.
I want a gypsy jazz box but don't have a clue where to begin?!

**GoergeBenson** · 03-15-2014, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by JSanta

Thank you PTChris,

i wanted this guitar specifically to play in the gypsy style. Many years ago, one of the first CDs I bought was the soundtrack to Sweet and Lowdown, and that sound has always stuck with me. When I met Howard a few months ago he encouraged me to pick up the manouche guitar for a bit of fun during my studies.

You know that was the film that got me into jazz, as a former folk guitarist. I actually thought that Emit Ray was a real player and went round all my local record stores asking if they had any of his cd's lol.

Of course that lead me to Django and a huge passion for GJ. I then bought a John Joerguson? model. It was a great guitar and am currently scratching around for another.

Good luck

**Jimmy Mack** · 03-15-2014, 08:57 AM

Unfortunately, I just sold mine, or we could have worked out something. I just wasn't using it, altho, it sounded fabulous just before I let 'er go.

I had the Argentine strings, and they were ok. The guitar really came to life when I put on DAddario Gypsy Jazz strings!
I mean - much better. Tone, intonation, balanced (very important with this guitar) volume, and lasted a good long time , longer than the Argentine's.

Good Luck finding one (again)

**JSanta** · 03-15-2014, 09:10 AM

I appreciate it gentlemen. I'm sure something good will come up soon. My wife gave me a dollar limit to order something without having a discussion beforehand so I can jump on something. I already ordered new strings and a Wegen pick, now it's time to find the guitar

**yebdox** · 03-15-2014, 09:42 AM

Any opinions on intermediately priced GJ guitars? I've been wanting to pick one up, as well, along with a steel bodied National, just to expand my playing possibilities. Are the Jorgensen model Gitanes a good deal, or is the money better spent elsewhere? By the time you add some setup fees and upgrades, it looks pretty easy to get to the $2K range on Djangobooks, and I'm sure those are probably competitive prices.

**SierraTango** · 03-15-2014, 12:23 PM

You may want to check out the Manouche Latcho Drom guitars. I also had a Gitane DG-250M and while it was a wonderful guitar, I upgraded to the Latcho Drom. I also wanted to go to a "D" hole style, and had a Big Tone pick-up installed. My understanding is the Altamira guitars are built in the same factory, however I could be wrong about that.
I work with an excellent violinist one a month and we do lots of the gypsy rep, plus some swing standards. I have been very pleased with the Latcho Drom for the $1,100 I have in it. It's no Dupont, however it fits my situation perfectly. Be careful though-as Mr. B can attest since he lives in Chicago and is near Caravan Guitars these instruments can be seriously addictive!

**JSanta** · 03-15-2014, 12:42 PM

Well, the good news is a petite bouche DG 250M came up for sale. I have always liked the way this model looked and sounded, at least from what I could tell from videos, so I took the plunge on it. 30 day return policy so I'm not worried.

In all honesty, I wanted the longer scale guitar, but I was very happy to see the D-500 for such a great price. I am a bit worried that the 11-46 strings I ordered will have too much tension, but strings aren't terribly expensive.