I have a one of a kind handmade Acoustic Archtop that I added a very shallow (CB Gitty brand, its cheap, but man its a great sounding $30 humbucker) and I put it about 3" from the bridge, ina Bridge/Mid position... Its one of the best sounding electric guitars plugged into a distorted tube amp i have ever heard. I use D'Darrio Ball end Gypsie Jazz strings on it for the reduced tension and the amazingly great tone ( although they get dead fairly fast as the SIlver wears away)
The scale length of these guitars is a truly heroic 26-5/8 inches- it's a man's guitar. I would be cautious about raising the action on such a guitar not least because that scale length is already giving the neck plenty of stress. Anyway, these guitars are known for their volume- John Jorgenson reckoned he held his own at a Django Fest in France- he was heard in a crowd of players giving it the full Gipsy Jazz megastrum.
Hi Dave. Gypsy guitar are set up completely different than standard acoustics. There are reasons why the action on these guitars should be higher and the strings are a different type and a lighter gauge.. THEY DON"T PLAY LIKE MARTINS! The person who jacked up the bridge repair was probably trying to make it play like a real Gypsy jazz guitar. For a Gypsy jazz player, which is where this guitar may excel, the set up is way to low. Michael Dunn is my HERO please check his spec's on how to set up a Gypsy jazz guitar. DIS AINT RIGHT! Steve
Steven is right. While the attempt to adjust the action was poorly executed, the idea was correct. He should have used some rosewood or ebony veneer for the job. I've heard Bob Holo (gypsy jazz guitar builder and expert) say that a good setup is between .011 and .014" for relief and 2.8 to 3.0mm 6th and 2.3 to 2.4 1st strings. I just acquired a GJ guitar myself and am finding the action a bit low at about 2.4mm 6th. If you dig in with the rest stroke technique it will buzz. I'm going to have to do a similar correction but I will certainly do a better job.
I got the less expensive Gitane. The neck was slightly twisted. I removed the frets, reprofiled the fingerboard and refretted it. It plays OK, but I hate to buy an instrument and then have to basically re-build it.
Dave, is that the new Molson label, for when you've had so many you can't tell the difference between the red label & the blue label?? P.S. You can't live like Django without a cue stick & chalk.
You got a cool guitar to repair Davey, the steam method was interesting man, never saw that before...I'm sure that guitar sounds good for gypsy jazz but for me its WAY too bright man, i need some bass and balls to the guitar man ;), might be the strings but still its too bright and not my cup of tea but some folks love it..... Cheers! Jesse
Our repair methods differ--I'd pour some Portland cement into those dents in the top. I'd also rout the top for a pickup. Oh yeah, apply a bunch of skull decals to the top. What dya think?
Dam the things people will do.I guess its obvious from your video but that steam trick will work even with a clearcoat on the wood? I have a few little dings I need to try that on.
If you have got time to take the twist out of the neck and rebuild the fingerboard and refret the lesser expensive Gitanes get one, but don't rely on Musicians Friend to send you a good one under a grand that you don't have to work on. They sent me a real lemon. I can't wait to get rid of it. What a piece of junk.
