Nylon Gypsy Jazz Suggestions

Brunerd1489 · August 18

Hello all. about 5 years ago I made an impulse purchase of an Altamira M01D Nylon with cedar top ($700 at the time). It was great but I already had a budget Alhambra classical I was using for work (elementary music) so I ended up selling the M01D as it wasn't necessary while living on a teacher's salary. That Altamira is my "one that got away" so to speak. I've been inkling to get one again but I'm no longer teaching so I think if I get one I'll sell the Alhambra to justify this.

I haven't been successful in the search for the cedar top M01D Nylon (I prefer cedar to spruce but it's not a deal breaker). What I wanted to see from you guys is do you have any other recommendations for budget nylon gypsy jazz guitars, preferably under $1000? Or should I just bite the bullet and get a regular silver-copper stringed guitar? I want to make sure I am choosing from all possible options in case I can find something like the Altamira at a lower price.

Something that's relevant is I'm not gigging in GJ style or with the classical either. The plusses that a GJ nylon has is the cutaway, more frets, cooler look. The plus of my Alhambra is I already have it (no cost) and I've put a pickup in it.

Thank you for any insights!

Brunerd1489 · August 18

This is the actual guitar I had. Man was it good.

djazzy · August 18

I think @MichaelHorowitz has these guitars in stock in that price range -- perhaps not with cedar though. Otherwise I think it would pretty difficult to find a nylon string Selmac without upping your price considerably. Dupont makes an excellent model. But lots (most?) of the luthiers in this style make them -- just shoot some emails around & see what they say -- if you want save up for one.

Also, I cant resist but... if you like nylon stringed guitars in this style (I do & wish there were more!) -- maybe try holding out for it instead of feeling you have to switch?

Jangle_Jamie · August 18

I have a lovely Alves De Puga MCC Nylon bought second hand fairly locally to me. Flamed maple back and sides, spruce top. It's light as a feather and sounds great. I will say that despite that, I actually prefer the sound of my Cordoba Fusion 14 Maple - not as cool looking, but it has a deeper and more fulfilling sound than the MCC Nylon. I also have an Alhambra classical which is still a nice guitar, but it's a proper classical with wide fingerboard and no cutaway. Have a look at the Cordoba Fusion 12 or 14.

wim · August 18

There are not a lot of options. In fact under $1000 I think the Altamira probably is the only option readily available. Dupont makes some (click) but they'll be a higher price range than the Altamira.

My Nylon Gypsy Jazz Suggestion is: no nylon strings in gypsy jazz. Cedar or spruce doesn't matter much, they sound bad either way. The sound like a duck's fart.

pdg · August 18

The Kremona "Lulo Reinhardt" (two models) guitars, maybe. Their flamenco guitars sound really good.

Joonas · August 18

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/122460#Comment_122460

Not a bad looking guitar.

billyshakes · August 18

Who'd you sell it to? Any chance of recovering the original instrument?

Brunerd1489 · August 18

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/122463#Comment_122463

It was on craigslist but my history only goes back to 2022. Sold this in 2020 so I can't contact them through the generated email address. Maybe this is a sign to go for a regular D hole GJ guitar...