Comments

• steven_eire Wicklow✭✭✭✭ Dupont MD50

  May 2010 Posts: 172

  Ultraspontane wrote:

  So is there a consensus on decent priced, decent sounding, and durable gyspy strings?
  
  What about these?
  
  http://www.instrumentalley.com/Gitane-D ... dg-011.htm

  
  if they're the strings that come on a gitane out of the box then they're not very good. most people use argies
• Ultraspontane ✭✭

  May 2010 Posts: 47

  I just found out that my local music store has a Gitane DG-255 with a case for $470.
  
  So Its either the Cigano GJ-0 for $350 or the DG-255 w/case for $470. Is the DG-255 that much better than the Cigano models?
• MichaelHorowitz SeattleAdministrator

  May 2010 Posts: 6,213

  Ultraspontane wrote:

  I just found out that my local music store has a Gitane DG-255 with a case for $470.
  
  So Its either the Cigano GJ-0 for $350 or the DG-255 w/case for $470. Is the DG-255 that much better than the Cigano models?

  
  Most people would agree that the DG-255 is actually worse than the Cigano. The DG-255 is Sagas' oldest model and it has some flaws including almost no neck angle or top arch. Causes them to be overly bass heavy and flatop like. They fixed these problems with the Ciganos.
  
  $470 is below wholesale...is it used?
• Ultraspontane ✭✭

  May 2010 Posts: 47

  I just got back from trying out the DG-255, and I have to say I am pretty disappointed. Michael is right. The guitar didn't have much pop, the strings were too low, there was significant buzz, and I felt like I couldn't play hard. The tone was mediocre at best. Even the workmanship seemed worse than the Cigano. And yes, Michael, it was used.
  
  So I am going to go back to the other store tomorrow to give the Cigano another try and hopefully make my decision.
• crookedpinky Glasgow✭✭✭✭ Alex Bishop D Hole, Altamira M & JWC D hole

  May 2010 Posts: 931

  Hi there, for what it's worth I took my Cigano to Samois in 2008 and showed it to UK maker John Le Voi. His response was very favourable and he reckoned it was a truer representation of a Selmer than many higher end Sagas, e.g 255. ANd better value for money.
  
  One thing about the Ciganos is the finish, it's very thin and - in my opinion - helps give to give it it's tone. For the money I think they're excellent guitars - much better than my Dell Arte Pigalle for example. ( I've almost finished stripping my Pigalle right back to the wood and I reckon I've removed about 8oz of filler,sealer and finish - it's already starting to sound more rounded and lively )
  
  One other thing I'd liek to say is that I have swithced almost exclusivley to Bosset strings. I know they've had one bad review on here and they are about $13 a pack but - in my experience they last three times longer than Argentines or Gallis.
  
  Good luck with whatever you get but always remember a big part of the tone is in your own hands,
  
  Alan

  always learning
• Ultraspontane ✭✭

  May 2010 Posts: 47

  Thanks for the pointers, pinky.
  
  Well, now I am a proud owner of a Cigano GJ-0. My first gypsy guitar. I really like it. Much better than the Gitane DG-255 I played. It really cuts, it plays very easily, and I can whack the strings pretty hard without buzzing out.
  
  I had the shop owner restring it with new strings before I bought it. GHS gypsy strings. They are bright and sound good, but are the Argies warmer sounding? That might be nice.
  
  Thanks for all of the pointers. Time to go back to the woodshed for me!