Gitane DG-255

I have already replaced the Tailpiece with a higher quality Gold plated DR tailpiece with strip of red leather underneath, and I also replaced the tuners with better Gotoh tuners. Seriously, the tuners will need to be replaced on everyones eventually...they are lacking in quality. The guitar came with a custom fitted hard shell case (Saga is now making cases custom fitted to this line of guitars so they don't rattle around inside), and the case was an excellent quality one to boot. This guitar has standard features...

Ebony Fretboard
Mahogany Neck
Rosewood back & Sides
Spruce top
Ebony Moustache bridge
etc.

Also, the dealer I bought it from did not charge for shipping, so I literally got the guitar & hard shell case for only $599.95. That is the cheapest I have seen anywhere for a brand new Gitane!

Very loud acoustic in the traditional midrange tone of the Gypsy Jazz genre. I have a D-500 and this guitar is even louder than it; also has a more well balanced tone. It is great for this type of music (Jazz and Gypsy Jazz) but would not be so great for other musical styles in my opinion. It also requires special Silver wound strings to really make the sound come out, and you cannot find these strings in any music shop.

I had to do a set up on the guitar when I got it. It was fairly well done out of the box, but I have to tweak every instrument I own to my specifications.

I think this guitar will last forever if the owner pays attention to humidity issues, etc. Like all acoustics, it will be effected by the weather. This guitar is not a "sling over your back for thrills" guitar; it is meant for sitting.

Never had to deal with them, but I have heard good things. I have even heard that John Jorgenson has personally emailed people if they have problems as he endorses these guitars. If true, that is excellent customer support.

I have been playing guitar for 15+ years and I am 25 years old. I also play lute, oud, violin, cello, viola, stringed bass, banjo, and mandolin. I pretty much just play Gypsy Jazz, Swing Jazz, or straight ahead bebop or Avant-Garde. This guitar suits me perfectly fine, and I would not trade it for anything (well, ok, maybe for an original Selmer...any takers? LOL). If it were lost or stolen I would replace it immediately.

I bought my GItane DG-255 new on eBay about a year ago. It was new and built in China. Top is solid, body is laminated. Specs are per the original Selmer oval hole (petit bouche) design introduced after Mario Maccafferri left the Selmer company. I'm not going to give it a perfect review, but that said, it's more than acceptable for what it is. For example, the tailpiece has a plastic insert rather than an ebony one and though there are zero tuning problems, the tuning gears are not of top quality. That said, these "cutbacks" are part of what allows Saga to deliver this great guitar at under $600. The case I got was okay but a bit big. I hear that these are being shipped now with better cases and some eBay sellers certainly offer that option. I also hear that these now ship with "gypsy" strings which are essential to the Selmer sound. For the price, this guitar gets an 11.

I play this guitar mostly acoustically, but also on-stage in a swing band with a Schatten pickup. It's well-suited to gypsy jazz and though it's not a high-end Selmer copy, it's loud, full and has a very authentic tone. I have a custom Michael Dunn guitar on order, but this guitar has taught me a great deal about Selmer-style guitars and some of the subtleties of attack and fingering that make up the "Django" sound. For anyone exploring the style or contemplating the purchase of a high-end Selmer copy, this guitar is loud enough to keep up with any of them, and unless you're a swing maniac, it's hard to justify the $2000 (or more) upgrade to a hand-built guitar. You could play this guitar at any swing jam session and not sound noticeably different or inferior. I'm giving this a 9 because it doesn't have some of the subtlke complexities of tone found in teh hand-built guitars, but again, it's an 11 for the price.

I heard some complaints about factory setups on the Gypsy Jazz lists, but mine has always played like a greased telecaster. The wood purfling is perfect, the fingerboard is real ebony and actually left my fingers black for the first week or so of playing. The finish may be a touch on the thick side, and there are some minor cosmetic glitches inside the headstock slots.

This is a guitar with a very specific musical function. It's not a bluegrass machine or a rock guitar, though it has a sweet acoustic tone that could be adapted to folk and other styles. When I get my custom guitar, I'm sure that the Gitane will still be the one I use on-stage with a pickup and at outdoor jam sessions. I like having a good sounding workhorse that I won't worry about travelling with. It's affordable and replaceable, and does what it's supposed to do. I do expect that a few decades down the road, I'll need to update the tuners, but I'lll still give this a 10.

I've been playing since 1981 and minored in jazz guitar. I have a '38 Epiphone Triumph archtop and a Martin HD28-VR, and I play jazz, bluegrass and fingerstyle. I also design guitars and am working with several luthiers so I'd categorize myself as experienced and familiar with high-end guitars. When I got interested in Gypsy Jazz, I hesitated because the Gitane seemed like it was too good to be true given the price. I took a chance buying it having never played one, and this guitar now gets played more than the others. It's VERY loud and thanks to cheap Chinese labor, good materials and CNC machines, has raised the bar for what I would ever expect from a laminated, imported, factory-made guitar. (By the way, the original Selmers were laminated as are most of the high-end copies. Solid-wood snobbery doesn't apply here). If you really have the Gypsy Jazz bug, you'll ultimately step up to the high-end, but if you play live and amplified, dabble in the style or want to explore it before making a big-money commitment, this is miles beyond an "introductory-level" instrument, and you won't be disappointed.

This is the Chinese-built Selmer "petit bouche" copy, with solid spruce top, laminate rosewood b/s.Mine has a rather thin poly finish, cheap but useable tuners, a long scale typical of these guitars, but a very thin neck, more like an electric guitar. As it's an accoustic, not a lot of "features."

It's got the Django sound, IMO. The chords bark and roar, the notes have that bite, esp. when played by the bridge, and the sweetness when played toward the fingerbd. It has that sort of gypsy "rasp" when played hard. It's loud, too, it outshouts my Eastman (I think, I haven't really heard them from in front.)

Mine came well set-up, with no discernable flaws in quality. The build quality seemed great, the equal of other guitars in this price range.

This Saga seems like it will be durable, except for the tailpiece- that worries me a bit, as I've heard of problems, and it does seem to be made of thin metal. No strap buttons, they're made for a sitting player!

I've not dealt with Saga, but have heard they're OK.

I always wanted a "Django" guitar- they look and sound cool. This was a relatively cheap way to go, and I'd replace it if necessary. For me, it's all I need for that style, as much as I play it. I own a bunch of nice guitars, and this compares well with my vintage ones.

Loud loud loud acoustic guitar, biting attack, little sustain. A real monster jazz machine. Django's preffered axe!

I don't amp this guitar and it plays real well in my jazz group, recently i was using it on a gig with a trumpet/sax/double bass and drummer at my local band stand and the guys remarked how well the sound carried even with no amp!

I did'nt really like this guitar at first, having already developed a liking for the D500, but it grew on me and now its my favourite of the two. The finish is not quite as good as my D hole model, some glue residue being apparent at the end of the fingerboard, although you can't see it unless your looking for it.

The quality of construction seems consistent with what Mr John Jorgenson has relayed to me in private e-mails, namely more consistent than the original Selmers! i find that reassuring :-)

Excellant, they always respond to my e-mails.

Been playing guitar for more years than i care to remember, the Mac is my Holy Grail......what more can i say.

Made 2004, 14 frets to body, laminated rosewood back/sides, solid spruce top
No electronics
Tuning gears and tailpiece are a bit cheap, but are quite functional and attractive. Serious players will want to upgrade here.
The slot-headstock is attractive and true to the design of most of the original selmer guitars. (The DG-250 is a flat headstock, and is replica of a rarer selmer).

Really an affordable, high-quality gypsy guitar. The original selmers were laminated guitars with chunky necks. With the addition of gypsy strings (Argentines or John Pearse Nuage Strings), the sound is very authentic Django gypsy swing. This guitar is also INCREDIBLY loud. It doesn't have the cultured sound of a high-grade solid-wood instrument, but is an exceptional guitar for the money. If you want a gypsy-swing guitar, you won't be disappointed, especially if you aren't ready to invest $1500-$4000 for a hand-built selmer-style guitar. I'm really enjoying mine.

Apart from a bit of a thick finish, the binding and workmanship are really quite good. The real ebony findgerboard left my fingers black for the first few weeks of playing. Nice job on the wood binding. Good setup. I haven't had to make any adjustments.

A good, solid, well-built guitar. I'd take it anywhere and expect no problems.

I've been playing for 25 years, and have really gotten into gypsy swing over the past three years or so. This guitar has allowed me to really dig into the special sound of the Django Reinhardt style. I'm not hungry for better - at least for a long while. It sounds great, but isn't so fancy, delicate or pricey that I worry about taking it out. I'm not giving it a ten only because it wasn't designed to be one. It's an affordable Chinese-built guitar and for what it is, it's exceptional. It's just not going to compete with a Michael Dunn or a Shelly Park guitar.

21 frets
Spruce top, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, walnut neck, ebony board.
Nitrocellulose finish
Selmer "petite bouche" copy
Moustache bridge, selmer-style tailpeice
Comes with hardshell case.

The sound of this guitar is incredibly loud, soulful, and clear. Saga didn't miss a single detail in replicating the famous Selmers of the 1940's and 50's. This guitar isn't as good as dupont or selmer or dell arte guitars, but I kid you not in saying that it would hold its own alongside one of these more high end selmer replicas. The Gitane is very very loud, very clear, and very full. Somewhat trebly, but nothing more than what is expected from a gypsy style guitar.
This guitar is ideal for the gypsy jazz style music of django reinhardt. Though this guitar would be just as compatible with any other genre, there is not much sense in buying it for any other style of music. It is a gypsy jazz monster. Would you eat ice cream with a fork? Strange analogy, i know.
The only downside to a gyspsy style guitars like this is the distinct aproach one must take at playing it. The technique is neccessary in acheiving an ideal sound. Gypsy style strings (not provided), an extremely thick and hard tortoise style pick, and a strange right hand techinque that involves relaxing the wrist and bending it at a 45 degree angle, are neccessary elements. \
I will give it a 10. But someone who does not have a firm grip on the gypsy style will beg to differ.

A tiny bit of paint bleed on the neck. Frets are a bit harshly finished, and are not properly filed in one area. But these details do not take away from the playability. Im just being honest.

This guitar plays and sounds fantasic live. When you play this guitar with a swing band, you will really fall in love. Hardware is great, i would change the tuners, maybe. I would use this without a backup any day. Great finish, seems to be very durable.

i am 17 years old, ive been playing for 4 years, and i've found my passion in gypsy music. Thsi guitar is not as good as the higher quality selmer copies, but would certainly hold its own playing alongside a dupont, dell arte, etc.
For me, it is an excellent instrument at an affordable price. It really fills the bill for me, and i cannot stop playing it when i start...it just sings with that beautiful gypsy voice, heard through Django's impecable playing, modern followers of his music, and the mysterious gypsys of france.

Select solid spruce top
Rosewood back and sides
Mahogany neck
Bound ebony fretboard
Super-wide bridge
Oval soundhole
Slotted head
Longer scale length
Ebony body binding with triple maple/walnut purfling
Bone nut with zero fret
Compensated moveable center on the bridge
Nickel-plated open-geared tuners
Adjustable truss rod
Trapeze tailpiece
It came in a heavy molded hard shell case. Fit is a little loose.

The DG-255 has a very loud, and cutting projection. It was designed to be heard when soloing over 5 or 6 accoustic rhythm players. It resonates extremely well on most notes, and has that biting mid-trebly growl, which is prized for the gypsy sound. This guitar does approximate Django's sound when played by an able performer of the style (key point).
Also very important, is that it sounds good for other accoustic styles, and is not limited by the usual wonky sounds of some gyspy guitars.

It ships with the wrong strings (wake up Saga!). Once the right strings (Argentine, Manouche etc.) are applied, the sound comes alive.
It is important to research how to adjust the bridge if ones wants changes there. Mine came with a low and fast action out of the box.
The quality of workmanship is top-notch, and almost rivals the Europeans and North American constructors. The adherence to the original Selmer construction is remarkable. The spruce top is of good quality, and the back and sides are typical rosewood laminates. The hardware is lacking but does the job quite well nonetheless.

It is built solidly, but has to be handled with care. The top is slightly arched over curved trusses, so it has a little tension to it (hence the loud and ample sound projection). This guitar needs to be kept at 45 to 60% humidity, as the top will likely crack if not.
With care, this guitar will last a long time, and will only get better with age.
The nitrocellulose coating is a little too thick for this style guitar, but will protect it longer. Luckily, it does not seem to dampen the sound.

N/A

I've been playing for 39 years, and own 2 strats, 1 tele, 2 Gibsons, 2 Takamines, 1 Epiphone, and a Hofner mandolin.

I tried other handmade selmer styled guitars such as DiMauro, Shelley Parks, even a Dupont, so I can compare.
This guitar may be a little thiner, and more trebly than some of the above, but it does have the growl and the projection.
It may not be exatly as good as a Dupont or some Parks, but at 5 times less the money, this guitar is of exceptional value!

purchased on July 3rd, 2004 from onlineguitar on an eBay auction.
Received at my home on the 7th.

from the Sagamusic.com website:
Select solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides
Body is bound in solid ebony with maple/walnut/maple purfling on top and back
Bound Mahogany neck with a 21-fret fingerboard of genuine ebony, marked with pearl position dots
slotted peghead
Genuine bone nut with traditional "zero" fret
Dovetail neck/body joint
Body size- 14-fret neck joint - Scale length 26 5/8? - Nut width 1 3/4? - Body length 18 1/2? - Lower bout 16? - Upper bout 11 1/4?
Horizontal cutaway
Characteristic "Oval" soundhole, surrounded with a delicate multi-ply rosette
slotted peghead design
Moustache bridge with, a compensated, movable center
Nickel-plated, open geared tuning machines with a 14:1 ratio
Adjustable truss rod
Trapeze tailpiece
Hard shell case included
Shop adjusted

This was really an eye-opener. I love the tone, plus it's alive & LOUD ... which is ideal for the Django-style music I'm playing. I think I'll sell my other acoustic guitars ... they sound dead to me now.

This guitar was nearly perfect out of the box, without major flaws: the string-hole in the low-E tuning key had a slight burr that caused a new string to break. The only other changes were to raise the bridge and adding gypsy-style strings.

The action is a little too low for hard gypsy playing, but there was no buzzing until you cranked up the volume. Most American players would find the action perfect, but I am trying to duplicate Django's sound, so the action needs to be higher. I took 2 workshops from John Jorgenson (at Djangofest SF)and he had just received the first prototype of the Gitane John Jorgenson model, and his complaint was that tho they sent him 3 bridges of different heights, none were high enough for him. BTW, the Jorgenson model is nearly identical to the DG-255 with mostly cosmetic changes.

There was a little polish residue on the tailpiece.

Someone complained about the tuning machines, but they look & work fine. A friend who owns a DG-500 and DG-250M seems to think they are ok too.

I have only had this guitar for about 6 weeks, but so far, so good. I'm thinking about setting another one for backup. I play it 3-4 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it only sees the inside of a case to travel, which is less than once a week. I let you know more if anything pops up.

n/a

I have been playing 30+ years, but gypsy-style music for only the last year. I have played Del Arte, Moustache, Shelley Park, Michael Dunn, & a few other gypsy guitars, and this is by far the best bang-for-the-buck. If it were lost or stolen, I'd buy another in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I could see getting another DG-255 and a DG-500. I wish all my guitars had this scale length, but I hate the gypsy fret-side markers. That's my problem, and I'm sure I'll get used to it. I did notice that a banjo has the same marker arrangement.

I feel like I am becomming a Django-scholar and jam with Django-philes regularly. Everyone should have one of these guitars even if you already own a Michael Dunn or Selmer ... you won't have to worry about it at gigs, or just use it as a backup.