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Pros:
- Great price
- Great build
- Comfortable for beginners
Cons:
- Not as versatile with genres
- Might think about changing the strings that they come with
Saga Musical Instruments and Gitane guitars, one of the leaders in Gypsy Jazz guitar manufacturing, created the GJ-5 model for anyone interested in pursuing their interest in this genre. It is rather hard for music enthusiasts to find a guitar that will fit the specifications for this genre, especially at a price range that will not have you starving for the next couple of months but fortunately, GJ-5 is here to save the day… or you know… keep you from starving.
This is a very affordable guitar for beginners interested in this genre, although that does not mean that someone more experienced would not enjoy it. For a much lower price than regular guitars that are made specifically for Gypsy Jazz, you will be getting a model that does not compromise quality for cost.
Build
GJ-5 Grande Bouche guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top, a great quality, a durable tonewood with a horizontal cutaway. This model with its short scale D-shaped soundhole produces a warm sound and a deep bass response that is just right for this genre. It also has a horizontal cutaway while the back and sides are made of mahogany, a very standard, yet good quality material that gives this model more volume. The neck is slim solid mahogany with easy action and stability. Overall the construction of this model guarantees durability but also keeps the build easy to play and manageable for beginners.
Hardware
This model is equipped with bone nut, which, by a lot of people is considered to be the best material for this purpose and a movable mustache-style bridge that is compensated dyed rosewood. The saddles are made of dyed tonewood and the tuning machine is standardly gold-plated which not only look nice but are easy to use and will help your strings stay in tune longer. The fingerboard is made of Indian rosewood and Mother-of-Pearl round dot inlays. The finish is a vintage-tones high gloss that adds to the old-style look of this guitar and although the looks are not the most important it sure as hell does not hurt.
Gitane Cigano Sound
With their expertise Saga and Gitane have constructed a guitar with just the right tonewood and hardware that will make this guitar sound amazing. If you are looking for a guitar that will give you the sound needed for Gypsy Jazz there is no better model at a good price than GJ-5. This model has great tone that is ambient and warm, yet loud.
Conclusion
Sada Musical instruments and Gitane have created something that no person who is interested in Gypsy Jazz should pass by. GJ-5 is a perfect model for beginners as well as professionals who do not necessarily want to spend thousands and thousands. Made with traditional methods and great tonewood you can be sure that this guitar provides the perfect sound and tonality for the style and will last you years and years.
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“The saddles are made of dyed tonewood” – really? I hope they mean that the bridge is made of wood. A wooden saddle with steel strings will last about one week.