February 29, 2008
Gitane DG-255
It seems the particular Dell Arte guitar I was lusting after recently is simply not available anywhere at this time. The parent company as well as the luthier who designed it, claim that more are forthcoming from the manufacturer in Asia but nobody can say when. All the retailers worldwide said that it has been unavailable for many months now.
In the meantime a similar guitar has become available at a price I can live with. The Gitane DG-255 from Saga. Suggested retail: $950, street price: $690, typical eBay price: $600 (without case or warranty)... my price, brand new w/hard shell case and warranty: $550.
Granted this is still an entry-level guitar just a step up from the $200-300 student models and a long way from the $3,000+ hand-made European models, but it fits the budget. If it proves to be something that can be used at work then an upgrade might be considered.
Maybe it has something to do with playing in a French restaurant for the past eight years, but I do feel the urge to learn more about playing the gypsy jazz guitar style pioneered by Django. Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt (January 23, 1910 – May 16, 1953) was a Belgian Sinto Gypsy jazz guitarist who lived in Paris.
If you don't know what it sounds like, here's a good Gypsy Jazz internet radio station from some guys in Germany... Hot Club radio
Posted by dancoy at February 29, 2008 04:35 PM