Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi gang,

I have a pal who is talking over the idea of me building him a Gypsy style accoustic.....

slot head, small oval hole, tailpiece, long narrow bridge.....

so, I can find the tailpieces out there, and I've never done a slothead or an oval rosette, but hey, learning curve, right?

OKAY, question time!!

Ladder or fan bracing?

the guy is as laid back as anything about it and with the tiny soundholes he hasn't been peering inside to find out himself....

I'm guessing that the fan allows the bridge more wriggle roomrather than having to hit right on the ladder under the top......?

anyone built one of these?

TA!!

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

http://www.collinsguitar.com/

That's 'the man' on those guitars. He wrote a book on their construction as well as did a DVD set. I have a copy of the book and it is well written and very complete (it's close to the size of C&N!). I think StewMac has the book and DVDs.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I built one. Go with the ladder bracing for the authentic Selmer tone, otherwise, what's the point?

The little mustaches, on either side of the bridge (the little pointy parts) are glued to the soundboard and are used to locate the floating bridge.

There is a lot of info on these guitars available now, and no reason not to use it. Good luck!

Here's a photo of mine. I did the Bird's Eye Maple model with the solid headstock. I love their slotted headstock models, but decided to do this one first.

The small sound hole models are most suited to lead work, the large hole generally have a more well rounded tone and are used for rhythm work, at least in the traditional gypsy jazz arrangement. My next Selmer will be the D hole...or the classical, haven't decided yet. Probably both!

The easiest way to cut the rosette is with a router jig that cuts one half at a time, then flip it over and do the other half. Got that technique from Shelly Park.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Douglas, that's a GREAT looking guitar!!

thanks for the router tip, and Bob, thanks for the Collins link.

M

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My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

The book "Building the Selmer Maccaferri Guitar" by Michael Collins is
excellent. Very clear drawings w/ dimensions of both the oval and D hole models. Both are ladder braced.

The strings that are recommended for these guitars, to achieve the gypsy tone,
are steel core strings wrapped in silver plated copper and loop ended. The 'Argentine' brand is often recommended and there are some other string makers that offer them. By coincidence, I found a fantastic little family owned string business in Los Angeles last summer that makes hand wound sets of these types of strings that are really good.

Manouche Tone "violet' (extra light gauge), 'rouge' (light gauge) and 'verte'
(medium gauge) note: all w/ with additional silk wrapping.

Margie &/or Jacob Hernandez
Gualdalupe Custom Strings
Los Angeles, Ca.

323-981-7055
www.guadalupecustomstrings.com

In addition to classical & steel stringed guitar & bass strings, they wind sets
for all the traditional Mexican instruments and uke strings as well.

The Hernandez's are great folks and very pleasant to deal with.

john