I first tried a Gitane model DG250M in Frankfurt at the Musik Messe International trade show back in 2004 and was instantly very impressed, as until that time there had been no high-quality gypsy jazz guitars available in the US other than very expensive European luthier-built guitars and these guitars sounded and played extremely well. Having played an original Selmer model for twenty years at that time I had some ideas that I felt could improve the model, and those ideas evolved into a signature line of Gitane models.
The DG300 in January 2005 was the first and featured a large U-shaped neck, Dalmatian tortoise shell binding and tailpiece insert, Brazilian Rosewood Stumpwood laminated back and sides, upgraded tuners, and lighter internal bracing. The second prototype became my go-to guitar for many years on the road and for countless performances and recordings.
