MODÈLE CARAVANE

REFINED, BALANCED & EXPRESSIVE

Inspired by the elegant French instruments of the 1940s and ’50s, the Modèle Caravane blends warm projection with a rounded, articulate voice.

Di Mauro–inspired f-holes, traditional ladder bracing, and a folded pliage soundboard give the instrument its distinctive character — responsive, balanced, and rich with nuance.

A 670 mm scale length and 14-fret body connection provide a familiar feel while preserving the quick attack and effortless playability that define the Caravane.

TIMELESSLY DISTINCT

Inspired by the classic Selmer-Maccaferri instruments of mid-century France, the Modèle Caravane blends articulate projection with warmth and balance.

Elegant f-holes, a responsive European spruce soundboard, and layered back and sides give the instrument its distinctive voice — clear, quick, and expressive.

Designed for comfort and fluid playability, the Caravane responds effortlessly to both melodic lead work and traditional la pompe accompaniment.

MODÈLE CARAVANE

The Modèle Caravane draws inspiration from the elegant French instruments of the mid-century era — refined in appearance, responsive in feel, and unmistakably distinct in voice.

Its Di Mauro–inspired f-holes and ladder-braced soundboard produce a warm, articulate response with quick attack and balanced projection. Clear note separation and controlled dynamics make the Caravane equally suited to melodic lead work and traditional la pompe accompaniment.

A comfortable neck profile, 670 mm scale length, and 14-fret body connection give the instrument a familiar, effortless feel while preserving the immediacy and character that define these classic European designs.

Built with carefully selected tonewoods and finished with restraint, the Modèle Caravane carries the visual elegance of vintage jazz guitars while remaining grounded in modern playability and craftsmanship.

Each Caravane can be tailored to the player —
with a considered range of material and finish options.

Soundboard

For those seeking a truly exceptional soundboard, we offer options beyond the standard Spruce or Western Red Cedar. Explore the rare beauty of Bear-claw Spruce, the refined resonance of Torrefied Spruce, or the unique tonal depth of Sinker Redwood, among our other select choices.

Back and Sides

We offer a premium palette of back and side woods, including the classic Indian Rosewood, the visually stunning Flamed Walnut, the tonally versatile Santos Rosewood (Pau Ferro), and the brilliant Flamed Maple. For those seeking the extraordinary, explore our collection of rare and exotic options, such as the captivating Ziricote and the highly prized Brazilian Palisander, among others.

Finish
Elevate your guitar's sonic and tactile experience with a traditional French polish finish. This meticulous, hand-applied technique yields an exceptionally thin, lightweight layer, allowing the wood to resonate freely, resulting in a warm, nuanced tone and a remarkably responsive feel.

Pickups

Our pickup selection showcases the best in gypsy jazz amplification. Explore the warm, traditional tones of Big Tone, the authentic 'Selmer' articulation of Yves Guen, the powerful punch of Krivo, and the custom brilliance of Miller, each designed to capture the nuance and character of your instrument.

Guitar Case

Your Whitney Guitar is delivered in a high-quality, fitted hardshell case, included in the base price. To further protect your investment and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with premium protection, consider upgrading to a Hiscox case, known for its exceptional build quality and superior protection.

Start your commission to configure your Caravane.

Structured Back & Sides

The back and sides are built using a three-layer veneer construction,
each layer brought to thickness before being formed and bonded in a mold. This approach, rooted in the Selmer tradition, produces a structure that is lightweight, stable, and acoustically efficient.

Setup & Playability

Slightly elevated string action supports volume, projection, and clarity. Each bridge is shaped and calibrated to the individual instrument, with action set to 2.25mm on the low E (with a slight increase across the set) and intonation dialed for Savarez Argentine 11–46 strings, unless specified otherwise.

Neck Profile

The Whitney neck profile maintains the proportions of the traditional Selmer form, with subtle refinements for comfort and playability. A 20" radius, carefully finished fretwork, and consistent shaping
contribute to a feel that remains familiar, but more resolved in the hand. A scarf-jointed headstock improves structural integrity without adding weight.

Truss Rods & Carbon Fibre Neck Reinforcement:

Stability is critical to long-term performance. Each neck is reinforced with carbon fibre to maintain stiffness and resist movement across changes in temperature and humidity.

View Specifications →

Commission a Caravane →

Starting at: $7,500 CAD
Excludes shipping, applicable taxes and insurance.

Whitney Guitars - Custom Gypsy Jazz Guitars Made in Canada

I love the straight-up jazz purity of your guitars — articulate, balanced, and effortless to play.

JIM HARRIES - PETERBOROUGH, ON

SPECS & DIMENSIONS

Modèle Caravane - Optional Side Sound-port

Adhesives	Aliphatic resin (Titebond Original)
Back & Sides	Select tonewoods — Indian Rosewood, Flamed Walnut, Pau Ferro, Flamed Maple
Binding	Ebony, Maple, or Walnut
Body Depth	90.7 mm (neck) → 101.1 mm (tail)
Body Length	470 mm (18.5″)
Bracing	Quarter-sawn Spruce 5-parallel bracing, hand-voiced
Bridge	Rosewood or Ebonized Rosewood, hand-shaped
Case	Hardshell case included (upgrade options available)
End Graft	Inlaid strip with matching purfling
Fingerboard	Ebony
Finish	Polyurethane or French Polish; nitrocellulose available by request
Frets	21 medium nickel-silver frets (18%)
Headstock	Slotted headstock with ebony veneer and engraved MW logo
Liners	Solid
Lower Bout	400 mm (15.75″)
Neck	Honduran Mahogany (standard); Maple, Walnut, or African Mahogany available
Neck & Reinforcement	Carbon fibre reinforcement
Neck Joint	14-fret configuration
Neck Profile	Traditional flat “D” or modern “C”
Nut	Bone
Nut Width	45 mm
Overall Length	1009.5 mm (39.75″)
Scale Length	670 mm
Soundboard	Select Spruce or Cedar (voiced per build)
Strings	Savarez Argentine 11–46
Tailpiece	Dell’Arte DR Selmer-style
Truss Rod	Dual-action
Tuners	Schaller GrandTune open-gear (various options available)
Upper Bout	289.5 mm (11.38″)
Waist	256.6 mm (10.13″)
Waist	256.62 mm / 10.125″
Width at Body Connect	57 mm
Width at Body Joint	57 mm

SOUNDBOARD OPTIONS

The soundboard defines the instrument’s response.

Sitka spruce remains the standard — valued for its strength, headroom, and balanced tonal range.

Alternative options, including bearclaw spruce, torrefied spruce, and sinker redwood, offer different characteristics in feel, response, and visual expression.

Selection is made as part of the build — based on the player and the direction of the instrument.

Sitka Spruce · Standard

BACK & SIDE OPTIONS

The back and sides influence how the instrument responds and reflects energy.

Indian rosewood remains a standard — valued for its depth, clarity, and strong low-end presence.

Alternatives such as flamed walnut, pau ferro, and flamed maple offer different balances of warmth, brightness, and projection, along with distinct visual character.

Selection is made as part of the build — based on the player and the direction of the instrument.

Pau Ferro (Santos Rosewood) - Back and Side Wood

Pau Ferro · Clarity

TAILPIECE OPTIONS

Each Whitney guitar is fitted with a vintage-style Selmer tailpiece, faithful to the original 1930s design.

I use the Dell’Arte DR tailpiece — a well-proven interpretation known for its durability, stability, and tonal contribution. Its heavier brass construction adds a touch of density at the string anchor point, subtly enhancing sustain and overall response.

A traditional detail, executed with purpose.

Dell'Arte DR · Brass Tailpiece

TUNING MACHINE OPTIONS

Each Whitney guitar is fitted with Schaller GrandTune machines — an open-gear design that pairs vintage character with precise, reliable tuning.

Deliberate in feel, precise in adjustment and built to last, they offer the stability and control expected of a modern instrument, with an aesthetic that remains true to the Selmer tradition.

A range of finishes and button options allows for subtle personalization.

Schaller Grand Tune | Black with Snakewood Buttons

Schaller GrandTune · Black / Snakewood

NECK OPTIONS

Neck wood plays a subtle but important role in both feel and response.

I primarily work with Honduran mahogany for its stability, balance, and familiar midrange character. Select alternatives are available, offering slight variations in weight, stiffness, and tonal emphasis.

Each neck is shaped, reinforced, and finished with playability and long-term stability in mind — ensuring a consistent feel across the instrument.

Honduran Mahogany

FINISH OPTIONS

Polyurethane and French polish offer two distinct approaches to finishing.

Polyurethane provides a durable, protective finish with excellent clarity — a modern, reliable option that preserves definition while standing up to regular use.

French polish, applied by hand using traditional shellac, creates an exceptionally thin finish that allows the instrument to respond with greater immediacy and warmth, though with less resistance to wear.

One prioritizes resilience and clarity. The other, sensitivity and nuance.

Polyurethane · High Gloss

PICKUP OPTIONS

A range of pickup systems is available, each chosen for its ability to translate the character of the instrument.

Options from makers such as Big Tone, Yves Guen, Krivo, and Miller offer distinct approaches — from warm, traditional voicing to more focused, high-output designs suited to modern amplification.

Each offers a different way of carrying the instrument’s voice forward.