MODÈLE NOMADE

THE ULTIMATE SWING MACHINE

The Modèle Nomade embodies my vision of the classic Selmer-Maccaferri oval-hole Gypsy Jazz guitar, the 'Petite Bouche'. Faithfully adhering to tradition, its soundboard incorporates a heat-pressed 'pliage' at the bridge—a crucial element for enhanced volume, quicker attack, and a truly resonant voice. Explore detailed specifications and visuals below.

IGNITE YOUR GYPSY SOUL

The Selmer-Maccaferri "Petite Bouche," embodied in my Modèle Nomade, stands as a cornerstone of Gypsy Jazz, a testament to its singular, commanding voice. Its oval sound hole, coupled with the signature heat-pressed "pliage" on the soundboard, produces a distinct, focused tone: a sharp, immediate attack with a bright, cutting treble that effortlessly pierces through ensemble arrangements.

This isn't merely a rhythm instrument; it's a lead player's dream, offering exceptional clarity and articulation for intricate melodies and improvisations. Django Reinhardt himself favored the "Petite Bouche" for its assertive, dominant voice, a preference that cemented its place as the quintessential instrument for the genre's driving swing rhythms and soaring lead lines, making it an indispensable tool for any serious Gypsy Jazz guitarist seeking that authentic, vintage Jazz Manouche sound.

MODÈLE NOMADE

My Modèle Nomade meticulously recreates the iconic Selmer-Maccaferri oval-hole Gypsy Jazz guitar, a design cherished by players for its unparalleled ability to cut through a mix.

Staying true to the original production line, it features the emblematic oval soundhole, long scale, and 14 frets to the body, all contributing to its distinct, assertive voice. This design, with its focus on pronounced high mids and a dry, percussive tone, allows lead players to articulate complex melodies with clarity and ensures rhythm players maintain a driving, rhythmic presence.

While retaining the essence of a Selmer replica, the Modèle Nomade incorporates modern enhancements like an upgraded neck joint, tuned soundbox, Schaller GrandTune tuners, adjustable truss rod, and carbon fibre neck reinforcements, offering contemporary stability and playability while preserving that essential vintage Selmer sound.

Tailor your Whitney Guitar to your exact specifications. Beyond the base price shown, a range of upgrades allows for complete personalization, including:

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.

Customize your new Modèle Nomade by clicking the
'Build Your Guitar' button, below.

Structured Back & Sides

Our Gypsy guitars have three layers of chosen veneers on the back and sides. Each layer is precisely sanded to a specific thickness before being bonded together in a mold at Whitney Guitars. This traditional Selmer building process yields a body that is both lightweight and durable. Furthermore, this procedure allows for the back to be fine- tuned to the required thickness and flexibility.

Whitney Guitars Setup & Playability

As an acoustic instrument, the Gypsy jazz guitar offers improved volume and projection when the string action is slightly elevated. Every Whitney Gypsy bridge is meticulously shaped and calibrated specifically for that individual guitar. When the neck is straightened and measured between the high E-string and the top of the 12th fret, the string action is set to 2.25mm (with the Low E-string adjusted to +0.5mm). All bridges have their intonation set for New Savarez Argentine 011-046 strings, unless otherwise specified.

Whitney Neck Profile

The neck profiles of old Selmer guitars were fairly flat and angular, making them uncomfortable for many players.

The Whitney-neck profile maintains the classic Selmer measurements and 20-inch radius but delivers significantly enhanced comfort and ease of play. Every aspect of the neck's design, the ends of the frets, and the subtle rounding of the fretboard's edge is approached with meticulous care and a focus on detail.

Each of our Gypsy guitar model features a modern scarf-joint for improved strength at the headstock.

Truss Rods & Carbon Fibre Neck Reinforcement:

The essential function of a neck is to provide stability. It must exhibit the required stiffness and maintain its dimensions when faced with variations in temperature and humidity. For this reason, I reinforce every neck with carbon fibre.

Base price: $7500 CDN
Excludes shipping, applicable taxes and insurance.

Specs included in the base price.

Build Your Guitar!

TESTIMONIALS

AN ABSOLUTE GEM...

EVERY NOTE SINGS WITH CLARITY, AND THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE GUITAR MAKES IT A DREAM TO PLAY. WHETHER YOU'RE STRUMMING CHORDS OR DIVING INTO FAST INTRICATE LEADS, THE PLAYABILITY OF THIS INSTRUMENT IS FLAWLESS.

DAVID JARRETT / PENNSYLVANIA, USA
~Proud owner of two Modèle Vagabond and one Modèle Nomade Guitars.

NOMADE GALLERY

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Modèle Nomade - Schaller Tuning Machines

SPECS & DIMENSIONS

Adhesives	Titebond 1
Back and sides	Indian Rosewood, Flamed Walnut, Pau Ferro, Flamed Maple, etc.
Binding	Ebony, maple, walnut, etc.
Body Length	470 mm / 18.5″
Bracing	Quarter-sawn Spruce
Bridge	Rosewood or ebonized rosewood
Case	Standard hardshell case included (upgrade options available)
Depth at End	101.1 mm / 4″
Depth at Neck	90.7 mm / 3.563″
End-graft	Inlaid strip with purfling to match binding
Fingerboard	Ebony
Finish	Water-based high gloss lacquer, satin lacquer or French polish
Frets	Medium/Medium 18% Nickel Silver
Head Veneer	Ebony; MW logo engraved
Headstock	Slotted
Liners	Solid
Lower Bout	400 mm / 15.75″
Neck	Honduran Mahogany, African Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
Neck Join	14th fret
Neck Profile	Traditional flat 'D' profile or modern 'C' profile
Neck Reinforcement	Carbon fibre
Number of Frets	21
Nut	Bone
Nut Width	43 mm
Overall Length	1009.53 mm / 39.75″
Pattern	5 Parallel
Rosette	Varying coloured veneers or solid with custom design motif
Scale Length	670 mm
Soundboard	High-grade spruce or cedar (other options available)
Strings	Argentine 11-46
Tailpiece	Dell'Arte Selmer Maccaferri DR
Truss Rod	Dual action
Tuners	Schaller GrandTune Open-gear (many options available)
Upper Bout	289.54 mm / 11.375″
Waist	256.62 mm / 10.125″
Width at Body Connect	55 mm

SOUNDBOARD OPTIONS

The soundboard is the soul of an acoustic guitar, and spruce, particularly Sitka, is a highly favoured material due to its exceptional acoustic properties. However, exploring other softwood options can allow guitarists to fine-tune their instrument's tone and aesthetic to their specific preferences. To the right are some standard soundboard options included in our base pricing.

Sitka Spruce

BACK & SIDE OPTIONS

While the soundboard primarily generates a guitar's sound, the back and sides are crucial for shaping its tonal character and providing structural integrity. They influence how sound waves reflect and resonate within the instrument, contributing to its overall warmth, brightness, and sustain, while also offering the necessary support to withstand string tension and maintain the guitar's shape, ultimately impacting both the sonic and aesthetic qualities of the instrument.

Pau Ferro (Santos Rosewood)

TAILPIECE OPTIONS

Committed to authentic vintage European jazz styling, each Whitney Guitar is equipped with a meticulously reproduced 1930s Selmer tailpiece. This is the genuine DR tailpiece, originally designed by Dell’Arte guitars in 2000, known for its exceptional durability and contribution to tonal richness. Its robust, thicker brass construction and enhanced coating ensure a lifetime of performance and enhanced sound.

Dell'Arte Selmer DR - Brass Tailpiece

TUNING MACHINE OPTIONS

Every Whitney Gypsy Guitar model features the Schaller GrandTune machine heads, a meticulously crafted, open-gear tuning machine, blending timeless vintage aesthetics with unparalleled tuning accuracy and a remarkably smooth, luxurious feel. To the right you'll find but a few combinations to suit your desired aesthetic.

Schaller Grand Tune | Black with Snakewood Buttons

Schaller Grand Tune | Black w/ Snakewood Buttons

NECK OPTIONS

Neck woods in acoustic guitars are vital for both playability and tone. Mahogany delivers warmth and midrange focus, while maple adds brightness and clarity. Stability, determined by wood density and grain, ensures proper intonation. Though less common, woods like cedar or walnut offer unique tones. Ultimately, neck wood influences resonance, sustain, and how vibrations transfer, impacting the guitar's overall feel.

Honduran Mahogany

FINISH OPTIONS

Water-based lacquer and French polish offer distinct finishes for acoustic guitars. Water-based lacquer provides a durable, modern finish, emphasizing clarity and brightness with a thinner, protective layer that allows the wood's natural resonance to shine. French polish, a traditional shellac application, creates a delicate, high-gloss finish known for its warmth and nuanced tonal qualities, though it's less durable and more susceptible to environmental factors. Lacquer prioritizes protection and clarity, while French polish favours tonal richness and a classic aesthetic.

Water-based Lacquer | High Gloss Finish

PICKUP OPTIONS

Gypsy jazz guitar pickups from Big Tone, Yves Guen, Krivo, and Miller each offer distinct sonic flavors tailored to the genre's characteristic tone. Big Tone pickups are renowned for their warm, traditional sound with excellent clarity, often favored for their faithful reproduction of acoustic nuances. Yves Guen pickups are celebrated for their articulate, balanced response, capturing the essential "Selmer" tone with precision. Krivo pickups are known for their high output and focused midrange, delivering a powerful, punchy sound ideal for cutting through ensembles. Miller pickups, often custom-wound, emphasize a bright, clear tone with exceptional dynamic range, catering to players seeking a more modern, yet authentic, gypsy jazz voice.

Big Tone Gypsy Jazz Guitar Pickup

VAGABOND OPTIONS

Commission your own Whitney Guitar.

INSPIRED?

GET STARTED

HANDMADE IN CANADA

Crafted and voiced in our Canadian workshop, we produce uniquely designed heirloom steel-string acoustic guitars and Gypsy Jazz guitars, each made with meticulous attention to detail.