MODÈLE VAGABOND

GRANDE BOUCHE GYPSY JAZZ GUITAR

Built for movement —
with the clarity to hold it.

A MODERN EXPRESSION OF A TRADITIONAL VOICE

The Whitney Vagabond ‘Grande Bouche’ draws from the Selmer–Maccaferri tradition, carrying that voice into a more controlled, modern build.

Structured back and sides, an authentic pliage soundboard, and a longer 670mm scale work together to produce strong projection, quick attack, and a tone that remains balanced across the register.

Familiar in character — more refined in its response.

MODÈLE VAGABOND

The Modèle Vagabond reflects my interpretation of the Selmer–Maccaferri ‘Grande Bouche’ — offered in two distinct configurations, each with its own feel and response.

The 670mm long scale, paired with a 14-fret neck joint, provides enhanced access and projection — well suited to players moving between rhythm and lead. It retains the warmth of the traditional 12-fret design, with a more immediate, articulate response.

Alternatively, the 640mm short scale with a 12-fret connection offers reduced string tension and a lighter feel under the hand — a configuration some players naturally prefer.

The long scale Vagabond, built with a five-brace system to manage increased tension, delivers the focused “punch” associated with oval-hole guitars, while maintaining balance through the mid and low range.

A large D-shaped soundhole supports projection and air movement,
giving the instrument presence without sacrificing control. Across both configurations, the Vagabond remains responsive — resolving differently depending on the player.

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

Soundboard

Beyond standard spruce or Western red cedar, a range of alternative soundboards is available — including bearclaw spruce, torrefied spruce, and sinker redwood, each offering a distinct tonal character.

Back and Sides

A curated selection of tonewoods is available for the back and sides,
including Indian rosewood, flamed walnut, pau ferro, and flamed maple. Additional options may be sourced for those seeking something more specific.

Finish

Finish options include a traditional French polish, applied by hand to create an exceptionally thin, responsive surface. Alternative finishes are available depending on preference.

Pickups

A selection of pickups is available for amplification, including options from Big Tone, Yves Guen, Krivo, and Miller — each offering a different approach to capturing the instrument’s voice.

Guitar Case

Each instrument is supplied in a fitted hardshell case. Upgrades to Hiscox cases are available for increased protection.

Start your commission to configure your Vagabond.

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.

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

View Specifications →

Commission a Vagabond →

Whitney Guitars - Custom Gypsy Jazz Guitars Made in Canada

Every note sings with clarity, and the responsiveness makes it a dream to play.
Whether you're strumming chords or diving into fast, intricate leads,
the instrument remains effortless and controlled.

DAVID JARRETT - PENNSYLVANIA, USA

SPECS & DIMENSIONS

Whitney Guitars - Custom Gypsy Jazz Guitars

Whitney Guitars - Gypsy Jazz Guitar Headstock with Schaller Grande Tune Tuners

VAG-BW-TaVagabond Gypsy Jazz Guitar - Helio Rosette - Tailpiece

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	25 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	12-fret or 14-fret configuration
Neck Profile	Traditional flat “D” or modern “C”
Nut	Bone
Nut Width	45 mm
Overall Length	1009.5 mm (39.75″)
Rosette	Veneer or solid, with custom motif options
Scale Length	640 mm or 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″)
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.