"As a recent convert to gypsy jazz music, (I've just bought a cheap Macceferri to noodle around on)..." [Guest: Bruce Michael Baillie - above]

Bruce, if you've just bought a CHEAP Maccaferri you are a very lucky chap! Look after it well (and don't forget to insure it). Very few of the original Selmer/Maccaferri guitars were mad. They rarely come on the market and usually sell for many thousands of dollars, pounds or euros.

However I suspect that what you have is a modern copy of Django's guitar. These can be pretty costly too - but some of the cheaper mass-produced ones also produce a nice noise. If yours is one of those, I hope you enjoy it.

As for the question of what category Django's music belongs in - why not just label it "sui generis" and get on with learning the tunes? That's a hard enough job in itself, and arguing about genres uses up precious practic time.

Wassail!