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Classical Guitars
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Author:  kevisp [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Classical Guitars
I previously posted regarding classical guitars, and what brand seemed to be the best money for the value and quality of product. I even started my own build, but have gotten tied up with life and probably won't be able to finish for awhile, so I'm again looking for something I can just buy, play and enjoy.

I'm not rich, but would like something of decent quality. I was originally looking at the La Patries due to it "almost" being USA made, but have found necks are set too low and there is a step from neck to the body that makes playing chords above B impossible due to bottoming out. Sad, they are nice and have great electronics, but they all seem to be like that.

I was looking at Guilds new GAD versions (2 or 3 - cedar top/rosewood top respectively) that are solid woods. There are no dealers around the area, and I haven't had much luck buying online and then being happy with the end result. I can special order, but that leads to the same problem... it's mine no matter what happens or how happy I am.

I would LOVE to find an old Martin N10 or N20 just to say I have one, but it's out of my budget. Gibsons are ok, but with the age factor, most aren't in that great of shape and require repairs.

Several of you have told me Orpheus Valley guitars are nice, and some have said Cordoba are nice. The nearest Guitar Center is an hour away, and there are no other music stores in the vicinity. Most people play steel strings around my area, so classicals are impossible to find.

I would like to find something USA made, but don't have any idea how the Rawden guitars hold up. Again, there aren't any dealers around, and I'm just hoping to find something with a good tone, playability and that will last awhile.

I thought about a hybrid version (Taylor specifically) but haven't been able to find one of those either, and am not sure I would like the radiused fingerboard or narrower nut.

Anyone have any ideas?? I'm hoping to stay below $1000 - otherwise the wife would cause me bodily harm!! Thanks!!
Author:  oval soundhole [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
Why not made in Spain?
Author:  John A [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
Orpheus Valley - these are a great deal - solid woods and well made - sound nice as well... you can order from Musicians Friend or Guitar Center online - and they have a generous return policy if you do not like it. I ordered a Cordoba from Amazon and returned it - easy return - I was unhappy with the sound. I would go this route if I were you. For classical I would not be looking for American made - unless it was from a luthier in the USA. Never saw a Martin or Taylor classical I liked. I saw a Cordoba Fusion hybrid which sounded nice - it was at a Best Buy (music dept in some stores) -
Author:  oval soundhole [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
I'm saving up for a Ramirez 125 anos guitar. $1800 from my favorite guitars in Florida.
Author:  Steve Davis [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
I would buy an Amalio Burguet.......
or a Yamaha from a retailer that trades in used instruments for resale or their rental business.
That way you always get $400 back on your $600 investment over a couple of years for another guitar or musical toys
strings whatever..This may take a visit to a city but i have an excellent Yammy for $600 that was way better than their $2000
concert models...and the resale value is fixed because its that brand..or you just keep it which I will!
Im afraid that Yamaha is also way better than the one I lovingly built for about the same money laughing6-hehe
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
Takamine also makes a nice classical gutiar. I would make a suggestion, though. Go sign up over at delcamp.us and look in the guitars for sale section under the "Luthiers and Classical Guitar Makers" Forum. There are some pretty decent guitars in there for less than your limit.
Author:  Anthony Armijo [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
Ocassionally you can find a used Pimentel on ebay that will go for around a $1000. They are American made. They produce between 300 and 400 guitars per year. All hand bent and some priced as high as $15,000. Sadly the founder Lorenzo Pimentel passed away this past week in his eighties but four of his sons still run the business and do all the building.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
I dare say you've come to the right place to ask. Even us amateur makers produce some good stuff and I bet there is someone willing to at least let you try one. Typically I have 'shop guitars' that I keep around as beater guitars to display for people. Don't get me wrong they are nice guitars just used guitars and I replace them every so many years by unloading them for cheap.

Having said that, I also second the used market. I've gotten some real nice classical guitars that way including a Manuel Contreras for $400.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
There's a nice looking Cedar/EIR Cordoba C10, over at Delcamp right now for $650. Looks really nice. Resides in Cincinnati, I think. Solid woods, no laminates. Here is a link: http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55397
Author:  JohnAbercrombie [ Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
WaddyThomson wrote:
I would make a suggestion, though. Go sign up over at delcamp.us and look in the guitars for sale section under the "Luthiers and Classical Guitar Makers" Forum. There are some pretty decent guitars in there for less than your limit.


[:Y:] [:Y:] [:Y:]
Author:  kevisp [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
Thanks again to everyone with their ideas. I'm still torn between old and new, and USA and foreign, true classical and hybrid designs.

I love the look and tone of the old Martins, but they are so darned expensive... especially considering those Gibsons and Martins are their own INTERPRETATION, and most classical players would scoff at the steel stringed builders making an attempt at anything with nylon strings!! Thats why they only did them for short periods of time (relatively speaking).

I've seen a few older Guilds (Mark 1, 2 3, 4) that are nice, but I'm not sure I want something from the 60's or 70's that may require repairs worth as much as the guitar. On the other hand, I haven't been too excited about some of the newer ones with all of the flaws. They have new glue, but the quality is hit or miss in this price range. Some newer guitars also have truss rods, which simplify neck adjustments, and some already have electronics installed. I'm not playing classical music, but am focusing more on finger style and dexterity, while enjoying the simplicity/complexity of Willie Nelson solos.

Anyone have any experience with the Taylor nylon hybrids?? I've never liked Taylors simply because of watching an interview with him. Thought he was an arrogant jerk - and the finishes I've seen are never smooth (always orange peely) and the fit never seems to be as good as it could. However, they are suppose to have nice nylons, and because they have the narrower nuts and radiused fretboards, it's easier to play steel strings and swap back and forth. If I can find ONE guitar that I can play at home, family reunions, church, with friends, etc I'd be happy. I know, ONE. How can someone just have ONE?? Ha!

Just wondering what everyone thought. Thanks again!!
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
I played one a couple of years ago, and it sounded like a log with strings. It was probably fine when plugged in, but it was useless as a guitar when acoustic. Looked nice, and was priced in the $1,500 - 2,000 range.
Author:  John Elshaw [ Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
+1 on the Takamine, they are a great guitar for the price and have plenty available under your price range. When I was a classical guitar performance major in college I used a Tak for 2 years and it was great.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
kevisp wrote:
Thanks again to everyone with their ideas. I'm still torn between old and new, and USA and foreign, true classical and hybrid designs.

I love the look and tone of the old Martins, but they are so darned expensive... especially considering those Gibsons and Martins are their own INTERPRETATION, and most classical players would scoff at the steel stringed builders making an attempt at anything with nylon strings!! Thats why they only did them for short periods of time (relatively speaking).

I've seen a few older Guilds (Mark 1, 2 3, 4) that are nice, but I'm not sure I want something from the 60's or 70's that may require repairs worth as much as the guitar. On the other hand, I haven't been too excited about some of the newer ones with all of the flaws. They have new glue, but the quality is hit or miss in this price range. Some newer guitars also have truss rods, which simplify neck adjustments, and some already have electronics installed. I'm not playing classical music, but am focusing more on finger style and dexterity, while enjoying the simplicity/complexity of Willie Nelson solos.

Anyone have any experience with the Taylor nylon hybrids?? I've never liked Taylors simply because of watching an interview with him. Thought he was an arrogant jerk - and the finishes I've seen are never smooth (always orange peely) and the fit never seems to be as good as it could. However, they are suppose to have nice nylons, and because they have the narrower nuts and radiused fretboards, it's easier to play steel strings and swap back and forth. If I can find ONE guitar that I can play at home, family reunions, church, with friends, etc I'd be happy. I know, ONE. How can someone just have ONE?? Ha!

Just wondering what everyone thought. Thanks again!!

I just built a classical for my self, my first double top, and I tried a thinner fret board width and put a 20Deg radius on the board. I have to say... I LOVE IT! Almost makes me want to refret all my other classical guitars :)

The Gibson Chet Atkins Nylon guitars are actually pretty nice if you want that Willie Nelson sound on stage. Gotta be plugged in though to get anything over a practice volume.
Author:  Steve_E [ Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
+2 on the Takamine.

I have the Hirade H8SS as my daily player and it's an outstanding mid-range guitar. You should be able to pick on up for your price range.

Steve
Author:  kevisp [ Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
I have a nice steel string but have found that certain songs I've been struggling with are easier to "hear" and figure out on a nylon string, plus I love the more mellow tone of the nylon strings. Been checking out the Epiphone and Gibson Chet Atkins and SST's and I see the Epiphones have a switch to change from amp to headphones, which would be nice but I don't want to wear headphones all the time and would probably miss the volume of a regular body.

This process is harder than I thought, and without many options around, it makes it almost impossible!! I think a few more trips to Guitar Center and other stores in northern Colorado will be needed before I can make a real decision. I might just go cheap acoustic electric and then wait for time to continue my build. I see Takamine a few times on this post, and have heard some good reviews for Ibanez, Cordoba and the Guild hybrids.

Although it would be nice to have the Epiphone or Gibson Chet Atkins models!!
Author:  Bailey [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
Don't think so much brand and go with the used market. You can get a super nice used guitar for $300.00 -$500.00. You just need to look around. Many guitar shops carry used guitars...go play them. Many times the most expensive choices don't sound or play as nice as a lesser expensive guitar. Players are always upgrading and those can be your best buys. Good quality, USED, upper end, student models are plentiful. Also, contact guitar instructors in your area. They have a good handle on used guitars. I happened to pick up a beauty 40 years ago from a classical instructor ready to buy a new one.That filled my professional needs for almost 20 years.

KB
Author:  kevisp [ Wed Jan 12, 2011 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
So... does anyone have any experience with the Martin Thomas Humphrey guitars?? Evidently Humphrey could not make enough of his style of classical guitars, and had Martin make some for awhile.

The top is sloped, so that the head/neck is shallower than the tail block, which means it has the raised neck/fretboard, making the angle of string attachment slightly different on the bridge, causing the specialized lattice bracing to really transfer the vibrational energy and give the most projection, volume and tone possible. Solid cedar top, and laminated rosewood sides and back with a mahogany neck.

Definately looks nice, and it is up to Martin standards, so the fit and finish should be pretty nice. Thought I'd check into that avenue. Thanks!!
Author:  wbergman [ Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Classical Guitars
The Martin Humphreys that I played were not very good.
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