My First Pro Guitar! Very confused

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roozbeh60

Posts: 51
Joined: Apr. 9 2015

My First Pro Guitar! Very confused

First of all I'd like to say hi to all of my fellow Flamenco enthusiasts.
I bought my first Flamenco Guitar (Yamaha CG171SF) about 3 years ago
but only started learning and playing Flamenco about 3 months ago. I'm new to Guitar in general and still learning. I believe this is the way I want to go and am looking to step up.

So here are a few things I definitely want in my Guitar:
1) Pickup of some sort
2) more attack than a typical flamenco, more like a Gypsy Kings lead guitar

I was looking at used deals on Guitar Center and picked up a used Cordoba 55FCE for 799 + tax + shipping (are we allowed to discuss price here?).
The guitar is mint and plays great, however I'm hating the fact that it doesn't have a solid back and sides. I don't think it will sound as good as a solid when aged and it won't go very far from where it is at.
I love the sound of the guitar specially when going through an amp, and it has a great bright attack. But already owning the CG171SF, should I return the Cordoba while I can (another 2 weeks) and go for a traditional Flamenco (the Vicente Sanchis Model 41 sound amazing to me)??
I thought I'd get some recommendations from you folks.
I guess in one sentence my question is:
Is a Cordoba 55FCE a step sideways and not worth the money with the laminate sides and back or is that not something I should look at if I enjoy the sound?
Also another thing that bothered me is most of the people who demo'ed it on youtube played non flamenco style guitar on it, which makes me think it is not intended for Flamenco Players?

Thanks guys, attached some pics of it :)

Attachment (3)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2015 5:44:21

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

Flamenco is not played with a pickup. You took a step down if you want to play flamenco.

I use the FCWE for my gigs and play classical, bossas, rumbas, even a little bit of composed flamenco stuff, but that's done for convenience (ie, not having to carry mics and stands and dealing with feedback in bad sound environments).

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2015 13:37:50

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to roozbeh60)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2015 14:14:27

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

Yeah, sorry hombre, you made the same mistake I did. When I first decided I wanted to learn flamenco I said "Self, I need a cut away, fishman pickup system and dark color woods." I spent about $700 on a Dean Espana and figured, Dean makes decent electrics and at $700 it should be pretty good! Very very very wrong........After I learned how to play and became more educated about it I realized that was all wrong.
Here's a run down of levels

Cheap flamencos
Yamahas, Cordobas, things at Guitar Center, I'd never pay more then $400 for something like this.

Middle priced flamencos
Factory made, usually in Spain. Sanchis, Raimundo, and I played a Kremona recently that felt pretty decent in this price bracket and even though it's not a factory I'd throw the Navarro student model in here too. Your not going to get one for less the $1,000, even used

Middle High:
Hand made instrument by a lesser known luthier. They can't charge what the big names do but you may get the same quality of work depending who they are. You're not going to get one of these for any less than $2,000, even used. This route seems to be by far the best bang for the buck. We've got many luthiers like this on the forum here as well.

High end:
Conde's, Gerundinos, Reyes etc.. you're not touching one of these for less than probably $5,000 or so. But you'll be the envy of all the kids on the block.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2015 20:34:52

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

Check guitarsfromspain.com - they do electro-flamencos (which are rare because flamencos don't see the need for such a thing) and they used to deal with Camps who have a good reputation for factory guitars.

I was thinking to get one because I was getting requests to play other music styles where I'd compete with bass and drums etc. I went off the idea when I felt how heavy a Takamine "flamenco" equiped with a fishman preamp is.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2015 21:52:21

roozbeh60

Posts: 51
Joined: Apr. 9 2015

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

Thanks all for the replies. Sounds like everyone has the same opinion! Let go of the Cordoba and go for a non pickup traditional flamenco!
I'll take your advice and go along with that. I'm sure I'll enjoy it much more than the short term excitement that will soon fade for the Cordoba!

I'll look around on the guitarsfromspain and classified forum ere and see what I can get my hands on! I live in Canada so hopefully customs and Tax doesn't double the price for me.

Thanks again
Rooz

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2015 0:05:54

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

Another possibility is flamencos from Paracho, Mexico. You could get something decent for less than $1000...although it was over 10 years ago, maybe prices has gone up (yikes, getting old!).

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2015 15:02:52

Joana

Posts: 43
Joined: Jan. 14 2015

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

Hi Rooz,

Check out http://www.alhambrausa.com/ while you are shopping for
your first flamenco guitar. I am very happy with the guitar I purchased
from them ( a student model) and the customer service is excellent.

Good luck finding your dream guitar!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2015 12:37:31

roozbeh60

Posts: 51
Joined: Apr. 9 2015

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to Joana)

Thanks Joana and Miguel. I am returning the Cordoba tomorrow. I will be beginning my search for a Flamenco Blanca Guitar soon, I'll see what I can find for around 2000.
I'm not going to go for the student model of Alhambra as I already have a Yamaha that will do that for me.

Thanks for the suggestions though!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2015 23:33:23

Ricardo

Posts: 14845
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to roozbeh60)

quote:

ORIGINAL: roozbeh60

Thanks Joana and Miguel. I am returning the Cordoba tomorrow. I will be beginning my search for a Flamenco Blanca Guitar soon, I'll see what I can find for around 2000.
I'm not going to go for the student model of Alhambra as I already have a Yamaha that will do that for me.

Thanks for the suggestions though!!

Well, the guitar you have is quite similar to mine I got years ago, fcwe gipsy kings model. Yours has nicer neck it looks like. The electronics and such make this guitar unbeatable, not sure why you are so quick to dump it? The back and sides look like maple to me, but if you need a guitar with pick up it is arbitrary anyway. Acoustically my Cordoba opened up over the years but of course it ain't like a real flamenco guitar. Though I own several nice guitars, as a tool, I couldn't live without this cordoba, and you certainly can't to better in the price range.
http://youtu.be/SC4-uzjyr1w

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2015 16:39:09

Morante

Posts: 2184
Joined: Nov. 21 2010

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to Dudnote)

quote:

I was thinking to get one because I was getting requests to play other music styles where I'd compete with bass and drums etc. I went off the idea when I felt how heavy a Takamine "flamenco" equiped with a fishman preamp is.

Many guitarreros will istall Fishman etc in a good guitar if you want.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2015 16:46:06

roozbeh60

Posts: 51
Joined: Apr. 9 2015

[Deleted]

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Apr. 13 2015 17:14:02

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2015 17:12:49

roozbeh60

Posts: 51
Joined: Apr. 9 2015

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

Well, the guitar you have is quite similar to mine I got years ago, fcwe gipsy kings model. Yours has nicer neck it looks like. The electronics and such make this guitar unbeatable, not sure why you are so quick to dump it? The back and sides look like maple to me, but if you need a guitar with pick up it is arbitrary anyway. Acoustically my Cordoba opened up over the years but of course it ain't like a real flamenco guitar. Though I own several nice guitars, as a tool, I couldn't live without this cordoba, and you certainly can't to better in the price range.
http://youtu.be/SC4-uzjyr1w

Ricardo

That is it though, I don't have a nice guitar like you do, and I don't play live. This is why I think it's better if I invest in a fine Flamenco Guitar and use a Mic to record the sound.
Like Morante said below, I might one day get a Fishman Pickup installed in a finer guitar, but I don't see why do that if I can use a nice Mic to record it. I think it would sound better that way anyways.
Honestly I wish I could spend more time and decide but since my 30 days are almost up I need to take it back before I regret it :) I'm sure if I wanted it back I can find it for the same price again.
Thanks for the help.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2015 17:20:39

Ricardo

Posts: 14845
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to Morante)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Morante

quote:

I was thinking to get one because I was getting requests to play other music styles where I'd compete with bass and drums etc. I went off the idea when I felt how heavy a Takamine "flamenco" equiped with a fishman preamp is.

Many guitarreros will istall Fishman etc in a good guitar if you want.

Claro...and I have done the same myself. A small but significant difference is this...the piezo undersaddle needs to be perfectly sandwiched to have good ballance. We noticed long ago that the factory made guitar like Cordoba is chiselled out with machine like precision to necessitate this...vs a handmade luthier instrument in most cases. The guitarerro should be informed before installing the equipment that they should check that both bone saddle and the slot are perfectly flat.

Ricardo

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CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2015 18:08:27

roozbeh60

Posts: 51
Joined: Apr. 9 2015

RE: My First Pro Guitar! Very confused (in reply to Ricardo)

Ricardo, sounds like I need to take a trip to Spain... The most that anyone in Toronto knows about Flamenco Guitar is that it has nylon strings on it!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2015 18:16:38