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Should I go to Paracho, Mexico to buy a guitar?
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chapman_g
Posts: 227
Joined: Apr. 11 2007
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RE: Should I go to Paracho, Mexico t... (in reply to polishcomedy)
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You will never get a $5,000.00 instrument for $500.00 unless you buy it and resell it to your other self for that price. I own 4 guitars from Salvador Castillo of Paracho, Mexico blancas and I know a_arnold has a blanca and a negra. I bought them from Salvador directly via email communication, Western Union money transfer and DHL shipping. In all I have bought 6 guitars over the past 2.5 years and they are really excellent, and I really do believe they are worth more than I paid. The very good news is that as of earlier this year if you buy from Salvador directly it will cost you about $2,000.00 + $150.00 shipping to the U.S. for his blanca with European Spruce and Spanish/Mediterranean Cypress and about $1800.00 with Mexican Cypress. The not so good news is that he ships the guitar from Mexico in a cheap case and a thin cardboard box with very little padding/insulation. Over the years five have arrived in perfect condition, but one did not and DHL would not ship back free or refund cost of shipping because the guitar was not adequately packaged. Salvador replaced the instrument, but I covered all the cost of shipping and then shipping back and then getting the replacement shipped to me, and the headache dealing with DHL. I was okay with that because I do think I am getting great value for money with his instruments. But, sure if you can go to Paracho and arrange with him before going you can have the opportunity to try a couple guitars before buying and you won't have to deal with the 1 in 6 chance of experiencing a shipment problem.
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Date Apr. 3 2009 6:01:31
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a_arnold
Posts: 558
Joined: Jul. 30 2006
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RE: Should I go to Paracho, Mexico t... (in reply to kovachian)
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quote:
Does Salvador speak any English? The short answer is "no." So is the long answer. The problem with physically going to Paracho: There is only a handfull of luthiers there that make top-tier guitars. So they are the ones you will want to visit. Unfortunately, the best ones make most guitars on commission, and if you go there, you will be a "walk-in" customer. Commission guitars are normally sold and out the door before a walk-in customer even gets a look. So going there means you are taking a chance as to whether the best luthiers will even have a selection in stock for you to look at or choose among. So if you do go, the best thing is to write ahead so they KNOW you are coming. Maybe then they will have something to show you. Shipping: Michael (Chapman_g) is about right on the shipping. Of the two that I got from Salvador, one had a badly damaged case -- something actually penetrated the lower bout of the case but (miraculously) didn't touch the guitar. This is down to Salvador's packing. On the plus side, he is an honorable man and would replace it. Because of this I deal with him directly, sending personal checks both times (I am now ordering a 3rd guitar), not bothering with the (more expensive) wire transfer option. Quality: both of my Castillos are miraculous guitars, and I HAVE had firm offers of more than I paid for both; I paid $1200 and $2800 and his prices have gone up in the 3 years since). I have played and compared them directly next to (in the same room at the same time, the only way to compare) a 72 Ramirez, an 83 Conde, a 67 Manuel de la Chica Garcia a Ricardo and a Vicente Sanchis, two Bellidos (father and son) a Pedregosa, a Burguet, several concert-grade Navarros, and too many factory guitars to name. I've listened to and played a LOT of guitars over the years (lived in Spain across from Bellido's shop and worked at the Smithsonian in musical instrument repair) so I trust my judgment. That doesn't mean you have to (or even should) when I claim my Castillo is the equal of the Conde, and better than the rest. But it is. I'd like to get it next to a Gerundino. BUT: you are not going to find a $5000 guitar for $500 in Paracho. Maybe you would find a $1800 guitar in Paracho that would sell for $5000 in the US. If you buy a high-end name brand guitar you WILL pay extra for the label -- no question. If you can't trust your own judgment (of sound) and need to rely on the label, then you can get stuck with a clunker even from the best of makers. Likewise, if you CAN trust your own judgment, there are a lot of top luthiers out there with great undervalued guitars on their shelves. They just don't have two generations of family history to add value to their label. unfortunately, there are also "luthiers" out there who are capitalizing on their family tradition rather than continuing it. In my opinion, Condes, although still excellent guitars. are overpriced now (with the family tradition and the PDL cachet) just as Ramirez were in the 70's (when Segovia and Sabicas were playing them). That's not to say their quality has dropped (the way Ramirez has); rather, their price is inflated beyond their excellent quality. But there are many equally good but undervalued guitars out there. Who is the undiscovered Conde of the future? Answering that question isn't just a matter of judgment. If it were, Castillo would be as good a candidate as any -- that also depends on a number of unknowable factors like his future family tradition and which famous players adopt him and have the courage to depart from the well-worn path to Conde's door. As Tom Nunez is fond of saying, a good guitar is a good guitar, no matter who made it. He's absolutely right.
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Date Apr. 4 2009 9:57:27
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ludeguitars
Posts: 2
Joined: May 1 2009
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RE: Should I go to Paracho, Mexico t... (in reply to polishcomedy)
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Interesante Pero esta es la realidad, los guitarreros de paracho manejan distintos precios, uno para el mercado local y otro para el extranjero, en ocasiones es muy distinto, Aun Asi es mucho mejor comprar directamente con ellos estas guitarras. Ninguno de estos guitarreros le venden una guitarra por menos de 1200 dolares. Aun asi eh visto guitarras en USA de ellos con una diferencia de 2000 o + dolares respecto al mercado local. Google translator Interesting But this is reality, Paracho guitar to handle different prices, one for the local market and for abroad, it is sometimes very different, yet is much better to buy these guitars with them directly. None of these luthiers guitar sold for less than 1200 dollars. Yet guitars eh seen them in the USA with a difference of 2000 + dollars or respect for the local market. I'm from Paracho and Friend of the Masters, if anyone wants their phone or email do not hesitate to ask. (if you want some other can also give it) Soy de Paracho y Amigo de estos Maestros, si alguno quiere sus datos no duden en pedirlos. (si quieren de algun otro tambien puedo darselo) Salvador Castillo Abel Garcia Jose Luis Diaz Reyes Carlos piña Daniel Caro Leonardo
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Date May 1 2009 21:47:08
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BarkellWH
Posts: 3462
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
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RE: Should I go to Paracho, Mexico t... (in reply to flamencositar)
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quote:
Absolutely go to Paracho! I would give careful thought and consideration to the security situation before deciding to go to Paracho. Paracho is located in the state of Michoacan, which is the most violence-prone state in all of Mexico. There are cartels, Mexican army, and independent militias operating and engaging in hostilities throughout the state. You cannot fly into Paracho. You can fly into Morelia, the state capital, but then you would have to take land transportation to Paracho, which is located 100 kilometers west of Morelia. The security situation in Michoacan is very dicey, and the U.S. State Department warning for Mexico advises to defer all non-essential travel to Michoacan, except when flying into Morelia or Lazaro Cardenas, and even then to use caution. To travel by road is to possibly get caught in hostile situations, either by one or the other group, or by getting caught in the crossfire between groups. I know there are those who will say they traveled in Michoacan without any trouble. They were lucky. Their good luck will be of little use to one who does get caught up in the violence. I have posted the State Department warning specific to the state of Michoacan below. "Defer non-essential travel to the state of Michoacán except the cities of Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas where you should exercise caution. Flying into Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas is the recommended method of travel. Attacks on Mexican government officials, law enforcement and military personnel, and other incidents of TCO-related violence, have occurred throughout Michoacán. Due to criminal activity in Lazaro Cardenas, in late 2013 the Mexican military assumed direct control of the port. In many areas of the state, self-defense groups operate independently of the government. Armed members of the groups frequently maintain roadblocks, and although not considered hostile to foreigners or tourists, are suspicious of outsiders and should be considered volatile and unpredictable. Groups in Michoacán are reputed to be linked to TCOs." Cheers, Bill
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Date May 23 2014 20:24:18
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