Two guitar questions for UK folk

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

Two guitar questions for UK folk

Flamenco GAS is becoming a problem

Just doing a little fact finding about UK prices..

If you have a flamenco guitar, what make/model is it and how much did it cost?

What's the cheapest supplier for the Yamaha CG171SF you've seen?

Ta.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 24 2003 15:28:47

el ted

Posts: 466
Joined: Nov. 13 2003

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

HOLA JON,
i bought a CG171SF earlier this year it cost a few bob under £300 from fox's music in hull. have you tried one?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 24 2003 16:04:00

Escribano

Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

I have a Bernal Amigo, nice student blanca - £450 from Stephen Hill in Lewes, he looks like he has a Prodigio in stock for £800. Have a look at http://www.spanishguitars.co.uk/shopguitars/shopguitars.html

He's selling up so you may get a good price.

_____________________________

Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 24 2003 17:41:22

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

Thanks guys.

Ted: no, I haven't tried one but assuming I do bite the bullet and buy a flamenco guitar, I'll only have a few hundred quid to spend and the Yamaha is getting good reviews.

I've tried a few cheapo flamencos so far, but they've all sounded like (cheap) classical guitars.
I'm hoping the Yamaha will have a proper flamenco response ie fast, light and percussive.

What do you think of it? Did you try many?

Jon

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2003 8:52:35

el ted

Posts: 466
Joined: Nov. 13 2003

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

JON,
yes, for the money i can't imagine what else you could get this side of spain! I have six guitars ranging in value from the £300 yam to £3000 pegheads.
the yamaha PLAYS well. i am using savarez low tension on it at the moment, and it sounds right but lacks the volume and punch of some of my other guitars.
But for £3oo yam have done a hell of a job! No way does sound like a £300 classical. the action is way lower than any classical.
I ought to work for yamaha advertising shouldn't I?
hope this helps.
Flamenco, the true path!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2003 9:30:49

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to el ted)

quote:

ORIGINAL: el ted

JON,
yes, for the money i can't imagine what else you could get this side of spain! I have six guitars ranging in value from the £300 yam to £3000 pegheads....<snip> hope this helps.

Yes, it certainly does help, Ted. Its great to get an opinion from someone like yourself that owns a range of guitars right up to a luthier model, and can put the quality of the Yamaha in context.

Part of me says "oh no, I must get a Spanish Guitar", but I've always rated Yamaha gear as quality stuff, and they did take lessons from the Spaniards in guitar building

.

I suppose the question is whether I can find one near me to try out, or whether I (gulp) take the plunge and mail order one.

Cheers

Jon

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2003 10:20:07

el ted

Posts: 466
Joined: Nov. 13 2003

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

jon,
i know what you mean about ''it must be spanish'' BUT, the japanese have become rather good at making cars, motorbikes, pianos etc haven't they? i would try one first though, picking a guitar is a very subjective thing.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2003 10:27:54

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

Jon,

I played one of the Yamaha's you are discussing and was very pleased with it. The thing to note is even though the action is fairly low; it really needs to be brought down more at the saddle. The thing to be very careful with is to look down the neck from the bridge end of the guitar. A bowed neck is going to make it impossible to get the action down where it should be. In all fairness, the one I played had a fairly straight neck. I just about bought it as a dinger to play.

The bass and mid were pretty weak, but the trebles were surprisingly nice.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2003 15:31:22

Escribano

Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Patrick)

quote:

A bowed neck is going to make it impossible to get the action down where it should be.

My £200 Yamaha classical is like a cheese cutter, the neck is carved from solid wood, I am sure the binding purfling and rosette are transfers, the tuners are crap and the back is one piece of wood. The saddle and nut are plastic, but it sounds OK

_____________________________

Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2003 19:59:04

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

Jon,
I'm into this late on and I don't mean to contradict any other opinions but I would say, hold on to your money, save a bit more and try find a Bernal.
£ for £ his guitars are top rate.
Ask Ron M about his.
There's no question about it, if you don't get the right feel, response and sound, it'll have been a waste of good cash.
Don't buy the Yamaha!
Cheers
Jim.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 5 2003 16:24:30

Escribano

Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jim Opfer)

Agreed

_____________________________

Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 5 2003 18:07:30

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Two guitar questions for UK folk (in reply to Jon Boyes)

Jon,
I'd definitely agree with Jim here.
The Bernal is certainly a nice guitar in it's price range.
I'm certainly not a Flamenco snob....in fact I have posted a message saying that Jim's Stephen Hill guitar was one of the best guitars I've tried ...ever!
But there is also a nice feeling to play a nice guitar which was made in La Provincia de Cadiz!
Maybe it's just psychological...in fact I'm sure it is.
Anyway, music is all about subjectivity.
Seriously though, in my experience, the difference between a guitar which sounds and feels nice and another which sounds and feels a little bit better can be thousands of pounds!
From what I've read on the Forums over the years, and now owning a Bernal, I would at least look into it if I were you.
At the end of the day, your knowledge and technique will have a far greater impact on your overall playing than the actual instrument.
That's what I believe anyway.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 5 2003 21:33:54