Low-end guitars

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Low-end guitars

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Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

Low-end guitars

Hey everyone,

I'm thinking of getting a flamenco guitar soon but as I'm not working, I can only get something cheaper. Presently, I've only a low-end Admira flamenco guitar that's simply not 'flamenco' enough.

What do you people think of the lower end models of these brands?:
Yamaha
Alhambra
Manuel Rodriguez

I've tried Yamahas and they're just horrible for their prices, too bassy for me.

Thanks for any thoughts.
Skai

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 28 2004 12:22:42

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Low-end guitars (in reply to Skai)

I always recommend the Bernal student - about £450 in the UK - cheaper in Spain I suspect. Where are you based?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 28 2004 13:08:55

Jon Boyes

Posts: 1377
Joined: Jul. 10 2003

RE: Low-end guitars (in reply to Skai)

The basic Yamaha model (171 something) actually gets very good reviews and for the money is probably hard to beat. I've never played one but I've bought an awful lot of Yamaha gear over the years, and its always great quality for the money.

I've played Alhambra flamencos but only the more expensive ones sounded OK to me.
Basically, I don't think changing your Admira for another entry level flamenco will really make much difference. You'd be better off saving up for an intermediate level guitar - maybe look out for a second hand one?

In the meantime have you tried upgrading your guitar? A professional set up, bone saddle, different (brighter?) brand of strings can make quite a difference.

Finally, IMO the greatest improvements in sound and getting a 'more flamenco' sound
are made by changing one's technique rather than by changing the guitar.

Jon

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 28 2004 13:12:07

Ron.M

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

RE: Low-end guitars (in reply to Jon Boyes)

quote:

Finally, IMO the greatest improvements in sound and getting a 'more flamenco' sound
are made by changing one's technique rather than by changing the guitar.

Jon

Well said Jon.

Before buying another budget guitar, why don't you buy a new "hueso" (saddle bone) and file it down as low as you can get. If you file too low then you can build it back up with paper thin strips of hardwood.
It's quite good fun to play around with a slightly buzzy guitar....makes the rasgueados sound more powerful etc.
Might reduce the volume a bit because of the reduced "break angle" of the strings, but that's not really important unless you are playing gigs etc.
Keep your old saddle in case you want to return it to the way it was.
Don't bother about the nut as you will probably be using a capo.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 28 2004 14:05:46

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Low-end guitars (in reply to Skai)

Try this search of the forum for "student guitars"

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 28 2004 15:27:36

Patrick

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

RE: Low-end guitars (in reply to Skai)

I have to agree with Jon and Ron. What I find with most lower end guitars is the action is ridiculously high. As Ron said, you should work with what you have now by getting a bone saddle and cut it down so you get a bit of buzz to the strings. I find you have to go up in price a quite a bit to get much improvement over lower end guitars.

I played one of the $300 Yamaha's that you hear a lot about and was very impressed. With a new low saddle and good strings it would compete with a bunch of $2,000 guitars and up.

Pat

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 28 2004 18:38:29

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Low-end guitars (in reply to Skai)

Well, I did change to Labella Flamenco strings, filed the bridge for a bit of buzz and my techniques so far give it quite a good flamenco sound considering I just started on guitar. But after trying out better guitars, I just don't feel like going back to my Admira LOL. Even my Cheap Alhambra classical sounds as good for flamenco. It just didn't feel right at all. Well I think those guitars I'm looking at can be considered as intermediate as they cost a few times more than my present guitars.

The problem is that the place I live in seems to be against flamenco, Singapore. The only flamenco stuff around here recently is dance but I haven't seen any teachers, decent books or videos. Not even many CDs are around. Neither have I seen more than ONE brand of flamenco strings here!

Maybe I tried the wrong Yamaha guitar. It costed twice the price of my guitar and I hate it even more. The basses seemed far too strong. Could be due to the classical strings but even so, it should still have some flamenco sound coming from it.

Skai

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 29 2004 9:42:29