Navarro Student vs. Concert: Worth of the difference

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Alonte

Posts: 214
Joined: Dec. 2 2008

Navarro Student vs. Concert: Worth o...

Pardon everyone I have burned out the search function and I need honest opinions.

Everybody raves about the student model. The concert model I havent heard much but theres roughly a 600 price difference.

Question is, if the student model is already THAT good... how much better is the concert model?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2010 23:20:17

ogeva

Posts: 8
Joined: May 11 2010
From: Israel

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

I'll second the question, I am looking for a good yet budget first flamenco guitar as well.
Specifically I'd like to know what does having a cocobolo finger board (vs ebony) means in terms of sound and playability (as if I buy one, it will be unseen and unplayed).
Thanks,

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2010 0:39:21

Alonte

Posts: 214
Joined: Dec. 2 2008

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

Anybody? Would really appreciate your thoughts...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2010 8:27:43

Exitao

Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

I know nothing about this luthier/brand.

In general terms, compared to concert or 1A guitars, "student" guitars are usually made with inferior grade woods and parts - maybe uses bridges that are bought in bulk instead of made by himself, probably not expensive tuners, like Fustero but an OK Gotoh.

When it comes to the fingerboard, it hardly makes a difference to the sound or playability.

When it comes to the sides and soundboard, it can be a huge difference. So you need to find out what the differences are.

I'm not sure I understand the point of a student guitar for a responsible adult. If you're hedging your bets and avoiding spending big bucks because you think you may not stick with it, then just buy a Yamaha.

If it's because of a tight budget, look up some local (or near local) luthiers with decent reputations and tell them your budget.
Get the best body and soundboard you can afford and go as cheap as you can on everything else...
Maybe even ask if they got something laying around that they just never got around to completing (something experimental or, something that they feel is flawed).
If budget is your primary concern, all it needs to do is sound good and you can probably put up with a cosmetic flaw easily. It can even give it character.

But when it comes to damned expensive guitars, don't go half-way if you don't have to. Because when you outgrow that student guitar, that concert or 1A you really wanted is going to be more expensive than it used to be, especially if you add that price tag on top of the student price tag.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2010 18:09:40

M.S.A.

Posts: 493
Joined: Mar. 10 2009

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Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Feb. 28 2011 22:51:20

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2010 19:36:54

GuitarVlog

Posts: 441
Joined: Mar. 19 2009
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Exitao)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Exitao
But when it comes to damned expensive guitars, don't go half-way if you don't have to. Because when you outgrow that student guitar, that concert or 1A you really wanted is going to be more expensive than it used to be, especially if you add that price tag on top of the student price tag.

I agree. Even though you can sell your student guitar, you may take a notable loss if it is not a popular model.

Having said that, my observation is that the Navarro student guitars seem to have a good resale value.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Exitao
If you're hedging your bets and avoiding spending big bucks because you think you may not stick with it, then just buy a Yamaha.

I did ... and I wound-up sticking with it.

I wish I had known about the Navarros when I started out. But at least the Yamaha is a decent and good-value learning instrument.

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Upgraded Yamaha CG171SF
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2010 20:34:15

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

m.s.a. is your student model french polished?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2010 20:34:38

ogeva

Posts: 8
Joined: May 11 2010
From: Israel

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

Ok.
Lets put it this way.
Budget is an issue. Plus, I am not sure how long I will stick at it, though right now I estimate I will, and buy a more expensive guitar afterwards.
But right now I am playing flamenco on a nice classical (aparicio AA70), and I feel the need for a golpeadore, lower action, and a more stacato and bright sound.
Plus, it is difficult to come around a good flamenco model in Israel that does not cost a small fortune.
So, my options are either a raimundo 125 (they don't even bring here the 145), which I will get at a pretty cheap price.
An alhambra 8fp negra - which is nice, but I estimate they charge way too much for her, plus I want a blance, not a negra.
Or the Navarro, which is the only all solid wood guitar I can get in my budget from abroad unseen, which is also all wood.
These are the facts. If you see or don't see the point of student models is irrelevant, because I can't get a luthier made instrument, or even a more decent factory made instrument at even twice my budget. Yet I still need an instrument more suitable for flamenco.
So the question is - would this guitar be better than a raimundo 125?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 0:54:37

kozz

Posts: 1766
Joined: Feb. 26 2009
From: Eindhoven NL

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

Alsonso and I spoke already about this offline, but the FN Concert is a fantastic guitar.
I dont know the Student version, but people feel connected with it so it must be a good guitar either.

As one of the most important advises I got from this foro is to play the guitar yourselves.
If YOU like it, if YOU can play easy on it, than it is YOUR guitar and YOU have to find out how to get the best out of it.

succes

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 1:35:10

M.S.A.

Posts: 493
Joined: Mar. 10 2009

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 6:32:42

M.S.A.

Posts: 493
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 6:42:47

M.S.A.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 6:48:33

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

thanks for the info and pictures, msa.
yes, be careful when taking your baby out of the case! there will be plenty of time to play

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 7:09:21

M.S.A.

Posts: 493
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 7:37:56

Alonte

Posts: 214
Joined: Dec. 2 2008

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

Are they all French Polished? I thought the student model is lacquered?

As far as my purpose goes...Well I just wanted the best and cheapest guitar I can find at the moment. I just sold my 2k workshop blanca and saved the money up. This I believe will save me more money in the future. Instead of trading/upgrading all the time.

I'll keep my energy focused on practicing and playing and learning more about guitars on the side... (Makers, patterns, setup etc...) Then when I am more knowledgeable in the near distant future, I will either make a trip to paracho and get a primera instrument or have a luthier I like make me a guitar.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 8:50:54

M.S.A.

Posts: 493
Joined: Mar. 10 2009

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 13 2010 9:45:55

Alonte

Posts: 214
Joined: Dec. 2 2008

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

UPDATE:
Just recieved my FN Student. OMG Is this for real? This is an amazing guitar! Considering how much I paid for it and the cost of guitars I have tried that sounded like this!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 17 2010 17:59:25

fumanshu

Posts: 6
Joined: Apr. 18 2010

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to Alonte)

Hi Alonte! It's good to hear that you're happy with your new guitar!!! I'm hesitating buying his student vs concert model since it's impossible for me to try any of his guitar here in Montreal!!!!

Did you get his blanca or negra? I think he's doing some negra in his student line right?

I was also considering Salvador Castillo blanca....but it's malready more expensive.

Let us know how does it sound once you'll played with it after some time.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2010 2:37:25

M.S.A.

Posts: 493
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2010 5:49:36

Alonte

Posts: 214
Joined: Dec. 2 2008

RE: Navarro Student vs. Concert: Wor... (in reply to fumanshu)

I have also hesitated at first but I trust the people here at the foro when they said its a good guitar. I also thought of getting a Castillo blanca but it's out of my budget and it's a bit too big for me scalewise. I borrowed a friends Castillo and its really amazing but I noticed that since I have really small hands, it's a bit of a workout.

The Navarro student is great. Cocobolo instead of ebony, unsigned label, basic machine tuners... I'm ok with that. But the the SOUND! Loud, punchy and full. Easy to play. Responds well. Very low action but no buzz. It's at 3mm at 12th and I can still lower this but for some reason it feels easy to play. The neck is nicely tapered. Very thin lacquer finish. Not as earthy and deep sounding as a Castillo blanca...but for less a grand I don't think I have the right to complain.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2010 8:37:55