Hi from WI

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Hi from WI

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ZvonkoM

Posts: 4
Joined: Dec. 3 2012

Hi from WI

Hi guys!

My name is Zvonko, I am a solid guitar player - some classical, steel string (Tommy Emmanuel's style), electric, but my dream always was to learn to play Flamenco. So, here I am, the day has come. :)

First thing is, of course, to get a nice flamenco guitar. As far as I could see on the forum, a Navarro would be a good choice but I am open to suggestions. I would really appreciate your advice. If anyone is selling please let me know.

I don't want to spend too much since I will most likely upgrade once I get more experience with Flamenco. Also, I want a negra since I like warmer sound and will play classical music on the same instrument. I also plan to use it for recording and smaller gigs.

I would also like to hear if anyone has experience with a flamenco guitar with cutaway and pickup (preferably Fishman piezo/mic)? Is it worth the trouble? Anyone owns a guitar with similar setup and good sound?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 5 2012 22:22:49

Leñador

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

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

Hola and welcome to the Foro!

Those were things that I wanted when I first started flamenco because I came loosely from the same guitar school you did. Believe me you will not be happy with the outcome, a year in I was pissed at myself for spending $700 on a guitar I now consider worthless. The only way your getting a good cutaway that is flamenco is to shell out big bucks. If you're looking to play real flamenco the cutaway is somewhat unnecessary, especially as a beginner to the genre. Piezo's don't get the best wrap either if you do some searching around the forum.

If you're looking to just play "spanishy" sounding stuff then more power to you, get an electrified cutaway and shred your heart out but if you want to play authentic flamenco pick up a nice student Navarro or something similar. The reality is no matter how good you are at those other styles you've been playing you're not going to be gigging authentic flamenco any time soon.

Not being negative just relating my experience in the hopes to help others avoid the same mistake.

Best of luck on your path

_____________________________

\m/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 5 2012 23:19:58

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

quote:

I would also like to hear if anyone has experience with a flamenco guitar with cutaway and pickup (preferably Fishman piezo/mic)? Is it worth the trouble? Anyone owns a guitar with similar setup and good sound?

Hi Zvonko,
Welcome to the Foro.
I built a cutaway negra with the Fishman piezo/mic system this summer for the guitarist Mir Ali. He absolutely loved the guitar, and it did sound really great acoustic and plugged in.
I don't know if my guitars are in your price range or not but you can get more info here (and see photos of that guitar at the bottom of the page):
http://andyculpepper.com/Guitars.html

If you really want to play plugged in and you're going to play a lot of rumbas and that type of thing the cutaway/pickup combination is great. Also you can get a really wide range of tones through blending the pickup and the mic.
But overall I personally still prefer to build and play a traditional bodied flamenco guitar and use a good mic for recording and gigs.

Good luck!

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 5 2012 23:29:20

ZvonkoM

Posts: 4
Joined: Dec. 3 2012

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

Thanks guys! Nice to be in such a good company! :)

I supposed that cutaway & pickup are not the best thing, but it's free to ask... I will stick to the traditional shape and mic then. Which mic you'd recommend?

Andy, I saw your web site and videos, great work! The negra looks awesome, but a little above what I am planning to spend at the moment.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 2:36:57

Doitsujin

Posts: 5078
Joined: Apr. 10 2005

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

what is wi?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 7:11:36

XXX

Posts: 4400
Joined: Apr. 14 2005

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to Doitsujin)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Doitsujin

what is wi?

Wigwam.

_____________________________

Фламенко

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 8:14:21

Escribano

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

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to Doitsujin)

quote:

what is wi?

Wisconsin or the West Indies

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Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 10:06:43

ZvonkoM

Posts: 4
Joined: Dec. 3 2012

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to Escribano)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Escribano
Wisconsin or the West Indies

Haha, I wish it was West Indies...

It's Wisconsin, USA.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 13:33:30

Leñador

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

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

Hey ZvonkoM

Here's the discussion had when I posted about amplification.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=215197&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=electrify&tmode=&smode=&s=#

I hear you guys have great Oktoberfests.

_____________________________

\m/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 14:24:41

HolyEvil

Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: ZvonkoM

Thanks guys! Nice to be in such a good company! :)

I supposed that cutaway & pickup are not the best thing, but it's free to ask... I will stick to the traditional shape and mic then. Which mic you'd recommend?

Andy, I saw your web site and videos, great work! The negra looks awesome, but a little above what I am planning to spend at the moment.

welcome mate.. I have to say, get a cutaway if you like. but usually for a cutaway, we need to get a luthier made ones for it to sound good.. I like cutaways..

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 6 2012 18:16:33

ZvonkoM

Posts: 4
Joined: Dec. 3 2012

RE: Hi from WI (in reply to ZvonkoM)

Thanks everyone!

I am definitely looking for a hand made guitar, but something in the middle - not low end, not high end. Still browsing around, some nice people already contacted me to help.

How about Navarro Concert and Grand Concert? What is the difference between the two?

Where Andy's guitars stand compared to those?
Andy, your answer doesn't count... :)

Other builders in the US? I suppose Mexican are a bit cheaper because of the cost of labor, but I want good instrument. Not necessarily cheaper.

Thanks again for your help! You guys rock.. I mean - you guys flamenco. ;)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 7 2012 2:58:11