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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 0:18:13

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

This has been discussed before, quite recently actually (see the "luthiers share your recording setups" thread). I took the leap, being stranded on a tropical island far from anything resembling flamenco with a guitar that was holding me back was a large part of the decision. I've certainly got no regrets, for me at that time in my life it was definitely the right thing to do and I'm very happy with my guitar.

But you're in LA, don't you have guitar stores in LA? Or you fell in love online? (It happens!!) Check to see what the return policy is (as discussed in the above mentioned thread) because that can really takes a lot of the risk out of it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 0:38:23

Leñador

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

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

Yeah I'd be much less concerned about receiving a damaged guitar and much more concerned about getting a guitar that doesn't feel good in my hands and/or play well.....
We do have a lot of places to play nice flamencos in LA so I'm not sure why you'd do this....unless it's a specific luthier your after...
Flamencos pop up on Craigslist a lot too out here.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 1:12:28

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 1:12:59

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 1:22:58

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

Ye olde "buy it to try it" scenario. Make sure the price you pay is low enough to enable you to at least break even if you decide to sell. I've done this many times and the initial part of the transaction (the purchase price) is the only way you can reduce the risk of loss. There have been quite a few instruments that I would not have purchased if only I had spent a minute or two with the guitar in my hands. Keep in mind that most people would not have access to exotic musical instruments like flamenco guitars without the internet.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 1:29:18

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

Once ebayed a flamenco guitar that was such a dud that I forced the seller to take it back (though by formal conditions having had no right to request that).

Next bought an acoustic bass from the interent, which turned out lovely. Too bad only that it had been built of green wood / that the top sunk in. Had to sent back that one too.

Also bought unseen a handmade classical from Latin-America which was a good buy.

Further a very nice vintage flamenca from a seller in Switzerland, which however was inspected and picked up by a friend who was so kind to drive over for me and check it out.

Also obtained unseen a builder´s personal flamenca after recommendation from our Tom. Very nice axe.

And then there was an extremely beaten up guitar, which I bought on auction and let it be restored all unseen. Turned out an amazing deal. It´s my currently most used one. (Not for being my best guitar, but still a very good one.)

Finally, there is a guitar that was built for me to specs, waiting overseas, that I had no chance yet to hold in hands, which by its recordings quite promisses to be an animal. After waiting for an opportunity for about 3 years now, there has just come up a chance for someone reliable kindly schlepping it to Germany. I am about to passing on an address.

From Germany it may be brought over to here within a somewhat predictable time frame, then. -Provided me being at large up from late next month still. |O|
Can´t wait to see that baby.
Hoping it to be my dream guitar, and chances seem quite realistic.
At the very least however it will be no disappointment.

So, all in all the rate with the guitars in my collection purchased unseen to me for most seems rather positive.

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 1:32:11

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

OK, but the point of referring to the "luthiers share your recording setups" thread was that, say you don't like the guitar, with a reasonable return policy you can return it in X number of days and all you loose is the postage (for example). So yes, there's a risk, but it's up to each individual to assess the risks and make a decision where they stand a good chance to win but can accept that they might loose. So, you should check with your luthier on what X is - they probably say it somewhere on their website or blog (if they have one).

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 1:41:07

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 2:10:25

ToddK

Posts: 2961
Joined: Dec. 6 2004

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

Anybody worth buying from will ship you a guitar upon credit card approval.
You're out the return shipping if you don't love the guitar.

That's what i do anyway. I've never had to return a guitar.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 2:12:43

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

I lived on a remote tropical island for 18 1/2 years. During that time I bought two very expensive used guitars, you might say collector's items, made by two of the most famous luthiers of the 20th century. So i was pretty careful about the risks.

I had both guitars appraised and authenticated by a very reliable luthier and scholar of the guitar. I also discussed with him the reputation and reliability of each of the dealers. I spoke to each of the dealers more than once, to be perfectly clear about the right of return if I didn't like the instrument, how long I could keep it to decide, who bore responsibility for damage during shipment each way. The dealer was responsible for damage during shipment to me. I was to inspect the instrument before accepting it from the shipper. If I returned the guitar, it was my nickel if it got damaged, but insurance was available from the dealer's insurance agent.

Both the appraiser and one of the dealers expressed doubts about recovering damages from shippers like UPS or FedEx.

Shipping was the source of a little suspense. Neither FedEx nor UPS had regular facilities at the island where I lived. The instruments went to Guam, then onto normal air freight. This made tracking the shipments a bit complex, but in the end it could be done.

One of the customs agents in the country where I lived was designated as an agent for FedEx. This worked out well for the first instrument. I was at the airport when the instrument arrived. We opened up the shipping box and checked the instrument for damage. It was fine, so I signed for it.

The customs agent was away from the country when the second instrument arrived. His brother-in-law filled in for him, and wasn't familiar with the proper FedEx procedures. I had to chase the guitar around the island for an afternoon, but in the tiny population, word traveled fast, and I caught up with it. One thing that disappointed me was the air freight company had attached an air bill to the exterior of the box showing the insured value of the instrument.

I kept both instruments, and within a week of buying each I received offers from Japan for 20-25% more than I had paid. I still love to play them both, and they have appreciated in value in the years since I bought them.

Be sure you have a chance to try the guitar for a few days, and to return it if you don't like it. Be sure everyone is clear about who is responsible for what.

Good luck, and I hope you love the guitar!

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 2:56:15

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 3:28:51

MikeC

Posts: 79
Joined: Mar. 19 2015
From: Panama (living in South Florida)

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

For a lot of people buying without playing it first is the only choice. For me the local choices would have been a low end Cordoba or Yamaha. I decided to take a gamble an ordered a guitar from one of our member luthiers, Andy Culpepper. I don't regret my choice one bit. The guitar is great and has been getting better since I got.

Mike

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 10:52:49

Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

if the label says "conde" you should be just fine.

For any other brand, I recommend Dan Zeff for used guitars. He has always sent good ones to me for both myself and students choices....he has steered me away from duds as well, so he's a guy I trust. Remember if it is a fairly well known maker, you can always resale with little difficulty.

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 12:00:49

Mark2

Posts: 1871
Joined: Jul. 12 2004
From: San Francisco

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

Being a lefty, I have a fair amount of experience buying guitars without playing them. It's worked out pretty well for the most part. More expensive the instrument, the better it seems to work. I do have a few dogs, but they were cheap guitars. If I was a right hander in LA, it would be much harder to justify buying a guitar sight unseen. Anything over 5k, I might be inclined to get on a plane and make sure.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2015 15:56:20

sig

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Purchasing a guitar...that you'v... (in reply to Guest)

My take it that has been, I've purchased most of the flamenco's I own/used to own that same very way. Maybe I was lucky or not too picky as each time I got exactly what was promised and I have not been disappointed.

I suspect that where many members live, there is no good way to try a number of instruments. I really wish there were because even if I find a particular instrument good, you may not and vice versa. Its so subjective that it is hard to quantify by listening to a clip or a vid on line. I think as others have said, make sure you get a trial period and if you don't like it, you can return it. Of course you will pay shipping but its better than having an instrument you don't like. I would say buy the buyer first then the guitar!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 16 2015 20:05:56

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 17 2015 0:29:43