Foro Flamenco


Posts Since Last Visit | Advanced Search | Home | Register | Login

Today's Posts | Inbox | Profile | Our Rules | Contact Admin | Log Out



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.





Guitar Center 35% discount - worth it for an Alhambra 4F/Ortega R270F?   You are logged in as Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >>Discussions >>General >> Page: [1]
Login
Message<< Newer Topic  Older Topic >>
 
MohnJadden

 

Posts: 6
Joined: Apr. 21 2022
 

Guitar Center 35% discount - worth i... 
I'm a newbie guitarist - maybe only 1 or 2 months in, learning with a weekly tutor and books. I've started out on a standard electric guitar but have no real ambition to join a rock band, and the idea of just playing flamenco by myself actually sounds really interesting.

A friend of mine works for Guitar Center. They get a 35% discount on most new items. Among their flamenco guitars they have the Alhambra 4F and Ortega R270F. From reading up on them, they seem like solid student flamenco guitars with decent low action and 52mm nuts, the right type of strings for flamenco already installed, etc.

Should I pull the trigger on one of those? I am very OK with the prices after the discount (After taxes, US$630 for the Alhambra/$699 for the Ortega) if it means I'd have an instrument that'll work well for a newbie rather than something that needs tweaking/futzing/further setup. Or would I be better served spending the $700ish for a different make/model guitar sold from a different vendor?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 21 2022 16:44:38
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14801
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Alhambra is a decent Valencia made guitar.

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 22 2022 16:25:18
 
devilhand

 

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
quote:

From reading up on them, they seem like solid student flamenco guitars with decent low action

I read any earlier model than Alhambra 7F tend to have high action. But who knows. You have to try that Alhambra 4F before you buy. Check the string height at the 12th fret and bridge. That's the most important.

_____________________________

Say No to Fuera de Compás!!!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 23 2022 13:08:17
 
Pgh_flamenco

 

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

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Years ago the Alhambra 7fc was considered a good guitar for flamenco. Some of Alhambra’s cheaper models, like the 4f, were basically souvenirs for tourists.

_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 24 2022 12:42:10
 
MohnJadden

 

Posts: 6
Joined: Apr. 21 2022
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Thank you all - I tried an Alhambra 7FS that was used at my local GC, and was having a tough time with it thanks to the very glossy neck. They didn't have any Alhambra 4s or the Ortega in stock to try, and the only other flamenco guitar they had available was a Cordoba GK Studio, whose sound wasn't as nice as the 7FS. Another GC had a Kremona Rosa Luna, but I definitely felt the slightly narrower nut width.

The 7FS and GK Studio in question were $550 and $650 respectively if someone's interested in picking them up.

Given that the R270F is glossy as well, I'll probably pull the trigger on a Yamaha CG172SF once they're back in stock - it may not be the same sound and quality as the others I was looking at but being a newbie, I can live with that if it sounds OK enough (also coming in after the discount helps).
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 25 2022 19:30:21
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14801
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
quote:

ORIGINAL: MohnJadden

Thank you all - I tried an Alhambra 7FS that was used at my local GC, and was having a tough time with it thanks to the very glossy neck. They didn't have any Alhambra 4s or the Ortega in stock to try, and the only other flamenco guitar they had available was a Cordoba GK Studio, whose sound wasn't as nice as the 7FS. Another GC had a Kremona Rosa Luna, but I definitely felt the slightly narrower nut width.

The 7FS and GK Studio in question were $550 and $650 respectively if someone's interested in picking them up.

Given that the R270F is glossy as well, I'll probably pull the trigger on a Yamaha CG172SF once they're back in stock - it may not be the same sound and quality as the others I was looking at but being a newbie, I can live with that if it sounds OK enough (also coming in after the discount helps).


I fear to ask what exactly could be the problem with a “glossy” neck??? I assume you reference the finish on the back of it…I mean is this some OCD problem? I mean the only alternative is a sticky matte finish neck whose disgusting grimy surfaces after heavy use make me shudder at the thought of blasting out some guajiras de Lucía on her.

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 26 2022 13:14:50
 
MohnJadden

 

Posts: 6
Joined: Apr. 21 2022
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to Ricardo) 
It's more that I fret too hard, and my thumb sweat is just enough to cause me to get stuck on the smooth finish. Like, physically. I'm trying to lighten up but I have this issue even on the neck of my electric guitar, which is satin finish. It was very noticeable playing the 7FS.

Unless there's a trick to stopping sticky thumbs, I'd rather have a satin neck - at least that didn't get as sticky as quickly. I've done some asking and googling and lubricating the neck apparently isn't a thing, which is a shame - it'd teach me to lighten up pretty quickly.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 26 2022 14:45:57
 
JasonM

Posts: 2054
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
I think the Yamaha CG172 has a matte finish if I remember right. Which is like an odd ball thing for flamenco guitars. You could easily convert any neck to Matte with some fine grit sandpaper.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 26 2022 14:50:35
 
kitarist

Posts: 1715
Joined: Dec. 4 2012
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
quote:

Unless there's a trick to stopping sticky thumb


How about rubbing some cream or FastFret lubricant on your thumb and the neck? Or even Vaseline. Of course, to fix the underlying problem, work on letting your death grip go. You only need a light touch/grip with the thumb.

_____________________________

Konstantin
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 26 2022 18:36:19
 
devilhand

 

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to devilhand) 
Slightly off topic. At the beginning of this video, is it vaseline Paco is using for smooth and fast picado? It looks like his thumb touched that thing as well.
Do you guys think that it will make his pulgar technique smoother and faster?



_____________________________

Say No to Fuera de Compás!!!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 26 2022 19:42:06
 
AndresK

Posts: 309
Joined: Jan. 4 2019
From: Patras, Greece

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Hello. The Alhambra would have more volume I would say. I have never tried their flamenco guitars but I have played many Yamaha classicals and Alhambra of similar prices (Alhambra is a bit pricier). The Alhambras always have easier playing and relaxed sound producing, meaning you get more sound with not so much right hand effort. The Yamaha has maybe a better bass but not as clear.

I would try the Alhambra 2f too. I have played their classical z nature, that has mate finish and is the most economic classical they have, and I could easily play flamenco on it if I lowered the action a bit. Very direct and clear sound. I tried some yamaha flamenco guitars, cheap ones, maybe 20 years ago and I did not like them very much. They gave me the same feeling I had with their classicals, that I have to work harder to get the sound out of them (I always speak about the more economic models)

The last few years the 2f is supposed to have changed a bit too. Here they have a promotional video with Carlos Piñana https://www.alhambraguitarras.com/en/flamenco/student/2-f

Could not hurt to try if available.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 26 2022 20:26:28
 
MohnJadden

 

Posts: 6
Joined: Apr. 21 2022
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Thank you all very much - the tricky part is that not many places stock flamenco models amongst their classical/nylon guitars around here. With my friend's discount, it's more a matter of being OK with trusting the return policy.

@kitarist: you are very correct about the death grip. I'm trying to unlearn it in favor of a lighter touch. I had some people poo-poo the Fast Fret idea but if it doesn't hurt the neck, I'll give it a shot. That plus focusing on un-death gripping seems like a good combo.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 27 2022 15:16:21
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14801
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Jamon Serrano…no napkins.

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 27 2022 15:52:10
 
AndresK

Posts: 309
Joined: Jan. 4 2019
From: Patras, Greece

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to Ricardo) 
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Apr. 27 2022 22:34:49
 
MohnJadden

 

Posts: 6
Joined: Apr. 21 2022
 

RE: Guitar Center 35% discount - wor... (in reply to MohnJadden) 
Thanks again, everyone - I'm going to pull the trigger on a GK Studio. I know it's not the world's super greatest, and that the cutaway isn't necessary for flamenco. I've been learning on a regular electric guitar the last two months, so I figure it'd be best to start with a slightly wider neck and C-shaped profile rather than 52mm and U neck. That way I'll continue learning the basics I need to learn without throwing too many changes in at once.

If they have an in-stock date for a CG172SF I'll go for that instead, but it's probably global-supply-chain messed-up for a bit. For $490, the GK Studio should hopefully do OK as I start learning flamenco. I'll be forum searching and lurking a bit. Again, thanks for the help!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date May 2 2022 13:43:22
Page:   [1]
All Forums >>Discussions >>General >> Page: [1]
Jump to:

New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software powered by ASP Playground Advanced Edition 2.0.5
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 ASPPlayground.NET

0.0625 secs.