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I currently have no experience with his guitars, but that'll change when my Student 2 blanca arrives tomorrow. Since you're curious about a different model, then it's likely that my input would be of little use anyway. I can still post some photos though!
I have played two of his student classicals. One was okay. The other was disappointing. I do not know how well either of them were cared for but they were bought by their owners within the past year.
If I were buying one myself, I would be more confident buying from a reputable dealer like Tom at La Falseta Guitars.
ditto... had and have a wonderful experience wit LaFalseta. I only wish i had dealt with this store and Tom Nunez all along, sparing many incovenieces i suffred with other dealers in the past.
I bought two Navarro(s) from Tom (student models) and loved them. The luthier who reworked the action to my specs was also very impressed with both craftmanship and sound qualities of Navarro's instruments.
Does anybody have some experiences with Navarro flamenco guitars?
I've had two Navarro flamenco guitars. A Grand Concert and a Concert model. Was not happy with the CG and sold it. The Concert model is excellent and I am very satisfied with it.
I've had my hands on student and Concert models -- not the Grand Concert. Neither of the ones I tried compared (not even close) to Salvador Castillo (Both of them have won the top honor at the Paracho competition). But that might not be a fair comparison because I don't think Castillo builds anything but his best -- he doesn't make different "grades" of guitars.
I just received my Navarro today and take it from me, it is miles ahead of the CG171SF - no comparison in my opinion. As I said earlier this is his Student 2 model, so this is a good example of Francisco's more economical work (as in, very good but also very affordable). I have to wonder though, if this cheap beginner model is this good then I can only imagine the impeccable craftsmanship he puts into a Grand Concert.
But Salvador of course has also won quite the reputation, so my gut tells me that you probably can't go wrong with either builder.
I'm afraid I have to agree with that. I was trying to be polite in my earlier post in this thread, but Castillo is hard to beat at any price. Last week a professional classical guitarist played my Castillo negra. (I define professional as someone who does it full time and doesn't have a day job). He owns a really expensive classical guitar (paid $14k for it; I won't embarrass anyone by mentioning the maker). He was dismayed when he found out how little I paid for the Castillo (slightly under 3k with BRW and spruce). He preferred the Castillo to his own guitar -- sound, projection, playability, all were superior. Needless to say, I preferred mine too. And remember we were comparing a flamenco to a classical!
The point is (getting back to the original substance of this thread) you can still get a Castillo blanca for under $2k. But they are going up fast.
I have a Navarro that I am selling as a favor for Gaetano, not making a dime on this, as he never charges me for recording mp3 samples. There is an mp3 and photos.
Does Castillo only do flamenco guitars or does he also do classicals?
He does both, and he has access to Brazilian rosewood. I have never heard any of his classicals. Salvador is himself a flamenco guitarist.
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"Flamenco is so emotionally direct that a trained classical musician would require many years of highly disciplined formal study to fail to understand it."
Morao, I had two student Navarro flamencos, both blancas. The first one was excellent, well made and great sound. The second was so-so---I wasn't as happy with it. If you order one, try to make sure you have an approval period to play the guitar for a few days to see if you like it -- or, if not, so you can return it. Most good dealers have a decent approval period, some up to 7 days. that should always be an option.
thanks for your comments. in europe there is only one shop in belgium who sell guitars from francisco. as i played them, i liked them very much. seemed so that they were weel known in the usa. but here, most players with a small budget (like me) play sanchis lopez guitars. the 2f-05 is about 1150 euro, the grand concert modell of navarro about 2500 euro...which could be a next step for me when i buy a new guitar.
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