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Hello, my names Armando, first time on a flamenco forum. Ive bee playing guitar for about 20 yrs, flamenco for about 6 yrs. information is very confusing about were to purchace a good guitar, looking at buying my last flamenco guitar hopefully as so far ive been dissapointed. Ive stumbled on Zavaletas, are they reputable. I live in Thunder Bay Canada, Im possible the only flamenco player up here, any info would be good.
Good luck in your quest. My opinion is that you buy your last guitar when you run out of money, or when your wife threatens to throw you out if you buy another...
You're talking to a luthier there. Take a look at Anders' site at www.eliassonguitars.com for some info. Don't be fooled by the fact that he's an unknown luthier (for now). Check other threads in the forum for great reviews on his guitars.
Completely hand-made by him and many who have taken the gamble have been more than pleasantly surprised! You can listen to the mp3s of the guitars on the site. And the best part is that they're darn cheap for a TOTAL handcrafted, full-solid guitar that has received such warm response from his customers.
P.s. I don't earn any commision from him LOL! Neither have I had a chance to play nor can I afford to buy one. But looking at the excellent reviews and having heard the great sound samples, I would have definitely bought one if I could.
Nando, since you're in Canada, you might want to contact Jeff Sigurdson in Vancouver (http://www.sigurdsonguitars.com). He builds beautiful flamencos. There's also Aaron Green (Aaron is starting to have a long waiting list) and then there's Anders (above in this thread) who lives in Granada (or rather, just outside of it). So far, Anders' guitars have received nothing but rave reviews. Anders plays and I think that has a great influence on his building since he knows what he wants to hear.
Anders, one of these days when I can scrape the money together, i'll ask you to build me one of your beautiful negras. Until then.......back to work.....(sigh)
I happen to know that Aaron Green's current waiting list is not too bad, about 6 month. I ordered a guitar from him a few weeks ago and got into the batch he will start building in the summer.
I didnt expect all that information, I havent had computer access for a while so I havent been able to responde. That eliassonguitar looks interesting, and Ive heard of jeff in Vancouver. It appears now that I am searching for the best guitar, that I am only one of many flamenco enthusiasts on that search. I feel sometimes living in Canada sets limitations on what I can do. I ordered a guitar from Spain 2yrs ago however the exchange rate and import taxes almost equalled the price of the guitar and im not at all satisfied with it, i feel my playing requires a better guitar at this time to improve. Thanks for the suggestions, will keep on doing a little more research, looking at spending up to 3000$ this time around.
This with exchange rate is something we just have to live with. I'm from a very small country with it's own currency (Denmark) so I'm used to think in different different currencies like euros, dollars and pounds. It's just a relative thing that makes life more complicated. The important thing is the value of the product and the final price in your currency and then if you are happy with that, forget about the money thing. The problem is that we never know if one of the currencies involved in our transactions is going to change. Right now it's bad for sellers in Europe and buyers in the dollar countrys interested in European products but it's been like this for 1 1/2 year now, and there's nothing telling me that it's going to change.
Is that your website elliasonguitars in Granada,Spain. Im originally from Portugal, most likely taking my fiancee there next year. I believe Granada is not to far a distance from the border, might take a trip over there. Dont think Ill order another guitar without playing it first, let me know.
I can assure you that Skai is not on commision. You'll be very welcome if you are around. Portugal is some 4 - 500km from Granada. I just want to say that it can be very difficult to find a good guitar if you want to play it first. Almost everyone here makes orders. So do I. But you'll at least have the possibility to try out a guitar of mine if you come by.
My opinion is that you buy your last guitar when you run out of money, or when your wife threatens to throw you out if you buy another...
I was describing to a friend the three-year waiting list for my latest special order. My wife said, "if you think that's the last guitar that he will get for three years, then you are dreaming!"
If anybody is in Europe, I would suggest www.ole-flamenco.com in Germany. My 26-year old flamenco is cracked at the back and I was desperate to get another one, with limited costs. I found by chance this German site, the owner sent me some mp3 files, and suggested me a Ricardo Sanchis Carpio which is actually made by Hermano Sanchis Lopez. The sound was nice. But in the end, I went for the Rafael Romero 120 negra, hand-made by his assistants, stamped by not signed, for 1090 euros included shipping and insurance. The sound is good, better than mine which is an old Manuel Condal which says Barcelona, although I think it was made in the Philippines.