Rosa Morena Guitar

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Rosa Morena Guitar

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dformell

Posts: 126
Joined: Nov. 7 2010

Rosa Morena Guitar

Orpheus Valley Guitar - Rosa Morena

Specifications:

Solid European Spruce Top
Laminated Indian Rosewood Back/Sides
Bone Nut & Saddle
5 Fan Struts
Spanish Foot/Heel
650mm String Length
52mm nut
Action 3mm, Low E at 12th fret
Made in Bulgaria

Impressions

The Rosa Morena is very light weight with a traditional design - see specifications. The fit and finish are excellent and the rosette has a unique pattern, all-and-all a very pleasing instrument to look at. It sounds as good as it looks! Brighter than a typical rosewood bodied guitar but mellower than a cypress model. Definitely a good all-around instrument. Playability is also good, the action is not as easy as say a 1963 Ramirez Flamenco but easier than most. Along with the excellent features is the attractive price; the list price is $495.00, I paid $400.00. The reason for the good price is that Bulgaria is not on the Euro but has it’s own currency, the Lev. 1 U.S. dollar is equal to 1.38 Lev thus the decent price. Bulgaria is suppose to transfer to the Euro in 2013 - 2014 so expect the price to go up when that happens. Enough about foreign currency this is suppose to be a product review! On a personal note, Kremona guitars are a well kept secret, they are far superior to other guitars in the same price range. The guitar I bought was comparable in volume and sound to solid bodied guitars costing much more. Remember, Antonio Torres proved that most of a guitars’ sound comes from the top by making a guitar with cardboard back and sides! To conclude this review, I’m not a guitar dealer, own a music store or have any affiliation with Kremona guitars and gained nothing by posting this article.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 30 2011 14:15:30

Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: Rosa Morena Guitar (in reply to dformell)

Well, by chance I happen to have played an Orpheus Valley Rosa Morena just a couple of hours ago in a Guitar Center. I have to disagree with your findings, and though we all know that every instrument is individual, I can't conceive that another example of this model would change my mind.

I felt it had a thick, clumsy neck, a weak bass, and an even weaker treble. Nor did I think much of its playability. It was tagged at $499, and for half that price you could buy a Yamaha CG122 which I feel is a lot better.

Or for the same price you could buy a Cordoba C7, which in my opinion is the best guitar on the market in that price range – bone nut and saddle, inlaid rosette, great bass and treble for its category, nice comfortable neck, and smooth playability.

But that's just my opinion, and we all have to come to our own conclusions.

Ramon

_____________________________

Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 19 2011 20:37:15

Shawn Brock

Posts: 271
Joined: Sep. 19 2011
From: Louisville KY

RE: Rosa Morena Guitar (in reply to dformell)

Not here to disagree with you Ramon, because you have said nothing to disagree about. I have to say though that I have been impressed with the efforts of Orpheus Valley Guitars. My local GC has 2 of the Rosa's in, and I would have never believed that they could be so different. Most of the Orpheus Valley products I have played were pretty consistent, same as Cordoba. However the 2 Rosa's we have in the south Vegas store don't even seem like they come from the same factory. One of them is so good that I have had to talk myself into not buying it as a knock around guitar, and the other just don't come close to cutting it. I have played a third Rosa, and it was more like what I expected, truly good for what it was. I'm sure that the "newness" of making these guitars is offering some challenges to be consistent. In my humble opinion These Guitars have come a long way and they are on a great path. I would love to try out the all solid wood flamencos they are making, but it don't look like GC will be having those anytime soon. I used to have kind words about Cordoba until they started producing most of their products in China. Now they seem to be inconsistent as far as playability, and I have noticed a lot of their cheaper guitars are having problems with the tops cracking or sinking. I can't offer an objective opinion on the 7F, because I haven't played one for a while, but if someone asked me what the best flamenco was at our GC, I would say the Rosa. That's also putting it up against a Cordoba 55FCE, and a few other flamencos in the $1300 price range. And I won't even talk about the Cordoba GK Studio. Those guitars would be great for the money if they could be played. When the action is 1 MM at the 12th fret, I can't play it. Maybe others can, but not me. I made the mistake of buying one of those, and I would gladly let it go for a song, but after a year it still sits here. I had thought that it would be a good gigging guitar because of the Fishman, but not with the action that these guitars sport. In short, I don't know that playing a few more Rosa's will change your mind, but they do have some guitars in that line that are worth every penny of the asking price and more.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 20 2011 0:37:41

dformell

Posts: 126
Joined: Nov. 7 2010

RE: Rosa Morena Guitar (in reply to dformell)

I appreciate the input from you guys. Ramon, you got me doing a little research. The Rosa Morena is basically a fiesta with laminated back/sides and a golpeador. I logged onto the Musician's Friend website to read the reviews about Kremona guitars. All the critiques about the Fiesta where good, 4-5 stars, except for one which was quite similar to your review. So it would seem that Kremona has some quality control issues. Shawn, glad to hear that one of the Rosas you played was a quality instrument. CG is having a sale right now and you could probably buy a RM for $400.00. Anyways, you guys take care and happy holidays to both of you.

Dan

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 24 2011 0:49:23