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Last December I sold my STUDENT Fransico Navarro Guitar.
I am also in the midst of upgrading to a better flamenco guitar.
Lately, I've been noticing that Jason McGuire and his AWESOME studen Robert playing a cutaway flamenco guitar...I am seirously, considering getting a cutaway on my next upgrade.
I know they are not traditional looking, and are more expensive because it is a cutaway, but...
My questions is does a cutaway effect the flamenco sound?
Yes, I know it's all about the wood that is used and also who makes the guitar..
I still might go back to a traditional cut, but, just curious and keeping my options open.
Posts: 667
Joined: Aug. 20 2008
From: DFW Area, Texas
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
Kalo: I am not and expert by any means but we have very talented Guitar Makers in this Foro, so I will let them respond to that question. Just my personal opinion, I love traditional guitars, Jason is an awesome player and I am sure he can make any guitar sound great. Best of luck with your search!
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
Does it effect the sound? Yes to a small degree but a luthier can most certainly make an awesome sounding cutaway otherwise people like Jason wouldn't be playing them. My personal taste is I'm not a fan, I think cutaways look good on steel string guitars but on nylons for the most part they look really really really horrible. As far as aesthetics goes Cordoba is about the best cutaway design I've seen but I can't comment on the sound or playability quality.
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
Hi RTC,
I am heavily considering Andy Culpepper on making my guitar. He is so talented and I LOVED what I heard via YOU TUBE.
I should of asked Andy his thoughts on whether a cutaway effects the sounds..
You know the more I think about it...Marketing wise, and selling, traditiona lookl would probably be easier to sell (IF I ever had to sell it) then cutaway...
Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
I'll be honest and say that having a cutaway WILL somehow affect a buyer from buying it, but if its good value, I don't see why anyone won't buy it.
Another thing is that if you are getting a guitar made for yourself, do what you want within the limits of what's acceptable to future buyers, a cutaway is within the limits..
I'm sure it has some small affect on sound due to the physical smaller size, but I'm sure most of the normal population can't tell the differnce just by hearing it..
Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
oh yeah.. mr stephen faulk has posted (or jason posted) a picture of a prototype cutaway in which where your thumb rests on the cutaway section is not the back of the guitar but the back of the neck, cuz the neck was extended into the guitar..
very cool design, i tried searching for it but can't seem to find that thread.
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to HolyEvil)
Thanks for the reply HolyEvil....
The more I am thinking about it...The more I will stick with the traditional body.... I had a Francisco Navarro, Student Flamenco and I didn't have any problems with traditional body...
I just thought for a change a cutaway would be cool, but, I bet in the long run I would regret it....
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
cutaways make a lot sense as a solo instrument... Personally would love to own one obvious i guess...think it really depends on what you need the instrument for... if your playing needs comfortable access to higher frets buy one i'd say... Not sure the 'sound' issue would be noticeable to a player if a luthier was involved in making one.... noticed 'cano' Juan Antonio Suarez seems to have both on stage here...but mainly seen with a cutaway...
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
I have noticed that my audiences appreciate the usual body style when I go above the 12th fret much more than when I do so on a cut-away. There is that. On the other hand, a cut-away is much easier to play above the 12th fret. I wonder what Lester DeVoe would charge for a cut-away? How about it Anders? The Cordobas are kind of clunky, but playable.
Just my thoughts. I don't wish to offend anyone, and I only own one Cordoba and it is not a cut-away, so I don't consider myself an expert of the brand.
Posts: 3458
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Doitsujin)
quote:
The question is...is there a need for a cutaway in flamenco? .. I see no need.
Spot on, Doit! I completely agree there is no need for a cutaway in flamenco. With a bit of practice, anyone can make the stretches required for playing above the 12th fret.
Cheers,
Bill
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RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to Kalo)
When buiding cuaways, you cut away a good part of the resonance room of the guitar, and so, it affects sound. It doesnt matter so much when miked up, but I´ve never tried one that I liked when "just" playing acoustically.
quote:
I wonder what Lester DeVoe would charge for a cut-away? How about it Anders?
I dont know about Lester, but I wouldnt charge anything because I would say no to building one, just like I´ve said no to building 7 string guitars untill now. Just not my work. Maybe one day in the future but then I would build at least one before I took an order.
Posts: 14797
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Traditional Flamenco Guitar Vs. ... (in reply to FredSanford)
quote:
ORIGINAL: FredSanford
quote:
The question is...is there a need for a cutaway in flamenco? .. I see no need.
cutaways are stupid.
They are for failed rockers turned flamenco that are too wimpy to stretch the pinky past the 15th fret. In addition, we have machine head tuners (oh no the pegs always slip, boo hoo), we have clamp on capos (poor wimps can't turn a simple single peg without breaking the string), and even clamp on tuners (can't even tune guitars themselves these days)....not to mention extra sound holes to hear themselves.
What is the world coming too? Soon we will have lock nuts and floating wammy bridges to accomodate the needs of these wimps. How about a steinburger transposing trem bar and extra frets? Sheesh....
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