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I am looking for a guitar at the $1800 price point. I am a beginner.
I have read that Salvador Castillo makes great guitars but I can only afford his Estudio model. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with that model and how it would compare to something like the Navarro Concert... that is roughly the same price?
RE: Castillo Estudio vs Navarro Concert? (in reply to el.toro)
I just purchased a Navarro Concert Blanca 3 weeks ago and am very pleased with it. The tone is great, and the guitar has outstanding workmanship. Very nice looking, too, IMO:
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Posts: 271
Joined: Sep. 19 2011
From: Louisville KY
RE: Castillo Estudio vs Navarro Concert? (in reply to el.toro)
As different as each model is, the makers are even more different. Castillo tends to have more of an "old school" sound, which is brighter and more raspy. Navarro on the other hand seems to go for a little more lyrical sound. I have owned 1 Navarro and 2 Castillos, but have played many more by each maker. Over all I like the sound of Castillo more, but that's just a stylistic choice. Nothing wrong with each maker.
I may have to sell one or both of my Castillos soon, so let me know if you are serious about getting one. I have a 2008 cedar blanca and a 2012 spruce with palo escrito b&s negra. The blanca is 650 with tuners, the negra is 660 with planetary pegs. I'm not yet sure that I will have to sell them, it all depends on a few things. The only reason I would is if I get this job I interviewed for last week. If I do, I'll be moving across country, and will have to let go of a lot of instruments to cover that.
I'm not trying to talk you out of Navarro, he makes a great guitar! It just all depends what you like more. If you want to play some classical and such on a flamenco, I would say Navarro hands down. If you want a flamenco which is just a flamenco, I would say Castillo. My negra is pretty versatile, but the blanca is just a burning loud flamenco guitar...
RE: Castillo Estudio vs Navarro Concert? (in reply to el.toro)
I am leaning mostly towards Castillo at the moment. I will pull the trigger when I am a little more advanced in my playing... which isn't even crude at the moment. lol
When it starts to sound like music rather than noise ... I will be ready.
RE: Castillo Estudio vs Navarro Concert? (in reply to el.toro)
I have a FN Grand Concert Flamenca Negra. This is FN top of the line guitar and the one I know for sure is made by Sr. Navarro. It is around 1.5 months old, so it's still opening up.
Guitar: Top is German Spruce. Back and sides Cocobolo. 655mm scale length. French polish.
Tone: When tuned, very bell like. Clear. Tons of bass and midrange. The trebles are just starting to open up. The more I play it, the more Don Pedro opens up (yes he has a proper name). Someone said lyrical, and I say that is spot on. He is extremely lyrical. But, when I am driving Don Pedro hard with abanico style rasgueo (sp?), he doesn't crumble and sound like a tub of dog crap.
Sound: Loud! Not as percussive as a blanca, but a greater color palette. Don't get me wrong, I can get percussive sound out of it, but have to work at it and find the sweet spot for a percussive sound. It can be very sweet sounding for flamenco, so I have to work with Don Pedro to get a more puro flamenco sound. This I find is done through position my hands closer to the brazilian rosewood bridge.
Don Pedro needs to be warmed up, because intially he sounds like ****e!
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