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Good Guitar/Ability/Future
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Kalo
Posts: 400
Joined: Jan. 25 2011
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Good Guitar/Ability/Future
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Hi All, Curious as to how anyone would feel if you were told this? Scenario: Part time job, 20 hours a week, and semi care giving for my Parent's which is why I work part time! However, in selling a few instruments, and getting settlement money from a last years automobilie accident (no fault of my own) I finally saved up more than enough money to buy a nice handmade flamenco guitar. The problem: I am having a hard time in justifying why I need an expensive, handmade flamenco guitar! I don't plan to go to Spain to study flamenco and I really have no ambition in wanting to perform out and try to make a living with flamenco guitar. My plans are to continue studying flamenco guitar and to go from beginner/intermediate to advance! Make more youtube videos to just share with everyone So, my question: Do, I really need to spend a big chunk of change to enjoy and progress in flamenco guitar? I know our famous Rombsix proved that one doesn't have too! But, in my mind, I keep saying, "yeah, but you are not Rombsix" If I had a full time job making lots of money, I think I wouldn't mind a nice instrument, but, the guilt of only being able to work part time and not wanting to go professional is making me hesitant. Has anyone else felt the same as me! I seem to OCD, about this to where I can't make up my mind. Thanks, Kalo
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Date Aug. 18 2013 22:57:40
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Guitarsid
Posts: 52
Joined: Aug. 5 2013
From: Maryland USA
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RE: Good Guitar/Ability/Future (in reply to rombsix)
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I will offer my opinion as a player with 45 yr experience, yet a very inexperienced flamenco novice learner/player, mostly learner. I have played in many groups and bands and playing has been a big part of my life. I have owned many guitars and have some that cost over $2000. They are the guitars that I love playing, and they are decidedly, the best I ever had. quote:
Do, I really need to spend a big chunk of change to enjoy and progress in flamenco guitar? I don't think you have to, but I think it will be worth it if you do. I think you are young and I watched your video and I think you will have the ability to play flamenco very well, and hopefully also will for a long time in the future. I would recommend to you, yes, the sooner the better to get the very best instrument you can afford and keep it, and I believe that you will always be glad you did .
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Date Aug. 19 2013 3:24:15
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Erik van Goch
Posts: 1787
Joined: Jul. 17 2012
From: Netherlands
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RE: Good Guitar/Ability/Future (in reply to Kalo)
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Only you can make that decision and it should not be based on feelings like "is there a professional need" or "can i really afford it". Some professionals own dozens of top class guitars without really playing them and they don't feel guilty about that at all. I possess various top class flamenco guitars myself and the Gerundino haven't been touched for years. As a matter of fact, yesterday i run trough dozens of webcam recordings i made of myself during the last couple of years (most of them saving musical ideas or involving improvisation-sessions to find new ideas) and you know what, over 80% of them were played on my childhood triplex Ibanez (250 euro) and not on my Conde or the Gerundino (i simply graph the one that is closest to me because they all play and sound well enough). As long as there is a mic i even don't mind playing my triplex ibanez during concerts (generally i bring the one that sounds/feels the best at that very moment and i might very well favor my Ibanez over my concert Conde). I must add that i am very lucky with that extremely cheap triplex Ibanez. It's from the early 70ties (the later ones are pretty unplayable) and it is equally hand friendly as my hand build flamenco guitars. It was hand picked by my father who happens to be an expert. I don't mind it sounds a bit less then my top class guitars because it is good enough (as a matter of fact with new strings it beats my top models when they have older strings). Would i like to miss/sell my good guitars, no way, especially not my Ramirez who outclasses my Conde most of the time but was lend to my father until last week. Over the years i have started to value playability over a good sound and i can temporarily live with a lesser sound but not with a guitar that kills my hands (no matter how good it sounds). One of the characteristics of professionals is that they reconciles with the limitations of themself and the instrument and do not invest energy in what is (temporary) not there. To buy or not to buy?... only you can make that decision. The fact you plan to spend some serious time with your instrument in order to develop from "beginner/intermediate" to "advanced" seems more then enough reason to own/play a good instrument. The absent of professionalism is no issue since professionals spend most of there time playing at home as well and most people in the audience can't tell the difference anyway. Lack of income isn't a good excuse as well, unless you fear you might need that extra money later on to cover unexpected bills. There is only 1 good reason to buy yourself a good guitar and that is to please yourself (you work hard enough to earn it....full time, half of which is payed). If you really fall in love with a guitar and (temporary) have the money to buy it just go for it, but make sure it is indeed a good one that outclasses your present one and/or can be sold for the same price or more later on. My father (who at the time had no penny to spend and on top was expecting me within mounts) lend 1000,- dutch guilders in 1962 from his father in law in order to buy himself a superb classical Ramirez guitar. At the time it was the equivalent of a year salary. The only thing he regrets is that he hardly ever played it. It sounds overwhelming to the player (and in big concert halls) but not to a student sitting in front of it (he spend 40 hours a week teaching). So he bought himself a cheap Ibanez as well for daily use. Since it was pretty good he used it for his own studies as well, saving the Ramirez for concerts only. So even professionals can live with playing a (well chosen) 400 euro guitar, even when they posses one of the best guitars imaginable. If you buy your self a guitar, make sure it is a good one (my 1985 media luna conde has badly drilled string holes and a student of my father received one with badly placed frets so don't trust big names on there blue eyes). It should play like a dream and sound as good as possible and really must make a difference with your present guitar.
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Date Aug. 19 2013 15:50:20
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flamencositar
Posts: 76
Joined: Aug. 8 2012
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RE: Good Guitar/Ability/Future (in reply to Kalo)
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Why get something from Spain and pay the Spain premium? Spain is no longer the be all and end all of flamneco guitars. Great makers in Spain, sure, but great makers in alot of other places that are just as great! Culpepper makes guitars under 3k , Navarro does as well, Castillo does (just talk to him and get a nice discount), etc... Navarro makes a good student model well under 1k, etc... These 3 builders are fantastic builders. 2 Mexicans and a Gringo somehwere upstate New York. If you want a nice sounding guitar, do it for yourself and yourself alone. Haters gonna hate, so just brush that aside and do what makes you happy. If it's on cheap Ibanez or broom handle and some rubber bands, make that music my friend!!
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Still the body, quiet the mind, free the soul
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Date Aug. 19 2013 17:49:59
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Kalo
Posts: 400
Joined: Jan. 25 2011
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RE: Good Guitar/Ability/Future (in reply to Kalo)
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quote:
originally tijeretamiel: Personally, if I had doubt towards something like this I wouldn't be up for going ahead with it, be it buying a guitar or something else. To be honest, I came from Rock Guitar world. All my guitars where cheaper models. As long as the neck was straight, I could lower the action, I NEVER had a problem with learning. I NEVER wanted a $4000 Paul Reed Smith, etc. I was happy with my $200 silver tone Les Paul guitar and or my $450.00 mexican strat. I wish it was like this with Flamenco Guitar! The Franisco Navarro Student flamenco was nice, but, after a while I was wishing for something better. This might now sound to nice, but, I noticed that if I D'addario strings on my Student Navarro the guitar didn't as good (tone wise) like when I put a more expesensive brand. The feel of the Student model was nice, but, when I played my friends $3k guitar that he purchased HANDMADE from Spain, OMG, the neck felt totally different....Easier then the Navarro and comfortable! I hope I don't get scorned for this, but, I tried a Cordoba GK blanca and well, it's not a traditional flamenco guitar, but, that guitar felt nice in my hand. I know, it is a factory made piece of junk, but, it wasn't bad for the price. However, a friend told me if I were to get this guitar, I would loose in the long run. The resale value is horrible on them. I also know of somone who would be selling a Yamaha CGX 171scf and at least that has a traditional 52mm nut...It has goose neck pick ups and well the guitar it self might be kind of fun, till deciede on what route to go... I also know the resale value is pretty good on those guitars... Any how I am just babbling at this point, more than likely, handmade will probably be my option. Kalo
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Date Aug. 19 2013 19:50:05
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