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Lionheart

 

Posts: 10
Joined: Jul. 2 2013
 

Whom to buy guitar from in London? 
Hi guys, I need your advice here. I'd like to get a relatively decent guitar and my price range is £1,000-£1,400. I know there's no chance to get a luthier's one. And as of now I wouldn't like to. The problem is that I found only a couple of places where I can go and try the guitars out. It's a guitar studio in London and some shop in Sevenoaks, Kent. I wouldn't say they've got a huge range of flamenco guitar though. So what I left with is Camps Primera and a couple of Alhambra guitars. I didn't have a chance to try any of them yet but I did listen to some clips in youtube. Camps in my opinion is too bright and buzzy. Probably in real life it sounds differentelly though. What are the other guitars I can think of? Does anybody know other shops in south-east? Thanks!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 10 2013 16:07:55
 
Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=237453&appid=7&p=&mpage=1&key=&tmode=&smode=&s=#237494

I don't know about shipping, though...

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 10 2013 18:17:05
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Try Pablo Requena in Lewes, Sussex. Not really that far from you. You might get a decent used one through him or his contacts:

http://www.room123.lewesonline.com/

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 10 2013 18:47:14
 
orsonw

Posts: 1934
Joined: Jul. 4 2009
From: London

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Ramon Ruiz. His contact details are at the bottom of the page:

http://www.fiestaflamenca.com/bernal_guitars.htm
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 10 2013 20:12:25
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to orsonw) 
Yeah, I forgot that Ramon sells Bernals and I can recommend him and Bernal.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 10 2013 21:04:21
 
Lionheart

 

Posts: 10
Joined: Jul. 2 2013
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Thank you guys. Will try them out.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 8:10:14
 
Stephen Eden

 

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
You could also try london guitar studio. they have a selection of flamenco guitars and also Exclusive flamenco guitars is also in London. I reccomend both them.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 10:34:04
 
mark indigo

 

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Escribano) 
quote:

Ramon sells Bernals and I can recommend him and Bernal.


I second that.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 10:51:45
 
Lionheart

 

Posts: 10
Joined: Jul. 2 2013
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Stephen Eden) 
quote:

You could also try london guitar studio. they have a selection of flamenco guitars and also Exclusive flamenco guitars is also in London. I reccomend both them.


It seems the cheapest guitar they've got costs £2,800. A bit of a stretch. But they are realy beautiful no doubts Still since I'm a begginer I think I'll be better off starting from something more sensible. BTW what do you think about Cordoba both GK Pro and F10? Couldn't find a proper clip on youtube. They advertise their flamenco guitar by playing jazzy pieces on it. Not that wise
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 16:13:29
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Get a Bernal student model £600-ish I would think, but don't know current prices. You won't go wrong.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 16:52:46
 
Lionheart

 

Posts: 10
Joined: Jul. 2 2013
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Escribano) 
quote:

Get a Bernal student model £600-ish I would think, but don't know current prices. You won't go wrong.


You mean the ones Ramon sells? BTW does anybody know if it's possible to find a sound clip of this Bernal thing?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 20:09:04
 
orsonw

Posts: 1934
Joined: Jul. 4 2009
From: London

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Escribano) 
Bernal Maestro in London, for sale on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181174154457?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2661
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 20:12:32
 
orsonw

 

Posts: 1934
Joined: Jul. 4 2009
 

[Deleted] 
Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Dec. 19 2013 18:25:01
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 20:40:12
 
gerundino63

Posts: 1743
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Tino van der Sman plays a Bernal.
Here an examle, you find a lot of him on youtube if you want.



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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 22:13:45
 
mark indigo

 

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
quote:

BTW what do you think about Cordoba both GK Pro and F10?


no!

quote:

Get a Bernal student model £600-ish I would think, but don't know current prices. You won't go wrong.


yes!

I bought the cheapest model from Ramon a couple of years ago as a knockabout guitar for £800, but ended up playing it all the time, preferring it over two other (luthier) guitars that were much more expensive. I think he selects the guitars himself from the workshop.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 11 2013 22:41:02
 
Lionheart

 

Posts: 10
Joined: Jul. 2 2013
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to mark indigo) 
Thank you all guys for your advises! I'll contact Ramon and will try this Bernal out. It seems they've got an youtube channel named Valeriano Bernal guitars or something like that. Their guitars sound impressive indeed. The only thing I don't really understand is why these guitars as well as Camps Primera are so buzzy? Is it a "must have" feature? I've been listening to some contemporary guys like Amir Haddad or Adam Del Monte and it looks like guitar they play are not that buzzy. Is that because of the quality of the guitars or just their musical preferences dictate it?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 12 2013 8:30:40
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to mark indigo) 
quote:

I bought the cheapest model from Ramon a couple of years ago as a knockabout guitar for £800, but ended up playing it all the time


I bought a used one for £450 from Stephen Hill when he was in Lewes and played that most of the time in Spain over my Anders blanca, as I was less concerned with damaging it i.e. it was my street guitar.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 12 2013 8:35:04
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
quote:

The only thing I don't really understand is why these guitars as well as Camps Primera are so buzzy? Is it a "must have" feature?


Some flamencos like a little fret buzz but it may be adjusted by a competent luthier with a saddle/nut swap. I swapped the plastic ones on my Bernal for cow bone and installed some better Schaller machine tuners. Probably cost about £80 for the lot.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 12 2013 8:38:26
 
geert1957

Posts: 74
Joined: Jul. 18 2011
From: the Netherlands

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Hi Lionheart,
Geert here from the Netherlands.
Why not buy a Kevin Richards guitar, I think at the moment he has a few guitars for sale in your price range. And I asure you, you get more than what you pay for!
He has a workshop in York, England.
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/kevin.richards.1048554?fref=ts
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 13 2013 8:35:00
 
clevblue

 

Posts: 120
Joined: Jun. 29 2012
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
I got a negra from Blair Russell in Bristol. A bit further I know, but a beautiful job at a reasonable price. You can trust Blair.

he's a foro member if you need his details
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 26 2013 15:21:05
 
tijeretamiel

 

Posts: 441
Joined: Jan. 6 2012
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to clevblue) 
I've been in the same situation as the OP, and there are very few flamenco guitars in London.

London Guitar Studio, do have a range of Flamenco Guitars from £400+, with the lower end of the region represented by Camps, Alhambra etc. There are some ok models but the £1000-£1500 range is a little underwhelming in some ways. They had a second hand Ricard Sanchis Carpio 2-0F which is one of the worst guitars I've ever played, it was like a plank of wood with rubber bands for strings. The only Bernal I've played was a second hand Prodigio in Wunjo, which again was a horrible, bright piece of crap. Both those guitars were eclipsed by a Yamaha Flamenco in Rose Morris. I'm sure there are great Bernal/RSC/HSL guitars but I imagine there are a few duds here and there which were probably the ones which I tried (try before you buy) which also had most likely suffered from being maintained very badly (the RSC in particular)

clevblue, when did you get a negra from Blair? I went to his workshop and tried a few guitars, there was a negra which was very nice. It might have been the guitar which you bought! The blancas which he had there were great too.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 29 2013 21:10:17
 
Argaith

Posts: 481
Joined: May 6 2009
From: Iran (living in London)

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Also you can try Zoltan:

http://www.flamenco-guitars.co.uk/

A

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 30 2013 10:06:53
 
Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
can anyone give me a brief history of the relationships and say pricing/calibur of the different "Bernal" makers? I hear lots of different first names but surely we are talking very different levels of instruments.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 30 2013 14:47:10
 
tijeretamiel

 

Posts: 441
Joined: Jan. 6 2012
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Zoltan used to stock some Hermanos Sanchis Lopez 2F's but now he doesn't stock much under the best part of £3k (one guitar £2.3k).

RE Valeriano Bernal, Rafa Bernal I presume makes the high end VB's, the 'budget ones they are probably made by the factory.

There's a video of Palosanto Maestro at LaSonanta which sounds very nice ineed.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 30 2013 18:39:53
 
satanikoskioftes

 

Posts: 14
Joined: Sep. 2 2013
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Yes you can try Zoltan.He brigns some really good guitars now and then and he is really friendly and helpful
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 3 2013 8:14:22
 
Morante

 

Posts: 2179
Joined: Nov. 21 2010
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Ricardo) 
quote:

can anyone give me a brief history of the relationships and say pricing/calibur of the different "Bernal" makers? I hear lots of different first names but surely we are talking very different levels of instruments.


Valeriano founded the workshop bought the wood and made the top level guitars himself. Due to demand, he expanded the taller, employed other workers and started to make more affordable instruments. At one time almost all the guitarists in Carnaval played Bernals: a friend of mine has a great one, with plywood back and sides which he bought for 25,000 pesetas and refuses to sell in spite of many offers!

Valeriano has retired and left the taller, though he makes an occasional guitar for his own amusement, though he seems to prefer a glass of Rioja in the street with his friends.

Rafa is his son. He has taken over the taller and makes the high end instruments himself. They sound and play very well indeed: Keko Baldomero has a great one.

His assistants still produce the cheaper models: in fact the setup is quite similar to the Sanchis taller in Valencia.

Any other names are primos, who have nothing to de with the original taller.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 3 2013 10:25:09
 
larrygraham

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Mar. 29 2005
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
quote:

Any other names are primos, who have nothing to de with the original taller.


Thanks for the info. How is Antonio Bernal related to Valeriano Bernal? In the past Antonio used to sell Valeriano Bernal guitars in his Sevilla shop. Now Antonio no longer does that, and he has his own range of guitars.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 4 2013 2:07:21
 
Don Dionisio

 

Posts: 360
Joined: Feb. 16 2011
From: Durham, NC

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to Lionheart) 
Antonio is Valeriano's nephew.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 4 2013 14:06:22
 
Blondie#2

 

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010
 

RE: Whom to buy guitar from in London? (in reply to satanikoskioftes) 
quote:

ORIGINAL: satanikoskioftes
Yes you can try Zoltan.He brigns some really good guitars now and then and he is really friendly and helpful


Anyone here bought from him? Is he prepared to haggle or are the prices set in stone?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Sep. 4 2013 17:44:17
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