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OK guys, here ya go. On Ebay is a 1950 Marcelo Barbero. As I am sure you are aware, this is a very rare guitar. Hey Elzurdo, you can buy that baby and you will have the grandfather to the guitar you are building.
OK...nine grand for the Barbero or nine grand for Rudy's Conde, which would you guys rather have? Interesting question.
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Good question. I have always wanted to hold a Barbero, and just play it for a half hour. But, who knows what I might think of it as a "guitar" after I did? I mean, who wants to own an expensive piece of furniture?
I can say the same about other high end makers, such as Reyes and Faustino Conde. I would need to be impressed with the instrument before I would consider spending that much money.
I can say I have played a wonderful Archangel Fernandez (1978) that was a world class instrument, and fabulous Flamenco guitar. This guitar is so good, that I think the owner would not part with it for under $15,000.00. But it is the sonority and playability that makes it so valuable, not the label.
Another point that I ponder from time to time is this: The Barbero might be great, but if I can't bring out the sound of it and control the instrument, its all wasted :-) I realized that each person has a guitar that suites them, but not all people suit the guitar.
It's an age old one this. The tools or the craftsman? When I was into photography, everyone had to have the top camera (they still do), but a top photographer could blow them away with a single Polaroid snap.
Is the Barbero still available? Where is it located. My residence is in London.
Hello. I don't know if the Barbero on ebay is still available but if your looking for one I know of a 1948 that is a magnificent sounding and playing guitar in really great original condition (still has the original clear golpeadores). This guitar is currently owned by renowned American luthier R.E. Brune who is the third owner of the guitar.
If you'd like more info email me and I'll give you some more info as well as Brune's contact info.
You need to be a bit careful. A few years ago, I played a 50's Barbero that some $%&$ had refinished with heavy sprayed lacquer! Looked absolutely great, but it was dead. Cheers, Norman
I remember sitting with Roman Vicente (Farruquito`s guitarist and musical director) talking about this. He said "The guitar does not really matter, it is the guitarist that counts". This is the plain unvarnished truth, but those of us who are not Roman or David Serva or Vicente still dream, and playing a great guitar helps to alleviate the frustration of not being able to play.
David Serva Jones was born in California. His mother Mejicana, his father American. (I stand to be corrected on these details). He spoke Spanish asnd English as a child, studied guitar and was a gifted musician.
He came to Spain while still in his teens, studied with Diego del Gastor and later with Marote. He became a professional guitarist in Madrid and spent many years in the cuadro of Blanca del Rey, with Felipe Maya and Juan Marote.
In my opinion he is one of the finest accompanists of cante in Spain and is very highly respected by Spanish professionals.
If anyone knows David better than I, please post any detail corrections necessary.
hi, I've never posted here before , but I saw the name David Serva come up. I have a little information about him . I'm a freind of his and a student on and off. He did come from California and go to study with Diego del Gastor in 1961. He started out playing blues with the black musicians in Oakland California when he was a teenager, learned flamenco in California when he was 17 and was working a year later. This was in the very late 1950's.
He has lived In Madrid since about '72 or 3 and has worked ever since as a professional flamenco guitarist. He has accompanied many top level artists including Juan Talega, Fernanda de Utrera, and Manuel Agujetas. He was good friends with Marote.
In the past few years David has brought Miguel Funi to the US on tour twice. Once with Pepe Torres the fantastic young dancer from Moron.
There is a solo CD of David from a live concert, I don't know the distributor.
Sean, the only thing I think you missed is that he learned Spanish at the same time he learned flamenco and I think his mom is anglo.
He lives and teaches in Madrid, well worth the trip to see him, he's a lot lot of fun and is a gifted, generous teacher. Not to mention his beautiful playing.
I had a very pleasant tour of La Vina with David a while back and a great juerga with him and a couple of gaditano singers quite recently. What a great guitarist.
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