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Posts: 113
Joined: Nov. 22 2010
From: The Hispanic Kingdoms
Buying a Flamenco Guitar
Hello!, I'm on a need a of a budged flamenco guitar, but I would love to have such an enchanting clear sound, strong bass for soleares / fandangos falsetas, very Spanish, it will be very nice if you guys can help me with my search, recommending guitar names or links where I can hear the guitar models playing.
here's an example of what sound I'm looking for:
[I know this is New Flamenco, but I love the sound]
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If we go more Flamenco it would be something very much like Rafael Rodriguez's guitar:
Cante: El Cabrero Toque: Rafael Rodriguez
If you can help me, Thanks in advance!
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La pureza no se puede perder nunca, cuando uno la lleve dentro de verdad...
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
There are better people to ask than me, but they'll want to know your price range and what part of the world you live in as both will make a big difference.
For instance if you live in North America like I do you will have less options than Europe, but more than some other parts of the world
The two most popular answers for a budget flamenco in North America are the Yamaha 172SF and Francisco Navarro student models, but I can tell you the Yamaha 172 SF doesn't sound like that
Maybe try the GKStudio from Cordoba, but I've never picked up one I liked. Others have though
Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
Well, if you want the sound and feel of a Conde Hermanos, then you have to pay mid $$$$ and buy one. The suggested Yamaha would sound and feel like sh.it in comparison. But since you are pretty new to flamenco and your budget is around 200!(impossible) to 500, you have only 2 or 3 options in the entire planet anyway (yamaha being one of them).
Here is the Conde of Rafael Rodriguez
No comment to the first videos you posted. Lots of Hall/Reverb and EQ, etc. You can probably even make a yamaha sound like that ;)
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
Regarding cheap guitars, another option is the Alhambra 4F. Its not expensive if you're in europe.
I changed the nut to have a wider string spacing, the saddle to a lower one made of bone, removed the lacquer on the lower part of the fretboard and, most important (soundwise), removed half of the wood of the tie block.
Its pretty decent now and feels good. Its orange too.
Posts: 113
Joined: Nov. 22 2010
From: The Hispanic Kingdoms
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
quote:
The Yamaha CG 172 SF is a pretty nice guitar in your price range. You could also find the Cordoba F7 or used Cordoba GK Studio in your price range.
I also enjoyed the "flamenco-ish" backing music from the Hueco Mundo Arc of bleach.
Thank you Hatcher, I'll take a look a those you mentioned. Actually that song is from a New Flamenco album, but I don't remember the name of the guitarist.
quote:
Well, if you want the sound and feel of a Conde Hermanos, then you have to pay mid $$$$ and buy one. The suggested Yamaha would sound and feel like sh.it in comparison. But since you are pretty new to flamenco and your budget is around 200!(impossible) to 500, you have only 2 or 3 options in the entire planet anyway (yamaha being one of them).
Thanks Arash, if I have to save money to hear that sound I'll wait. Actually I have a Yamaha CG111S classical guitar, and I use it to play classical and flamenco, but I don't like the sound of flamenco on it. Is this the site where I can order them? http://www.condehermanos.com/en/guitars
Sorry for being very brief, thanks again!.
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La pureza no se puede perder nunca, cuando uno la lleve dentro de verdad...
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
I'm pretty happy with my Yamaha 172SF, but some people hate them. I think there is a variance of quality....which doesn't mean some sound like authentic solid wood flamencos...just that some come out better than others.
My Yamaha sounds punchy and the individual notes are crisp, but chords don't have any of the richness of better guitars. I also like the LaBella red nylons I use and I think they make a difference. The guitar sounds flamenco, not like a classical at all, but it sounds like a decent cheap flamenco
As far as Conde goes I don't know if they're worth it unless you're rich and have a lot of disposable income, or you're a total virtuoso. You're talking thousands of dollars and guitars don't appreciate much generally speaking. I'm under the impression that they are the most popular guitar in Spain, but I think maybe Reyes guitars have the best reputation? Others would know
My recommandation: find someone familiar with flamenco guitars ( and i don't mean some clueless guy who is playing some spanish sounding stuff, but a real flamenco guitarist) in your area and try to find a good used guitar together (either in classifieds or shops) and let him examine the guitar and play it, then play it yourself and see how you like it. You can also find good guitars here in the foro from while to while. You can also post a "wanted" thread and see what you get offered.
On the other hand, i don't know if its a good idea for a beginner to pay that kind of money right at the beginning. Do it only if you are serious about flamenco. If you are really serious, then starting with a good guitar right from the beginning isn't that bad of an idea. Some say always start with a beginner $400 guitar. But i think meanwhile one should start with at least a mid range quality guitar, it can add to your motivation because of good playability, sound, etc. If not a Conde, you can also find a good Hermanos Sanchis Lopez 1F Blanca used for low four figures (just an example). We also have great luthiers here who build great guitars (100% hand built only by them alone) for around 3000 Euros, like Anders Elliasson who is a member here. Here is one
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
not sure how readily available these are to the wider world but recently picked up a Katoh Flamenco as a second guitar to my caceres blanca still trying to workout what the catch is with these they were designed by American Luthier Kenny Hill but made in China over the years i have owned an AHlambra 3 and 4f, an Azahar, Vicente Sanchis, a 73 K Y airi as second instruments have compared them to the Yamaha mentioned and an entry level Cordoba { both students who owned these now play the Katoh} great set up...deep flamenco tone [in comparison}...cant speak highly enough of the build, tone and playability... really quite an amazing instrument for $495... http://katoh.com.au/student/46/KF-Flamenco
but to get that type of tone in the videos...start saving..
Posts: 113
Joined: Nov. 22 2010
From: The Hispanic Kingdoms
RE: Buying a Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Castelat)
Thank you so much guys, you're awesome, I'll take your advice and recommendations, I haven't decided which one I'll pick, have to go deep into them and see the details carefully, thanks again, have a great day!
_____________________________
La pureza no se puede perder nunca, cuando uno la lleve dentro de verdad...
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