Where to start buying a beginners flamenco guitar

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gbramer

Posts: 15
Joined: Jun. 5 2014

Where to start buying a beginners fl...

Hello All from London

Long time (well, a few months) lurker but I was hoping to request some info from your experience.

I've been learning (from books) flamenco guitar for a few months since getting back from Jerez and being inspired. I play acoustic etc etc guitar and have done for a few years. Want to start skype lessons (I can't seem to find a teacher in South London)

I've been practising on a simple classical guitar and I challenged myself that if I was still playing flamenco in 6 months I should invest in a flamenco guitar.

So - I want something quite cheap, £500 or thereabouts. I know this doesn't give me much choice, but again - my challenge is that if I'm still playing in 2 years I will buy a more expensive guitar.

I've done lots of research but I seem to have a million options
So, for that money I had a few questions:

Any obvious recommendations of guitar make and model., that would make this very simple? Camps seem to have a good looking range at that price.
Should I buy it in London, or buy it in Spain, or buy it on-line?
Should I go second hand?

And whilst I'm here, any south London teacher recommendations? Or it's off to skype for me.

Thanks very much in advance

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 13:32:02

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

Yamaha flamenco gets my vote, IMO the best beginner guitar if you only want to shell out a few hundred dollars.........or quid

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 13:38:21

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3077
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Leñador)

That yamaha usually costs more than double here in europe.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 13:46:43

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

That sucks.......You can usually find one somewhere here for about $300 or less.....I was thinking of getting one to use as my beater guitar....No matter how much I tweak my cordoba it doesn't feel quite as nice as the cheap yamahas......

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 14:10:31

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3077
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Leñador)

Both my Kremona and Alhambra feel really good now.

I believe my playing improvements have done more for the tone and playability of both guitars than the tweaks. After a while the right hand seems to adapt to any piece of crap that you grab and it just knows how to avoid boominess, bring out treble, etc.

Get the nut height/spacing right, saddle height (maybe shape too) and that's pretty much all that you can mechanically tweak. Then you have strings, different tensions and materials that compensate for something that might be missing in sound... but in the end I feel that the hands just learn how to bring out the goods and keep away the shortcomings.

Not saying that my guitars and your Cordoba are crap, just making an observation that might help beginners who feel that the tone is 90% guitar.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 14:23:54

Morante

Posts: 2178
Joined: Nov. 21 2010

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

En la Peña Flamenca de Londres , hay tocaores muy buenos. Debes de hablar con ellos; puedes encontrar una guitarra buenecita, o por lo menos algo de información.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 15:23:53

Joana

Posts: 43
Joined: Jan. 14 2015

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

Take a look at all options, but I love my Alhambra guitar. Make sure the
guitar you select is perfect for you. it looks like you have some nice options.
I have heard a few of the Camps guitars online, they sound beautiful.
Have fun shopping and test driving the different guitars and please let
us know what you select! Best wishes!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 18:15:43

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3077
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Joana)

quote:

Take a look at all options, but I love my Alhambra guitar.

Which one did you get?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 25 2015 18:18:54

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Joana)

I tried a maple Camps for about 600 euros not so long ago. Although I didn't fall in love (I'm not saying it was bad) with the tone I was pretty impressed by the playability. Would love to try one of their Primeras.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 26 2015 0:17:14

milanlondons

Posts: 34
Joined: Jan. 9 2015

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

Hi, as a beginner's guitar I would suggest an Alhambra or a Burguet student model. Buying a used guitar is a good idea but make sure that the neck is true with a good action.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2015 8:00:40

flamencoLVR

Posts: 26
Joined: Apr. 27 2015

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

I am a 76 year old almost beginner. I am deciding between the Yamaha GS172SF and the Cordoba F7. I had to put down a deposit at a Sam Ash so they could order the two for me to try. If I decide against neither of them I'll get my deposit back.
It looks like the Yamaha 172SF is favored by many as a reliable entry level flamenco guitar.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2015 17:13:13

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3077
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to flamencoLVR)

quote:

It looks like the Yamaha 172SF is favored by many as a reliable entry level flamenco guitar.

Whichever you decide to keep, make sure you get it properly set up (saddle AND nut). It will be much easier on your hands and you'll end up playing and sounding better.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2015 17:20:47

val

Posts: 800
Joined: Apr. 4 2007
From: London

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

Hi Gavin
Sent you a PM.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 9 2015 18:57:43

Brendan

Posts: 353
Joined: Oct. 30 2010

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

For info on the Peña Flamenca de Londres (meeting today): http://www.flamenco-london.org.uk

These two excellent players live in south London:

Tony El Despeinao, Brockley SE13 020 8690 8424 or tony.tonks@talktalk.net

Tito Heredia 020 8671 2477

Others are available: http://flamencoinlondon.com/classes/

I'll be at the Peña today, so if you decide to go, say hello. I'm the one in the glasses.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 10 2015 9:06:42

Goldwinghai

Posts: 215
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

Brendan, I will be vacationing in London on 5/16, 17 and 5/27-5/31 and would like to see a Flamenco show. Will there be any club activity during that time period that non-member can come? It was too bad that I missed the May 10 Sevillanas event. Thanks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2015 12:27:18

gbramer

Posts: 15
Joined: Jun. 5 2014

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Brendan)

Thanks Brendan and everyone else for their very helpful suggestions.

I ended up going with the Camps M-7-S guitar, after playing with a few in the El Mundo Flamenco shop. Happy with it so far, and it makes such a difference to the hulking classic beast I was playing on previously.

I've signed up as a member of the Pena but unfortunately couldn't make yesterday, will hopefully be along to future events and look forward to meeting some London based players!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2015 14:11:49

Brendan

Posts: 353
Joined: Oct. 30 2010

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Goldwinghai)

The Peña meets monthly, but there is some stuff going on:

May 16 and 17 In Memoriam, LOST THEATRE, Wandsworth Road, Wandsworth, London reflection in flamenco and modern dance on the effects of war. Created by Carolina Estevez.

May 16-23 Leo Power (singer), Sevilla Mia Hanway Street.

Sunday 31 May 2015
Flamenco Puro de Corazon with Talia Cohen (dancer), Jasmin Villalobos (singer) and Tito Heredia (guitar).
Time: 7pm
Cost: free admission
Venue: Bar Gansa, 2 Inverness Street, Camden, London NW1 5HJ
To reserve a table call 020 7267 8909.

I don't know the others so well but I do know Jasmin, Tito and Talia, and they are the real deal. Bar Gansa is an intimate space, and it's free admission. I'd go to that.

If you can get here by 15th you can see Myrddin.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2015 23:18:20

Goldwinghai

Posts: 215
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

The May 31 event would be the most exciting show to me but I am flying back to Virginia that day. Unlucky me.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 11 2015 23:31:23

Brendan

Posts: 353
Joined: Oct. 30 2010

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Goldwinghai)

Well, Leo Power is playing Sevilla Mia on 16th. Here is her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/498737783614560/

which includes this clip: https://youtu.be/yo3lWqmHK_M?list=PLuNY2NdF4JVieN0bo1aPuGbaooHlvaWkX

Sevilla Mia is a bit of an institution and for a while Hanway St was the Beale St of London Flamenco.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2015 11:13:24

Goldwinghai

Posts: 215
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to gbramer)

Brendan, Is the event open free to the public or only invited guests? Need to buy tickets?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2015 12:26:01

Brendan

Posts: 353
Joined: Oct. 30 2010

RE: Where to start buying a beginner... (in reply to Goldwinghai)

It's not private. I don't think there are tickets, you just show up, but the venue is a small basement so it gets packed out.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 12 2015 13:45:30