Good Places in the US for Playing Flamenco Guitars

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machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

Good Places in the US for Playing Fl...

I thought it might be useful to have a current list of places in the US where prospective buyers can play flamenco guitars (i.e. guitar shops, private but accessible collections, etc.). If you know of a good one, please list it below.

(Lists for places in other countries and continents would also be great. Organizationally, though, keeping the lists distinct will make all of them more user-friendly).

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 13 2015 10:12:05

BarkellWH

Posts: 3458
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC

RE: Good Places in the US for Playin... (in reply to machopicasso)

Zavaleta's La Casa de Guitarras, located in Oro Valley, just north of and adjacent to Tucson, Arizona, is a marvelous guitar emporium for both flamenco and classical guitars. The owner, James Greenberg, runs it out of his home in Oro Valley, and one must make an appointment to meet him and see his guitars. He imports medium to high end flamencos, largely from Spain, and he also sells guitars on consignment.

Several years ago I made arrangements to meet James to view and play his guitars. I ended up buying a Manuel Adalid flamenca blanca (Viviana) that had a fine set-up and beautiful sound. James also collects vintage guitars, and he let me play a 1935 Santos Hernandez, which was a real treat. Although I did not do it justice, it was fun just to be able to hold and play an original Santos Hernandez.

James is an interesting person. He, his wife (who is from Oaxaca, Mexico), and I went out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. He is a professor of applied anthropology at the University of Arizona in Tucson, specializing in various aspects of the borderlands. To sum up, Zavaleta's has a fine selection of flamenco guitars, and James is a very accommodating and interesting person. You can access Zavaleta's website at:

www.zavaletas-guitarras.com

Bill

_____________________________

And the end of the fight is a tombstone white,
With the name of the late deceased,
And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here,
Who tried to hustle the East."

--Rudyard Kipling

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 13 2015 10:44:36

Ricardo

Posts: 14819
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Good Places in the US for Playin... (in reply to machopicasso)

Best 3 places in order:

Richard Brune Chicago Il

Dan Zeff Los Angeles, CA

Trilogy Guitars, near LAX airport

Guitar Salo looks fun too

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 13 2015 22:09:31

naguabo

Posts: 13
Joined: Nov. 27 2006

RE: Good Places in the US for Playin... (in reply to machopicasso)

Guitar Solo in San Francisco is great. They usually have a great selection.
I had a chance to play a 60's Manuel Reyes last time I was there.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 14 2015 0:40:52

Blondie#2

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010

RE: Good Places in the US for Playin... (in reply to BarkellWH)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BarkellWH
You can access Zavaleta's website at: www.zavaletas-guitarras.com.

I'm sure folk will work it out but you have a fullstop in the url there Bill that is giving an error.

I corresponded with James recently, he's certainly on the ball (quick to respond) and gave me a very good price for a guitar I was interested in (whilst I am in the UK, he would arrange to have the guitar shipped direct from the maker in Spain.)

Very tempting but for my next big purchase I really want to play before buying.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 14 2015 10:00:34

BarkellWH

Posts: 3458
Joined: Jul. 12 2009
From: Washington, DC

RE: Good Places in the US for Playin... (in reply to Blondie#2)

quote:

I'm sure folk will work it out but you have a fullstop in the url there Bill that is giving an error.

I corresponded with James recently, he's certainly on the ball (quick to respond) and gave me a very good price for a guitar I was interested in (whilst I am in the UK, he would arrange to have the guitar shipped direct from the maker in Spain.) Very tempting but for my next big purchase I really want to play before buying.

Thanks for noting the error with the full stop in the url, Blondie#2. I have corrected it in my post above.

James is definitely on the ball and very accommodating. Zavaleta's is a premier emporium for medium to high end guitars, primarily from Spain. His prices are good and he is willing to go the extra mile for you. And he knows the best Mexican restaurants around Tucson and Oro Valley! A good outfit to do business with if you are in the market for a fine guitar.

Bill

_____________________________

And the end of the fight is a tombstone white,
With the name of the late deceased,
And the epitaph drear, "A fool lies here,
Who tried to hustle the East."

--Rudyard Kipling

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 14 2015 10:41:05

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Good Places in the US for Playin... (in reply to machopicasso)

Classic Guitar International, Santa Barbara; The Guitar Salon, NYC (there is usually one or two killer guitars there); GSI in Santa Monica and Aaron Green's shop in Groton MA. Aaron has a few guitars made by several masters for sale. I have been to R.E. Brune's place and if Heaven is a flamenco shop, Brune's place is a sneak preview of Heaven.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 14 2015 12:56:58