Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar

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bongostl

Posts: 2
Joined: Aug. 11 2014

Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar

Friends---as part of my work (I'm a congregational rabbi) I often play guitar. However, I am looking for the sound and feel that a nylon string would bring.

I have narrowed it down that I would like a flamenco guitar for its punchiness, volume, and percussiveness.

However, I live in the middle of nowhere and I won't have a chance to try out a guitar before I buy it.

I'm a fairly advanced steel-string player with a nice selection of steel strings, and I want to add a nylon to the mix.

Any recommendations? I'm hoping to spend <$1000, and I'd very much like something used ("players condition" is totally fine...i'll be bringing it back and forth for work, so a perfect aesthetic isn't so important). However, the market for these guitars is OVERWHELMING! So many different luthiers, etc...! Any suggestions would be REALLY appreciated.

All the best,

Daniel

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 18 2016 15:33:43

Leñador

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

RE: Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar (in reply to bongostl)

Your geography and budget of $1,000 narrows the field down a good amount. Your best bet is likely a Francisco Navarro. Factory guitars like Córdoba are hit and miss so if you can't play it I wouldn't buy it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 18 2016 18:42:55

rombsix

Posts: 7820
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar (in reply to Leñador)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 18 2016 18:45:54

Leñador

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

RE: Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar (in reply to bongostl)

I've played 6 or 7 Córdoba GK studios and feel like they're a little hit and miss. Only played one Sanchis and really liked it but they don't seem to be super available. Never played a Stagg.
Do you have any Guitar Centers anywhere near you? GK's are good if you get a good one, GC tends to have them and you can try before you buy.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 18 2016 22:41:24

drhildr

Posts: 66
Joined: Feb. 1 2016

RE: Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar (in reply to bongostl)

I started with my Sanchis Lopes 2F and really liked, it and very much admired so IMHO a great first flamenco guitar

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 22 2016 9:57:15

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Advice on My First Flamenco Guitar (in reply to bongostl)

Maybe, your main problem will be knowing what to look for. If you havent played flamenco, then you should learn about flamenco setup.
And the volume and punchyness that you like is only there if the guitar has been built so that it can be/ should be played very close to the bridge
And the volume and punchyness has a LOT to do with flamenco technique.

For below 1000,-$ its not an easy quest and it will 95% sure be a factory guitar and there are many hit or miss guitars in that segment. So maybe the "good old" advice about buying the cheapest decent flamenco guitar and use it untill you find out some about is the best and then later on look for something better. A decent "real" flamenco guitar is normally above 2000,-$
There used to be a lot of bragging about the cheap Yamaha flamenco. Not so much anymore. One of these, secondhand shouldnt cost a lot.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 24 2016 7:44:54