The feeling and sound of a guitar

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Filip

Posts: 406
Joined: Apr. 23 2006
From: Paris

The feeling and sound of a guitar

Hi all,

Last weekend I visited a few stores in Madrid to try guitars. I wanted to share my experience here, and would like to hear yours I well :) I apologise in advance if some of the topics were discussed before, I did some search to find some relevant things.

I have one Jose Ramirez blanca, and I was out trying some negras now. Personally, important things for me about one guitar is how it feels in my hands playing, and how does it sound.
I tried some Ramirez guitars, they sound nice and in general I like how they feel in my hands.
I also tried few Hermanos Conde in calle Atocha and my impression is that their sound is excellent, somehow I prefer it much more and for me they have quite "flamenco" sound; but I don't like how they feel in my hands in general.
I don't know if these things are in my head and sounds like nonsense to you, so what is your experience?

One thing for which I don't like mentioned aspect of HC might be because their neck is thicker in comparing to other ones that I like or the one that I have. Do you have similar experiences? What would be your opinion? I am thinking that maybe it is also just the habit.

One thing I also noticed about HC is that although they are new, it looks like not much effort is put on details. I mean, there are some small scratches on the neck, or on the part where the strings go (near the whole, I don't know the term for this, maybe bridge?). All in all, some parts of the guitar look "old", so I don't know if I should expect everything to be nice and beautiful (on the other hand for a 4.500 guitar why not). One hand made Ramirez was absolutely beautiful in that way though.

Cheers

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2016 17:31:10

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

I have never been to Spain and may be speaking from inexperience.
But why limit yourself to HC and Ramirez when there are so may good guitar builders in Spain? From what I have read Conde's are often subcontracted out and not built in the Conde shop which could be good or bad. If it were me and I was spending that kind on money I would travel to all the areas of Spain that are centers for guitar building and try many more guitars, I wish I was so lucky. The best sounding guitar is not the best if its hard to play.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2016 19:38:33

Filip

Posts: 406
Joined: Apr. 23 2006
From: Paris

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

Thanks for the reply Cervantes.

I would not limit myself to HC or JR, of course if I find a guitar that I like the sound and everything I would go for it. It's just that the other day I went to these two stores to try some guitars, as I didn't have much time to devote and the two mentioned are let's say the most famous. Traveling around in search for a guitar would be a nice adventure, unfortunately no time for that.

Cheers

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2016 21:16:45

Filip

Posts: 406
Joined: Apr. 23 2006
From: Paris

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

One thing I forgot to mention in a hurry when I wrote the first post, the HC guitar looked like it didn't have very flat top. Looking at it from playing position, the part below the hole towards the neck seemed slightly lower than the one towards the bridge. Seemed strange to me, I don't know if its a flow or it was constructed like that.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2016 21:21:05

DavRom

Posts: 310
Joined: Jul. 16 2015
From: De camino a Sevilla

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Filip
the part below the hole towards the neck seemed slightly lower than the one towards the bridge. Seemed strange to me, I don't know if its a flow or it was constructed like that.

no flaw, it's purposely built that way

did you look at the back to see if it was shaped?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2016 1:58:00

Nito

Posts: 77
Joined: Sep. 3 2015

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

If I were you, I would test some other guitar.

Totally agree regarding the feeling and sound. Moreover, I don't like the neck thick. If your first impression was no good, I directly discard the guitar....

Why don't you test some others luthiers?i.e.: Pedro de Miguel, Juan Alvarez, Jose Romero, Contreras.... All of them are on the center of Madrid (If you are from Madrid, I imagine you know where they are)

I have heard several times (not playing yet) a Contreras 'blanca' and I loved it...

The brand not should determine your choice...

Good luck

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2016 6:00:14

Filip

Posts: 406
Joined: Apr. 23 2006
From: Paris

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

quote:

no flaw, it's purposely built that way

did you look at the back to see if it was shaped?

Thanks, now it makes sense. I didn't pay attention to the back.

Nito, thanks for the tips. I share your taste, I prefer when the neck is less thick.

Honestly, I did not pay much attention to other brans (yet), but I'll check the ones you mentioned.

Cheers

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2016 13:03:39

Piwin

Posts: 3565
Joined: Feb. 9 2016

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

quote:

I don't know if these things are in my head and sounds like nonsense to you, so what is your experience?

My experience is pretty much the same as yours. I'm not sure though if it's habit or just the fact that everyone has a different anatomy and will therefore feel more comfortable with some guitars and not others.
Some people approach it like a pair of shoes: may be uncomfortable at first but wear 'em down for a while and they'll be just cozy. Personally I need it to click between me and the guitar right off the bat, mainly because I don't have the knowledge or experience to know whether a guitar will "get better" over time or not. Given the choice I'd go for feeling over sound, but that's just me.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2016 16:00:01

Filip

Posts: 406
Joined: Apr. 23 2006
From: Paris

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

Thanks Piwin.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2016 16:16:59

Nito

Posts: 77
Joined: Sep. 3 2015

RE: The feeling and sound of a guitar (in reply to Filip)

you should....who knows, you could find your guitar...

we should play the guitars with a hanky in our eyes...

Cheers

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 15 2016 9:04:50