Guitar recommendation

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foonte

Posts: 2
Joined: Feb. 19 2020

Guitar recommendation

I am heavily considering picking up a guitar to learn to play a bit of Flamenco (if i ever get there...). I have never played guitar and always wanted to. I have a very good ear for music as but never played. I am debating between Manueal Rodriguez or Cordoba series (not sure which model). I don't want to spend over $300 for my first classical/flamenco guitar. There are many experts in this forum ... will some of you guys kindly suggests me which one I should lean towards and do you recommend a certain place/website to get it from? Many thanks in advance!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 4:53:54

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to foonte)

I recommend a Bernal student model, very flamenco for the price but I am not sure you can get one on your budget. Otherwise, the Yamaha gets good reviews.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 7:19:30

Dirk V

Posts: 5
Joined: Feb. 13 2020
From: Belgium

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to foonte)

I just bought a Salvador Cortez CF-55 which I tested better than a (more expensive) Alhambra 3F.
I could buy it for 279,-€ and think I got a lot of flamenco guitar for the money.

You can check YouTube to get an idea of the sound of this guitar.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 11:07:35

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to Dirk V)

quote:

I just bought a Salvador Cortez CF-55 which I tested better than a (more expensive) Alhambra 3F.
I could buy it for 279,-€ and think I got a lot of flamenco guitar for the money.

Could you tell me more about the Cortez you bought? Does it sound flamenco? How high is the action at the bridge and at the 12th fret?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 17:04:38

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to foonte)

quote:

ORIGINAL: foonte

I am heavily considering picking up a guitar to learn to play a bit of Flamenco (if i ever get there...). I have never played guitar and always wanted to. I have a very good ear for music as but never played. I am debating between Manueal Rodriguez or Cordoba series (not sure which model). I don't want to spend over $300 for my first classical/flamenco guitar. There are many experts in this forum ... will some of you guys kindly suggests me which one I should lean towards and do you recommend a certain place/website to get it from? Many thanks in advance!!

I will not recommend you to buy a flamenco guitar which costs less than 300$. If I were in the States I would buy Francisco Navarro student model. I know it costs more than 300$. But it's worth the money.

Because you said you're an absolute beginner and you want to play A BIT of flamenco. Then go for Cordoba flamenco.
I don't know how much they cost in the States. 400-500$?
I read here in the foro someone saying buy the best guitar you can afford. I think it's good advice.

Last but not least
You want to buy a classical/flamenco guitar? No man. Either you buy a classical guitar or a flamenco guitar.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 17:33:08

Dirk V

Posts: 5
Joined: Feb. 13 2020
From: Belgium

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to devilhand)

The guitar definetely has a dry explosive flamenco sound.
Why don't you let you be yourself the judge of that?

.

I'm a classical guitar player, so I have choosen for a rather high setup and no buzzes.
String height at the 12th fret: 3,0mm
Saddle height: 9,0mm
Could be lowered with 1 mm, I suppose

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 17:42:05

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to Dirk V)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dirk V

The guitar definetely has a dry explosive flamenco sound.
Why don't you let you be yourself the judge of that?

.

I'm a classical guitar player, so I have choosen for a rather high setup and no buzzes.
String height at the 12th fret: 3,0mm
Saddle height: 9,0mm

Could be lowered with 1 mm, I suppose

Sounds nice!

As I posted above, I haven't recommended tothe original poster a flamenco guitar under 300$. Since he's an absolute beginner, it's up to him.
I would buy a solid spruce top flamenco guitar with cypress back and sides.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 18:06:11

Dirk V

Posts: 5
Joined: Feb. 13 2020
From: Belgium

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to devilhand)

The top of the CF-55 is solid spruce.
B&S are solid sycamore, not cypres.
Fingerboard is rosewood.
Build quality is flawless.
Playability is excellent.

I think, this guitar is excellent for somebody starting to learn flamenco.
I have a classical guitar, costing 30 times more. She doesn't let her play more easy.
She has a shellac finish and is therefore to handle with much more care.
And yes she sounds differently and better for some genres.
To play flamenco, I use with joy the CF-55.
No regrets having bought her.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 19 2020 18:22:38

foonte

Posts: 2
Joined: Feb. 19 2020

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to devilhand)

Thank you all for your responses.
Some reason (without even knowing much like u guys), i've my eyes on a Manuel Rodrigues guitar. Any of you used his line? I am considering either a MR or a Cordoba.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 20 2020 1:29:07

Dirk V

Posts: 5
Joined: Feb. 13 2020
From: Belgium

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to foonte)

I haven't played neither a Manuel Rodriguez F neither a Corboba (F7?)
Both guitars have a list price of ± 600,-€, which is the double of your original given budget.

About the Manuel Rodriguez, I would be hesistant cause of the 660 mm scale-length.
Myself, I prefer a maximum of 650 mm.

It will come down to your personal taste and the advise is try the guitars and find out which suits you the best.

Apart from the price, only looking to specs I don't see how the above guitars can be better than a Yamaha, an Alhambra, a Salvador Cortez, a.... to learn to play the flamenco.

A matter of taste (and budget

)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 20 2020 19:13:04

AndresK

Posts: 309
Joined: Jan. 4 2019
From: Patras, Greece

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to foonte)

Hello friend. Can you check an Alhambra 2f? It seams like an awesome instrument and I think it is in your price range. Carlos Pinana is advertising those and he once sent me a video with one of his students playing one. Very flamenco sound. For the playability I am sure Alhambra is great as many classical guitar students of mine have the economy classical models and they are very easy to play. I have the sample video in my Facebook account and I cannot paste it here.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 20 2020 20:38:09

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to Dirk V)

quote:

The top of the CF-55 is solid spruce.
B&S are solid sycamore, not cypres.
Fingerboard is rosewood.
Build quality is flawless.
Playability is excellent.

I think, this guitar is excellent for somebody starting to learn flamenco.
I have a classical guitar, costing 30 times more. She doesn't let her play more easy.
She has a shellac finish and is therefore to handle with much more care.
And yes she sounds differently and better for some genres.
To play flamenco, I use with joy the CF-55.
No regrets having bought her.

If I had a chance to try different guitars from different brands before I buy, I'd buy the one that sounds appealing to me. No matter what brand and what wood. Because it's wishfull thinking, I would be forced to look at the wood and the price.

Edit: Playbality (nut width or height of the action at the bridge and 12th fret) is of course important. Another factor one should look at when buying a guitar without trying.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 21 2020 17:42:10

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Guitar recommendation (in reply to foonte)

quote:

Thank you all for your responses.
Some reason (without even knowing much like u guys), i've my eyes on a Manuel Rodrigues guitar. Any of you used his line? I am considering either a MR or a Cordoba.

I have no experience with any of them. But I'd vote for Cordoba. Because in this video at 7:37 Mr. Marlow is playing Cordoba.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2020 15:48:33