Purchasing a New Guitar Advice

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Haltaqi

Posts: 7
Joined: Sep. 18 2016

Purchasing a New Guitar Advice

Hello everyone. I'm considering getting myself a new flamenco blanca guitar. My price range is up to $2,000.
I'm settled on a Marlon Navarro Alvarez blanca student model. My latest guitar was a Juan Montes 135M and the playability was not comfortable, not only but, specially due to its relatively high action. Moreover, the notes around the 12th fret sound unclear.
So, it's about time I get a new guitar. I'm in favor of the Navarro because of their low-action and playability and of course, they sound amazing. I've done my research and the reviews mostly say You Can't Go Wrong with a Navarro. I've never tried one and I believe I have to order my guitar online because unfortunately, no flamenco guitar shops in my country, which is why I'm asking for advice here.
I'm welcome to alternatives if you believe I should get another guitar with reasoning.

Thanks!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 2:36:16

rombsix

Posts: 7808
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

You can probably get a used Sanchis for $2,000. Mine was SUPER amazing though I sold it because it was too big for my hands. Cheers!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 4:50:53

Argaith

Posts: 481
Joined: May 6 2009
From: Iran (living in London)

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

I agree with Dr; you won't be disappointed with Sanchis (that is Hnos Sanchis not Vincente Sanchis; be careful not to get these two wrong).

Good luck,
A

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 7:57:35

mrstwinkle

Posts: 551
Joined: May 14 2017

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

Tried lowering the action? Sandpaper doesn't cost much.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 9:42:38

Escribano

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

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to mrstwinkle)

quote:

Moreover, the notes around the 12th fret sound unclear.

Kind of rules out sandpaper, in my book.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 13:58:31

mrstwinkle

Posts: 551
Joined: May 14 2017

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Escribano)

Depends how bad the action is!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 15:36:57

Haltaqi

Posts: 7
Joined: Sep. 18 2016

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

I wouldn't want to modify my Juan Montes because I'm planning on selling it anyways.
Now, I'm curious why Hermanos Sanchis over the Navarro? Today I listened to some video playing Sanchis Solea, 2F, and 1F Extra. I noticed from their specifications that they all have a pretty balanced low action however, in most videos I hear so much buzzing produced. I still like how the Navarro sounds more than the Sanchis models.
I've found a couple of reasonably priced Hmos Sanchiz:

Hmos Sanchiz 2F 660 scale @990euros($1,106):
https://www.mundo-flamenco.com/nc/en/guitars/gitarren-details.html?tx_kwmundoguitars_pi3%5BshowUid%5D=70

Hmos Sanchiz Solea 660mm scale @1,590euros($1,777):
https://www.guitarrasdeluthier.com/en/product/guitar-sanchis-solea/176

and then the jump to Hmos Sanchiz 1F Extra 650 scale @$2,570:
https://www.mundo-flamenco.com/nc/en/guitars/gitarren-details.html?tx_kwmundoguitars_pi3%5BshowUid%5D=421&cHash=adde799c82e12f404a362ebcd74bf7f9

and a couple of Navarros:

2019 Marlon Navarro @$1,200 (Conde):
https://www.guitarsalon.com/store/p5720-marlon-navarro-alvarez-quotstudent-flamencoquot.html

2018 Francisco Navarro @$1,870 (Santos):
https://www.lasonanta.com/flamenco-guitars/cypress-guitars/navarro-flamenco-guitar-blanca-cypress

Thank you all for your help.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 17:27:21

Escribano

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

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to mrstwinkle)

quote:

Depends how bad the action is!

If it's duff on the 12th fret, I wouldn't but it's worth a try. Nothing lost

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 23 2019 20:02:51

Cervantes

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

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

Navarro’s or any other guitar can have a lot of variability.
Some may sound great others not so much.
My teacher has a high end Navarro that isn’t so great.
One of his students has a Navarro Reyes model that is much nicer.
If you are going to get a Navarro I would consider the Reyes model.

Also check websites like Mundo and Solera Flamenco

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very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 24 2019 19:39:16

La Jirafa

Posts: 22
Joined: Oct. 3 2018

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

Late to this thread but I too have a Juan Montes with the same problem. Mine is the 36 Arce model which has flamed maple back/sides and spruce top. It is a gorgeous guitar but the play-ability and sound are basically ruined by its high action. What is strange is the nut at the bridge is already too low to even sand down as well. It seems that many of the Juan Montes guitars suffer from this action issue.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2020 0:13:02

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to La Jirafa)

quote:

It is a gorgeous guitar but the play-ability and sound are basically ruined by its high action. What is strange is the nut at the bridge is already too low to even sand down as well.

How high is the action at the 12th fret and at the bridge? I think if you're a beginner, string height over the fretboard is more important than at the bridge. I started practicing on a classical guitar with 12mm action at the bridge. Still no problem for me.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2020 13:21:04

ernandez R

Posts: 738
Joined: Mar. 25 2019
From: Alaska USA

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to La Jirafa)

Jirafa,

Two things cause the condition you mention: the neck is rising or the top is sinking. A photo from the side and down the neck would be helpful.

Not much one can do with a failing top without pulling the back and redoing the bracing; considered sacrilege by some and the guitar will not sound the same....

The fixing the neck involves pulling the frets taking some material off the nut end of the fretboard and then referring. About 4-8 hours depending on a few factors. It's posable the neck will continue to pull up though if there is a structural weakness in the design.

A lot of luthiers are looking for work right about now I imagine. Where are you located and perhaps someone can recommend one close to your location? In the states we can mail a guitar so that might be an option seeing as a walkabout is out of the question these days :/

HR

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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy,
doesn't have to be fast,
should have some meat on the bones,
can be raw or well done,
as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.

www.instagram.com/threeriversguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2020 19:19:27

Ricardo

Posts: 14801
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

Sanchis is a real Flamenco guitar, I wouldn’t hesitate to use one in a concert. I have not tried Navarro to compare.

Here is Sanchis solea model

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2020 21:01:28

La Jirafa

Posts: 22
Joined: Oct. 3 2018

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to devilhand)

devilhand,

Last time it was measured was a couple of months ago. I was with my teacher and we both laughed at how high the action at the 12th fret was compared to his Culpepper. I cant remember the exact number off the top of my head though.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 8:27:49

La Jirafa

Posts: 22
Joined: Oct. 3 2018

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to ernandez R)

ernandez r,

I'm in the greater Boston area, but I decided a while back that I would invest my money into a better guitar rather than take a gamble on if it could be fixed at the moment. I do plan on having the Juan Montes looked at sometime in the future though.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 8:36:51

Echi

Posts: 1132
Joined: Jan. 11 2013

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

In my opinion go for a Sanchis or eventually a Navarro or a Bernal.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 8:55:36

payaso

Posts: 85
Joined: Dec. 7 2014

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Haltaqi)

Surely the choice should depend on the quality of the guitar and its suitability for the purchaser rather than, primarily, the name of the brand or maker. We all know guitars tend to very a lot, even from the same stable. What are the protections one can seek when buying on line is the only option? Can one hear and see the guitar and perhaps find a friendly, respected expert to choose one on the purchaser’s behalf?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 11:49:16

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

Sanchis is a real Flamenco guitar, I wouldn’t hesitate to use one in a concert. I have not tried Navarro to compare.

Here is Sanchis solea model

The singer couldn't help smiling. Or his facial expression is always like that? Looks like Mr. Marlow offered him an alcoholic drink to break the ice. More thumb work would have been cooler. Bulerias de Moron or de Jerez?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 12:11:57

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 15:06:33

JasonM

Posts: 2055
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: Purchasing a New Guitar Advice (in reply to La Jirafa)

The Juan Montes suffers from a common problem - incorrect neck angle and geometry for a flamenco. Sanchis gets this correct most of the time. I assume Navarro does as well never played one.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 31 2020 20:20:22