Flamenco Guitar Under 700 €

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Asilova

Posts: 17
Joined: Apr. 26 2020

Flamenco Guitar Under 700 €

Hello everyone,

I am considering getting myself a flamenco guitar. My price range is up to 700 Euros.

I have been playing classical guitar for three years. I have a very good guitar from the Amalio Burguet workshop; however, it is a classical guitar.

I am looking for an all solid flamenco guitar that has a flamenco tone. I've done my research and it appears that there are not many options for my budget.

I would be grateful if you could let me know about the best available options in the market.

Do you even recommend a flamenco guitar under 700, or I should stick to my classical guitar?

Many thanks in advance,

Best,

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 26 2020 13:43:33

flyeogh

Posts: 729
Joined: Oct. 13 2004

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

quote:

Do you even recommend a flamenco guitar under 700, or I should stick to my classical guitar?

I bought my spanish niece in Madrid this month a flamenca for less than 400Es. She loves it. I think there is no reason why you shouldn't get something decent for your first 1 or 2 years of flamenco for less than 700Es.

You don't say where you are located but here in Spain there are lots of deals to be had.

Obviously if buying over distance you'll need to buy new and even then there is variety of performance within a single model. But if you look after it there is likely to be some sell on value - even after the CCPvirus gets under control.

https://www.guitarrasdeluthier.com/ was my Madrid supplier. Lots of choice under 700ES. Worth a look just to see what they are currently pumping.

And welcome to the foro. Hopefully we'll hear more from you. Cheers

ps: Should have said for context that my niece plays classical and I'm pushing her towards flamenco

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 26 2020 14:13:43

Asilova

Posts: 17
Joined: Apr. 26 2020

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to flyeogh)

Thank you very much

quote:

You don't say where you are located but here in Spain, there are lots of deals to be had.

I live in Belgium.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 26 2020 15:03:05

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

The price for a decent flamenco guitar starts from 1500€ or even higher. Flamenco guitars under 700€ are mostly factory made and therefore vary in sound quality a lot. I read most of the flamenco guitars in this price range have an unacceptable high action which is no go.
Talking about the sound quality, if you're very lucky you'll get one which can compete soundwise with 1000€ or 1500€ guitars. You can also get a guitar which is the opposite. That's why you have to try different ones before you buy. Here are 3 interesting links. I read camps guitars have a good reputation. The last website is in Belgium. But most of them cost more than 700€.

https://www.guitarrascamps.com/en/guitars

https://www.mundo-flamenco.com/nc/en/guitars.html?tx_kwmundoguitars_pi3%5Bchash%5D=11&cHash=ec7fdfdd2a633664afd4f44282481d9f

https://www.lasonanta.com/flamenco-guitars

Maybe it's a good idea to stick to your classical guitar and save money for a real flamenco guitar, which is hand made and has solid top, back and sides.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 26 2020 18:51:35

La Jirafa

Posts: 22
Joined: Oct. 3 2018

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

If you save up a little bit more, you could go for a Francisco Navarro Student Model. They typically start at 1200 USD but you can talk down Ron from memorial music most of the time to get them a little cheaper. Marlon, who is Francisco's son, builds the student models and he is no slouch. You can read several testaments to Marlon's work on here as an up and coming Luthier. You typically get a lot of bang for your buck with the Navarro's and when you want to upgrade you can usually resell them with ease as they are quite popular.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2020 2:50:11

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

Valeriano Bernal Prodigio

very good for the price - they are only slightly above your budget, but you might find one second hand well below your budget.

if you are persuaded/able to up the budget i wholeheartedly recommend:

Stephen Eden Solea model

hand made luthier built guitar for half the price of his concert model, but with the same materials and construction process/method as his concert guitars (he cuts the cost by cutting the labour intensive decorative inlays and polishing)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2020 8:57:07

Goldwinghai

Posts: 215
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

I agree with Devilhand on the Camps guitars. They are good for the money. When my Camps Primera Negra was stolen during a bus trip in Spain, I bought a used Camps, sight unseen, for US$750 shipped within the US. But while in Spain I still needed a guitar for my classes, I searched milanuncios.com for used guitars. I did buy 2 luthier guitars made by Manuel Fernández Fernández, one for €550 and one for €650. They both have repaired cracks but sound very very good. I wouldn’t buy new, shiny and cheap guitars.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2020 12:39:24

Argaith

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

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

I agree with Mark; Stephen Eden guitars are really good, I've seen and tried one of his concert models with all the fancy stuff.

If you're not too bothered about the ornaments (rosette, purfling, etc) get yourself one of his guitars which has great sound and playability.

Good luck.
A

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2020 15:18:28

AndresK

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

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

If you have the opportunity go check the Alhambra 2F. Only be sure it is not 10 years old sitting in the store or something as Alhambra renews the design and action of these guitars. Very affordable but very decent sound and playability. You will not be dissapointed.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 28 2020 15:55:42

aaron peacock

Posts: 141
Joined: Apr. 26 2020
From: Portugal

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

APC Instruments, here in Portugal, have some very nice instruments for under 700 euros

https://apc-instruments.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=103_60_131

Antonio Pinto Carvalho is a luthier who went high tech
...I have several of their instruments. the price scale relates to looks rather than tone, bindings/rosettes, etc as it should...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 29 2020 23:17:00

Escribano

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

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to mark indigo)

quote:

Valeriano Bernal Prodigio

Yep.

As if anyone listens to me

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 29 2020 23:32:21

La Jirafa

Posts: 22
Joined: Oct. 3 2018

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Escribano)

Out of curiosity, what is the best outlet to get a Prodigio since Valeriano has passed? Do his sons still produce this model or can you only find used ones at this point?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 30 2020 0:14:45

Asilova

Posts: 17
Joined: Apr. 26 2020

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to La Jirafa)

quote:

What is the best outlet to get a Prodigio since Valeriano has passed? Do his sons still produce this model or can you only find used ones at this point?

I also would like to know. As far as I know, his sons still producing the Prodigio series. However, I have no clue about the quality of the current products. Any Idea?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2020 15:16:13

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to AndresK)

quote:

If you have the opportunity go check the Alhambra 2F. Only be sure it is not 10 years old sitting in the store or something as Alhambra renews the design and action of these guitars. Very affordable but very decent sound and playability. You will not be dissapointed.

If Alhambra renews the desing then it's not Alhambra 2F anymore. After 10 years the modell 2F will be 7F or something. Btw, I read that a good Alhambra model starts from 5F.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2020 17:02:25

Asilova

Posts: 17
Joined: Apr. 26 2020

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to devilhand)

quote:

If Alhambra renews the design then it's not Alhambra 2F anymore. After 10 years the model 2F will be 7F or something. Btw, I read that a good Alhambra model starts from 5F.

I speculate that the current version is Alhambra 7fc. The current price is about 750 Euros: https://www.guitarfromspain.com/en/flamenco-blanca/95-alhambra-7fc-flamenco-guitar.html

In the same price range, there are some other options as well. For example, Paco Castillo 214F: https://jerezguitarcenter.com/Paco-Castillo-214F/en

However, I prefer to have a second-hand studio-level luthier-made guitar than a factory-made guitar. In my view, a given factory-made guitar often has a high degree of heterogeneity in quality.

What do you guys think?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2020 21:36:20

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

You can read the whole story behind Alhambra and Paco Castillo guitars here. Luis Julia is the son of Jaime Julia Abad. Both are in the picture on this website. Unfortunately I have no experience with both guitars.
I think Paco Castillo guitars are unknown and relatively new on the market. Therefore its resale value can be lower than Alhambra.

https://www.guitars-maestosomusic.com/p-paco-castillo

quote:

However, I prefer to have a second-hand studio-level luthier-made guitar than a factory-made guitar. In my view, a given factory-made guitar often has a high degree of heterogeneity in quality.

Yes, you're right about the factory made guitars. I'll go for a second-hand luthier made guitar if it's not beaten up and offered in a similar price range.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 8 2020 21:49:09

Asilova

Posts: 17
Joined: Apr. 26 2020

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I finally purchased a Valeriano Bernal Prodigio.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2020 12:44:20

devilhand

Posts: 1598
Joined: Oct. 15 2019

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

Specifications pls. Setup, price etc. Is it second hand? On their website this model costs 900€.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 26 2020 13:57:40

Deniz

Posts: 91
Joined: Feb. 16 2020

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to Asilova)

You might get lucky and find a (used) Hermanos Sanchis Carpio 2f for about that price.
Got mine for 790€ including a softshell case and shipping.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 27 2020 11:10:18

Asilova

Posts: 17
Joined: Apr. 26 2020

RE: Flamenco Guitar Under 700 € (in reply to devilhand)

Thanks for your post.

Please see below for the specification.

Specifications Valeriano Bernal Prodigio:
· The 12th fret action: 2.5 mm (bass) and 2.2 mm (treble) – very easy to play

· Top: Solid spruce
· Back and sides: Solid cypress
· Neck: Cedar. Not Reinforced
· Fingerboard: Ebony
· Nut and Saddle: Bone
· Nut width: 52 mm
· Width of strings in the saddle: 58 mm
· Scale: 650 mm
· Bridge and profile: Indian Rosewood
· Finish: High gloss with an orange tint
· Tap Plate: Unknown
· Tuning Pegs: Unkown

Given the fact that I am a beginner in flamenco guitar, I cannot make it sound flamenco. I found a same brand-model-finish guitar that sounds quite similar to my guitar; please see the link:

Personally, I think that it is a very beautiful guitar, and I like it. In my view, the only issue is the quality of the fret-work (particularly the last fret close to the soundhole). While the frets are very comfortable to hold, aesthetics-wise, they could look better.

The guitar was an exhibition guitar. It is in a mint condition without any sign of usage. The shop that I purchased the guitar from was getting discontinued, and the original price was after the store-closing discount. After informing the shop owner about my budget, he gave me an additional discount. The final price was within my budget.