New Flamenco guitar from Marlon Navarro

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Blind Dog

Posts: 37
Joined: Jul. 7 2020

New Flamenco guitar from Marlon Navarro

Hi - I'm new to flamenco and just bought a new student model Flamenco Negra made by Marlon Navarro. It's a beautiful guitar and I love the way it sounds. Two questions/issues: 1. I've had it for about 10 days now and every morning I get up I have to re-tune it. I know the nylon strings stretch and I can't say for sure it had brand new strings on it when I got it. But, coming from the steel string world, after a couple of days I would expect the strings to be stretched and for the guitar to stay in tune. Is this normal? Second question - this guitar came with what looks like very light scratching on the back. I can't tell if it's in the wood or the clear coat, but it looks like something you would expect on a guitar you've had for a few years, even though it's all over the back, not just the center of the back. You can only see it in certain light. If you are under typical florescent light, you can't see it at all. The seller has offered to give me a nice discount to keep it or send it back for a refund or exchange. The reason I'm probably going to keep it is because unlike other student Navarro models, this one has an ebony fretboard. That is an upgrade and makes it somewhat unique for a student Navarro. Anyway, I am posting a picture that shows these "scratches" and wanted to get any opinions on what might have caused them. They look more prominent in the photos than in person. The seller sent the pictures to the builder, he could see them but couldn't figure out what exactly they were without seeing the guitar. I looked at my 25 year old Larrivee acoustic for comparison and none of these type scratches appear. Any ideas?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 20 2020 19:06:27

JasonM

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

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

Compared to steel string, my nylon guitars always need a little more tuning. It would be best to put some new strings on anyway. Maybe luthiers can comment but I wonder if in a new guitar the wood/top might be moving a little more with humidity changes and such? The one I just built needs daily adjustment as well.

Kind of looks like the scratches are on the finish. If your going to keep the guitar you might be able to compound them out depending on how deep they are. And if you like the guitar sound and playability I would keep it

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 20 2020 20:04:42

Blind Dog

Posts: 37
Joined: Jul. 7 2020

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

Thanks JasonM, your comment about the wood moving a little might make sense. When tuning the low E/A/B strings, I can hear the wood creaking a little bit. Never heard that on a guitar before. I know the store in Texas had this guitar for about 2 months before shipping it to me in Kentucky, so you would think it would be settled by now.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 20 2020 20:59:03

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

I have to tune all my guitars every time I take them out of the case, and a few more times during a 2-hour practice session. When the strings stop stretching it's getting close to time to change them because they will soon lose their tone quality.

I use D'Addario EJ-45 medium tension on a couple of guitars, EJ-46 high tension on a couple of guitars, and Savarez "red cards" on one guitar, "white cards" on another. Over the years I have used various other brands, and they have all stretched until it was close to time to replace them.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 20 2020 23:43:28

Blind Dog

Posts: 37
Joined: Jul. 7 2020

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

Thanks Richard Jernigan - that's great info! I'll keep these strings until they stop stretching, then I'll experiment with different strings to see what I like best. Thanks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2020 3:42:23

Schieper

Posts: 208
Joined: Mar. 29 2017
From: The Netherlands

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

same here. Due to temperature changes, specifically my nylon strings de-tune. [or so it seems]

It could also be that the trebles are not properly tied at the top. Compared to steel string the trebles tend to easily slip and as such you need to ty an extra not in there ore use many windings.

I can not see any scratches on the pictures but they can very wel apear from somebody

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2020 11:12:12

JasonM

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

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

quote:

When tuning the low E/A/B strings, I can hear the wood creaking a little bit.

That’s the string binding up in the nut slot. Just take some fine sandpaper and smooth out the slots a little.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2020 15:54:40

Ricardo

Posts: 14806
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: New Flamenco guitar from Marlon ... (in reply to Blind Dog)

Concur about the tuning. It’s the nature of nylon strings. I tune all guitars half step sharp On day 1, meaning I keep it there by playing and constantly winding em back up, which lets the strings settle DOWNWARD to pitch by day 2. Nowadays they end up staying a hair sharp before is time to perform which is great, cuz tuning em down once means little or no adjustments during the show. Then after the gig I give em a gentle crank sharp again and store the guitar. It’s uncanny how often I later pull the guitar out and is bang on target.

Anyway, the cracks in the finish are typical of nitro Laqcuer responding to swelling and shrinking of the wood due to humidity changes. At some point the guitar was in a very humid environment such as a guitar case with humidifier, then left out on a guitar stand in air conditioned room all day and night. Or perhaps the icy cold cargo bay of a plane caused the moisture to dry too quick. Whatever the cause it’s quite normal, sad for a brand new guitar to experience, however it would never be a reason for me to reject a purchase. Indeed, the culprit who inadvertently dried the guitar could be yourself.

Anyway hope that helps.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2020 19:22:23