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Hello all, I'm new to this forum. I'm in the market for a flamenco blanca. I've played for about 15 years but really want to elevate my flamenco. I have made due with the classical guitar for many years. I had a teacher that i loved but if we're being honest he was an amateur himself and i didn't know better when i was 16. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I even knew about the difference between classical and flamenco guitars... i feel so stupid now but i can't go back in time.
Anyway, this isn't about my life story, although having read through many threads here it seems like these details could help with the feedback. A lot of sharp minds here!
I really enjoy the sound of the blanca and in particular the shorter growly response. I was looking at Erez Perlman guitars and this video demonstrates to some extent the sound I like. https://youtu.be/w7c2nmJ-40Q
I am open to new or old guitars. Here are a few i was considering.
Part of the issue is that I live in florida so there really aren't a lot of options to try things out. I am trying to listen carefully to the sound in order to make a decision. If you have a recommended lutherie that is welcome. I am not against buying something older and beat up if it sounds fantastic.
RE: Buying advice in 4k range (in reply to Josiah)
Welcome to the foro Josiah!
That's a nice position to be in. Honestly out of the 3 you listed I would go with Culpepper because I've always wanted to commission a guitar but have only ever bought second-hand. And just a small side-benefit but the other two involve international shipping whereas his wouldn't.
Anyway, there are plenty of more informed people on here who can advise you better than I can. Tbh, except when people are asking for generic student guitars, I never really know what to say when people don't have the option of trying the guitar themselves. I've never been in that situation and every time I've bought a guitar, "playability" has always been a big factor for me.
Oh, just noticed on the Sanchis it says it's 638mm scale length. Dunno if that matters to you but that's on the short side for your standard flamenco guitar.
RE: Buying advice in 4k range (in reply to Josiah)
My 2 cents are for the luthiers of this foro (they all know their stuff). Aside them I’d go for Javier Castano, a luthier who used to work for Conde, Jesus de Jimenez, Pedro Muriel. If you consider the second hand market: a Conde, a Ramirez or a Jose’ Lopez Bellido from the eighties. Some Sanchis Carpio from the 1995-2003 are excellent.
Honestly out of the 3 you listed I would go with Culpepper because I've always wanted to commission a guitar but have only ever bought second-hand. And just a small side-benefit but the other two involve international shipping whereas his wouldn't.
Hi Piwin. Thanks for the good thoughts! The point on shipping and on the sanchis make sense.
My 2 cents are for the luthiers of this foro (they all know their stuff). Aside them I’d go for Javier Castano, a luthier who used to work for Conde, Jesus de Jimenez, Pedro Muriel. If you consider the second hand market: a Conde, a Ramirez or a Jose’ Lopez Bellido from the eighties. Some Sanchis Carpio from the 1995-2003 are excellent.
I haven't seen a comprehensive list of the luthiers here. Anyone know who all is from the USA?
RE: Buying advice in 4k range (in reply to Josiah)
quote:
I haven't seen a comprehensive list of the luthiers here. Anyone know who all is from the USA?
I think most of them are located in the states. As far as I can remember Andy Culpepper on the east and Ethan Deutsch on the west coast. If you go to luthier section you'll definitely find out other names.
RE: Buying advice in 4k range (in reply to Josiah)
I'm going to get myself in trouble because I'll inevitably forget someone, but off the top of my head professional luthiers working out of the US and that I see on the foro (in no particular order): Andy Culpepper, Tom Blackshear, Ethan Deutsch, Brian Burns, Shelton-Farretta, and...erm...everyone else who is mad at me because I forgot them right now... (sorry...) I don't think I've ever played the guitars of anyone on here unfortunately, so don't take that list or the absence of anyone from that list as any kind of recommendation in either direction. It's just the names that popped into mind based on interactions here. I will say that people on here who have purchased a guitar from any of the foro's luthiers always speak very highly of them and of the instruments they've purchased.
In the end I don't know how important the shipping aspect is. Luthiers working from elsewhere (there are pros on here working from Canada, Europe, Japan, etc.) can probably tell you more about what that involves in terms of price, risks, etc. as could also the guitarists who have had that experience of purchasing from abroad. I just figured it was something worth considering.
RE: Buying advice in 4k range (in reply to Josiah)
I don't know, because what you are wanting to buy is a one shot deal, the best would be to try the guitar first, if possible. The second might be to buy one that offers return within a few weeks and pay for the shipping. It's always risky to buy a guitar. However, I did NOT follow my own advice, as I ended up buying an Ethan Deutsch guitar off Ebay sight unheard, (other than hearing Jason McGuire playing one on YT) and it took about a month for my ears and brain to wrap around the sound of the guitar-and now I love the sound! The third option if no return policy's is to resell the guitar, but that can also be a problem. Hope this helps, good luck!
Piwin, thanks for calling out a few names. I checked on the florida guy but it looks like the website is gone.
So guys... I have to tell you that my situation has changed since I originally posted this. I have been going through a divorce since december 2019. Yesterday the final settlement was made and i am reeling. I have to pay 40k in attorneys fees and $3500/month for the next six years. While I am grateful that I now at least know what the future holds, I'm not sure what i should do about the guitar. Flamenco has always been a stress outlet for me so i will continue to play, but maybe i should stick to what i'm playing on now; my 2002 Seagul classical guitar. I am embarrassed to share this stuff but I feel bad asking for advice when maybe this is not within my means at the moment. I'm not giving up, I just need to think this over.
Posts: 6447
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
RE: Buying advice in 4k range (in reply to Josiah)
Sorry to hear of your situation but if it helps, I have always been very happy with my cheap Bernal student blanca. Sorted with a bone bridge, nut and Schaller tuners. Didn't cost much, muy flamenco and was well respected by Stephen Hill and Anders Eliasson, both luthiers in Spain at the time.
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i feel so stupid now but i can't go back in time. 
(sorry...) I don't think I've ever played the guitars of anyone on here unfortunately, so don't take that list or the absence of anyone from that list as any kind of recommendation in either direction. It's just the names that popped into mind based on interactions here. I will say that people on here who have purchased a guitar from any of the foro's luthiers always speak very highly of them and of the instruments they've purchased. 
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