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travelling to France in search of flamenco guitar
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Richard Jernigan
Posts: 3431
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
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 RE: travelling to France in search o... (in reply to rafapak)
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For a period more than 30 years ago I traveled to Paris frequently on business. The only guitar shop I visited there was La Gutarreria, 5 Rue d'Edimbourg. It is near the Gare Saint-Lazare train station. The nearest Metro station is Europe. It's not far from the Conservatoire.
At that time the shop was owned and run by a formidable Spanish woman. From what I have read in the last few years it is now managed by a younger relative.
They had a large stock of classical instruments ranging from economical student models to instruments by well-known luthiers.
The younger brother of the owner worked there. He told me his sister had rescued him from a life of flamenco and alcoholism. He said he had worked with the son of Manuel Serrapí "Niño Ricardo." He said both father and son were alcoholics who died of throat cancer.
The only flamenca I remember was the one he showed me. He said it was his personal instrument, a beautiful top of the line Paulino Bernabe blanca. I played it a bit, then tried to hand it to him, saying, "Here, play it so I can hear it from the audience side."
We were seated. He quickly slid his chair backward and held up his hands to avoid taking the guitar. "I am sorry, I cannot play it. It would be like taking the first sip of manzanilla."
My impression at that time was that the instruments were fairly priced and the staff were honest, but of course, as soon as I played for a while they recognized me as an experienced player.
I recommend telephoning them before you take a trip there, to verify whether they have flamenco guitars in your price range.
RNJ
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |
Date Sep. 5 2023 1:58:29
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RobF
Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017
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RE: travelling to France in search o... (in reply to rafapak)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rafapak
i travelled today to visit shop where they have few alhambras flamenco. I tried three. nice instruments but only imitate flamenco guitars. i decided to stop searching guitar. i have to concentrate on learning basic techniques on my cordoba now.
I think that’s the best idea, under the circumstances. I think you’re searching for a fantasy instrument, which is fine because it means you’re no different than many people. And you can easily get one, too, if you’re willing to pony up and fork over some serious money. But, to tell you the truth, you don’t have to, it’s just you’re not ready, that’s all.
When you’ve practiced enough and shopped enough to understand what’s wrong with calling a lower cost instrument an imitation guitar, that’s when you’re going to be ready to buy something. An enormous amount of flamenco music has been played on low cost instruments. Some of the sounds are based upon that. I’ve played some middle range Cordoba guitars that didn’t give anything up to instruments costing ten times as much. None of them ticked any desirability boxes - until they were put up against “real” flamenco guitars in live situations and proceeded to kick their collective butts. They were made in China. The horror. The couple I am thinking about at the time sold for about the equivalent of €500. They were real flamenco guitars in every aspect that counts musically.
So, it sounds like you’re already where you need to be. With some more experience the process won’t be so overwhelming and you’ll feel more comfortable spending what it takes to get an instrument you can cherish.
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Date Sep. 5 2023 21:29:42
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rafapak
Posts: 271
Joined: Aug. 9 2015
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RE: travelling to France in search o... (in reply to RobF)
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quote:
I think that’s the best idea, under the circumstances. I think you’re searching for a fantasy instrument, which is fine because it means you’re no different than many people. And you can easily get one, too, if you’re willing to pony up and fork over some serious money. But, to tell you the truth, you don’t have to, it’s just you’re not ready, that’s all.
When you’ve practiced enough and shopped enough to understand what’s wrong with calling a lower cost instrument an imitation guitar, that’s when you’re going to be ready to buy something. An enormous amount of flamenco music has been played on low cost instruments. Some of the sounds are based upon that. I’ve played some middle range Cordoba guitars that didn’t give anything up to instruments costing ten times as much. None of them ticked any desirability boxes - until they were put up against “real” flamenco guitars in live situations and proceeded to kick their collective butts. They were made in China. The horror. The couple I am thinking about at the time sold for about the equivalent of €500. They were real flamenco guitars in every aspect that counts musically.
So, it sounds like you’re already where you need to be. With some more experience the process won’t be so overwhelming and you’ll feel more comfortable spending what it takes to get an instrument you can cherish.
thanks for reply. again valuable information. By the way, my friend's son flew to Malaga for a couple of days. He is coming back tomorrow. It is coincidence that I was asking question about malaga on forum and somebody who I am close to just went to Malaga for few days. If I see him tomorrow I will bombard him with questions. He will suffer ! ha ha . I think I will fly to malaga but not to buy the guitar but to see granada, marbela etc. I know this guy who is in malaga at the moment rented a car so I will have also information in relation to renting cars in malaga so that I can travel to granada by car.
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Date Sep. 5 2023 23:41:58
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