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I just learned how to take a concert level instrument and turn it into a $200 guitar. Put on a set of Zaya-Ruzo basses. That will take care of it in just minutes! The old adage, you get what you pay for holds true.
I ran across these folks and thought I hit a gold mine. What they do is sell bass strings in bulk. You can buy 12 yards for just a few bucks and cut off what you need. It works out to be less then a dollar for all three strings! Well I am here to tell you, they are worth every penny! They sound a bit like old sox stretched on a board. If you like that sound, I will send you the other 11 yards that I have left over.
Now, what am I going to do with 11 yards of string (times 3)? I could put together a parakeet high-wire act!
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to TANúñez)
quote:
ORIGINAL: El Zurdo
Hola Eddie,
Did you finally get around to trying the GATO's? What did you think? Loved them, liked them? hated them?
El Z,
I've tried one set on my A26. So far I really like them. I found the medium tension to be a little higher tension than I expected, so I would consider them to be more of a medium/high tension. But that's okay for me because most medium tensions are too slinky and some high tensions are too wirey for me. This may be the 'happy medium' I'm looking for. I've had them on about a week now and the thing I noticed right away is that they stay in tune a little longer than other strings I've tried. Luthier high tensions have been my personal favorite over the years, but I've always been unhappy with the trebles, especially the thuddy G string. These GATO trebles seem to have just the right of amount of brilliance. I'll be trying the GATO mediums on my other guitars soon. I'll let you know how they do.
BTW, I have 3 new sets of GATO high tensions that I'm probably not going to use. Can I trade them for the some mediums?
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Hey Eddie.
That's the first thing I noticed. The mediums were more like medium/high. I have two medium sets right now and I'll be placing an order for more soon. If you like you can send back two hard sets or just send all three and I'll send you the two I have here and send you one more medium when they come in.
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Patrick
Eddie,
I was taking to Dimitri and asked him if that was you on his Ebay video. So is that a new sitting position?!
Patrick,
LOL, I guess that must be why I was in pain!?
That clip was taken about a year ago just after a bunch of us got together at Dimitri's. I've never had a chance to see it since, so I hope it came out half way decent for the Ebay world to see. My arthritic left index finger was really killing me that night. Playing the por medio A chord didn't help matters But Dimitri needed a clip to show an interested buyer. After this clip I had to stop playing completely for about 3 months. The pains we're willing to endure for this flamenco passion
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to TANúñez)
quote:
ORIGINAL: El Zurdo
Hey Eddie.
That's the first thing I noticed. The mediums were more like medium/high. I have two medium sets right now and I'll be placing an order for more soon. If you like you can send back two hard sets or just send all three and I'll send you the two I have here and send you one more medium when they come in.
El Z,
I'll send back 2 sets of high tension to you. I'll hang on to 1 set as it looks like Tom Whiteley would like to try them out.
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Eddie,
So I understand you are looking for an 83 Ramirez Negra? Hey, I have one coming that I will make you a great deal on. I can let you have it for only $4,000. Now realize that price is just for you, because you know, I like you and all!
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Hey Harris you buying an 83 Ramirez negra?
Eddie, didn't you sell Dimitri an 83 Ramirez negra some time back or was it another year? By the way, I saw that clip of you on ebay. Your right hand is scary man. What articulation and precision. You must teach me master! Ever come down to DFW?
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Patrick
Eddie,
So I understand you are looking for an 83 Ramirez Negra? Hey, I have one coming that I will make you a great deal on. I can let you have it for only $4,000. Now realize that price is just for you, because you know, I like you and all!
Pat
Let's see, does that include a free set of strings and a string winder too
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Patrick
Tom,
It's the one Eddie sold Dimitri! I will have it next week. It's the one on the FT Alegrias video.
Pat
Mr. Patrick, LOL, so you went on and did it! Well, you won't be dissappointed. That is a wonderful intrument that has a lot of fond memories with it. As I'm sure Dimitri may have mentioned, that was custom ordered for me by Juan Serrano back when I was studying with him. I still have a copy of an old letter he wrote to certify the value of the guitar for my insurance company. If you like, I can mail it to you.
Take good care and enjoy playing her, I sure did for many years.
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to TANúñez)
quote:
ORIGINAL: El Zurdo
Hey Harris you buying an 83 Ramirez negra?
Eddie, didn't you sell Dimitri an 83 Ramirez negra some time back or was it another year? By the way, I saw that clip of you on ebay. Your right hand is scary man. What articulation and precision. You must teach me master! Ever come down to DFW?
El Z,
Yes, that's the one and it's looks like it's found another good home
I wish my left hand were as healthy as my right. But, gotta do with what I can do with.
I used to come out to DFW quite regularly for technical training classes at Motorola in Farmers Branch. There's a training class I'm trying to talk my boss into sending me that is in Richardson. Is that near you? If I'm successful, I'll surely let you know. We'll definitely get together. I kinda look forward to another Texas size steak at the Trail Dust
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Eddie,
The only problem is when it gets here, Dimitri will probably come with it with a glazed over look in his eyes. I'll have to pry his hands off it, pin a twenty-dollar bill to his shirt and put him on the train back to SF.
He’ll probably be babbling all the way home! Ram...Rami...Ra....Ramir....Negr...
It must be the best guitar in the world if he has had it for three years!
Yes, I would love to have the letter. I'll email you. Thanks
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Patrick: That makes at least two of us that have Dimitris old guitars. I got his shelton a while back and I am very happy. Sounds like your getting a nice guitar. Good luck with it. Josh
Posts: 134
Joined: Jul. 12 2003
From: Livermore, CA USA
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Patrick
Eddie,
The only problem is when it gets here, Dimitri will probably come with it with a glazed over look in his eyes. I'll have to pry his hands off it, pin a twenty-dollar bill to his shirt and put him on the train back to SF.
He’ll probably be babbling all the way home! Ram...Rami...Ra....Ramir....Negr...
It must be the best guitar in the world if he has had it for three years!
Yes, I would love to have the letter. I'll email you. Thanks
Pat
Patrick,
Haha, I plan on visiting Dimitri sometime this weekend. I'll probably end up doing some grief counseling or we'll go to the pub around the corner.
Got your email, I'll have that letter in the mail next week.
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Hi, Guys. I am Anatoly ZAYA-RUZO, the owner of the company that manufacters ZAYA-RUZO Strings. Let me make some notes on this subject. 1) To make a right opinion on the quality on our strings, please, try DIFFERENT TENSION sets, combining separate strings of different tension.
2) Keep in mind that we have base strings of 5 levels of tension and 2 wire materials.
3) To avoid to be desapointed, buy just one set of each, not 10 or 20 yards. Any way each set will be less than $2.
4) If anybody does not like our strings after they try them, we refund the expences (there were 2 or 3 times for the last year).
5) The lowest price of the strings on the market is because our strings have no beautiful package, nor middlemen to sell them. Othervise, these would be on of the most expensive: we use the best possible american made materials and one of the best technology.
And the last: There are hundreds string brands in the world. Of coarse, you have your favorite one. Does it mean that all other brands are "sox"? Or may be these are not mach particular your guitar?
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Anatoly,
Thanks for responding. I apologize if I gave your company a bad rap, but I really have to say the basses I got from you were deader than a doornail!
Most of us flamenco players want basses with a considerable amount of brightness or edge if you will. I think that's why Corum's and D'Adarrio EJ's are popular with flamenco players. A lot of us go as far as changing basses every week or two, just to keep that tone.
What do you have in your line that fits this bill?
I think you have a great concept. We just need the right product and you could sell a ton of it. Forums like this can put you on the map.
RE: I now play a $200 guitar (in reply to Patrick)
Hi, Pat. Oh, certanly, I beleive you did not like those bases. But you did not even try other. Just try high tension "silver", then bronze nornal tens. and extra high "silver". Anatoly
Printable Version
I'll be in touch. 
This may be the 'happy medium' I'm looking for. I've had them on about a week now and the thing I noticed right away is that they stay in tune a little longer than other strings I've tried. Luthier high tensions have been my personal favorite over the years, but I've always been unhappy with the trebles, especially the thuddy G string. These GATO trebles seem to have just the right of amount of brilliance. I'll be trying the GATO mediums on my other guitars soon. I'll let you know how they do. 
My arthritic left index finger was really killing me that night. Playing the por medio A chord didn't help matters 
But Dimitri needed a clip to show an interested buyer. After this clip I had to stop playing completely for about 3 months. The pains we're willing to endure for this flamenco passion 
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