1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca

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tropicboy

Posts: 3
Joined: Jul. 31 2007

1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca

Hi All,

I found a secondhand 1987 Manuel Bellido blanca for sale (approx $3000). I do not know the exact model number but it seems that it is a higher end guitar (great tonewoods and french polish).
Although the name is famous I haven't really heard any feedback from his guitars.
Can anyone advise whether this guitar is worth the investment. Any feedback is more then welcomed.
Thank you.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 19 2007 19:10:38

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: 1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca (in reply to tropicboy)

Hi Tropicboy

Manuel Bellido is one of the most famous luthiers of the Granada school. His guitars are known for it's superb quality. I know from an interview with Tomatito that he owns guitars from Manuel Bellido too (whithin many others).
My guitar teacher has an old Bellido guitar with wooden pegs and the guitar has a nice and rather sweet sound for a flamenco guitar. When i was in Jerez in the flamenco guitar class with El Carbonero there was a canadian student who played a nice flamenco guitar made by Jesús Bellido, the son of Manuel Bellido. The student said that he purchased the guitar in Grananda for 1800 euros.
This guitar was a hammer. It has the old school sound with some metallic overtones. Everybody liked the guitar in the school. The guitar sounded better than an expencive Conde negra from the Felipe V shop which another student brought to the course.
I think that Bellido guitars are absolutely worthwhile the money. 3000 US for a Manuel Bellido is a very good offer assuming that the guitar is in a good condition. I would personally go for a Jesús Bellido as i think they match the quality of the father's guitars but are still much cheaper to get. However if i had 3000 bucks on the edge, i'd possibly buy the Manuel Bellido as it is difficult to get a guitar in the same class with that pricetag from any other famous andalucían luthier.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 19 2007 21:39:28

chinito

Posts: 104
Joined: Jun. 14 2004

RE: 1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca (in reply to tropicboy)

Tropicboy,

I would totally go for the Bellido. I've tried a few guitars made by him and they're really nice. They also have a great hand-made look about them that's a nice contrast to the too-perfect factory made look you see on a lot of guitars these days. Bellidos are easy to play with a dry, punchy sound and weigh very little if you're used to mass-produced instruments. The neck profile is sweet on these instruments.

Armando,

When did you meet the Canadian student at Carbonero's? I'm sure there's a lot of Canadian's that go to study with him, but your description about the Jesus Bellido guitar etc. kinda sounds like it might have been me. Just curious.

-Jake.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 20 2007 4:41:50

tropicboy

Posts: 3
Joined: Jul. 31 2007

RE: 1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca (in reply to tropicboy)

Thanks a lot for the quick reply folks.
I got to try the guitar today and it is absolutely beautiful.
Pretty much what I have been looking for. True blanca sound ;crisp, and loud, just what is needed to cut through when accompanying dancers; and surprisingly well suited for solo work. Just beautiful.
I have to find to way to get the funds now... :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 20 2007 7:49:17

guitardode

Posts: 114
Joined: Jun. 29 2007

RE: 1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca (in reply to tropicboy)

HI!!
Bellidos guitars from the 80s should sound awesome!!!
tip no 1-buy the guitar
tip no 2-sell car buy the guitar
tip no 3 sell body buy guitar
tip no 4 beg steal borrow buy guitar
is any of this making any sense to you ??? good luck whatever you do (as long as you buy it)

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GUITARDODE

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 23 2007 20:05:05

Armando

Posts: 302
Joined: May 27 2005
From: Zürich, Switzerland

RE: 1987 Manuel Bellido Blanca (in reply to chinito)

Hi Chinchito

I don't remember if it was 2004 or 2005 but i know it was february and it was during the Festival de Jerez. We were sitting next to each other in the practising room.
You were asking me about my guitar (which was my first selfmade flamenca blanca) and i was asking you about yours. Your guitar must have a rather wide conical rosewood or ebony sripe on the back. I first thought you were spanish due to the good playing style you had. I have recorded a session with two cantaores where we learned accompaniment. Maybe i manage to post the video somewhere. You are not in the video but you might remember.

best regards

Armando

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 25 2007 17:46:03