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I am slowly saving up for decent flamenco guitar and with a bit of luck this summer I'll have enough dosh. I have started to research the stock at shops that are within half a day's drive and this is what I'm coming up with in my price range.
I would appreciate any opinions on the models and prices in the list below, good or bad, particularly from anyone that has tried out a lot of different makes.
Tomas Lazaro (£395) Azahar 132F (£649) Cuenca 70f (£699) Ricardo Sanchis 2AF (£535) (saw a 2nd hand one for £200!) Burguet 3F (£549) Bernal Prodigio (£725) Pac de Lucia Nemesia (£595) Raimundo 145 (£720)
BTW, I'm after a blanca with a fast, percussive response. I already own three classical guitars and so I'm after something muy flamenco.
RE: Opinions on these guitars please... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
Jon,
I did the 'all day' trip down last Wednesday to collect my new Stephen Hill blanca. I tried out the Bernal I think you're referring to and I have to say that it is a very very good guitar, full of energy with lots of quality sound and very nice to play. I'd recommend it. Your looking for percussive responce, this one's got loads.
Report on my guitar later once she's got a chance to settle. Cheers Jim.
RE: Opinions on these guitars please... (in reply to Guest)
Andy, I checked out the Bernal "Sueño" guitar I bought from Jim, and the neck width is 63mm at the 12th fret, which compares to another couple of guitars I have (Ramirez Student & a Brazilian Classical which are about 62/63mm). Also the "thickness" of the neck is less than the Ramirez. Perhaps your model was "experimental" or custom made for somebody?
RE: Opinions on these guitars please... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
John:
I would have to rank the Ricardo Sanchis 2AF first, and then the Bernal Blanca(I think it was called the Triana???(double rings and carved headstock)) They change the model names so much I cant keep track, and the labels usually don't help in that regard. Both of these makers put out consistenly good guitars.
The rest of your list does not impress me as in the same class as the first two. But, that's just my opinion. I know what I like in a flamenco guitar, but everyone's hands and touches are different... so much so, that some can make mediocre guitars sound great. In the end, it's what you think that counts.
RE: Opinions on these guitars please... (in reply to Guest)
quote:
ORIGINAL: AndyB Roberto Castellon plays Sanchez guitars and swears by them. But he insists that the peghead Sanchez sounds far better than with machine head.
Andy and Billyboy so I'm clear - are we all talking about the same make of guitar?
The one I mentioned is a Ricardo SanCHIS 2AF not a SanCHEZ.
Apparently Sanchis make some of the non-concert models for Conde. I find that thing about pegheads vs machine heads hard to swallow, though.
RE: Opinions on these guitars please... (in reply to Guest)
If it has Ricardo in front I think we are talking the same geezer, Spanish words for me seem to mingle, and have no real meaning, its just gues work spelling them right. Dave
RE: Opinions on these guitars please... (in reply to Jon Boyes)
Hi Jon,
Im not a very experienced guitarist but I own a Raimundo Flamenco 145 and I think it is a beautiful sounding instrument.
There are a couple of guys who use it for professional recording and concerts (Oscar Lopez uses it exclusively - have you heard of him ?) and I have known some UK based luthers say that they cant believe the woods (cypress back and sides) and construction for the price.
The action is nice and low. Its a very good guitar in my humble opinion.
I would be interested to hear what others have to say about this guitar ?