The importance of a guitar's label

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Javier

Posts: 2
Joined: Dec. 10 2007

The importance of a guitar's label

Hello everyone. First post.

I'm curious to know people's thoughts on the label of a guitar and how much it may or may not influence your perception of that guitar.

For example, if you were buying a new guitar, and were torn between two that you liked equally, and they cost the same, but one had a very 'classic' label, while the other was perhaps too modern, or too ornate.

To what extent do you care about a guitar's label?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 13:33:32

ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

For myself, the label is used to assess two things:

Reputation for quality or consistency of build. - Yamaha is an example of this in the lower-end. They are not outstanding guitars but they are well-built, tend to be consistent, and good (albeit not "outstanding") value for money. GV Rubio is an example of this in the high-end.
Potential resale value ... if I expect to trade-up in the future. - Some guitars tend to hold most of their value and a few even appreciate over the years. Even in pristine condition and only a month after purchase, most good mass-produced guitars will drop by 47% in value when resold or traded-in. But take a look at what a used Prenkert goes for ... even when it's a bit beaten-up and scuffed. The luthier's reputation can carry a lot of weight.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 15:39:32

Javier

Posts: 2
Joined: Dec. 10 2007

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to ChiyoDad)

Thank you ChiyoDad, but that's not what I am referring to. I'm not talking about the name on the label, but rather, the aesthetic qualities of the label.

For example, different makers use different fonts. Some put their address, some don't. Some put their phone number, others do not. Some put the country of origin, some assume you know the country of origin based on the address on the label.

The reason I bring this up is that I noticed a Francisco Navarro García label with the words, "Made in Mexico" on it. I found it rather distasteful to put the country of origin when he has his address on it as well (Paracho, Mich, Mexico). I also found it distasteful that it is written in English. I think it should say "Hecho en México."

I've seen a few Spanish guitars that have "Made in Spain", written in English, on the label, and that is always a turn-off for me.

The label on Loriente guitars is trying too hard to look old-world rustic, and comes off as cartoony.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 16:31:21

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Javier

Hello everyone. First post.

I'm curious to know people's thoughts on the label of a guitar and how much it may or may not influence your perception of that guitar.

For example, if you were buying a new guitar, and were torn between two that you liked equally, and they cost the same, but one had a very 'classic' label, while the other was perhaps too modern, or too ornate.

To what extent do you care about a guitar's label?

I have a few guitars all of which were selected essentially without reference to the labels. My concern when selecting a guitar is focused on how it feels to hold - is it comfortable?; how does it sound - do I really like its voice?; does it have excellent playability? There are other considerations, but these are the main three.

I do have a '69 Ramirez ['blue label'] cedar top blanca and a DeVoe negra. The labels only became significant after I had played the guitars and determined that I really liked them. I have played some so-called high end guitars by well known makers that I would not accept [and keep] if offered to me as a gift.

In summary: Buy the guitar, not the label!

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 16:42:53

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Javier

Thank you ChiyoDad, but that's not what I am referring to. I'm not talking about the name on the label, but rather, the aesthetic qualities of the label.

For example, different makers use different fonts. Some put their address, some don't. Some put their phone number, others do not. Some put the country of origin, some assume you know the country of origin based on the address on the label.

The reason I bring this up is that I noticed a Francisco Navarro García label with the words, "Made in Mexico" on it. I found it rather distasteful to put the country of origin when he has his address on it as well (Paracho, Mich, Mexico). I also found it distasteful that it is written in English. I think it should say "Hecho en México."

I've seen a few Spanish guitars that have "Made in Spain", written in English, on the label, and that is always a turn-off for me.

The label on Loriente guitars is trying too hard to look old-world rustic, and comes off as cartoony.

Whoa, you do not seem to be that interested in guitars, but rather in how well the labels fit your seemingly narrow criteria for "label aesthetics".

If you cannot find a label that suits you, maybe you should consider a ukelele or a piano.

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 16:47:53

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

quote:

To what extent do you care about a guitar's label?

I think this is the most essential part of the original post.

I worked in a shop selling guitars and have sold many. Everyone looked at the label, but VERY few had any comments and those few ones did not take it as something important.

I make my own labels simple. Name, place, tlf number, year and enough space for a signature. I might add web next time. I like slightly colored paper. I dont think labels are important or interesting, but a guitar look naked without one

. Here you have the one I finished yesterday. I have to buy a new printer in order to make a label

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 20:25:08

Ailsa

Posts: 2277
Joined: Apr. 17 2007
From: South East England

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

You are right Anders, it looks strange with no label!

Btw I love your rosette's - what are they made from? Or is that a trade secret?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 20:27:17

Arash

Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

Yes, this Olive wood Rosette is unique. For me it is one of the most beautiful i have ever seen.

Regarding labels: i really dont care. If i intend to buy a guitar and i would find a guitar with good playability, nice sound, etc. i would buy it without knowing which lable is inside. Even without any label i would buy it.

However, if you want to buy a guitar from a Luthier built for you and from which you know that you are not going to sell it and keep it lifelong, it would be nice to have an addition on the label like: "made for Arash" lol
This would be so personal.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 21:28:55

bahen

Posts: 378
Joined: Mar. 4 2006

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

Hey Anders, what happened to the coffee coloured D'Addario G-string? I've never actually put the coffee-coloured string on, so I have a few spare ones lying around. What's the difference as far as sound goes between the regular D'Addario G-string and the coffee-coloured one?

Beautiful instrument, by the way.

As for labels: don't pick the guitar based on it, silly!! Play them both. Not ever luthier guitar is worth its price tag, and some factory guitars are worth more than any luithers. You can get really lucky sometimes.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 10 2007 23:21:32

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

Bahen
I normally ship guitars with a standard set of strings. In this case Luthier 20.

I still play the cofee colored string myself.

Arash. I think most luthiers would make you an inscription if you ordered an instrument.

With respect of labels. If you buy a very expensive guitar, make sure the label is correct. If not, the guitar might not be worth much. And in this case, it doesn´t help that you like the label

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2007 0:48:38

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to bahen)

the coffee colored string is from the pro arte composite sets

its an attempt to reconcile the differences of a wound string with a nylon

i guess they were of the opinion that the low tension on the nylon g sounds flubby and tubby and that a qound string would be at too high a tension and feel unorthodox. so they made a string that sounded halfway between the two

i love those strings. they are dry and crisp and rattle jsut the right amount when ou punch it... yum!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 11 2007 18:08:10

stephen hill

Posts: 300
Joined: Feb. 16 2004
From: La Herradura, Granada, Spain

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

I have a student here building a flamenco on my course who wont put a lable in his guitar.... I dont think he is proud of it... or himself enough, a pity as the guitar looks really great!

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http://www.spanishguitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 12 2007 8:30:23

ChiyoDad

Posts: 151
Joined: Jun. 30 2007
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

I think it'd be nice for a luthier to sign the inside of the soundboard with a permanent marker. There's one in Hawaii who does this. He doesn't use labels but he has a wooden seal that he affixes where the label should go. I think he wanted a method of identifying his instruments that was guaranteed to stand the tests of time (and couldn't easily be pasted-over).

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 12 2007 11:02:48

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

I sometimes sign my guitars inside, but often I forget it. All this signing and labelling is not what I find the most interesting part in the construction of a guitar.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 12 2007 19:11:41

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

Donde esta Javier?

Did he find a job designing 'correct' and 'appropriate' labels?

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 13 2007 9:53:40

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Javier)

Come on Doog give it a break please. If you are not interested in the thread, do something else. Its the guys first post, so maybe a bit more polite.
Javier did not talk about correct or appropriate anything. Those are words that you use......

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 13 2007 19:48:41

Doog

Posts: 59
Joined: Sep. 17 2007
From: Tennessee

RE: The importance of a guitar's label (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson

Come on Doog give it a break please. If you are not interested in the thread, do something else. Its the guys first post, so maybe a bit more polite.
Javier did not talk about correct or appropriate anything. Those are words that you use......

OK, point made and taken.

Doog

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 14 2007 10:46:05