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Buying an intermediate guitar (and anyone familiar with German Vazquez Rubio?)   You are logged in as Guest
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Adam

Posts: 1156
Joined: Dec. 6 2006
From: Hamilton, ON

Buying an intermediate guitar (and a... 
So I've been playing with a Raimundo 128 classical for a few years now, with a golpeador stuck on for good measure, and I think it's finally time (once I make some money this summer!!) to upgrade to a nice blanca. My price range is about $1000-2000, I might be able to push it a bit higher ($2500 or so, maybe) if I find something really worth it. What are some good options, where should I be looking, and what should I be looking for? This is a big purchase (this'll probably be my guitar for another few years at least!) so any tips would really be appreciated.

Also, at a friend's recommendation I tried out some guitars by German Vazquez Rubio (http://www.guitarsbygvr.com/) at his shop in L.A. I really liked what I heard (I tried out some of his higher-end models, one was barely-used and was being resold much closer to my price range), but I don't have too much to compare to. I'll try playing a lot of good guitars before I head back out to L.A. this summer for my internship so I have a better idea, but has anyone heard of German's guitars who can vouch for (/against) them?

Last question Does anyone know of good places to buy/try flamencos in New York City, Connecticut, or the L.A. area?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 16 2008 18:26:19
 
johnguitars

Posts: 72
Joined: Jul. 27 2007
From: Michigan,USA

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Adam) 
I purchased a used one in 2004. I loved it (and still do) Mine is a classical and I have no idea what his "Flamenco" models sound like. I went to the website and it appeared to me that he is not using cypress on his Flamenco models? I think this makes all the difference as I have an "el cheapo Flamenco" that is made out of cypress and it sounds totally different than my classical Rubio. I would not by any "Classical guitar" for Flamenco.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 16 2008 21:22:21
 
Douglas Ingram

 

Posts: 4
Joined: Mar. 12 2008
 

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Adam) 
I have no experience with them but I consistently hear of them being recommended.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 18 2008 2:09:11
 
sig

 

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Adam) 
I know where your coming from because I was in the same situation a few years ago so perhaps I can help out a bit. I started out the same way when I first tackled Flamenco. I had an Epiphone Classical on which I installed a Golpeador and used that for about 1 year. I then purchased a Manuel Rodriguez C3F Blanca which was a small step up from the Epiphone however it took a while to open up (there has been some debate on that subject here recently) but overall I wasn't completely happy with that purchase. I had to order it through a local music store and didn't get a chance to try out various instruments so I was pretty much stuck with this one. I purchased this right before Yamaha came out with its version of a Blanca. Overall it is a nice guitar but the action is a bit high (typical of low end instruments) and it doesn't have much of a voice. After using this instrument for around 2 years I decided to try and find a "move up" instrument in the $2,000 range. Well I can tell you that was quite a journey!! I ended up purchasing an Amalio Burguet 1F Blanca based on reviews I had seen online and i'm glad I did. It was 2 years old and constructed of a Spruce top and Cypress back and sides. It is his second best Flamenco next to his signature ABF model; the 1F is hand made, but not entirely by Amalio however he signed the label. For what I paid under 2k, it is a great instrument with excellent low action, nice fast neck and a nice clear voice. I recommend that you contact David Wood at Franklin Guitar as he is a dealer and he was great to work with on the whole transaction. You can reach him at 615-595-2268 if you wish. Prior to purchasing the Burguet, I talked to several dealers and I think the prevailing wisdom is there is no decent instrument under 5k but unfortunately for someone like myself who is a hobbyist that is just too much to spend. I don't completely disagree with the experts however I needed to find a guitar that was intermediately priced and still played and sounded fairly good. I realize my Burguet will never sound as good as a Conde or a Barbero but for the $$$ it suits my needs; for now!! I have no experience with GVR guitars but from what i've read they are supposed to be very nice instruments. I've always felt that beauty is in the ear of the listener not the critics...
Sig--
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 18 2008 18:28:04
Guest

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Adam) 
Hola

Don´t know if Alhambra guitars are available everywhere but they are very reliable and great value. http://www.alhambrasl.com/fremp_i.htm .

The luthier guitars are great and the Vilaplana hand made are in the class of Reyes etc. but little known. The cheaper models start at 280 euros and luthier guitars from 1200 euros.

Pedro y Miguel use these guitars as their estudio models.

Seán
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 18 2008 22:49:22
 
HemeolaMan

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

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Adam) 
salvador castillo. hands down

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 19 2008 4:47:40
 
sig

 

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to HemeolaMan) 
HemeolaMan,
Can you give me some specifics about Castillo's guitars? I seen the name mentioned before on this Foro and others but i'm not sure who to contact regarding purchasing or at least getting info. Do you know if he makes a Negra as that is going to be my next purchase... Any info would be helpful!!
Thanks,
Sig--
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 19 2008 13:07:31
 
Pgh_flamenco

 

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to sig) 
For information on Salvador Castillo, his guitars, links to mpegs of Castillo playing one of his guitars and where to buy in the USA try this website:

Flamenco Kansas City
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 19 2008 13:59:51
 
HemeolaMan

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

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to sig) 
If you want to buy a castillo i will be more than happy to answer every question you have. search the foro and you will find pics of my castillo negra.

email me, theres a link in my signature, or pm me and i can get you in touch with the right people.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 20 2008 3:08:01
 
Pgh_flamenco

 

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to HemeolaMan) 
Hemeola, I remember the pics and was wondering if you would be willing to say what you paid for the negra? Could you post a short mp3 so we can hear your negra, too?

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 20 2008 13:38:53
 
HemeolaMan

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

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Pgh_flamenco) 
lol yes. I will upload some audio for you.

I can't gaurantee my playing lol but, the guitar plays EXTREMELY WELL and cost me 2300 total with shippind included.

hooray for 11 pesos to one dollar exchange rate!

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 20 2008 18:20:57
 
HemeolaMan

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

RE: Buying an intermediate guitar (a... (in reply to Adam) 
http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=88157&appid=&p=1&mpage=1&key=&tmode=1&smode=1&s=#88158

listen

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Mar. 21 2008 22:00:17
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