Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Full Version)

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ZetaNegra -> Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 8:03:39)

I'm going to Spain in April and would like to buy a flamenco guitar. Where could I buy one? I don't want a main stream brand, I want something unique and custom. I'm going to be around Barcelona, Madrid and Cordoba.



Anders Eliasson -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 9:08:43)

What is a costum guitar to you?

Normally it means that you ask the builder to do something to your specifications. Like scale length, wood choice, etc.



ZetaNegra -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 9:19:04)

What I want is a 100% made in Spain Flamenco guitar. I want something hand made. I just don't know where to go get one once I'm there. I only know of Cordoba and Ramirez guitars.

I'm going to start studying flamenco guitar (I'm an electric player of 16 years) so I want a nice Spanish guitar.

I think of it this way. I can buy an MP3 or I can buy an iPod.



orsonw -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 10:25:27)

Information on other threads may help you-

Buying a guitar in Spain-

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=52166&mpage=1&p=&tmode=1&smode=1&key=buying%2Cspain

In Madrid-

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=153138&appid=&p=&mpage=1&key=guitar%2Cmadrid&tmode=&smode=&s=#153138

In Seville-

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=116676&mpage=1&p=&tmode=1&smode=1&key=buying%2Cspain



Stephen Eden -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 10:34:31)

There are many guitar makers across the world that easily rival any guitar that is made in spain. Your best option is to take a serious look at your budget. Then Search for a few guitar makers (perhaps more local to you, you may be able to go and see your guitar being built) in your budget and go from there. You'll find that you get much better value for money that way. If your are looking at the factory made hand assembled guitars, the chances are they wont be any cheaper in spain.

I know of a huge list of guitar makers across the world that is published on a classical guitar forum that may be of use to you. http://www.delcamp.net/liens/luthiers.htm

I hope that is of some use to you and good luck with your search



gbv1158 -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 13:16:25)

quote:

I want something unique and custom. I'm going to be around Barcelona, Madrid and Cordoba.



you may go in Beas (Huelva) and try an Anders guitar,(www.eliassonguitars.com); He made a wonderful blanca for me and the next coming month I will ask him to build even a negra!, He is a great Luthier and a gentleman.

good luck!,
ciao
Giambattista



mezzo -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 14:43:38)

quote:

I'm going to start studying flamenco guitar (I'm an electric player of 16 years) so I want a nice Spanish guitar.

this is a non sense imo.

You should buy a cheap guitar and with the money you saved, took some lessons with a professor.
In 2 years you if you still play flamenco...then buy a handmade. You'll appreciate more your instrument.



Ron.M -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 15:09:49)

quote:

You should buy a cheap guitar and with the money you saved, took some lessons with a professor.
In 2 years you if you still play flamenco...then buy a handmade. You'll appreciate more your instrument.


Well...I don't know about a "cheap" guitar....I'd say go for a decently built, proper Flamenco guitar with a decent set-up, but just not in the top-end class.

The problem is IMO, that a cheap instrument of ANY kind will generally be difficult to play and make you sound bad too, so could put you off learning.

Anyway we don't know how much ZetaNegra is willing to spend.

cheers,

Ron



mezzo -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 15:14:40)

Ron, you're right.
Don't buy a "made in china" one.



Ron.M -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 15:36:03)

quote:

Don't buy a "made in china" one.




These are certainly "hand made" (to a large extent)...[:D]

I bet a few of them will probably turn out very good too! [:-]

cheers,

Ron



Ramon Amira -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 15:53:55)

If you're a beginner in flamenco guitar, it's probably not a good idea to start off with a luthier guitar. You should start with a decent factory flamenco guitar that fits your budget – which by the way you might specify – it would help our members to better advise you.

Then after maybe a year or so, if you're still sticking with it, and making good progress in learning, then you could think about a luthier guitar. If you tell us your budget, many here could recommend some factory flamenco guitars that would be perfectly suitable for starting and learning.

Ramon



aleksi -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 16:07:33)

theres no harm in playing a good luthier built guitar. It can only make the learning process more comfortable, because the desired sound is easier to produce and the set up will be like it should.
Imho, if its not about the money, then its a very good idea to get a proper tool straight from the beginning.
Yamahas and such feel horrible compared to proper flamenco guitars. I would never go for the cheep ones if I had the money.



BarkellWH -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 17:26:43)

Do not spend your time in Spain looking for a guitar when you don't have very good fix on what it is you're looking for. Enjoy your time visiting Antoni Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona, the confluence of cultures in Granada, the Prado in Madrid, and drinking tinto everywhere.

You can obtain a very decently-made guitar, made in Spain, by ordering from Zavaleta's la Casa de Guitarras on the internet. I have personally visited Zavaleta's, located in Tucson, Arizona. The owner, James Greenberg, maintains an inventory of medium to high-end guitars. If your budget can accommodate it, I highly recommend one of his Manuel Adalid Viviana flamenco guitars. Manuel Adalid is the chief luthier for Esteve in Valencia, and he makes the Viviana as his own model It runs US$2,500 plus shipping at Zavaleta's. I bought one, and I can attest to the great sound and playability of the Viviana, as well as to integrity of Mr. Greenberg.

Cheers,

Bill



gbv1158 -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 17:51:53)

quote:


Imho, if its not about the money, then its a very good idea to get a proper tool straight from the beginning.


I totally agree,
In the first period I was learnig flamenco on my Ramirez FL2 wich, yes, is a very good student model (almost 2000 euro); well let me say it all : continuing on a good Luthier guitar is ANOTHER STORY,the guitar seems to force your learning process to better in better!
This is my experience.


Giambattista



Doitsujin -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 18:04:58)

quote:

These are certainly "hand made" (to a large extent)...

I bet a few of them will probably turn out very good too!



WWWWWWTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That video.... :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO



Ron.M -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 18:08:25)

Hey Doit....

Think of poor ol' Tomatito who has to sign them all!

(All especial "Bulerías" guitars.....Every one...Make no mistake...[:D])

cheers,

Ron



kozz -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 18:10:05)

quote:

What is a costum guitar to you?
Normally it means that you ask the builder to do something to your specifications. Like scale length, wood choice, etc.


Have to agree with Anders on this one.
If its just about the label "Custom"....go for any custom guitar...
If it is for a guitar you like and would like to play for a few years, just use your ears and fingers, and don't listen to the salesman....



ZetaNegra -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 19:42:09)

Thank you for the replies. My budget is between $500-$1000 USD.
I know I am just starting out in Flamenco, but I want to have the right guitar that would let me hear the right sounds and give me the right feel. I know I probably can get a very good guitar from Arizona, but I would really like to have a Guitarra from the motherland.



kozz -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 19:56:29)

quote:

I know I probably can get a very good guitar from Arizona, but I would really like to have a Guitarra from the motherland.

[:)]
Set aside the phsycological part of it....there are many great guitar builders who do not live in spain. (Ida y Vuelta)
But I had the same feeling once...



BarkellWH -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 19:56:59)

Hello, ZetaNegra,

I just want to be clear that Zavaleta's in Tucson, Arizona imports the guitars from Spain. The Manuel Adalid Viviana flamenco guitar I recommended was made in Valencia, Spain by Manuel Adalid at the House of Esteve. So it truly was made in Spain (the "Motherland," as you called it), not Arizona.

Don't want to belabor the point, but don't want to leave any confusion as to the guitars' provenance either.

Cheers,

Bill



ZetaNegra -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 20:06:12)

I will give them a look.



ZetaNegra -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 20:09:06)

I looked at there website http://www.zavaletas-guitarras.com.
Those guitars are out of my price range.



Ramon Amira -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 20:33:38)

quote:


Thank you for the replies. My budget is between $500-$1000 USD.


That's why some of us asked about your budget. There is no way you can buy any decent luthier guitar – new or even used – for $500 to $1000.

I'll give you a few recommendations, and now that your price range is clear, I'm sure other members will suggest some other makes/models.

Cordoba 45FM – About $899, including a hard shell case.

Alhambra 3F – About $ 766, not including a case.

Alhambra 4F – About $810, no case. The 4F is easily worth the difference in price from the 3F.

Alhambra 5F – About $1064.

Cordoba F7 – About $499, no case.

Finally, if you want to stretch a little –

Cordoba Solista Flamenca – About $1549, includes a hard shell case.

Loriente Carmen – Blanca or Negra – About $1999.

Any of these would be suitable to start learning on. My best recommendation within your budget would be the Cordoba 45FM, which would be plenty good for you to get started with.

Ramon



a_arnold -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 22:45:40)

quote:

quote:


Thank you for the replies. My budget is between $500-$1000 USD.



That's why some of us asked about your budget. There is no way you can buy any decent luthier guitar – new or even used – for $500 to $1000.


You might look into a Paracho-made guitar. You would get the most bang-for-buck there. But even there, a good one will start close to $2k. I have to agree with Prominent Critic: You simply aren't going to find a good luthier-made guitar on your budget even in Paracho, let alone in Spain. It will be factory made, either in Valencia or China (or Paracho) if you buy in that range in Spain. And it will be a studio model if you buy in that range in Paracho. I would describe those as "adequate".

I don't want to offend, but honestly, it sounds to me like you have a lot to learn before you will be ready to buy a good guitar.

My suggestion: forget about sound. Buy a cheapo that plays easy with low action, and install a pickup. With your budget, I would rely on electronics rather than craftsmanship to create the sound. Then, maybe by the time you discover whether flamenco is within your reach, you will have a better understanding of what you need, and you won't have wasted money on a second-rate guitar -- which (sorry) is what you will get for $500-$1000. Eventually, the amplified cheapo will become your gig guitar after you buy your dream guitar.

Just a thought. Good luck!



RTC -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 23:29:54)

Zeta...

You need to check out a Francisco Navarro Student Model, that fits your budget, go to Spain enjoy your trip and listen to a lot of Flamenco.
That would be the way to go IMO



TANúñez -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 29 2010 23:46:41)

Francisco Navarro Student 1 model for $900 is a good guitar. Better than most factory guitars in this same price range.



ZetaNegra -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 30 2010 6:52:20)

Thank you all for the advice! After analyzing my options I decided to get a temporary guitar before I make a big purchase. I went down to my local guitar center and bought a Cordoba C5.



Graham_B -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 30 2010 8:01:24)

quote:

bought a Cordoba C5


So you bought a classical guitar.
Are you now going to get it set up (lower string height, golpeador) to play flamenco or leave it as it is?



Ron.M -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 30 2010 9:45:57)

quote:

I went down to my local guitar center and bought a Cordoba C5.


Yeah...Why did you buy a Classical Guitar to learn Flamenco??

cheers,

Ron



Arash -> RE: Buy a Custom Flamenco Guitar in Spain (Dec. 30 2010 10:02:54)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ron.M

quote:

I went down to my local guitar center and bought a Cordoba C5.


Yeah...Why did you buy a Classical Guitar to learn Flamenco??

cheers,

Ron


probably the owner of his local "guitar center" told him: here, i have a good cheap flamingo guitar for you, hand made in spain, cordoba.

[8|]

seriously, you should have bought a yamaha cg171sf with those 300 bucks.

i would bring the guitar back to your guitar center and order a yamaha if you don't want to spend more than 300



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