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Ruphus -> RE: Went to the Guitar Salon (May 20 2013 16:45:16)
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With the impression that I have from the foros luthiers ( some of, have not heard snippets from of all of them, though being almost certain that most if not all build remarkable to really fine instruments ) I always compare to what you commonly get in common stores on comparable price level and what a day & night difference it makes.
Two different worlds.
Having said that, recordings can convey somewhat inaccurately, like with my estudio M. Rodrigues whichs close-up track made by the restaurating guitar builder did not reveal the slight veil typical of student guitars.
( The guitar is still presenting the Rodriguez signature in sound characateristics; and really has something great to it, only not as open as concert level.)
From there, though recordings may more often tend to presenting under real life conditions, they can also deceive the other way round, specially when close miked where things appear greater than life and will reduce perception of dampening properties.
Then again, when you hear lots and lots of bewitching particulars in sound qualities, chances are that they will be there pristine in real life too. - To my experience at least.
Similar to when you can hear how fingertips can dig through unhindered with tight yet pliable conditions, chances should be near zero of a stiff top.
( Not that stiff tops couldn´t be attractive too. To some they obviously are, due to their extremely strong flicking technique. But as I´m considering my personal preference, that would be soft yet fast tops.)
Anyway, though naturally sceptical with ordering a guitar to be build / feeling more on the safe side with already build specimens that one can try out beforehand, after listening intensively to several recordings like of Andy it should be totally surprising if his building magic wasn´t producing quite exactly what I personally love in guitars.
Dunno how he does it with building guitars that sound as flamenco as it gets, but to my ears he is a prodigy.
Please keep in mind that I do hold other builder´s craft here very high too. And supossedly my faible for Andy´s work is more due to my personal taste. ( Should it not, then Culpeppers might be the Ferrers of tomorrow.)
So, the best shopping opportunities to my understanding are ordering from builders on this board, and chasing antiques through private advertisings.
Stores like GSI are meant for the rich; and if wealthy I would had probably already visited them to have all the great makes side by side, learn typical differences and possibly chose the most suiting of the precious stock.
They have quite spoiled the market and I think it sort of gentlemen behaviour if they in return allow humble enthusiast to try out their stock sometimes for to learn about makes and which might suit them best, so that they may know what to look for in general.
- When either frisking the papers for second hand, or reserving on a contemporary maker´s waiting list.
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I wished more flamenco and classical players would hear of the builders on this foro and realize what bang for the buck the option means, while contributing to filling these fine artisans´order books.
Ruphus
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