Armando -> RE: Guitar contruction question (Dec. 16 2005 11:29:48)
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Hello Skai I can't tell you either, why Alhambra use to build their cheaper flamenco models with greater depth than the more expensive ones, if this is really the case. Usually flamenca blancas are built with a thinner body than negras. Most of the old school builders have built their blancas between 86 and 92mm, while the negras are sometimes built with body depths up to 110mm, depending on the Luthier. I have realized that builders of the madrid school do usually build with larger planillas and greater body depths than Luthiers of the granada school. Basically a larger body will lower the cavity resonance of the guitar. This does usually increase the volume of the guitar especially in the basses. I think that most flamenco players agree, that the flamenca blanca is the most preferred guitar to play flamenco. In the old times, flamenco was performed only in groups with cante and baile and the guitar was required to have strong trebles in order to stand against the footstamping, handclapping and singing. Such a character is achieved by building the guitar with less body depth and a rather stiff soundboard. Today the flamenco guitar has developped and it is often performed solo, without baile, cante etc.. Therefor other characters are wanted by some players. Negras with greater body depth and an overall louder tone are preferred by some famous players especially for live performances. Many players have different guitars because they can't deside whether a blanca or negra, spruce or cedar is better. It depends on what you want, and for what you gonna use your guitar. Greather volume and a loud tone is not what makes up a great instrument. Many beginners who do not know a lot about guitars do believe so though. I can immagine that this could be a reason why the cheapos are built to other specs. Armando
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