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I'm currently using a Yamaha cg171sf, and I really like its overall tone, and the fact that it has a sweet sustain and resonance in the trebles, which I didn't imagine for a flamenco guitar. That way, I can also play classical, but it can rip as well. It is, however, quite hard to play over the 5th fret on it, so I'm looking to upgrade to a more serious guitar, with a budget of 1.5k or so.

I'd like to get some of the sound of the cg171sf, though, especially some of that wonderful ringing tone on the top end if possible, and not only attack. I don't think that means a Negra though, because I'm not looking for dark, but rather, trebly and resonant.

I'm in nyc, I would imagine I could try different guitars in person, but it seems the only stores are either big box stores or very expensive. If anyone knows a place to go and try different models in my price range, please let me know!

I've read great things about the Marlon Navarro student flamenco, but I can't find the 1.5k version, I guess its very popular, but I did find the older student version for like 700, not sure if its as good though.

Paco Castillo makes a 700 flamenco guitar as well and people on this forum seem to like their stuff. Camps primera seems to get a lot of love here as well. Prudencio Saez, Sanchis, Alhambra, Esteve? I'd mostly be buying used if possible, would like to get a guitar that will take me a while to outgrow.

What about a used Japanese flamenco from the 70s? I've heard great things about Hiroshi Tamura, and I'm a big fan of Kazuo Yairi Candy Clicker for classical, so maybe that makes sense. I'm not sure how something like a Tamura (cedar top) would sound different from a more contemporary blanca, and I think I'd prefer spruce, as my main classical is cedar.

What would you recommend for a 1.5k intermediate guitar with a more resonsant tone these days? Whatever insight people have is appreciated. Thank you!