michel -> HNOS. SANCHIS LÓPEZ guitars (Oct. 19 2008 23:45:40)
hi everybody
I'd like to buy a new flamenco guitar and checked out HNOS. SANCHIS LÓPEZ-guitars (1F-2F models) at Johannes Mundo Flamenco Shop in Freiburg (south germany) the price range (1500 - 2000 Euro) is very interesting and i think i'll choose one of them - does anyone of you play a Sanchis-Lopez or have an opinion on it?
Within their limitations, I find that the Hnos Sanchis Lopez and Valeriano Bernal are some of the best buys in this pricerange.
When I say limitations, its because you can clearly se that they are factory guitars, with an output a bit so - so, meaning that consistancy (spell???) is not to good and that sometimes the cheaper ones are better then the more expensive ones etc. But both makers know what a flamenco guitar is and thats pretty important and also both maker make relatively light guitars which is also pretty important.
I own a HSL 2F which I bought 2 years ago from Johannes at Mundo Flamenco. I'm more than happy with it (And Johannes is a great guy you can rely on), really an amazing instrument for the price. I tried some of the much more expensive guitars in Sanlucar which only made me proud of what I have.
I own a 2007 HSL "Bulerias" model, which is a negra with pau ferro (Bolivian Rosewood) back and sides. It has opened up a lot in the 10 months I've owned it. I compare it to a vintage '72 Sobrinos de Esteso blanca and a '94 Conde EF5 blanca that I also own, since I rotate among all three regularly.
The Sanchis Lopez has its own distinct voice of course, since it is a negra and the others are blancas. But it is very expressive, easy to play, nicely intonated, beautiful sounding, and it smells good. [:)]
If I had to choose ONE of these fine guitars - and that would be hard - given my interest in non-flamenco music and the slightly deeper tone afforded by a negra, I would quite possibly choose it over the Condes. My point is simply that it's a very fine guitar indeed. It cost $2800 USD, which was actually more than the Conde Estudio which I bought used.
I have a 2004 F2 that I got off Ebay a few months ago. Whilst I have been trying to play Flamenco for some number of years its always been on relative cheap guitars (Raimundo!) so I might not be qualified when it comes to better quality guitars.
However...I think this guitar is an excellent instruement, it has a low action, not much string buzz, great sound and of course that lovely smell. It has helped me improve my playing greatly . I have quite an affection for it (weird).
I really like my instrument, and the ones owned by friends and students. This one I own is maple (not cypress or Rosewood) and has a very good bass response, trebles are bright and clear.
The negras are more bassy, which I personally don't like. The sound is very flamenco for a lower end "factory" guitar. I use this guitar a lot for accompaniment. The only negative I would say is the bridge set up of Sanchis guitars tend to be too high. Everyone seems to be in love with this "steep break angle" which I dont' get. The guitars I prefer have a much lower bridge set up, generally speaking. Comparing to Conde that is the main difference, plus the Condes have stronger mids that reinforce the trebles somehow.
But for the price, as others have said, I dont' think you can beat the sound and playablity of H. Sanchis Lopez. Oh wait, but my friend has these guitars by mexican maker Salvador Castillo which were amazing for the price HE paid, but I think the price has gone way up on those. Also Ander's guitar that I tried this summer had better mids than my Sanchis, but again not sure how the price compares.
Everyone seems to be in love with this "steep break angle" which I dont' get. The guitars I prefer have a much lower bridge set up, generally speaking.
I totally agree. A good breakangle is important, but enough is enough and when you have enough you wont get more. The idea that the steeper the breakangle the more powerfull the sound is NOT true. In fact, to much break angle is bad as well because it puts to much stress and warping effect on the guitar.
The Sanchís, and hermanos as well, that I´ve seen were built very flat and this always means a higher bridge setup. But they were all acceptable.
dear forumites this week i was at the store again and i played different models during the whole afternoon. first remark: choosing a guitar under only good guitars can give you a headache ;-) I tried 3 defferent HSL 1-F, as Anders said, there is a pretty huge different between each model - the „orange“ 1-F had a really perfect playability but not much power, the blanca had the the greatest sound of all but « strange » string-dynamics or a little hard tension (my rasgueos were horrible and strings felt like a trampoline). the 1-F Arce red finish had beautiful basses, enough brillance in trebles, a very good playabilty, perfect string dynamics for my taste - and that’s the one that will come to me very soon :-) (i wouldn’t dare to acknowledge that the beautiful red color had also a certain influence…. ;-) i’d like to thank you all for your helpful replies !
Congratulations! Nice guitar there Michel [;)] I recently sold my F03, i was a little bit tired of the voluminous Negra sound. But the playability and the look was excelent (and the price too [;)] ) I am also planning to visit Johannes soon to see what he has.
yes i'm very happy - the fotos were taken on a dark afernoon, by daylight the colour is a bit more brown/orange... the jazz guitar has a floating attila zoller pick up - that makes a deep "raspy" tone and a warm sound, i use it for free jazz ideas if somebody of the forum can identify this guitar, let me know :-)
hi arash if you want to visit johannes it's the right moment! I think you've already heard that he gives 10% reduction for all new instruments (+ guitar case) 'til end of december. I was at Johannes Bulerias basics worshop - it was very helpful ! he organises further workshops in November / december.
