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Im playing guitar in different styles since many years. A early friend of mine was a spanish guy who learned flamenco from his father. He showed me some things for playing flamenco guitar maybe 30 years ago. I didnt try since that time again....
Now I want to make a "new start" for learning the flamenco guitar. So Im looking for a cheap but good beginner guitar. So I found the Yamaha CG 182 SF. Ive seen another guitar at mundo flamenco in Freiburg, germany. Its the Mundo Flamenco 3AF. Are this guitars both good for flamenco beginners? Could you please tell me which one would be a better choice, or maybe give me other, better examples for a possible guitar?
Posts: 598
Joined: Feb. 9 2007
From: Paris, France
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
Hello!
The Yamaha is a good beginner's guitar. Many top players here have had one at some point in time, and I even know someone who still keeps his for gigs and other outings. All in all it's a great value for money for absolute beginners. But do bear in mind that it's exactly that though: a beginners guitar... if you are serious about learning flamenco, you will outgrow that guitar quickly.
I do not know the Mundo-Flamenco line of guitars, but I do however know Johannes a bit and the guy is sound when it comes to flamenco guitars.
As for other names, you could always look at Alhambra or Bernal.
The later makes a mean flamenco guitar for around €900... Bernals have a very aggressive and raw flamenco sound. It's above the price range of the Yamaha/M-F, but they are worth a look.
It's all down to what you wish to do really. If you are serious about learning flamenco, then get the best possible guitar you can afford, it really does make a difference. At the end of the day, you should get a guitar you love playing... it will be easier for you to practice (for hours) on an instrument you really "connect" with. Plus a good guitar will take you a long way in terms of developing your technique and the strength of your hands.
I also advise you to try the guitar before buying, if you can. Your hands will be the best judge of what works for you.
On a side note, if you are willing to invest in a nicer instrument, do check out Sanchis' 2F and Pedro de Miguel's 27F... they are the best instruments I have tried in the student guitars price range (around € 1,200-€1,400). Not exactly beginners guitars, but excellent value for money instruments you'll see many students play, and many pros gig with. You could probably get your hands on a second-hand one for less than €1,000.
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
Exactly. People usually refer the yamaha as a good deal because it costs half of that in america.
I might sell my Alhambra 4F in january, it has developed really well... or maybe Iam playing better (or both, hopefully). You can buy one of those new for less then 400€ and it already comes with an ebony fretboard.
Regarding classical/flamenco guitars in europe, I think it's wise to say that you shouldn't buy new guitars between 400€ and 900€ (store prices for factory made guitars) unless its some special deal where you know exactly what you're getting (bang for buck ratio).
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
Hi again
Just want to tell you that I decided to buy a Mundo Flamenco 3F for first guitar. This guitar will let me learn flamenco as possible and when I get a good step forward with that, so I can look for a real good flamenco that fits best to me.
The Mundo Flamenco 3F will be good as second guitar for outdoor and traveling later too. So no wasted money anyway....
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
Ok but..
Do you think we were telling you any different? The options we gave you were similar (or even cheaper) than that guitar you chose. Now have fun with it.
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
I didnt say anything against that....
And I wrote you that I will take the Mundo Flamenco 3F, not 3AF. This guitar ist under 400,- Euros. I will go to Johannes next week. I hope that I really like the 3F. Otherwise I have to look in his shop what really fits for me and what ist now possible for me to buy....
This week I got some books to learn flamenco, so I need a guitar for that style now...
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
I've looked at pre-owned, for my first flamenco-guitar - and found a Prudencio Saez 22 from a former flamenco-student at the Rotterdam Conservatory, for sale nearby, and went to try it out. In contrast to what the owner told me, the instrument had totally worn frets, plus a crack in one of the sides and a golpeador that was curling at the edges. It DID sound pretty good though.
In the end, I ended up ordering a new one online - I'd vowed to myself to never do that - but it turned out well; the guitar did take several hours of tweaking - sharp fret-edges, too high nuts on head and bridge, frets a bit rough - but the basics were excellent, including a very straight, ebony, fretboard; which is remarkable at the price. The Saez 22 gets very good reviews in general on the web, check it out.
When ordered directly from Spain, it's below 600 euro less shipping/taxes. Do a bit of browsing and you'll find out. All-solid woods, cypress/spruce/ebony board, and although I've heard louder guitars (including my own two classicals), it does sound solid and very "flamenco". The basses are already there, the trebles need to loosen up a bit but that will happen, as I'll take my first (and my first flamenco-specific) guitar-lesson in 20-odd years next Saturday.
I think it's better to buy an all-solid guitar to begin with, as you'll make a relatively small loss if you'd either decide to quit, or decide to upgrade after a while.
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4 guitars, the one that matters here: Prudencio Saez mod. 22, blanca - sounding better every day
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
Hi
I will go to Mundo Flamenco in Freiburg/Germany during the next days and test out some different guitars. Normaly I prefer a full solid guitar. But for travelling and outdoors....? I will look for the 3F for sure, but also for some full solid guitars too.
Im sure that I will be back home up to next weekend with a guitar that will fit my needs for now...
RE: Guitar for Beginner (Flamenco) (in reply to crossoverman)
Have a Mundo Flamenco 3AF for some weeks now, and I think it's a great guitar in itself, not to mention the price tag. A friend of mine also got a Mundo Flamenco 3AF which is even better sound wise, but has some issues as to the workmanship quality. The latter seem to vary quite a bit.
The quality of wood is - for all I know about guitars - rather stunning. The top construction is quite traditional, the air resonance of the body in stringed guitar is as deep as around F! And this, although the body isn't particularly big and the top isn't particularly soft or thinnish. So it seems it is a successful and consistent construction. It exhibits a deep growl in the bass and clear percussive treble with nicely melting and distinguishable chords. One has to work on the setup, though, to get everything really right.
I'm very content with this massive wood guitar and think it will take me quite a way during my studies.
It's a really nice guitar IMHO
best wishes Robert
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