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Why are flamenco guitars so expensive?
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ZaidRockso
Posts: 64
Joined: Dec. 20 2013
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 Why are flamenco guitars so expensive?
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Just curious, what makes flamenco guitars expensive? Looking at salvador guitars, Manuel reyes, Hermanos, Manuel Andalid , the prices are really steep, i'm in no way saying that they're not worth the buck, but just wondering what makes them so expensive compared to electric guitars? I have an Ibanez Japanese custom i got for roughly 3k , and it's truly a masterpiece, never heard nicer sustain, and i'm not aware of many electric guitars that are more expensive than it. With classical , flamenco guitars, the cheapest " Decent / concert " guitar is at 3k, while for electric , probably the most expensive is at 3k.
Thanks
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Date Nov. 9 2014 17:52:52
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ZaidRockso
Posts: 64
Joined: Dec. 20 2013
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RE: Why are flamenco guitars so expe... (in reply to ZaidRockso)
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Alright, if that's the case, like i said, in the electric world, a 1,000$ guitar does wonders, i have an LTD H1001, which was for roughly 800$ , and it plays as good as many other much more expensive guitars . Where can i find " concert " level flamenco guitars that weren't hand built but actually play wonderful ? If someone could name a few good ones that would be great, and particular models , not just " cordoba " or manuel rodrigues , etc. I can't see myself affording a 3000-4000$ guitar anytime in the near future.
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Date Nov. 9 2014 19:07:02
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Richard Jernigan
Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
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RE: Why are flamenco guitars so expe... (in reply to ZaidRockso)
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There seems to be general agreement that luthier made flamenco guitars are better than mass produced ones. This appears to be less so for electrics.
A normal rate of production for an individual luthier is somewhere around 12 guitars per year. At $3,000 per guitar, this is $36,000 per year. Deducting the cost of materials and supplies, the luthier makes somewhere around $30,000 per year. This is likely to be less than what the average worker in a guitar "factory" operation makes.
The individual luthier's pay rises above subsistence level only if he becomes famous. Becoming famous involves not only producing excellent guitars, but having the good luck of having an instrument in the hands of a famous player. Famous players are rarer than luthiers, and luck plays a big part in the process.
The "factory" guitar price profits from the economy of mass production. The drawback is that each piece of wood is different. The individual luthier can take this into account. Since mass produced guitars are all made to the same dimensions, the design usually tends toward thicker tops to guard against mechanical failure for the weakest pieces of wood used. This has a poor effect on the sound.
Once an individual luthier becomes famous, factors other than the quality of his instruments come into play in determining the price.
RNJ
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Date Nov. 9 2014 20:21:57
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tri7/5
Posts: 570
Joined: May 5 2012
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RE: Why are flamenco guitars so expe... (in reply to ZaidRockso)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ZaidRockso
Just curious, what makes flamenco guitars expensive? Looking at salvador guitars, Manuel reyes, Hermanos, Manuel Andalid , the prices are really steep, i'm in no way saying that they're not worth the buck, but just wondering what makes them so expensive compared to electric guitars? I have an Ibanez Japanese custom i got for roughly 3k , and it's truly a masterpiece, never heard nicer sustain, and i'm not aware of many electric guitars that are more expensive than it. With classical , flamenco guitars, the cheapest " Decent / concert " guitar is at 3k, while for electric , probably the most expensive is at 3k.
Thanks
You need to take a look around the electric world a bit outside of LTD and Ibanez. There are alot, ALOT of electric guitars north of 3k.
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Date Nov. 9 2014 20:42:42
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Anders Eliasson
Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006
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RE: Why are flamenco guitars so expe... (in reply to jmb)
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quote:
Totally agree. Good violin prices(new), for example, are a scandal.
That makes me curious. How much is that? You can get new chineese violins for a bit more than a 1000,-€
Handmade new violins from wellknown builders can be found for 4000,-€ and up.
The first that I sold, was 2000,-€ and the next will be more expensive.
Please remember that building a violin is VERY labour intensive unlees you have a full CNC setup and make production instruments.
As Morante said, Flamenco (and classical) guitars are very cheap. Go to your local symphony orchestra and ask a "simple" member how much they payed for their instrument, being violin, cello, flute, trumpet etc.
_____________________________
Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/
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Date Nov. 10 2014 7:56:29
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Or look at Zemaitis, or Gretsch White Falcon or Fender Custom shop. A hand made Fender costs more than most handmade flamencos, 
