Almansa 413

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Almansa 413

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mrstwinkle

Posts: 551
Joined: May 14 2017

Almansa 413

Bought one of these for fifty quid off ebay. to use as a beater travel guitar - and I fancied having a cheapy blanca. Has a big cosmetic scratch down the front so a bit ugly. so review is aimed as someone wanting to start out with a beginner guitar or needs a 2nd travel instrument.

First impressions, not great. The tuners are just nasty, with rattly sticky mechanism. Not an expensive fix - as I like black rollers and would have swapped anyway, but factory ones are just bad. Other worrying point was the nasty plastic nut and saddle. The saddle was cut too thin for the slot so was at an odd angle because it was also WAY too high. Again, I swapped out with cheap Chinese bone for not much cash, but for a beginner this could be an issue.

The guitar I got had no golpeador - not sure if this is because second hand or if they sell some with or without?

More subjectively, the neck is too fat. Compared to by Valeriano Bernals, 2.4mm fatter most of the way (approx 10 percent). As it is a beater, I spokeshaved it down and relacquered the back of the neck. Now looks a bit crappy from the rear, but isn't annoying.

On the plus, I like the shape of the headstock and if it weren't for the big scratch would look quite nice I reckon. Not trying too hard to be modern.

So far, not great. But on the plus. It sounds pretty good for a cheap instrument. Reasonably well balanced sound for a blanca - not quite as bright as the Cordoba F7 and could be said to sound a bit old-school. Running my finger inside I can feel only 3 braces which is perhaps a little non standard.

Overall I'm happy i bought it but I got if for under an eighth normal new price and am happy to tinker. For a first guitar at RRP, my old Cordoba F7 would be a better bet.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 15 2018 9:50:04

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Almansa 413 (in reply to mrstwinkle)

Thanks for the heads up. Always amusing to read a brutally honest review

quote:

ORIGINAL: mrstwinkle
On the plus, I like the shape of the headstock and .... It sounds pretty good for a cheap instrument.

Glad it wasn't all negative for you.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 15 2018 12:43:54

mrstwinkle

Posts: 551
Joined: May 14 2017

RE: Almansa 413 (in reply to Dudnote)

Thanks. It might come across as negative, but I don't set the point of reviews where no criticism is made.... As it stands, in the context of the price and that I don't mind tinkering, I'm very happy with it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 15 2018 13:40:07

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 21 2019 8:23:58