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Hi guys. I finally decided to buy my first flamenco guitar. I made a lot of research (red a lot posts and watch some videos). The choice is difficult because of very limited choice in Norway. I know decision is mine but many of you have for sure some advices for the perspective of time and experience. Btw I play for quite a long time now an old Admira Sevilla - which is quite basic classical model. Basically i wanted tu buy Camps Cut-500S, but after reading some topics and reconsidering how often I could play higher than 12th fret i decided to drop both cut off and electronics (just wanted for some home recordings, but not needed). So the model m5s would be the one to go https://www.guitarfromspain.com/en/flamenco-blanca/57-camps-m5s-flamenco-guitar.html But then I tried in the shop Hermanos Camps Primera (first flamenco guitar i played) and it felt so great and so much easier to play than my Admira. The thing is it coast so much more than m5s (which i haven't tried).
So i have 2 questions: 1. Maybe someone of you had a chance to compare those 2 guitars? Would it be a big difference?
I won't have an opportunity to try them before buying. Do you think / know if the difference in price is only because the brand is less known and maybe more fancy or it would reflect the real difference in quality / playability etc.
RE: A little help with buying a firs... (in reply to Kerad)
My friend and co-founder of the Peña de Irlanda has a Gerundino. Problems of amplication and wear on the guitar prompted him to buy a Camps cutaway with pickup and he is very pleased. Now it is the only guitar he plays on gigs.
RE: A little help with buying a firs... (in reply to Kerad)
Seems like wherever you get a new guitar make sure they have a liberal return policy.
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
Posts: 208
Joined: Mar. 29 2017
From: The Netherlands
RE: A little help with buying a firs... (in reply to Kerad)
I played the camps-500 (not with cut) and I realy loved THAT PARTICULAR one. So much I almost bought it on teh spot. It is one of the few guitars over the years, I played and remembered. Alhambra are for my feeling alwyas a bit more heavy and dull. But that is completely subjective.
Anyway, You can not go wrong with any of them I think.
The reason for me to consider a version with a cutaway, is that you often play with capo. For some falseta's it is recomended to start with capo as far down as on 6th fret. In these cases, the extra room at the bottom makes sence.
RE: A little help with buying a firs... (in reply to Schieper)
Thank you guys for all your replies.
I've heard and red a lot of good stuff about Camps guitars as you confirmed. I also had a chance to play Camps Primera and one basic flamenco model of alhambra 2f or 3f. The difference was so big, that i'll probably go for Primera. On the top of everything I think it might be easier to sell it here in my country.
Ernandez R > here in Europe there's always at least 2 weeks return policy, but Norway isn't EU member which complicates a bit things with taxes. It's possible, but I'd like to avoid it.