Buying a guitar in Prague?
Charles Meyer
will be there until May of next year and would like to continue my
guitar studies during my free time. First and foremost, I need a new
guitar. My nylon axe is an old Yamaha, and while it has been a
wonderful first instrument, I currently find myself needing better
intonation, more volume, and more clarity of tone. While I have
considered a few guitars here in the states (the KH Munich tops my
list currently) I am interested to see what kind of deal I could get
in Prague.
Do any of you know of luthiers or guitar shops over there? I am
looking to spend about $1500. I am open to ANY instrument, new or
used. I want a luthier-built entry-level concert guitar. Basically I
want something that will last a lifetime of amature playing. I don't
plan on being a professional guitarist, so an absolute concert
instrument is not necessary. I think that because of Prague's
isolation from Western luthiers during the Soviet-bloc era, there must
be many wonderful un-heard-of guitars floating around the city at
affordable prices, I just don't know where to find them.
Do you think that I will be able to find a better instrument over
there? Or should I continue looking here in the states? Thank you
for your consideration.
Charles
David Kilpatrick
Charles Meyer wrote:
this one's been answered a few times before - look for Furch or Fursch,
luthiers subcontracted to Lakewood and making the Stanford brand for UK
and US markets. Top quality, make comparable to Fylde or Lakewood or K
Yairi in quality.
David
Matanya Ophee
>I will be going to Prague at the end of the summer to teach English. I
>will be there until May of next year and would like to continue my
>guitar studies during my free time. First and foremost, I need a new
>guitar. My nylon axe is an old Yamaha, and while it has been a
>wonderful first instrument, I currently find myself needing better
>intonation, more volume, and more clarity of tone. While I have
>considered a few guitars here in the states (the KH Munich tops my
>list currently) I am interested to see what kind of deal I could get
>in Prague.
A much better deal. There is a town in Western Czech Republic called
Luby u Chebu, which is home to as many guitar makers as
Markneukirchen. The one I like is a young fellow named Jiri Matusek. I
bought a guitar from him for my grandson a couple of years ago for
$850.- the kind that goes for around 3 grand in the US. First class
instrument. Another well known makers is a father and son team by the
name of Schneider. If you run into problems finding them, call
Jaroslav Kormunda, Masarykova 322, 35137 Luby u Chebu
Tel.: + 420 166 59 61 96, Fax: + 420 166 59 61 96.
As for teachers in Prague, there is one fellow named Stepan Rak...
This is the director of the Kutna Hora festival and he would know
these guys. Tell him Matanya sent you.
Matanya Ophee
Editions Orphe'e, Inc.,
1240 Clubview Blvd. N.
Columbus, OH 43235-1226
614-846-9517
fax: 614-846-9794
http://www.orphee.com
http://www.orphee.com/rmcg/album-rmcg/album.html
http://www.savageclassical.com/rmcg/album-rmcg/album.html
http://tinyurl.com/37eyo
JoeT
There is a music store I would recommend visiting in Prague. It won't likely
have a big selection but it is a nice store. Go to the castle. behind the
castle is a lane with the houses that were lived in by alchemists. This is a
famous little bit in Prague history. Continue walking towards the top of the
hill and there is a series of shops on the left hand side. The music store
is there if it is still in business. When I was in Amsterdam a couple of
years ago I found a great classical guitar shop in the Jordaan (Joordan) and
I bought a nice laminate for around $500 at a store a little more central
that had quite a selection of guitars. More than Guitar Solo here in S.F. I
did not see a big music store in Prague. I would follow Matanya's suggestion
and go find some local builders. That would be a great treat. Otherwise book
a flight to Amsterdam for the weekend ... although I'm sure Berlin has some
nice music stores too ... Europe ... what's not to love?
Joe
"Charles Meyer" <cjm...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cdc4e563.04051...@posting.google.com...
zeppi
0042/0354/596148 (Michal, that's the son) or
00420/166/596148 (Jan, that's the father). (It's suspicious that they
have the
same ending, but at least one should work).
I have been to a concert here in Prague played by Jirmal and Klaus
recently,
they played instruments built by the Schneider's. I don't remember
their prices, but for $1500 you'll get one of their top instruments.
I have a flyer, if you want I can scan in and send it to you.
Tibor
Matanya Ophee <m.o...@orphee.com> wrote in message news:<uekka0lqog4brra1e...@4ax.com>...
JoeT
"zeppi" <meinc...@web.de> wrote in message
news:e0c392a0.0405...@posting.google.com...
Charles Meyer
luthiers and teachers in particular will be very helpful to my search
for a guitar. I have heard a lot of good things about the musical
atmosphere of the city, and am looking forward to experiencing it
myself. Thanks again!
Charles
luctor
If you need the name of a really good luthiers in Czech Republic I suggest
you Jan Schneider, i think that he's the best in his country. He lives in
Luby u Chebu, Czech Republic.
Luciano Tortorelli
"Charles Meyer" <cjm...@hotmail.com> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:cdc4e563.04052...@posting.google.com...
Mike Harris
I agree that the two known Czech luthiers are the Schneiders and Petr
Matousek, however I had no luck in contacting the Schneiders myself, I
had the impression they were no longer working, perhaps.
Matousek has a website: www.mujweb.cz/www/matousekguitar/
There isn't a good music store in Prague for guitars, at least if one
is not interested in a Spanish instrument for around $1500 but instead
wishes to find something more "exotic".
I already have a very good '78 Contreras and ended up buying a
"preowned" 1958 Edgar Moench in Germany.
Feel free to contact me when you are in Prague if you want any more
information.
Mike H