Best classical guitars?
dan...@gate.net
playing a Takamine that I payed $400 for in 1979, but now it's getting a
slight warp in the neck, and it buzzes for a day and a half every time a cold
front comes through. Except on 'buzz' days, this guitar has a wonderful ring
to it that makes it a real joy to play, but I'm beginning to admit to myself
that it's time to move on to a better guitar.
Problem is, I don't know any names. I don't know what makes or models
have good reputations. When I wander into a guitar shop I'm basically
bumbling around in the dark trying out guitars to see how they sound. (My
wife compares it to looking for a new car and not knowing whether a
Mercedes is any better than a Hyundai).
So, what do you consider to be good guitar makes and models? Since my
wife loves my playing I can probably get away with spending a couple of
grand for a very good one. I've been playing for 28 years, but I've only had
a grand total of 3 guitars. (And FWIW my current "repertoire" includes stuff
by Albeniz, Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, and Tarrega, and I'm currently trying to
polish up my playing of Britten's Nocturnal.)
I've been to several guitar shops here in South Florida, and I've played some
very pretty guitars with $1500-2000 price tags, but I've been rather shocked
that only a few of them seem to have as nice a tone and ring as my poor old
Takamine does. (For a quick test I like to compare the 'wedding bells'
harmonics - string 6 frets 6 and 8 - which sound bright on the Takamine even
on worn out months-old strings, but which often sound like you're playing with
gloves on on some of the other guitars I've tried.) Does it take a while for a
new guitar to develop a warm tone? I couldn't play well enough to notice when
I bought the Takamine <g>.
The last guitar instructor I had (10 years ago, lost track of him) had a great
guitar by a luthier in Miami named Paris Bianchetti, but I have not been able
to locate him either.
So, before some salesman talks me out my savings for what turns out to be
a plywood banjo, I'd like to have some advice from you guys on what are the
better guitars on the market today, and what price range is reasonable.
THANKS!!!
Dan
Majjick
others. I would like to make one point, however:
A professional guitarist needs an instrument with enough volume to fill a
large concert hall. That probably means a) you must be able to hit it
hard without it buzzing, which is likely to mean a high action, and b) it
needs to be of the best wood, which is likey to be expensive.
I have heard many guitars in the medium price range whose tone and
playability was the equal of concert instruments costing three times as
much -- they just didn't have the same volume.
If you're not going to be playing Carnegie Hall in the near future, you
may wish to consider whether you need to spend that extra couple of
thousand.
If you want a really really top guitar, be prepared for a long wait. John
Gilbert, when he's backlogged (which is always, as long as I've known
him), recommends up-and-coming luthiers whose work he knows to potential
clients. If they follow his advice, they get a shorter wait and
(probably) a cheaper guitar, by somwone reliably vouched for.
I could ask him for his current recommendations, if you like.
Hope this helps.
Paul Magnussen
DZGuitars
to you. I promise not to try to con you out of your life-savings in
exchange for a plywood banjo, but I can give you a great deal of
information. Give me a call at 310 859-9569 at your convenience. Joe.
And
Please see these magazines:
Frets, Accoustic Guitar, Vintage Guitar, Classical Guitar
some of these magazines have special issues that list most of the
guitar makers and all the guitars made by each
Please examine your favorite guitar CD's for credits.
To buy your guitar examine:
Vintage Guitar (ads), The Recycler (ads), take the time to go to each and
every guitar store in your area and play each and every guitar you can
get your hands on ... it's the only way!
Personal favorites:
Gibson (made in Montana, USA), and guitars made in California
used guitars may not be pretty, but they've already been broken in
keep in mind that the guitar you're testing may need new strings, too
often I've tried used guitars with too-old strings and never really
heard what they were meant to sound like with new strings
Guitar I'm not too sure about:
Ovation (plastic back guitars) because they are plastic and I don't know
if plastic "ages" ... but Adrian Legg with a steel string one sounds
incredible
Remember, read, research, and play as many as you can before you spend.
Andrew
John Scarmalis
>I'm in the market for a classical guitar, and I need some advice. I've been
>playing a Takamine that I payed $400 for in 1979, but now it's getting a
>slight warp in the neck, and it buzzes for a day and a half every time a cold
>front comes through. Except on 'buzz' days, this guitar has a wonderful ring
>to it that makes it a real joy to play, but I'm beginning to admit to myself
>that it's time to move on to a better guitar.
>
>Problem is, I don't know any names. I don't know what makes or models
>have good reputations. When I wander into a guitar shop I'm basically
>bumbling around in the dark trying out guitars to see how they sound. (My
>wife compares it to looking for a new car and not knowing whether a
>Mercedes is any better than a Hyundai).
>
I'm in a similar situation, well perhaps maybe a step ahead. I've been
playing my first guitar for about 22 years now, its a Juan Orozco (one of
Juan Orozco Jr's Japanese imports, vs. one of Orozco Sr's handmades) which
I paid $250 for in 73.
Up until a couple of months ago, I never had my hands on another guitar,
having been in total isolation regarding the classical guitar "scene".
I recently visited a local luthier here in the St Petersburg area, Augustine
LoPrinzi. I was very impressed with the difference between his "showroom
model" solid Indian rosewood/cedar top guitar and my own guitar. It was
much more responsive, had a fuller range and was easier to play, especially
the upper reaches of the finger-board. However, I was not overly impressed
with the price, and the fact that I would need to commission the work (in
other words, buy the guitar sight-unseen).
A few weeks ago, I was in Atlanta and visited George Petsch's guitar shop
(Atlanta Guitar Center??). I had the oppurtunity to play a number of guitars
including a couple of Ramirez's, a Hopf, a Mattingly, and a McGill.
I found that about 4 of the 6 guitars that I played were noticibly better
than my own (my Orozco is solid Indian Rosewood with Spruce top).
I was particularly impressed with an 86 Cedar-top Ramirez 1A. However, the
price tag reduced my enthusiasm ($3500 with and the guitar was not in top
cosmetic shape). I was also very impressed with the Mattingly (can't
remember the year) but it's pricetag was almost as high.
I decided that perhaps a good course of action would be to visit Spain.
I have collected several excellent postings from this newsgroup regarding
luthiers in Barcelona and Madrid. I would like to pose the following
questions to anyone who has had experience buying a guitar in Spain:
1. Can one reasonably expect to go to Spain and get a better value than
one can get in buying a guitar in the states?
2. Do the Luthiers stock guitars that they sell out of their shops?, or
are the guitars generally sold by dealers and/or brokers?
3. Does the Ramirez shop sell guitars directly to people "off the street"?
4. Do the luthiers and local shops stock the better products of the luthiers,
or are the "better" guitars generally shipped to brokers and specific
foreign dealers?
5. What is the duty situation when one re-enters the states?
6. Which is the more fruitful of the Spanish cities to concentrate within?
7. How miserable is the weather and tourist situation during the summer?
Thanks in advance to anyone taking the time to reply.
Regards, John Scarmalis
Bob Alvarenga
>
> I'm in the market for a classical guitar, and I need some advice. I've been
> playing a Takamine that I payed $400 for in 1979, but now it's getting a
> slight warp in the neck, and it buzzes for a day and a half every time a cold
> front comes through. Except on 'buzz' days, this guitar has a wonderful ring
> to it that makes it a real joy to play, but I'm beginning to admit to myself
> that it's time to move on to a better guitar.
>
> Problem is, I don't know any names. I don't know what makes or models
> have good reputations. When I wander into a guitar shop I'm basically
> bumbling around in the dark trying out guitars to see how they sound. (My
> wife compares it to looking for a new car and not knowing whether a
> Mercedes is any better than a Hyundai).
>
> wife loves my playing I can probably get away with spending a couple of
> grand for a very good one. I've been playing for 28 years, but I've only had
> a grand total of 3 guitars. (And FWIW my current "repertoire" includes stuff
> by Albeniz, Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, and Tarrega, and I'm currently trying to
> polish up my playing of Britten's Nocturnal.)
>
> I've been to several guitar shops here in South Florida, and I've played some
> very pretty guitars with $1500-2000 price tags, but I've been rather shocked
> that only a few of them seem to have as nice a tone and ring as my poor old
> Takamine does. (For a quick test I like to compare the 'wedding bells'
> harmonics - string 6 frets 6 and 8 - which sound bright on the Takamine even
> on worn out months-old strings, but which often sound like you're playing with
> gloves on on some of the other guitars I've tried.) Does it take a while for a
> new guitar to develop a warm tone? I couldn't play well enough to notice when
> I bought the Takamine <g>.
>
> The last guitar instructor I had (10 years ago, lost track of him) had a great
> guitar by a luthier in Miami named Paris Bianchetti, but I have not been able
> to locate him either.
>
> So, before some salesman talks me out my savings for what turns out to be
> a plywood banjo, I'd like to have some advice from you guys on what are the
> better guitars on the market today, and what price range is reasonable.
>
> THANKS!!!
>
> Dan
>
If you're moving up from a $400 guitar then the $1000-$2000 range
is probably a reasonable step up. You're just concerned about getting
ripped off? Right?
You live in Florida. Have You checked out Lo Prinzi's? He makes
his guitars right in Clearwater. Perhaps you've tried them and were
disappointed.
I bought one about two years ago, I believe it's an "International
Concert" Model or something like that. It cost me about $1800 (I
bought it in N.Y.C.). It sounds a lot better (especially the lower
strings) than my old guitar which was a Kamaruska (spelling?) made in
Canada. The action is also easier. I can't tell you how much a new
guitar has helped me. You actually look forward to practicing!
It's a big move but a well made guitar is worth every penny.
Go for it!
Bob
Avichay Sela
>If you want a really really top guitar, be prepared for a long wait. John
>Gilbert, when he's backlogged (which is always, as long as I've known
>him), recommends up-and-coming luthiers whose work he knows to potential
>clients. If they follow his advice, they get a shorter wait and
>(probably) a cheaper guitar, by somwone reliably vouched for.
>
>I could ask him for his current recommendations, if you like.
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>Paul Magnussen
Yes, Please ask him.
Thanks,
Avichay Sela.
Yuri Ludevig
be
>a plywood banjo, I'd like to have some advice from you guys on what are
the
>better guitars on the market today, and what price range is reasonable
for about 5K). If you'd want my personal advice I would go to Spain
(Granada) and buy a guitar there. You'll spend $1000 for a trip, will
have a lot of fun and will end up buying a good guitar ($1000-$2000) that
costs in US twice as much. From what I heard there is a street there
that you just go from shop to shop and can find a good guitar in a couple
of days. I'm sure there are people on the net that can provide you with
addresses and all the info you need.
Good Luck!
Yuri
Steve Rosen
It's what feels and sounds good to you that should be the sole criteria
for your purchase. Even professional performers differ on the type of sound
and playing action they prefer. It's easier to get consensus on a really
bad (dead) guitar. You've played long enough to know what you want.
Above all, play lots of good guitars and bring your old guitar as a test or
benchmark to compare against. When you think you've found the one you
desire, bring it to one or more "experts" professional classical guitarists
and teachers for conformation. You might also take it to a quality repair
expert to test. I bought my Ramirez (used) only after a 2 month search in
Los Angeles.
I assume you've thought about getting the buzz fixed on your old guitar.
not knowing whether a Mercedes is any better
>than a Hyundai).
more difficult and subjective.
Mark Basinski - UA School of Music
>I decided that perhaps a good course of action would be to visit Spain.
I agree, even if you don't have anything to do with guitar! It's worth it just
to spend the whole time eating and drinking!
I don't know if I can give anything more than my experiences from 10 years ago,
but hre they are:
>I have collected several excellent postings from this newsgroup regarding
>luthiers in Barcelona and Madrid. I would like to pose the following
>questions to anyone who has had experience buying a guitar in Spain:
>
Add Granada to that list! There are many many good makers in Granada (including
my faves, Francisco Santiago Marin, Antonio Marin Montero, and many others).
>1. Can one reasonably expect to go to Spain and get a better value than
> one can get in buying a guitar in the states?
>
If you mean "is the cost of going to Spain plus the cost of the guitar in spain
less than buying the same guitar in the us?" my guess would be no - but if you
are going to blow some cash on a trip anywhere, and would like to go to Spain,
and also want to get a guitar, it's an opportunity not to be missed!
>2. Do the Luthiers stock guitars that they sell out of their shops?, or
> are the guitars generally sold by dealers and/or brokers?
>
Depends on the builder and on the various models. I think Ramirez is a big
enough enterprise that they have lots of guitars (of various levels of quality)
on hand, though my experience was that the people in the shop were not all that
eager to bring out their best instruments for some American who just walked in
off the street - it may take some persistence to try the better of the guitars
on hand.
In Madrid, the shop of Manuel Contreras (who died last year, I was very sad to
learn) had many fine top quality guitars in the shop for sale and many
intermediate quality guitars too. I thought that those were the best values I'd
seen - good, hand-finished guitars with solid tops for under $1000 (back then
some were much less) that would sell for twice their price in the US.
Some makers, like Paco Santiago Marin or Antonio Marin Montero, have waiting
lists for their top quality guitars (I visited Santiago Marin's shop in 84 and
ordered a guitar, which I received a year later, and it is a really excellent
instrument - I played it for 8 years, ended up trading it to my guitar teacher
(I wanted a bigger instrument) and he sold it for $3300, and then later bought
it back from the person he sold it to!
>3. Does the Ramirez shop sell guitars directly to people "off the street"?
>
Yes, but see above - I got the feeling that they would rather unload their "not
particularly good" instruments on the walk-ins if they can - caveat emptor!
>4. Do the luthiers and local shops stock the better products of the luthiers,
> or are the "better" guitars generally shipped to brokers and specific
> foreign dealers?
>
I think it varies, but many shops do have top quality guitars on hand.
>5. What is the duty situation when one re-enters the states?
>
When my Marin was shipped here from Spain, the duty was 13-14%
>6. Which is the more fruitful of the Spanish cities to concentrate within?
>
Madrid (especially the Contreras shop! at Calle Mayor 80)
Granada - many many builders
Barcelona? I don't know of any shops there myself - Barcelona has the glamour
of being the home of the Fleta family, but you ain't gonna get a guitar from
them any time soon!
>7. How miserable is the weather and tourist situation during the summer?
>
? I live in arizona (where the temperature is over 100 every day in the summer
usually) so I dunno what you mean? Sure there are tourists, and yes it gets
hot, but don't let that stop you...the joke about Madrid is "nueve meses de
invierno y tres meses de infierno" (nine months of winter and three months of
HELL!) but there's plenty of good cool spanish white wine to cool you off!
Mark Basinski University of Arizona
Adjunct Assistant Professor School of Music
Gerald A. Wilson
>
> >So, before some salesman talks me out my savings for what turns out to
> be
> >a plywood banjo, I'd like to have some advice from you guys on what are
>
>
a friend (who has since become my guitar teacher). It's sound was so
great that I sold my 30 year old Rolex and traded in my 1A for the SP.
It was a big deal around our house and my wife took some time to adjust
to the "big" (read "extravagant") purchase. I'd really recommend either
guitar from my own experience. I'm the rankest amateur, but the guitar
gives me great satisfaction and great commitment to my practicising. You'll
spend a lot of money on things that will never give you the joy of sound
and of ownership. Buy the best you can stretch yourself to! I did and
I have never regretted spending the money. Nothing I have owned in my
life has given me greater pleasure. Gerry
Bill Young
: I decided that perhaps a good course of action would be to visit Spain.
: I have collected several excellent postings from this newsgroup regarding
: luthiers in Barcelona and Madrid. I would like to pose the following
: questions to anyone who has had experience buying a guitar in Spain:
I did this in February 1994 so the following information is about a year
old.
: 1. Can one reasonably expect to go to Spain and get a better value than
: one can get in buying a guitar in the states?
In general yes, for guitars made in Spain. Especially, flamenco guitars.
It is very hard to get a decent flamenco guitars in the US for less than
$1,000.
However, if your dream guitar is not a Ramirez nor a Contreras but
some top models from some "hot" luthiers, you will most likely come home
empty-handed. There is usually a waiting list for guitars that are in
"high demand". Also, when the guitar is ready, if you go to Spain to pick
it up then your cost goes up. If you have the guitar shipped to you, you
have to spend several hundred dollars more for shipping, insurance, and
duty.
: 2. Do the Luthiers stock guitars that they sell out of their shops?, or
: are the guitars generally sold by dealers and/or brokers?
You can walk in larger shops like Ramirez and Contreras and choose from
hundreds of guitars in stock. Prices range from $1,000 - $6,000.
: 3. Does the Ramirez shop sell guitars directly to people "off the street"?
Yes.
: 4. Do the luthiers and local shops stock the better products of the luthiers,
: or are the "better" guitars generally shipped to brokers and specific
: foreign dealers?
Depends on the luthiers.
: 5. What is the duty situation when one re-enters the states?
Depends on the price of the guitars. It could range from 12% - 18%.
: 6. Which is the more fruitful of the Spanish cities to concentrate within?
I would say Madrid and Granada. But it really depends on what kind of sound
you are looking for.
Madrid:
Manuel Rodriguez, Vincente Camacho, Manuel Contreras, Paulino Bernabe,
Felix Manzanero, Juan Alvarez, Marcelino Lopez are some of the makers of
the Madrid School. Down the street from the Contreras shop is Ignacio
Rozas. I think he used to work in the Contreras shop. I tried one of his
cedar tops and was very impressed. The guitar was clear, sweet, and
projecting. It was very different from Contreras or Ramirez. Also,
there is a waiting list for Rozas.
Cordoba:
Miguel Rodriguez (waiting list).
Granada:
Antonio Marin Montero, Jose Marin Plazuelo, Jose Lopez Bellido, Rene
Baarslag, Jonathan Hinves, Bernd Martin. Don't expect to walk in and out
with a concert model from any of these shops. There is a waiting list of
six months to a year for these makers.
Barcelona:
Fleta. If you order now, you will get one in the year 2010. They only
make 10 guitars a year. Unlike some other luthiers, the queue is
strictly FIFO (First In First Out), i.e. no preemption is allowed :-).
If a recording artist wants a Fleta, (s)he still has to wait for 15 years.
: 7. How miserable is the weather and tourist situation during the summer?
Summer is hot and the air fare is higher. Winter is the low season but it
could get very cold. I was rather surprised to see snow in Granada.
Good luck,
Bill Young
byo...@cup.hp.com
dan...@gate.net
>I'm a little out of touch these days, so I'll leave the specifics to
>others. I would like to make one point, however:
>
>A professional guitarist needs an instrument with enough volume to fill a
>large concert hall. That probably means a) you must be able to hit it
>hard without it buzzing, which is likely to mean a high action, and b) it
>needs to be of the best wood, which is likey to be expensive.
>
>I have heard many guitars in the medium price range whose tone and
>playability was the equal of concert instruments costing three times as
>much -- they just didn't have the same volume.
>
>
>If you're not going to be playing Carnegie Hall in the near future, you
>may wish to consider whether you need to spend that extra couple of
>thousand.
>
>Gilbert, when he's backlogged (which is always, as long as I've known
>him), recommends up-and-coming luthiers whose work he knows to potential
>clients. If they follow his advice, they get a shorter wait and
>(probably) a cheaper guitar, by somwone reliably vouched for.
>
>I could ask him for his current recommendations, if you like.
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>Paul Magnussen
Paul, thanks for your kind offer and YES! I would very much like to hear of
any luthiers that John Gilbert recommends. I don't know if you received my
offline e-mail or not, but how are payments arranged when you hire a luthier
to build you one of his guitars? Do you pay up front? Or do you just get in
line for first rights to buy his next available guitar? Thanks!
And thanks to one and all for your responses, this thread has some great ideas
and advice about finding a good instrument. (And I'll probably be swinging
up to Tampa/St. Pete on my next vacation to check out LoPrinzi...)
Dan
Markku Laakso
and find the shop called "Casa Luthier". They sell guitars from several
makers from different parts of Spain, Granada and Madrid for example.
The prices are a little bit lower if you go directly to the maker, but in this
shop You can compare guitars and make Your choise very easily.
I bought an excellent Bernabe two years ago, and I got very good and honest
service.
Best wishes,
Markku Laakso
Sibelius-Academy
Finland
hsch...@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
: It was a big deal around our house and my wife took some time to adjust
: to the "big" (read "extravagant") purchase.
Seems as though they will never understand... *grin*
: Nothing I have owned in my life has given me greater pleasure. Gerry
I don't have a Ramirez, I have a Brandt... but I feel the same way
Kuan
David Weller
And <asa...@neptune.calstatela.edu> wrote:
>Guitar I'm not too sure about:
>Ovation (plastic back guitars) because they are plastic and I don't know
>if plastic "ages" ... but Adrian Legg with a steel string one sounds
>incredible
>
My $0.02 on Ovation: The Clebrity is an acoustic restrung with nylon
strings. The neck is small (like an acoustic), and the strings roll
very easily off the frets. Unless you're a hard-core acoustic
player, just looking to pick up and plunk on a classic every once in
a while, I'd recommend passing.
--
Frustrated with C, C++, Pascal, Fortran? Ada95 _might_ be for you!
For all sorts of interesting Ada95 tidbits, run the command:
"finger dwe...@starbase.neosoft.com | more" (or e-mail with "finger" as subj.)
if u cn rd ths, u r gd enuf to chg to Ada :-)
Ioannis (Yanni) G. Tollis
I recently found a used Ramirez R-1 guitar, with a hardcase.
I have the following questions:
1) Is is hand made by the Ramirez workshop?
2) What types of woods is it made of?
3) Is it considered a good guitar?
4) What is a reasonable price?
5) What other alternatives are thereshould I look at,
if I decide not to buy it?
Thanks in advance,
Yanni
RichMLong
at Augustino Guitars, Clearwater, FL. 813-447-2276. He makes beautiful
instruments, reasonably priced, and you can go to his shop and play
several. There are a number of other fine guitar makers in
Florida--Velazquez in Orlando, Quintana in Miami, etc. Good luck.
Richard Long
John Scarmalis
is mostly directed to Bill Young since I could not reach 'hplabs' via email:
Bill; I received a cc which indicates that I didn't receive your
posting which answered my Spanish Luthier questions,
unfortunately (for me) our news-server was down when that posting arrived.
I did collect your excellent article on the schools of Madrid and
Granada (late last year?) and the "waiting lists". If you happened
to save the reply to my posting, (or if anyone else did) I would greatly
appreciate it if you could re-send to my email address, otherwise,
thanks for the original reply.
P.S... Congratulations on the Antonio Marin, hope it arrives intact....
...BTW what does it take to commission a Marin and/or a Fleta?
Thanks and regards,
John Scarmalis
Bentley1
actual Ramirez workshop.
It has a solid cedar top and laminated mahagony back and sides.
Original list price was $1,099 with case.
I would say $500-600 would be a good price to pay for it.
-Mark
TMKID
you can order an Antonio Marin guitar and expect to receive it in a year
or so, you cannot order a guitar from the Fletas (hijos) since their
waiting list is over twenty years long and they are not young men. The
only way to obtain a Fleta is used or from a dealer who has bought a
position or to buy a position yourself -- which is difficult.
Still, unless you are an expert, the best way to buy either a Fleta
or Marin or any fine concert classical guitar is to buy from a dealer who
can help insure you get a guitar you like and can service you down the
road should something go wrong (which it invariably does).
If you'd like more information, feel free to call me at my shop,
Guitar Salon, International in Santa Monica, California 310 399-2181, or
e-mail me at Guit...@aol.com (or my personal e-mail address above is
fine, too).
Good luck,
Tim Miklaucic
TMKID
(which means 1st Class) guitars are made in the shop of Jose Ramirez, the
others are made in a factory outside of Madrid according the
specifications given by the Ramirez workshop. I think $500 to $600 is a
bit low for a price unless the guitar is used. For a new one, I think
$800-$1000 is reasonable.
However, you might consider a guitar from Ricardo Sanchis (Valencia,
Spain) whose Concierto model has solid top, solid rosewood sides and
laminated rosewood back, good workmanship and an authentic Spanish sound.
You can check with your local Guitar Center in Dallas (they may have
stock of this instrument) or you can give us a call at the Guitar Salon,
International in Santa Monica, CA 310 399-2181. Price is $1,200-$1,400.
Some used ones are available for just under $1,000. I suggest beginning
with a budget and then looking. It's easier to get good advice that way.
Yours sincerely,
Tim Miklaucic
Squall
made by hand. Distinctions should be made--after all there are good and
bad factories--but "factory made" and "hand made" are hardly relevant
categories when it comes to quality, playability, and sound. In the steel
string world, Martin and Gibson guitars are "factory made," but that
doesn't mean they are not quality instruments--in fact, they are the
finest in the world.
Here is a relevant quotation from Jose Ramirez IV from the current Ramirez
booklet, and he is referring to all Ramirez guitars: "The work performed
at my shop is totally artisan insofar as the guitar itself is concerned.
Therefore, from start to finish the guitar gradually takes form in the
hands of the craftsman. Once it is finished in wood, it passes on to the
varnishing and finishing process. I personally am in charge of supervising
the process to control the quality of each guitar. Once completed, I check
them again in order to assure myself that there is nothing to be corrected
in their construction."
Of course, he may be lying.
Matt
E-mail: Squ...@aol.com
Bill Young
: In answer to your question about ordering a Marin or Fleta, whereas
: you can order an Antonio Marin guitar and expect to receive it in a year
: or so,
True.
> you cannot order a guitar from the Fletas (hijos) since their
: waiting list is over twenty years long and they are not young men.
False :-). You can put your name on the Fleta waiting list. The waiting
list is 15 - 17 years long. Ignacio Fleta (the original) passed away in
the 70's. Most guitar books and magazines still mention that Fletas are
built by Ignacio's two sons Francisco and Gabriel. The fact is Francisco
(b. 1925) has retired. Gabriel (b. 1929) and his son (he looks thirty-
something me) make about 10 guitars a year.
: The only way to obtain a Fleta is used or from a dealer who has bought a
: position or to buy a position yourself -- which is difficult.
Or look in the ads section of guitar magazines or call up some Fleta
owners and give them an offer that they can't refuse. However, if
you need a Fleta for your debut at Carnegie next month and you have
$25,000 - $30,000 then contact your local authorized Fleta dealer :-).
: Still, unless you are an expert, the best way to buy either a Fleta
: or Marin or any fine concert classical guitar is to buy from a dealer who
: can help insure you get a guitar you like and can service you down the
: road should something go wrong (which it invariably does).
: If you'd like more information, feel free to call me at my shop,
: Guitar Salon, International in Santa Monica, California 310 399-2181, or
: e-mail me at Guit...@aol.com (or my personal e-mail address above is
: fine, too).
: Good luck,
: Tim Miklaucic
Tim, good to see you here. I've always enjoyed receiving your newsletter.
Perhaps you can post your recent article on "commonly asked questions"
to this newsgroup.
Cheers,
Bill Young
byo...@cup.hp.com
Steve Rosen
> Jose Ramirez IV from the current Ramirez booklet, and he is referring to
all
What does this mean? All artisans are not equal in ability. I was told
that at one time it was a practice to look inside the Ramirez guitar with a
dentist mirror for certain initials showing the particular sought after
Ramirez craftsman primarily responsible for the work. As the factory grew
and the volume of production increased, more work was delegated to more
people i.e. a production line, albeit a quality production line. Consistant
high quality produciton is more difficult for Ramirez than Mercedes.
Ramirez does makes some great guitars. I love mine but I've played others
I would not want to own. The showroom in Madrid is known for trying to sell
their less desirable (sordo) guitars to tourists.
IMO there is a difference when a single luthier does all the construction
for a single instrument.
GuitSalon
Thanks for the update on Fleta. The last time I was in the shop on Calle
Los Angeles in the late 80's, the list was over 20 years... but who's
counting? I knew Francisco had semi-retired (from ill health, or so I was
told), and the Gabriel continued with only little help from his brother.
But I also heard that his son did not want to continue making guitars.
Sounds like you have more recent news. Can you tell me how you know this?
Were you at the shop?
Also, thanks for your kind comments about my newsletter/mailer. I
hadn't thought about posting it in this newsgroup, but I'd be happy to.
Any recommendations, what to call it, etc. Should I make each
question/answer a separate post, or all together? I'm new to the Net and
would appreciate any advice on how to make the info most useful.
Very truly yours,
Tim Miklaucic
gsm
Alright! The Guitar Salon is on the net! Glad to see y'all here. I
take such joy in dreaming hopelessly over your periodic catalogs.
: Also, thanks for your kind comments about my newsletter/mailer. I
: hadn't thought about posting it in this newsgroup, but I'd be happy to.
Great!
: Any recommendations, what to call it, etc. Should I make each
: question/answer a separate post, or all together? I'm new to the Net and
: would appreciate any advice on how to make the info most useful.
Tim, the most important thing is to avoid obvious advertisement, or at
least be discreet. Do it and then go away. Hawking products ad nauseum
on the net is a good way to build animosity.
I would suggest a single large post, if possible. Even better if you get
with someone with a website where you can store them. Then you can
periodicially tell use where we can find them and we can go get them
ourselves. There's certainly no reason for the accusation of advertising
this way.
On the other hand, I personally don't want to go to that trouble. I'd
rather just find it here and look at it.
If it has no mention of actual products or services for sale, then you
can do it however you like. I personally would like to see it all in a
single message.
Welcome to the net!
--
///--- Gerry
-------------------------------------------------------------------
| There are two kinds of people in this world: those that divide |
| people into two groups of people, and those that don't. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Dickof
> ...it really depends on what kind of sound you are looking for.
and I've heard this before. So, what are the spanish characteristics
in sound vs. Northern European? How are the instruments different
within Spain? Is it mostly about individual makers, or is there really
a Madrid sound, a Granada sound, etc? What about American or Japanese
makers, what camps do they fall in? What are the strenghts and
weaknesses of each of these sounds? How big of an issue is this
compared to spruce vs. cedar?
Peter Dickof pdi...@eagle.wbm.ca
Jonathan Nagy
:
: hadn't thought about posting it in this newsgroup, but I'd be happy to.
: question/answer a separate post, or all together? I'm new to the Net and
: would appreciate any advice on how to make the info most useful.
: Very truly yours,
: Tim Miklaucic
Tim,
I just received your newsletter in the mail and would also like to
compliment you on the excellent format and informative advice. It has
information which I'm sure many readers of this group would find useful -
the group would certainly appreciate it if you posted the newsletter here.
My suggestion would be to keep the question/answer format and to post
the whole thing as a single post, rather than split it up.
Regards,
Jonathan Nagy
Bill Young
: Bill,
:
: Thanks for the update on Fleta. The last time I was in the shop on Calle
: Los Angeles in the late 80's, the list was over 20 years... but who's
: counting? I knew Francisco had semi-retired (from ill health, or so I was
: told), and the Gabriel continued with only little help from his brother.
: But I also heard that his son did not want to continue making guitars.
: Sounds like you have more recent news. Can you tell me how you know this?
: Were you at the shop?
I was at the Fleta shop on the second floor of Calle de los Angeles in 2/94.
My name is in their register and I also have photos to prove :-)
: Also, thanks for your kind comments about my newsletter/mailer. I
: hadn't thought about posting it in this newsgroup, but I'd be happy to.
: Any recommendations, what to call it, etc. Should I make each
: question/answer a separate post, or all together? I'm new to the Net and
: would appreciate any advice on how to make the info most useful.
I think it should be in one post. Questions and answers on spruce vs cedar,
the different guitar schools (Madrid, Granada, American, Northern European,
Japanese, etc.) would be helpful.
Thanks,
Bill Young
byo...@cup.hp.com