First classical, buying tips, value makers
 

Hello,

I'm looking to buy my first classical guitar and don't know where to start. Actually, I had a cheap one years ago that sounded pretty good... an Esteban I think it was called.

Can anyone recommend a small builder that is a good value. Anyone have any experience with...

http://www.mangore.com/contrera.html

Or any good value builder. I usually buy used if available, but some of the guitars have lifetime warranties, then I might go with new.

It will be used for folk, blues type playing.

Or direct me to previous posts if helpful.

Thank you!

Steven

Oh my...if this forum is anything like another forum I am on, get ready for a firestorm concerning this maker.

over the last few years I've had a wide range of classicals.....Loriente, Larrivee, Yairi etc......the one I kept that blew them all away is the one in my sig line.....the Lucida 755. I actually had two or three of the Lucida 777 (rosewood as opposed to Mahogany on the 755) and like the 755 much better. I use it exclusively for open C tuning and fingerstyle. All solid wood, nice rosette (no ugly pinks and greens - LOL) and pretty well constructed for an instrument in it's price point (which is very attractive, especially used.....)

What's your budget?

Here's two thoughts for all solid classicals in the under two grand range that are a great value: http://www.hillguitar.com/ and http://www.berkeleymusic.com/
Also check out Cervantes.:)

When I was looking, two popped up over and over. The first is the already mentioned Lucida LG-777 and the other was the Pavan TP-20. I managed to find a used Pavan TP-20 that was too good of a deal to pass on. I am quite pleased with the guitar. If I were buying one new, I would probably go with the LG-777 just because of all the good things I've read about them.

Here are some links:
http://www.lucidaguitars.com/Concerto.585.0.html
http://www.pavanguitars.com/tp20ce.html

I bought mine used on this site:
http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi...?ubb=forum;f=7

It's hard to recommend a guitar without knowing how much you intend to spend. I'm sure you'll get enough useful answers hear but if not, the forum below is dedicated to classical guitars.

http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi...?ubb=forum;f=7

Get one that has those nylon strings.

Classical guitars are designed for classical music, not folk or blues. If you think an esteban sounds "pretty good" then there's no need to spend alot of money. If you're interested in a real classical guitar, these are MY minimum requirements:
(1) German Spruce top (solid of course). (2) Rosewood back & sides (solid of course). (3) Bone nut & saddle. (4) French polished (at least the top). (5) Handmade. Great classical guitars are expensive. Fair ones are not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbW4rYYKxhg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QtgiYhu_kO0

I've played very good sounding classical guitars that weren't made of German spruce and Indian or Brazilian rosewood. Some well known classical guitarists prefer cedar to spruce regardless of which country it came from.

Just as I play classical songs on my steel string guitars, so too one can play other kinds of music on a classical guitar.

Once, in a shop in Fort Lauderdale, I played a mid-priced Mexican guitar that sounded better than the considerably more expensive Ramirez next to it.

For the record, one of my classical guitars happens to have a German spruce top. I also have a cedar top nylon string guitar.

Odyssic, though you asked for a small builder, you might want to look at the Taylor nylon-string guitar. It isn't a true classical guitar. It is what has come to be known as a hybrid as it is constructed more like a steel string guitar than a true classical. You may find it perfectly suited for you and it has a lifetime warranty.

Manuel Delgado in Nashville makes good classical guitars. I've had the opportunity to play some examples of his craft earlier this year.
http://delgadoguitars.com/

For those who like the sound of nylon strings a classical guitar can be used very effectively for blues, jazz, folk and other genres as well as classical. A number of notable guitarists have done this... Charlie Byrd, Earl Klugh, Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson, to name a few (not to mention Peter, Paul and Mary's use of it). Joe Pass plays nylon string exclusively on his album with Ella called, "Fitzgerald and Pass... Again" and it's gorgeous playing.

This use of the nylon string instrument certainly does nothing to diminsh the great music of the classical guitar's repertoire. And vice versa. They're different things.

I can recommend two models:

For starters you might consider one of the LaPatrie Classicals (Godin & Seagull family of instruments): http://www.lasido.com/lapatriee.htm

I your budget is somewhat higher, you might consider the Juan Hernandez or LoPrinzi models shown here: http://www.southwestguitar.com/index...ertguitars.htm

I own a LaPatrie Presentation model and an Hernandez. The LaPatrie was my first classical and then I got the Hernandez on a custom run which had a shorter scale and slightly smaller nut width (640mm and 50mm).

Phil Hemmo at Southwest was a pleasure to deal with. He also has a number of other less expensive guitars which also might be of interest and he could certainly give you the +/- of each.

Jon

+1 on the Pavan guitar...nothing wrong with the Lucida, but I happen to like my Pavan...I have a TP30, but the TP20 is excellent too...it's not a high-end classical...but, at the Pavan's price point, you would have to spend quite a bit more to get more guitar...many teachers from the place I take lessons have played my Pavan and really appreciate the sound, playability, and craftsmanship...and it's in the $1000-$1200 price range...TP20 a couple of hundred less...excellent value...

It can also be used as a bongo and for firewood but it is a CLASSICAL guitar after all. I'm sure that willie's whisky river and drug (take my) mind deludes even him into believing that he can actually play a guitar (he's fair). The seed burns in old "trigger" are a testament to his adroitness. :D But sarcasm aside I understand your point. Buenos Noches Amigo. (PS.. I live in Vancouver WA, how close are you? You play a mean guitar yourself!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sdsmVHg8iw