Which of these 4 classicals...

stevem5000 · #1 12-15-2011, 12:40 PM

I have 4 classicals I'm considering...all about the same price...

Manuel Rodriquez Model A unsure of age, but I think early 90's
Yamaha GD-20 early 90's
Hernandis Grade #2 1970
La Patrie Q1 Probably not over 10 years old...

I'm a beginning classical player...
I prefer solid over laminates...
I prefer guitars that have some "age" to them...I don;t purchase new...

Would appreciate any info, thoughts, opinions good and bad on these 4 choices...

Does anyone have any opinions on a preference...???

Thank you...

dosland · #2 12-15-2011, 01:41 PM

I'd probably lean toward the Manuel Rodriguez, the La Patrie, or the Yamaha. I'd avoid the Hernandis, because I don't know if even the top is solid, and the back and sides are certainly not. I tend to prefer Yamaha and Spanish made, but there's no guarantee with the ones you're considering, and the cutaway on the Rodriguez makes that less interesting to me, personally. LaPatrie is getting a pretty solid reputation around here, not sure how it was 10 years ago (or so). The Yamaha seems to have the most solid wood where it matters, so maybe that's the closest to meeting your (rather broad) criteria. Good luck!

stevem5000 · #3 12-15-2011, 03:41 PM

Thanx Dosland...

I put my bid in on the Rodriguez...
Dumped the Hernandis...
And figured the Yamaha would go above my comfort level...
AND...I found out the La Patrie had a crack in the back...
Process of elimination, I guess...

If I don't get this one...there will be more...

thanx for your time...

Ned Milburn · #4 12-15-2011, 08:45 PM

I visited the Rodriguez factory circa 1997 as an advisor with my then boss to offer advice on how to clean up their fret-work. For a factory guitar, I have always liked the Rodriguez line of instruments.

Don't worry about laminate sides/back. In fact, some of the best hand-made classical guitars are/were made with laminated sides/back. The main thing that is important is the top-wood, thinness, and bracing pattern. The Rodriguez instruments generally have a nice full bass and good projection overall.

Antonio De Torres (the "father" of the modern Spanish/classical guitar design) allegedly built a guitar with paper mache sides/back to show the importance (or lack there-of) of side/back material. Of course, this instrument apparently wasn't as good as wood guitars, but the different was not tremendously substantial. Again, the point is, focus on a well built guitar with a top thin enough to move and resonate.

Good luck.

stevem5000 · #5 12-15-2011, 09:36 PM

Thanx HCG Canada...
I bought the Rodriguez...should have it before Xmas...
Then start studying some classical...
Romanza will be my first attempt with this gal...
Been working a little on my old beat up Alvarez with Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring...

This is the first time I've bought something that was not an American factory guitar...

I'm excited...!!!

Ned Milburn · #6 12-16-2011, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem5000

Thanx HCG Canada...
I bought the Rodriguez...should have it before Xmas...
Then start studying some classical...
Romanza will be my first attempt with this gal...
Been working a little on my old beat up Alvarez with Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring...

This is the first time I've bought something that was not an American factory guitar...

I'm excited...!!!

Good to hear! Good luck on your practicing and development. The classical/spanish guitar is a thing of beauty. There are many lovely pieces in the Baroque and classical eras that are easy to play but beautiful to listen to. Also, there is a nice baroque guitar duets book released by Mel Bay, if I remember correctly.

Have fun!!

- Ned.

stevem5000 · #7 12-16-2011, 05:59 PM

Mel Bay....my home town, Kirkwood, MO...
Mr Bay died a some years ago...his son, I belive took over his music store which used to be called Mel Bay Music...and renamed it to Kirkwood Music Center...and I don;t think there is any of Mel's portraits hanging on the wall anymore...it was like they removed any and all reference to the great things Mel had done over the years...

As far as I know the printing plant is still in operation just west of me, 25 miles or so...Eureka, MO...

*Matt* · #8 12-17-2011, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem5000

I have 4 classicals I'm considering...all about the same price...

Manuel Rodriquez Model A unsure of age, but I think early 90's
Yamaha GD-20 early 90's
Hernandis Grade #2 1970
La Patrie Q1 Probably not over 10 years old...

I'm a beginning classical player...
I prefer solid over laminates...
I prefer guitars that have some "age" to them...I don;t purchase new...

Would appreciate any info, thoughts, opinions good and bad on these 4 choices...

Does anyone have any opinions on a preference...???

Thank you...

I wouldn't worry a tall about the spec sheet on either of these guitars and play them and see which feels and sounds the best to you.

Matt

Acoustic Dano · #9 12-17-2011, 07:58 PM

I own a MR Model C and love it!
FWIW

londan111 · #10 12-19-2011, 04:01 PM

I'd go with the MR;
They're Quality instruments.

Dan

stevem5000 · #11 12-19-2011, 04:35 PM

Thanx for the input guys...looks like MR is the way to go, at least of the ones I chose to go for...
It will be here in another 2-3 days...
I'll let eveyone following this post how I like it...
But I'm not expecting to be dissapointed...

mattdaddy · #12 12-20-2011, 10:22 PM

You forgot to add Francisco Navarro. There are a few used ones on the *bay now that could be had for a good price. He makes excellent guitars that are equivalent to Spanish made guitars as he studied under some masters there for a while before returning to Paracho, Mexico. Solid wood guitars all around, no laminates.

stevem5000 · #13 12-20-2011, 11:22 PM

Well, the MR arrived...LaBela strings, with 2 sets of spares and a set of D'arrgios...capo and a tuning fork...!!!

The guitar is beautiful...it appears to be solid sides and bottom in that I believe the grain of the wood on the inside matches what I see on the outside...

The finish is very, very nice...2 transparent pic guards on both sides of the sound hole...the bottom guard has quite a bit of scratching, so I expect the guitar was played quite a bit...I found only 2 very small marks on the edge...but you gotta look hard to find them...the previous owner took very good care of this guitar...and it came in a nice TLK case...

Now...tuned it up, let it settle in, and tried out Blackbird on it...sorry guys, don;t know any classical stuff yet...

...and I found the tone to be mellow, somewhat muted and a bit thin sounding...I was expecting a fuller, richer sound...
I'm not dissappointed but it didn;t quite meet my expectations in that department...

However, for my purposes, learning some classical, it is really very good...it is very easy to play, action is about perfect, no bowing in the bridge or on the top...really a very nice guitar...

Thank you for all the suggestions and ideas...

stevem5000 · #14 12-20-2011, 11:24 PM

I forgot...
Inside the guitar it says Manuel Rodriguez Model A...No. 2060...
I assume the 2060 is a serial number...

Did some googling around trying to find a site where I might be able to date it...

Anyone have any ideas on this...???

fitness1 · #15 12-21-2011, 07:23 PM

guitars go to sleep when they are shipped.....play the heck out of it for a few days and see what happens. Especially classicals which are more lightly built are affected adversly......

Give it a chance