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  #16  
Old 10-14-2017, 11:37 AM
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fitness1 fitness1 is offline
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Originally Posted by flagstaffcharli View Post

I think the GV Rubio Estudio in sp/pe with a 640 mm scale and 50mm nut is probably my current frontrunner. I’m a steel string guy, and it is going to be played in folksinger position sitting on my right leg. The shorter scale and slightly narrower nut seem like good options. But I’m still researching this.
Definitely play the 50mm first.....the string gauges are much wider and it leaves less room between the strings. I've not played a 50mm, but the 48mm crossovers don't work at all for me.

You may also find that because of the ergonomics (wider nut/smaller body/shorter scale) it may be much more comfortable to play in the more traditional classical position (or at least closer to it)
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  #17  
Old 10-14-2017, 12:59 PM
JCPO JCPO is offline
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Here's a pretty comprehensive list of US classical guitar builders:

http://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com...itar-luthiers/
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  #18  
Old 10-14-2017, 01:07 PM
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Here's a pretty comprehensive list of US classical guitar builders:

http://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com...itar-luthiers/
Cool - Kris Barnett has moved to Germany now.

United States:

Mike Baranik – Templeton, CA
Kris Barnett – Atlanta, GA
Thomas Beltran Guitars, Los Angeles, CA
Tom Blackshear – San Antonio, TX
John S. Bogdanovich – Swannanoa, NC
Greg S. Brandt – Hollywood, CA
R.E. Brune – Evanston, IL
Gregory Byers – Willits CA
Christopher Carrington – Rockwall, TX
Michael Cone – Maui, HI
Stephan Connor, Boston, MA
Luis Fernández de Córdoba – Alexandria, VA
David Daley – Unknown
Lester Devoe, CA
Jeffrey Elliott – Portland, OR
Allan Fontanilla -San Francisco, CA
Steve Ganz – Blaine, WA
Aaron Green – Groton, MA
Kenny Hill – Ben Lomond, CA
Frederich Holtier – Olmsted Falls, OH
Paul Jacobson
Jc Jones
John LaCroix
David LaPlante
Garrett Lee
Bernard Lehmann
John E. Mello
Michael Menkevich
Eric Monrad
Rodrigo Moreira
Matthew Mustapick
Christopher Myles
Francisco Navarro
Peter Oberg
Robert O’Brien, Parker, Colorado
Jose Oribe – Vista, CA
Alan Perlman – Unknown
Tom Prisloe – Trumansburg, NY
Thomas W. Rodriguez – Richmond, VA
Matt Rubendall – Brooklyn, NY
German Vazquez Rubio – Los Angeles – CA
Dave Schramm – Clovis, CA
Michael Thames – Santa Fe, NM
Dake Traphagen – Bellingham, WA
Peter Tsiorba -Portland, OR
Zebulon Turrentine, Tennessee
Paul Weaver, Portand, OR

Canada:

Blackwell, Martin – British Columbia
Boutin, Bruno – Magog, Québec
Dominelli, Marcus – Victoria, British Columbia
Farrell, Jerry – Hamilton, Ontario
Freeman, David – Tugaske, Saskatchewan
Jaderny, Kamil – Mont Tremblant, Québec
de Jonge, Joshia – Alcove, Québec
Lazar, Michael – St. Albert, Alberta
Letourneau Guitars – Morinville, Alberta
Mailloux, Patrick – Québec City, Québec
Morrish, Iain (Moorish Guitars) – Calgary, Alberta
Mesquita, Luis Feu de – Greenwood, Ontario
Mueller, Fritz – Tatlayoko Lake, British Columbia
Perry, Daryl – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Robert, Mikhail – Victoria, British Columbia
Rompré, Jean -Saint-Majorique, Québec
Scott, Douglass – Ladysmith, British Columbia
Sigurdson, Jeff – Abbotsford, British Columbia
Shaw, Emily – Ottawa, Ontario
Titmuss, Clive – Kelowna, British Columbia
Tremblay, Scot – Victoria
Vorreiter, Florian – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Wilhelmy, René – Montréal, Québec
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  #19  
Old 10-15-2017, 08:39 AM
flagstaffcharli flagstaffcharli is offline
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These Francisco Navarro Garcia student models are a lot more affordable than the Rubio guitars. Are they comparable? What is the difference? Thanks!
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  #20  
Old 10-15-2017, 02:16 PM
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I have only played one GVRubio estudio, and a few Navarro's . With that limited experience I have found that the Vasquez Rubio was much finer in the details of construction. It had a wonderful comfortable neck that was very easy to play. The cosmetic aspect was unsurpassed. But I like the sound of the Navarro better, and that is what I kept. The Navarro's I had were a little rougher around the edges, build wise. But have a tone and playability that make them my my favorite classical.
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  #21  
Old 10-21-2017, 04:01 PM
creamburmese creamburmese is offline
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I don't think any of those lists mention the 2 Baltimore based luthiers - Ross Gutmeier and David Pace. They are pretty expensive though. I can personally vouch for Marcus Dominelli in Canada because I and several others I know have commissioned guitars from him - we're all pretty happy and his prices are reasonable for a custom guitar
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Taylor 712, a couple of nice classicals
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  #22  
Old 10-21-2017, 08:20 PM
Jabberwocky Jabberwocky is offline
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Richard Prenkert and Richard Reynoso are in California and are wonderful builders. Pricey though.

I recommend Tom Prisloe's Pavan Series, made in Spain and each one checked out and set up by Tom before shipping out to the customer. The TP-20 is $1275. Great value.

Johnny Walker is a solid builder.

Stay away from Bellucci at all costs.

Chris Sobel is very very good. He is one to keep an eye on. Jeff Sigurdson in Canada is also very very good.

I like Michael Thames guitars and own one. His guitars start at $7500 though.

You should definitely check out the Pavan TP-20 or TP-30. A lot of guitar for the money.
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  #23  
Old 10-21-2017, 10:13 PM
flagstaffcharli flagstaffcharli is offline
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Thanks so much for all the help. I looked into some of the newer builders, but I am just not a guy who can justify $4000 or more for a classical guitar. As it is, I am going to get a guitar that is more than I deserve.

After years of swapping, buying, and selling used guitars I decided this time I wanted the guitar to be “my guitar.” I know the whole routine about getting more for your money on the used market. But GAS is sort of winding down for me. I just bought a new Martin for teaching/gigging, and I sold or am selling seven other instruments. The other instruments I own are my keepers, and they are more than enough to keep me happy now. This classical will probaly be the final piece for a while. I am fortunate.

I went ahead and ordered a GV Rubio Estudio Sp/PE with a 640cm scale and 50mm nut. It will take a few months to get here because it is a custom order. I am excited, but in the meantime I have my nice, old Juan Estruch classical to play.

It’s funny, but I feel like I get more excited about playing the guitar every single day - even after all these years!
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  #24  
Old 10-22-2017, 08:21 PM
47gene 47gene is offline
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Go for it...

Hope the GV Rubio Estudio Sp/PE is everything you hope for and more... Enjoy....
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  #25  
Old 10-24-2017, 08:51 AM
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Edit. Didn't realize you had made your decision.
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Last edited by ChuckS; 10-24-2017 at 08:58 AM.
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  #26  
Old 10-24-2017, 09:02 AM
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The above lists are pretty well established luthiers who's guitars are going to be in the $5K to $10K and + range mostly. There are a lot of us who are somewhat less established, and have prices under $4K. Also, there are a lot of really good guitar builders that are not on the lists that have a lot of really fine guitars out there on the Classical guitar competition circuit. One that comes to mind is Steven Walter in Chicago, but he is above the $5K range now, I believe.
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  #27  
Old 10-24-2017, 11:01 AM
Dogsnax Dogsnax is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WaddyT View Post
The above lists are pretty well established luthiers who's guitars are going to be in the $5K to $10K and + range mostly. There are a lot of us who are somewhat less established, and have prices under $4K. Also, there are a lot of really good guitar builders that are not on the lists that have a lot of really fine guitars out there on the Classical guitar competition circuit. One that comes to mind is Steven Walter in Chicago, but he is above the $5K range now, I believe.

FYI....just so you all know, Waddy Thompson is an excellent builder and has received outstanding reviews on his classical guitars.
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  #28  
Old 10-24-2017, 11:27 AM
rob2966 rob2966 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CE Sobel View Post
Hello,

The GV Rubios you’re talking about are made in his shop by his newphew I believe. I hear they are a good value for $$.

The following newer classical NA makers who are priced under 5k all apprenticed or were closely mentored over several years by well known builders:

Andy Culpepper
Michael Cadiz
Greg Miller
Myself
Maxwell Sipe

And there are quite a few more, I’m just familiar with their work in particular. Greg has a background in fine furniture making and his workmanship is at a very very high level, even compared to experienced makers. Andy’s guitars are great and he is growing a big reputation; still at a very reasonable price. The same can be said about Max as well.

Cheers,

Chris
Earlier this year I had Andy Culpepper make me a stunning Flamenco Negra and I couldn't be happier with the results. While Andy tends to be more associated with flamenco instruments (he also plays that style) he has made a number of classicals as well. He is "relatively" new but with a very good amount of experience (my guitar is #82).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MA6EkekgWk

There are a number of other YouTube vids showing his work, including some of his classical builds.

Definitely check him out. His prices are still reasonable and his backlog isn't outrageous.

Later
Rob
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  #29  
Old 10-24-2017, 12:36 PM
flagstaffcharli flagstaffcharli is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS View Post
Edit. Didn't realize you had made your decision.
I’m sure whatever information you had to share would be welcome and useful. I did order a GV Rubio guitar, but I’m still interested in the topiic. I’m sure others might find it useful as well.

Last edited by flagstaffcharli; 10-24-2017 at 12:43 PM.
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  #30  
Old 10-24-2017, 08:20 PM
tkoehler1 tkoehler1 is offline
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I know your decision is made but in case someone else is thinking about it.

There's a Canadian luthier named Jeff Sigardson selling a newly made balsa-core double top over on delcamp for $3800 US! Good grief that's cheap!

http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.co...p?f=3&t=112804
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