Which luthiers make the three best classical guitars?

[palolowarrior]

I am more in to acoustic guitars.
However, lately I've taken an interest in the classical guitar. I have a Kohno Pro-J and I love it.

Please list your three best classical guitar builds and a brief explanation.

Thank you

[riffmeister]

I've owned about 25 classical guitars over the last two decades. Four of my favorites:
2007 spruce/Brazilian Manuel Velazquez
1997 spruce/maple Manuel Velazquez Torres homage
2015 spruce/Indian Ross Gutmeier Santos model
2003 cedar/Madagascar Eric Sahlin

[iim7V7IM7]

I only have one classical to discuss by San Diego luthier Peter Oberg. It is a Black Cherry/Western Red Cedar, 640 mm scale guitar. It is a very responsive guitar, with good volume, projection, strong trebles and many timbral colors depending your attack. Peter apprenticed for luthier Robert Ruck back in the 1990s and has developed his own style over the last two decades.

Peter Oberg Build Thread

The Oberg can be seen below (right). The guitar on the left is not a classical but a lattice braced, nylon hybrid with a carved Honduran Rosewood back by luthier John Buscarino. Also an outstanding guitar, but not a "classical" guitar.

[palolowarrior]

Originally Posted by riffmeister

I've owned about 25 classical guitars over the last two decades. Four of my favorites:
2007 spruce/Brazilian Manuel Velazquez
1997 spruce/maple Manuel Velazquez Torres homage
2015 spruce/Indian Ross Gutmeier Santos model
2003 cedar/Madagascar Eric Sahlin

Any opinion on a pre-2008 Manuel Rodriguez Senor?

Mine is a Stephen Hill concert 2a and I love it.

Hill now has his guitars in the hands of some world class players and I can understand why.

[Dave T]

When I first went looking for a good classical I got to play a used concert level Jose Ramirez that really impressed including the price. The upper level of their instruments are still world class.

I am lucky enough to have acquired a rare Goodall classical, made in 2008. It fits me better than any other guitar I've ever picked up or played. My favorite dealer (Acoustic Vibe Music) has a brand new Goodall classical that feels and plays the same. These three are the finest classical guitars I've had the opportunity to examine and play.

Dave

[riffmeister]

Originally Posted by palolowarrior

Any opinion on a pre-2008 Manuel Rodriguez Senor?

I've seen Manuel Rodriguez guitars on the bay and elsewhere online, but never seen or played one in person. The famous Rodriguez guitars as played by the Romeros and others, and the ones that are often copied, are from Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba. I've played two of them and they were both exceptional. But their prices are in the stratosphere.

[Larry Pattis]

Alan,

The west coast is rife with great builders.

While I have Robert Ruck and Jeffrey Elliot/Cyndy Burton in my own backyard (so to speak...Eugene and Portland, respectively), and also Dake Traphagen in Bellingham, there are other less well-known builders out there doing simply wonderful work.

In Portland there is also Peter Tsiorba...but *I* was lucky enough to find Anders Sterner, also right here in Eugene.

Anders is a super-focused/superb artist dedicated to the sound/science of the Classical guitar world, and also a marvelous musician in his own right.

Anders built a 604mm (that's correct, 604, not 640) scale length guitar for me (tuned to DADGAD full time) that has turned out to be a masterful work of art in it's own right.

While I don't play the classical repertoire, perhaps these videos will give some idea of what one-style of instrument from Anders can sound like. He builds in a few bracing/shape/structural styles, including his own!

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by Larry Pattis

Alan,

The west coast is rife with great builders.

While I have Robert Ruck and Jeffrey Elliot/Cyndy Burton in my own backyard (so to speak...Eugene and Portland, respectively), and also Dake Traphagen in Bellingham, there are other less well-known builders out there doing simply wonderful work.

In Portland there is also Peter Tsiorba...but *I* was lucky enough to find Anders Sterner, also right here in Eugene.

Anders is a super-focused/superb artist dedicated to the sound/science of the Classical guitar world, and also a marvelous musician in his own right.

Anders built a 604mm (that's correct, 604, not 640) scale length guitar for me (tuned to DADGAD full time) that has turned out to be a masterful work of art in it's own right.

While I don't play the classical repertoire, perhaps these videos will give some idea of what one-style of instrument from Anders can sound like. He builds in a few bracing/shape/structural styles, including his own!

That's a great sounding nylon tone, with impressive projection and volume from such a small scale instrument. (Is that spruce?)
I checked out his website. I tend to favor cedar, and he offers a traditional fleta based model for that. His prices seem very reasonable for the quality. Mental note made.
Thanks for posting the vids.

[steveh]

Phillip Woodfield - extremely toneful and responsive guitars and very good value for money.

Don't take my word for it, ask Scott Tennant, Giulio Tampalini or Marcin Dylla...and lots of others.

I had a Kohno myself at one time.

Cheers,
Steve

[palolowarrior]

Larry,
I appreciate and highly respect your opinion. That Sterner sure was pleasant to hear singing in the air. Of course, a LOT has to do with your skill and talent.

It projected very well and it's voice seems to be unique to the world of nylon.
Is it a safe guess to say it is more the "Elliott/Hauser" style of his?

Talk soon,
Alan

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by palolowarrior

Larry,
I appreciate and highly respect your opinion. That Sterner sure was pleasant to hear singing in the air. Of course, a LOT has to do with your skill and talent.

It projected very well and it's voice seems to be unique to the world of nylon.
Is it a safe guess to say it is more the "Elliott/Hauser" style of his?

Talk soon,
Alan

I can't begin to speak of the guitar in the same terms as Anders might...what he builds, what sounds he strives for, what he can find/do for the individual player.

His discussions with me of tone outstrip anything I have experienced in the steel-string world, not that my experiences are complete there, by any means...but as a fine player himself, he truly has an eloquence in presenting the findings of his extensive research that goes beyond the typical discussions that I have had. Way beyond.

I don't have the same kind of personal access to other top classical builders (and Anders has proven to me and others that he is "up there"), and so I can't speak to comparisons in how Anders has evolved as a builder, and how his process and knowledge compare. I have played a number of top-shelf classical instruments from other builders over the years, but none with my preferred scale, and none (of course) with a cutaway!

Personally, I think Anders built a small miracle in this guitar with the 604mm scale, and *then* tuned down to DADGAD...!

Like many of us, Anders has his priorities, and limited time for some things...he will readily admit that his website is woefully out of date, especially in regards to what he has been building the past 5 years or so...to truly get an idea of what he is doing these days one simply should call him.

As with the steel-string world, I know there are a lot of fine builders. I found Anders via Oregon steel-string builder Rebecca Urlacher...they share a design for some beautiful guitar-stands...but it was really serendipitous that we met at all...and now he is one of my best and most trusted friends. In the for what it's worth category. I am not unbiased.

[GDunn]

Ricardo Sanchis Carpio

http://luthiermusic.com/product/guit...o-cordon-2013/

http://www.rebrune.com/ricardosanchiscarpio/


My classical is a Ricardo Sanchis Carpio Brazilian Rosewood back/side and Spruce top model that is almost 40 years old. It is an absolutely amazing instrument.

[tkoehler1]

Not to hijack the thread, but...

Something is happening to my brain, the more I listen to classical guitars the less and less I like steel string. They are too shimmery all of a sudden!

Larry I've seen many of your videos over the years but none have captured my attention like those three you just posted, Road to Quinalt in particular. The same fine playing is there, but this guitar sounds so much more pleasant, and much more balanced. The bass is powerful but does not overwhelm the trebles at all. I also feel like I hear the notes better, with much better separation.

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled programming!

[jomaynor]

Such lovely playing, Larry. Thanks.

To the OP, since you are asking about superlatives, Smallman is certainly among the top 3 classical guitar makers.
Some would say that his are the most desired classical guitars currently being made, although his designs do deviate from the traditional Spanish standard.