What's the "Martin" of classical guitars?

[imc2111]

Is there any classical guitar company with a similar reputation that Martin has for steel string acoustics?

[DariaS]

In classical guitar world top luthiers considered as top manufacturers like Martin in steel-string world.

[CCFingerstyle]

Originally Posted by DariaS

In classical guitar world top luthiers considered as top manufacturers like Martin in steel-string world.

Martin made some excellent nylon string guitars (not really true classicals, more like folk guitars) in the past. I personally prefer the pre-1970 models 00-16C, 00-18G, 00-18C, 00-28G, 00-28C.

In general the post 1969 models have longer scales and wider nuts if you prefer that.

Others Martins you can look at are the N10, N20 and currently the 000C model.

If you want to stick with the more pure classical design...there are a plethora of builders and retailers who specialize in high quality classical instruments. Here is just one of them Savage Guitars

[87Standard]

Originally Posted by imc2111

Is there any classical guitar company with a similar reputation that Martin has for steel string acoustics?

Martin is to steel string as Ramirez is to nylon string

[spanish Dylan]

http://www.guitarrasdeluthier.com/es/luthiers

Only a few of them.

[Paikon]

Originally Posted by 87Standard

Martin is to steel string as Ramirez is to nylon string

Ramirez is a company that is around over a century so ....
A guitar from the early years of the Ramirez family, late 19 century,is at Metropolitan museum.

[dosland]

Ha, so we're looking for an over-hyped brand that people will pay anything to own? But seriously, I kid. Ramirez, I suppose, given the mass produced stuff now available at the lower end and the absurdly nice stuff still floating around out there.

[Roselynne]

I'm partial to 70s-vintage S. Yairis myself, but would love to try a Ramirez one day.

[Crowyote]

Originally Posted by 87Standard

Martin is to steel string as Ramirez is to nylon string

I agree. Unless you have the hands of Segovia, a brand new Ramirez is just as difficult to play out of the box as a Martin is.

If you want the Taylor of Classicals (relatively easy to play out of the box), try a Cordoba.

[ukejon]

Originally Posted by Crowyote

I agree. Unless you have the hands of Segovia, a brand new Ramirez is just as difficult to play out of the box as a Martin is.

If you want the Taylor of Classicals (relatively easy to play out of the box), try a Cordoba.

+1 to this observation.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by ukejon

+1 to this observation.

Ditto. I love my Cordoba Orchestra Fusion.

[Paikon]

Originally Posted by Crowyote

I agree. Unless you have the hands of Segovia, a brand new Ramirez is just as difficult to play out of the box as a Martin is.

If you want the Taylor of Classicals (relatively easy to play out of the box), try a Cordoba.

Hmm, well I own a Ramirez 4E and I never had a problem playing it. It has a slimmer neck than my other guitars but that's not a problem at all for me or any classical guitarist who played it.

[Crowyote]

Originally Posted by Paikon

Hmm, well I own a Ramirez 4E and I never had a problem playing it. It has a slimmer neck than my other guitars but that's not a problem at all for me or any classical guitarist who played it.

I was only able to find specs on the "4NE" and that one has a 52 mm nut spacing. Do you mean the depth of the neck?

I owned a R1CWE and playing one was like wrangling with the Lion of Nemea. It had a lovely sound, but not much else going for it. I searched for a FL-CWE for a good while, but eventually gave up as no dealers I could find anywhere in America stocked them. Guitar Center doesn't even seem to represent them these days. If you can find one at a local music shop it's usually from the R series, if not just an R1.

[Paikon]

Originally Posted by Crowyote

I was only able to find specs on the "4NE" and that one has a 52 mm nut spacing. Do you mean the depth of the neck?

I owned a R1CWE and playing one was like wrangling with the Lion of Nemea. It had a lovely sound, but not much else going for it. I searched for a FL-CWE for a good while, but eventually gave up as no dealers I could find anywhere in America stocked them. Guitar Center doesn't even seem to represent them these days. If you can find one at a local music shop it's usually from the R series, if not just an R1.

I was talking about the neck depth. The 4E has also 52 mm nut spacing. Personally I don't like the R series and from the E I like the 3E and 4E.

[scottishrogue]

Most (if not all) classical guitars played by well-know guitarists, are luthier made specifically for that artist. However, there are several brands that are "production" models that would sound very good, providing the strings are high quality, and the right tension for your specific guitar.

Ramirez and Cordoba, if they were made in Spain. But some builders have moved their factories for production guitars to other countries, to save money. Only their best are still made in Spain. There are several other brands that measure up well, depending on the bracing design, and the thickness of the soundboard. I have a 2008 Renato Bellucci Concert 640mm scale length, with fan bracing, that has exceptional tone. It's handmade in a small shop in Paraguay. It has an ultra-thin slightly domed cedar top and a Russian made wood marquetry rosette, with solid rosewood b/s. It requires constant monitoring throughout the winter months for both temperature and humidity, as it has no truss rod, and I prefer a lower action of 3mm or less. I use La Bella 900 Series Golden Elite Light strings.

I also own a lattice-braced 650mm classical guitar made by a small production company in China. It has an Engelmann spruce domed soundboard and double-layered domed rosewood b/s. With a sound port, and raised fretboard, and adjustable truss rod, and it's the best sounding classical I own. Go figure!

Glen