Suggestions for concert classical for around budget $3000

Ken Carr · #1 09-06-2021, 04:59 PM

I have wanted to get a nice classical guitar for a long time. I am a fingerstyle player, not classical. I do however play mostly with the guitar angled neck up resting on my left leg. I used to play bluegrass, but those days are long gone. I am going to try to set a budget for around $3000. I am not definitely decided on a cedar or spruce top. I fully understand the difference between the two. I appreciate what both woods have to offer. I am looking for suggestions for a used hand-made guitar in the 3k range. I don't know much about different builders. One that I am thinking of is Francisco Navarro. Also, I have a steel string guitar that I love that was built by now retired luthier, Del Langejans. He used to build classical guitars as well as steel string. I see one of his for sale every once in a while. I am also considering that, but that would cost me a little more than 3k. What are some names and models that come to mind to you who have more experience with classical guitars.

AndreF · #2 09-06-2021, 07:39 PM

Hi Ken,
I think that going the used route is the way to go to score the best deal and value for what you’re describing.
If I were in your shoes I’d give these two guitars a serious look at a few hundred dollars above your budget:
Sergei Dejonge spruce/IR
and:
Tom Prisloe, also Spruce/IR
Both very well known luthiers with excellent reputations. The Prisloe seems to be in the best condition, although I trust Richard Brune on his description of the repaired Dejonge.
Something to think about. I would also contact RE Brune directly to ask him for advice.
Another place to look is Guitar Salon . They have a neat feature on their website where you can plug in your parameters and see what comes up.
Lastly, keep an eye on the Delcamp classical forum classifieds. Some great deals pop up on there for people trying to unload their used classicals.
Good luck in your search!

fitness1 · #3 09-07-2021, 04:50 AM

I've had my eye on this one for a very long time....some finish checking in the top is the only "problem" - otherwise it would be 5k.

Who knows, the checks may actually "loosen up" the top

https://reverb.com/item/32922678-cer...UIwDbJ9UKgy64U

Taylor814 · #4 09-07-2021, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

I've had my eye on this one for a very long time....some finish checking in the top is the only "problem" - otherwise it would be 5k.

Who knows, the checks may actually "loosen up" the top

https://reverb.com/item/32922678-cer...UIwDbJ9UKgy64U

I have the same guitar although with a spruce top and cocobolo b/s. Also bought from same dealer. Highly recommend.

fitness1 · #5 09-07-2021, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor814

I have the same guitar although with a spruce top and cocobolo b/s. Also bought from same dealer. Highly recommend.

Pretty certain that one is special! Soundport?

Taylor814 · #6 09-07-2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

Pretty certain that one is special! Soundport?

No, no soundport, but an otherwise beautiful guitar. I was close enough to Reverie Guitars to be able to drive over and spend an afternoon playing guitars before making a choice (you know, the way we are supposed to do it, but rarely can

). The Cervantes just said Buy Me, and so I did. I played guitars at almost twice the price that I didn't think sounded as good.

AndreF · #7 09-07-2021, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

I've had my eye on this one for a very long time....some finish checking in the top is the only "problem" - otherwise it would be 5k.

Who knows, the checks may actually "loosen up" the top

Hi Todd,
I agree with you about the checks. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
I have a Cervantes as well, with Englemann top and cocobolo b/s, but it's a crossover II, so almost a classical, i.e. it has the classical fretboard, but also a cutaway. And a soundport!

Alejandro builds very fine instruments.
(And I can't recall if I told you or not, but you're the one who tipped me off on the Brune site.

)

fitness1 · #8 09-07-2021, 06:41 PM

I'll just add that I had a Cervantes Rodriguez PE that was really, really good. I can only imagine what the Master series would sound like!!

If I hadn't stumbled upon this crazy good Clarita spruce that I did, I'd be making a move on the one at Reverie.

fineincrements · #9 09-16-2021, 11:34 AM

This luthier German Vasquez was hired by Disney to do the guitar for the movie "Coco". I've had some work done in his shop. he seems very talented, and they have guitars that start around $3k

CCFingerstyle · #10 09-18-2021, 08:44 AM

Check out the Eastman Buscarino Cabaret. You can find several YouTube videos on them. I think they are extraordinary crossovers. They are hard to find.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlv-KXecLfA

Chris

Ken Carr · #11 09-20-2021, 04:05 AM

Thank you for responding. I was looking hard at these suggestions. I got the opportunity to try out three very expensive concert classical guitars. I came to the conclusion that I don't get along well with a typical classical guitar neck. I am a steel-string fingerstyle player. I am used to a 1 3/4" nut width with a slight radius fretboard. I had a change in heart. I started looking at crossover guitars. I have talked to Donna Loprinzi about commissioning a new build for me to my specs, based on the Loprinzi concert models. I am making arrangements to meet with her at her shop next month.

fitness1 · #12 09-20-2021, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Carr

Thank you for responding. I was looking hard at these suggestions. I got the opportunity to try out three very expensive concert classical guitars. I came to the conclusion that I don't get along well with a typical classical guitar neck. I am a steel-string fingerstyle player. I am used to a 1 3/4" nut width with a slight radius fretboard. I had a change in heart. I started looking at crossover guitars. I have talked to Donna Loprinzi about commissioning a new build for me to my specs, based on the Loprinzi concert models. I am making arrangements to meet with her at her shop next month.

Just wanted to make sure that you realize because of the much wider gauges of nylon strings there is much less space between them

1 7/8 crossovers are unplayable for me, and all my steel customs are 1 13/16 nuts (1/16 wider than 1 3/4)

Make sure you play one first!

Taylor814 · #13 09-20-2021, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

Just wanted to make sure that you realize because of the much wider gauges of nylon strings there is much less space between them

1 7/8 crossovers are unplayable for me, and all my steel customs are 1 13/16 nuts (1/16 wider than 1 3/4)

Make sure you play one first!

I second this. I used to have a Taylor crossover nylon and I thought the 1 7/8 nut was too narrow for nylon.

Five Fourths · #14 09-20-2021, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor814

I second this. I used to have a Taylor crossover nylon and I thought the 1 7/8 nut was too narrow for nylon.

+3

I was going from classical to steel string and thought the crossover would help in some way. Nope. The Taylor crossover was a beautiful looking guitar, but I simply needed to spend a little time with steel strings to get used to them. The Taylor crossover just sat in its case.

AndreF · #15 09-21-2021, 06:49 AM

I agree as well, generally speaking. 1 7/8 for nylon is skirting the edges. A lot of it will depend on other playability parameters, like the neck shape. So, all crossovers are not all alike.

Quote:

I have talked to Donna Loprinzi about commissioning a new build for me to my specs, based on the Loprinzi concert models.

Those look like traditional classicals to me.
Luthiers can build anything you want, but since by your own admission, you are a steel string player, be careful that "your specs" will match up well to the nylon string guitar model. Good that you are meeting her face to face on this before commissioning.