How would you go about finding a GREAT classical guitar?

[815C]

I'm getting back into playing classical guitar music after a 35+ year break. I'm really enjoying this music.

I currently have a 1994 Dauphin classical guitar I payed $1,200 for. It is a good guitar, but I am hoping to acquire a truly excellent instrument.

I realize this will require a significant investment and I want to choose wisely.

Nashville doesn't really have a shop with a lot of high end classical guitars, so I may have to travel to find this guitar I'm looking for.

Any advice on how to go about this search?

Thanks!!

[Taylor814]

Dream Guitars in Asheville NC is about a 4 hour drive from Nashville, I think. You might want to take a drive out there and spend some serious time playing a number of instruments. I went through a similar process a few years ago after I retired, and fortunately I live about an hour from a classical guitar dealer (Reverie Guitars) in central Indiana. I was able to spend an afternoon playing a wide variety of guitars there and came home with an instrument I hadn't originally considered (Cervantes). I don't know if you haven't played in 35+ years or if you've been a steel string player (as I was) but you might also want to determine up front if you want a standard classical or a crossover.

[Gitfiddlemann]

Congrats on getting back into it. It's a pursuit full of riches, rewards and discoveries, if you like the music.
I think, by far, the most important thing is to really have a solid idea of what you're looking for, incl. specs, woods, scale length, bracing, playability etc... in a classical guitar. And what your budget constraints are.
I know that sounds obvious, and cliche like, but it's very important. Arguably, the classical guitar is not as varied as its steel counterpart, so that makes it somewhat easier, but there are still many variables to consider that fit you more than others, and if you know what those are, you're more than halfway there.
From there, it's just a matter of finding it. If you want a new, high quality instrument, it's worth considering commissioning one from a classical guitar builder. Lots to choose from. The other option is to find one that suits you from a store that specializes in classicals. There are several in the US that come to mind. GSI in CA, R.E. Brune in Wauconda, IL (I bought a very fine classical there last year on a tip from AGF member Todd Hunt (fitness1). A fantastically good sounding instrument. I thought I knew a lot about classicals, until I communicated with Richard Brune!). Savage Classical on LI, NY is yet another. Dealing with reputable stores like that is definitely worth it. Most, incl. Brune, allow you a test trial period to avoid sight unseen commitments.
These stores usually carry used ones as well, on consignment. If used is acceptable, you can find some outstanding models at lower prices of course.
And you never know what pops in at non-classical, but quality outfits, like Dream Guitars in NC, and at Gruhn's in your own backyard. They get a lots of stuff on consignment. Always worth a look.
Finally, it should help you a lot that you're not a newcomer to classical, and that you already own one. Just use that as a basis to shape your desired needs for the better instrument.
Good luck! It's definitely worth it to own a high quality classical. Because they will deliver the goods, if you apply yourself.

[Norsepicker]

Agree with response about Dream Guitars, they get in beautiful stuff. I also think it will help you to think a bit about what you want - traditional Spanish guitar, then I would look at Zavaletas who specialize in that. Guitar maker who is competent but produces quality instruments at reasonable prices (Darren Hippner), Guitar International, 12th fret (concern about importing from Canada and CITES), Savage,
exclusive high end makers (they abound: Ruck, Small, Traphagen, Maggi, etc.) but expect to pay from $5,000 to 20,000). There's a lot of research you can do first - single or double top, cedar or spruce, rosewood or more experimental backs ands sides), but in my experience anyone selling high end guitar - makers or dealers - are willing to have pretty detailed conversations with you about what you have and what you are after. If something really appeals to you, maybe you'll have to travel to be sure - but if you zero in on what you want it will be easier. I've also had really good luck buying on Reverb.

[Carey]

I 've had good dealings with the Brune shop, buying and selling, and they have
(or had) a very good trade-in policy for guitars purchased from them.

Only advice I'd give is to play lots of guitars, with an open mind. It's good to
know what strings are on them at the moment, too.

[singlechange]

Your $1200 Dauphin 1994, if it is either a number 60 or 80 is a very nice classical guitar and a concert guitar at that, not a student grade instrument. The number 60 and 80 were the top level Dauphin's. To go to the next level, you will have so many choices from single luthiers. I would expect you to spend four times the amount you did for the Dauphin for a spanking new luthier classical guitar. You will have a lot of fun searching too. Good luck.

[quindecima]

If I was looking I would take a hard look at the guitars of Manuel Velazquez, usually between 10/15K

[Always Learning]

Originally Posted by 815C

I'm getting back into playing classical guitar music after a 35+ year break. I'm really enjoying this music.

I currently have a 1994 Dauphin classical guitar I payed $1,200 for. It is a good guitar, but I am hoping to acquire a truly excellent instrument.

I realize this will require a significant investment and I want to choose wisely.

Nashville doesn't really have a shop with a lot of high end classical guitars, so I may have to travel to find this guitar I'm looking for.

Any advice on how to go about this search?

Thanks!!

815c,

Taylor's and others who suggest a visit to a local shop are the best way of finding an excellent instrument.

IMHO it's not how much you plot down on a guitar or how pretty the head-stock and rosette look.. It's how it sounds and it's play-ability that counts and should be the reason to buy it. Ask yourself... Does it make me happy when I play? Does it make me want to play more?

I have heard stories of people spending large amounts on an instrument, only to find it was a disappointment in sound and or play-ability. There are some awesome guitars out there for under 3-grand. I would suggest if you are going to pay more then a grand, and if you purchase via the internet, that you at least have the ability to return it if it doesn't meet you needs.

Good Luck and happy hunting on finding that elusive "truly excellent instrument"

Keep us posted as to what you find

[815C]

Thanks so much for the great input!

[steveh]

Look at shops that specialise in nylon instruments (ie not Dream); GSI, Savage etc.
If it were me, I’d get one built - lots of great luthiers in the USA. You could do far worse than starting with someone like Richard Reynoso; not only did the one I played sound great, but the woodworking was the best I have ever come across anywhere.
Or pick up something like a David Daily used.
You have lots of options. Take your time and do your research.

Cheers,
Steve

[CoastStrings]

If you're doing a roadtrip to NC, I would make All Strings Nylon one of my first stops.

If you're going to SoCal, then Guitar Salon International will most certainly empty your wallet.

[canuck7]

If you're in Nashville, I would start at Guitar Gallery, 8161 Highway 100, Suite 196, Nashville.
Guitargal.com

They only have a few, but easy to play two really nice guitars....to start, then as people have said - GSI, Dream Guitars....I purchased mine at GSI, they will ship it to you, and let you play it for a few days and decide whether to purchase or not...

[D4nm6n]

The workshops in Spain seems to be the best for the price.

My guitar is 2,500$ by there standards, but if you compare it to the luthiers that sell in america like Navarro- its at least as good as there 3,500 models and if u compare Navarros to factory made guitars like cordoba- there 1,000$ guitars are as good as 3000$ cordobas.

In conclusion, dont buy factory made guitars- buy a luthier made instrument, preferably from the workshops in Spain like Esteve, Hernandez, Burguet, Contreras and Camps

edit: buy from guitarrasdeluthier.com or at a local classical guitar store

[GCWaters]

You might try these:

http://www.bruntonclassicalguitars.com

[Always Learning]

Originally Posted by D4nm6n

The workshops in Spain seems to be the best for the price.

My guitar is 2,500$ by there standards, but if you compare it to the luthiers that sell in america like Navarro- its at least as good as there 3,500 models and if u compare Navarros to factory made guitars like cordoba- there 1,000$ guitars are as good as 3000$ cordobas.

In conclusion, dont buy factory made guitars- buy a luthier made instrument, preferably from the workshops in Spain like Esteve, Hernandez, Burguet, Contreras and Camps

edit: buy from guitarrasdeluthier.com or at a local classical guitar store

815... I sort of second D4's suggestion on buying a luthier made guitar. There are some reasonably priced ($1500 to $3000) ones to be had. I myself own a beautiful 1996 Burguet 2M and every time I play it, it's like falling in love for the first time... Here is a link to Burguets home page.

https://www.burguet.com/english/

If someone were to ask me who's to buy I would without hesitation say buy a Burguet.. His shop is what is considered an artisian shop. As far as I know all woods are hand selected and naturally "air" dried for well over 20 years. Since it's a small artisian shop, his yearly production is lower than factory produced guitars. And they will make a guitar to your specification.

You could could easily say that I am prejudiced towards Burguet because I own one... Well I also own and play a Cordoba C10 Parlor that was made in a factory in China. It too is very well made and nice to play... And the upside was that it cost way less than what I paid for the 2M back in 96.

The unfortunate thing is that if you live in the good ol' US of A, you'll be hard pressed to find a store(shop) carrying a Burguet. More's the pity in my opinion. There are shops around that carry well made luthier guitars, but they are not everywhere like the big-box stores are.

To me buying a well made guitar is a process that should be done slowly and methodically... Play as many as you can before handing over your hard earned moo-la. There will be one out there that sings to you, you just need to take your time.