Members Tony Burns Posted March 10, 2006 Members Posted March 10, 2006 i have been playing Steel string acoustic for many years , and am confused over all the choices that there are out their for classical guitars. i really want an exceptional instrument . would prefer not to morgage the family home and get some over priced instrument . ive got an old Fender but it really stinks - i know good sound when i hear it but i really need more information before i do a serious search for a quality instrument. Any suggestions ?I prefer used over new.
Members Dave W. Posted March 10, 2006 Members Posted March 10, 2006 Pure classical, or just nylon string?
Members lalatingstrings Posted March 10, 2006 Members Posted March 10, 2006 my yairi cy116 was 979$ brand new and it is exceptional.it is the only classical i will ever need to own.it has a red western cedar top and honduras mahogony back and sides.the tome is warm and beautiful with a nice growl when playing flamenco style.i have been playing alot of old time appalaichain tunes on it latley as backup to my dulcimer and it sounds great.it is a very versitile guitar,and totally reasonable $$ wise.also it is as beautiful looking as it is sounding.which matters to me.im a vain guitar player.i like em to look and sound good.i think yairi makes some of the best affordable high end classicals.
Members riffmeister Posted March 11, 2006 Members Posted March 11, 2006 Originally posted by Tony Burns ....i really want an exceptional instrument . would prefer not to morgage the family home.... what price range are you considering?
Members Tony Burns Posted March 11, 2006 Author Members Posted March 11, 2006 Answers to a few questions: Dave- Like to play free style fingerpicking, and some jazz- sort of like Kenny Rankin stuff- plus I also want to study classical guitar in more depth- riffmeister- have checked out guitars like the nylon string Martin ( hate the instrument ) and a couple of the nylon string Taylors ( not my cup of tea - not really a full sound) think that even thou my present style is not pure classical i really want an instrument that has a full sound and tone . I know clasicals have a flatter fingerboard and wider top nut - but think i can get use to that- im also picky about Ebony fingerboards etc- im really spoiled when it comes to good stuff -Have though about a modified classical that has a cut away , thou Im not sure about it. price range up to 2,000 used ( maybe a lttle more on an upper end used ) think i can get more of a guitar if i buy it used ! lalatingstrings - have lookes at Alvarez Yairi - have heard the older ones are exceptional and the newer one are good - unfortunately my local dealer only deals in Alvarez's and will not carry the upper Yairi variety- so i dont have a local source to check them out - but i think stutsmans or house of guitars in Rochester may carry them - im also curious about the upper end Yamahas- i have great respect for those also . thanks for your help !
Members riffmeister Posted March 11, 2006 Members Posted March 11, 2006 Darren Hippner makes beautiful guitars at unbelievable prices: http://fineclassicalguitars.com/Hippner_Web/readymade.htm
Members nexialist Posted March 11, 2006 Members Posted March 11, 2006 If you are looking for a superior sounding classical for not too much $ take a look at the Lucida Concerto 777. You can get one for around $600, or even less. It is comparable to classicals costing up to $1500. Hard to find at stores but sold on eBay by reliable sellers. I owned one for a while....wish I had kept it. I own a more expensive classical now but was completely happy woith the Concerto. Check out what people say about it at the AG classical forum: http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=7 do a search on Lucido Concerto. Great, great guitar. This one will keep you happy for a long , long time. Dan aka nexialist2.0 on the AG forum.
Members Tony Burns Posted March 11, 2006 Author Members Posted March 11, 2006 Thanks Dan for the info- ill check that one out , and thanks for the link to acoustic guitar, just started a subscription to acoustic guitar about 3 months ago , its a super magazine - wish i subscribed a long time ago - Ive also got some info on Alvarez yairis , played one along time ago ( what do you think about them - as well as upper end Yamahas ?) - looking for something used, because i know i can usually get something a hair up the ladder for the same money- hate it when you buy something and its only worth 1/2 to 2/3 what you paid for it- thanks again ! Tony
Members riffmeister Posted March 11, 2006 Members Posted March 11, 2006 also, check out used German Vazquez Rubio guitars and Kenny Hill guitars. both are great bang for the buck.
Members nexialist Posted March 11, 2006 Members Posted March 11, 2006 Tony, I had a Yairi 116 but did not keep it too long.....ithe Lucida concerto completely smokes it. As far as Yamahas go the Concerto is better than any standard Yamaha G or CG. I have a very nice sounding Yamaha CG-170SA but it is not in the same league as the Concerto. A better comparison would be with the Yamaha upper end GC (Grand Concert) "hand made" series. ........GC-20, GC-30. I have not played those...they cost 2 to 3 times more than the Concerto. Here's one: http://cgi.ebay.com/LUCIDA-LG777-CONCERTO-FLAMENCO-CLASSICAL-GUITAR-CASE_W0QQitemZ7396871490QQcategoryZ2385QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Members Tony Burns Posted March 11, 2006 Author Members Posted March 11, 2006 Thanks for the ifo Dan, i believe you- but the price seems too good to be a decent instrument-- im probably just use to getting ripped off -( in the 6-8 hundred range you dont usually get much )- I read many reviews on Harmony Central on this guitar , the only bad thing anyone had to say was that the tuners could be better and it needs set up ( this could be true for just about any instrument - that ive checked out lately) Ill check when i can for dealers in the Buffalo, Rochester area, thank again ! Just wanted to add : found a buffalo dealer , plan on visiting them latter next week .
Members Tony Burns Posted March 12, 2006 Author Members Posted March 12, 2006 Friends - curious about best places to buy a classical , Ebay sellers vary as much as night and day,( maybe not even a Ebay seller - but a speciality store )? ) concerning shipping returns etc. Where is the best place to buy a classical- is a certain seller or shop do more than just be a middleman, ex - mabe give it a good look over or a set up before shipping- im interested at this time in the Lucida Concerto LG-777 , its price is about 1/2 toa quarter of other instruments and almost every review gives it a better ratingthat most classsicals under 2 grand- thanks for the help ! Tony P.S Im also curious about the Picado Flamenco by Lucida ,looks like a phenominal instrument also - whats the difference between a Flamenco and a Classical / thanks again !
Members nexialist Posted March 13, 2006 Members Posted March 13, 2006 Tony, 2 reliable ebay sellers that handle Lucida guitars are "Old Davey " and Dave Moody at www.surfcitymusic.com. Do take a look at the Lucida Picado 797. This is a true flamenco with real "growl" This is by far the best flamenco guitar in the $1500 plus price range yet it sells for about $800. Most guys on the AG forum think that the Picado is a more versatile guitar than the Concerto if you are not a flamenco guy. The action is lower, it's easier playing, and it has a fast snappy response. The notes don't sustain as long as the Concerto, but that's not bad. It does not have the tonal color range that a good classical is capable of (the Concerto does). But that depends on good classical tecnique which I don't have.....hey, I'm a fingerpicker and blues guy. It sounds great for pop songs and blues. I have one and that's what I use it for. Take a look at one of these. If you are interested I will sell mine. I have 2 more expensive ones, a blanca and a negra, and the Picado does not get played Dan
Members Tony Burns Posted March 23, 2006 Author Members Posted March 23, 2006 Dan, been trying to contact both of the folks you mentioned , surfcity ( Dave moody ) has no email address or contact information -- im afraid to deal with someone i cant contact if i have a problem. and Old Davyguitars price is about 2 hundred more than anybody elses -- have you personnaly delt with these folks ? theres other sellers that have alot cheaper prices, but even when i contact them , they dont respond --maybe there part timers or bogus sellers ? but Lucida web site lists them as sellers . I played the counter part by Saez ( not a bad instrument - but about 300 more dollars ) anybody else that comes to mind thats honest and fair ? thanks again for your help ! Tony By the way, what do you want for your Picado ? - you can email me at tburns10@stny.rr.com
Members riffmeister Posted March 23, 2006 Members Posted March 23, 2006 http://www.zavaletas-guitarras.com/ http://www.southwestguitar.com/ http://www.guitarsalon.com/ http://www.kirkpatrickguitar.com/ http://www.classicalguitarstore.com/index.html http://www.trilogyguitars.com/ http://www.classicguitar.com/ so many guitars, so little time (and money!!)
Members Tony Burns Posted March 23, 2006 Author Members Posted March 23, 2006 What a real treat, Thank you so very much-- Heaven must be like these places, all rolled up into one !
Members riffmeister Posted March 23, 2006 Members Posted March 23, 2006 Originally posted by Tony Burns What a real treat, Thank you so very much-- Heaven must be like these places, all rolled up into one ! LOL! Ain't it the truth!!!
Members nexialist Posted March 23, 2006 Members Posted March 23, 2006 Originally posted by Tony Burns Dan, been trying to contact both of the folks you mentioned , surfcity ( Dave moody ) has no email address or contact information -- im afraid to deal with someone i cant contact if i have a problem. and Old Davyguitars price is about 2 hundred more than anybody elses -- have you personnaly delt with these folks ? theres other sellers that have alot cheaper prices, but even when i contact them , they dont respond --maybe there part timers or bogus sellers ? but Lucida web site lists them as sellers . I played the counter part by Saez ( not a bad instrument - but about 300 more dollars ) anybody else that comes to mind thats honest and fair ? thanks again for your help ! TonyBy the way, what do you want for your Picado ? - you can email me at tburns10@stny.rr.com Tony, Here's the Surf city link. http://www.surfcitymusic.com/fretted/lucida_picado_flamenco_guitar.htm He is still there and is one of the top Lucidsa seller. Many people on the AG forum have bought from him directly and thru ebay. A few have bought from Old Davey too. No complaints. The guy at Southwest guitar posts on AG forum too and has good prices. Spend some time at Guitar Center...go into the high end room for classical/flamenco guitars and compare the sound/playability. Check your email. Dan
Members nexialist Posted March 24, 2006 Members Posted March 24, 2006 Tony, Here's a Concerto for $550: http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=003586 Don't know the guy Dan
Members Tony Burns Posted March 25, 2006 Author Members Posted March 25, 2006 Thanks Dan , i checked it out- he put a strap button on the neck, as well as a pickup in the bridge - So I'll pass. Someone may like that sort of stuff, but i dont . appreciate the information thou ! Tony
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