Classical Guitars

menamestom

Looking to upgrade a Yamaha C40.  I want something several steps up in quality which sonce the Yamaha is laminate should be fairly easy.  I've tried a few Admira's, they are okay but in all honesty the Yamaha playes better than the ones I have tried.  I'd like probably Solid woods all round with an ebony fretboard.

What makes should I be looking at?

Also playing a little Flamenco, the only option here seems to be to have a separate guitar, does anybody separate classical and flamenco guitars?  I was thinking about having one that was middle ground but I would imagine that would just be a compromise on both counts.

meltedbuzzbox

I use a non classical non flamenco Yamaha ntx 700 

Its solid wood, sounds great, plays great and has a cutaway. Its no purists instrument but for the money is fantastic. 

The main thing would be your budget. How much have you got to spend?

menamestom

meltedbuzzbox said:

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The main thing would be your budget. How much have you got to spend?

I’ll spend what I need to. I guess all solids start around £500 and go up to many thousands. If I could get what I want for £600 – 700 I would be happy. I like Yamaha’s, I have a silent guitar SLG110 as well, but definitely looking for the full classical non cutaway for this guitar. I might even sit properly as well…..

meltedbuzzbox

I would personally lean towards second hand amalio burguet. You can get £2k classicals for £500 on ebay. 

I played a lot in my quest for a new classical and the burguet was lovely.

I think there is a fair selection over in Manchester to check out. 

Megii

meltedbuzzbox said:

I would personally lean towards second hand amalio burguet. You can get £2k classicals for £500 on ebay. 

I played a lot in my quest for a new classical and the burguet was lovely.

I think there is a fair selection over in Manchester to check out. 

Words taken out of my mouth @meltedbuzzbox - I got mine from Foulds in Manchester as it happens. Just a lowly Burguet 3M cedar top model, I think I haggled them down to £700 with a Hiscox Pro case thrown in (this was in 2005) - but in terms of the sound, it was beating guitars at well over a grand.

tonyrath

Agree that buying from a reputable shop is a good idea - also what sound do you what - tastes vary as does neck configuration. You might want to budget for string lowering as well. I play a Camps Brothers mid price model which sounds better than some of the bigger names. Fitting a golpe and lowering the strings is a good way to play flamenco Many flamenco players do this. A true flamenco guitar is great when playing for dancers but is rather rackety when played solo 

Evilmags

Paco de Lucía used a Flamenco Negro, which has rosewood sides rather than the cypress or sycamore used in an accompanists Flamenco Blanco guitar and gives a deeper sound.

Conde Hermanos workshop is just round the corner from me. Their stuff is very lustworty.

richardhomer

I notice you're in Stockport - a trip to Forsythes in Manchester would be a good idea.They have a very wide selection. If you go mid-week it should be quiet enough to properly evacuate them.

koss59

Check out the Cuenca secondhand at coda music, it was mine and its a seriously nice sounding instrument. I just never played it and needed something else.