Classical guitar, which brands, models and price range?

brooom · October 2018

I got started in classical guitar, many years ago.

As I've been letting go of all my electrics and subsequently thinking more and more about playing acoustic guitars. I've thought about having a classical nylon string guitar again.

I would like something decent this time around. A guitar with solid wood construction.

I've been looking at brands such as Cordoba, Esteve and Alhambra.

Any recommendations or tips would be welcome.

Thanks

ToneControl · October 2018

buy second hand, it's a buyer's market

what's your budget?

brooom · October 2018

I was thinking no more than £1500.

ToneControl · October 2018

you should be able to get something good for that, but you're under the normal band for used hand-made luthier guitars

Don't make the mistake I made a few months ago, which was to use my existing knowledge to buy one, instead
join this forum: delcamp and have a look on their for sale pages

Then there are a few "classical guitar brokers around the UK", who tend to stock 20-30 high-level instruments, I tried one near me, and bought an excellent used guitar, and was able to try it against a much larger variety than in a shop, but with lower used prices.

here are some links for you
https://www.kentguitarclassics.com/guitars
http://www.nugentguitars.com/
there were some others I have seen too

London guitar studio is a good start

I will write more later

ToneControl · October 2018

there are good shops in Birmingham and Stafford too
https://www.staffordguitar.com/
https://www.classicalguitar.co.uk/

I was in a similar position before last Christmas: always played classical a bit, wanted to get back to it more.
My old classical was a higher-end factory one (RRP £1500-2000) that frankly did not inspire me much, it weighed a ton and did not have great tone (I think).
I would assume that there are factory made ones that are better

My first error was to buy a fusion nylon, then I found that I didn't actually like a narrower fingerboard, although I liked the radius on it. Also, it was X-braced for amplified stage work - for classical you need fan-bracing or lattice to get the top moving from the lower-tension nylon strings

Don't make the mistake of looking at flamencos either, they have a very different purpose

brooom · October 2018

yep definitely not looking at flamenco guitars, would prefer more of an all round classical guitar, with classical aesthetics as well.

Preferably something based near London. Would be nice.

earwighoney · October 2018

ToneControl said:
My first error was to buy a fusion nylon, then I found that I didn't actually like a narrower fingerboard, although I liked the radius on it. Also, it was X-braced for amplified stage work - for classical you need fan-bracing or lattice to get the top moving from the lower-tension nylon strings

Don't make the mistake of looking at flamencos either, they have a very different purpose

Generally classical guitars and their players seem to go for higher tension nylon strings than flamenco guitars; specialist flamenco strings are generally a lot lower tension than than classical guitar string sets.

A flamenco guitar has a lower action in addition to less relief can be 'easier' to play. I would recommend trying a flamenco negra (one with rosewood back and sides) if possible. Generally, classical guitars have a 12th fret of above 3mm -3.5mm and above , flamenco guitars for 3mm and under.

Cordoba have some good models in your budget, but I would avoid Esteve and Alhambra. FWIW, I think the best budget nylon strings guitars are Camps; the Camps Primera models are exceptional for the price.

In London guitar shops for nylon strings are limited with one of the few decent places is London Guitar Studio, which is near Bond Street where they usually have some Camps models in stock.

Kent Guitar Classics might be worth getting a train to if you are able to, their 'Cadenza' model is supposed to be very good, a bit more than your budget and the maker Stephen Eden posts on another forum I frequent who's a gentleman.

brooom · October 2018

Thanks, I've been looking at Cordoba's actually. Any experience with Ramirez?

ToneControl · October 2018

you need to learn the current and past model ranges for those manufacturers, then you can search ebay for the bargains. Ramirez are a top name, but their cheaper stuff is not exceptional

menamestom · October 2018

ToneControl said:

you need to learn the current and past model ranges for those manufacturers, then you can search ebay for the bargains. Ramirez are a top name, but their cheaper stuff is not exceptional

Their cheaper guitars are made by the likes of Camps and Alhambra I believe.

brooom · October 2018

What do you mean "cheap". Basically is a £1500 Ramirez, cheap?

heavyrocker · October 2018

brooom said:

What do you mean "cheap". Basically is a £1500 Ramirez, cheap?

It would be an student level guitar built in a factory and probably not by Ramirez. Not good value in my opinion. For a bit more you could get a used hand-made concert level guitar.

brooom · October 2018

understood, will check... first I've got to sell some of the gear I currently have. Priorities!

earwighoney · October 2018

menamestom said:

ToneControl said:

you need to learn the current and past model ranges for those manufacturers, then you can search ebay for the bargains. Ramirez are a top name, but their cheaper stuff is not exceptional

Their cheaper guitars are made by the likes of Camps and Alhambra I believe.

Camps are pretty good, Alhambra less so!

Ramirez used to be excellent, but those particular models are very expensive and highly collectable.

I agree with heavyrocker about going for a bit more and going for a used concert level guitar.

brooom · October 2018

will try to do so, I've had a look at london guitar studio and they seem to have some used concert guitars, also I've received some suggestions, which look good.

Will try to go a bit higher in budget but don't really want to stretch it too much.

Also need to sell a lot of gear before I venture into this.

ToneControl · October 2018

just go and try a load of guitars - and form opinions before the money is ready

brooom · October 2018

yep, I will give london guitar studio a try. As it is the closest to me.

Jaycee · October 2018

http://beauchampclassicalguitars.co.uk/commissions/

grappagreen · October 2018

Jaycee said:

http://beauchampclassicalguitars.co.uk/commissions/

I do wish you hadn't posted this... it ticks so many boxes for me that at some point I'm going to have to spend some money on one

Si

Jaycee · October 2018

grappagreen said:

Jaycee said:

http://beauchampclassicalguitars.co.uk/commissions/

I do wish you hadn't posted this... it ticks so many boxes for me that at some point I'm going to have to spend some money on one

Si

My apologies

Image: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/plugins/EmojiExtender/emoji/fb/1.gif

I live not far from Cardiff where Paul is based. I did pop into his workshop a few years ago and he has a great setup and the guitars sound great. I wondered if his prices were close to Broom' £1500, looks like they may be.

digitalkettle · October 2018

I've got a nice Amalio Burguet '2M' for sale...just haven't got round to listing it yet...will drop you a PM.

Brize · October 2018

One thing you need to consider is whether you want a spruce or cedar top. The Ramirez 130 Años models had a very good reputation at around your budget. The model has recently been discontinued but some retailers still have stock.

jdgm · October 2018

Sanchis brothers; Vicente Sanchis or Ricardo Sanchis. Beautiful instruments.

digitalkettle · October 2018

I don't think @xbrooom is around no more.

Amalio Burguet '2M' for sale...PM for details!

Image: /plugins/EmojiExtender/emoji/fb/3.gif

SOLD!

steveh · October 2018

xbrooom said:

I was thinking no more than £1500.

Oh dear. I sold a nice Yulong Guo for that recently. Didn't bother advertising it here - had it over at Delcamp.
It was 4K new...
Nylon guitar players are a notoriously conservative bunch and it's often possible to pick up a real bargain used if you know what you are looking for. TBH, for that money I'd be scouring Ebay for the rare but occasional luthier handmade that comes up in that price range, or get the Beauchamp listed above.

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Classical guitar, which brands, models and price range?

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