Classical Guitars - Best tone for the lowest $$$$$???

[edensdad]

Hello All,

I am taking classical guitar lessons at the university and I need to get a classical guitar. The instructor thinks that would be much better than using my Martin D-15, Ovation or Yamaha steel stringers. I concur, so I'm in the market for a classical for $500 or less. Cutaway is preferred, but electronics aren't neccessary.

If you have one or play one, what would you recommend? (Solid top models only plz)

Models I'm considering:

Alvarez AC60SC
LaPatrie Concert Cutaway
Manuel Rodriguez C-1 or C-3

Thanks,

Dennis >^..^<

 

[Hookpunch]

Well for $500.00 I am not sure how good a classical guitar you are going to get. I have heard of solid tops in that range but I can't say I have heard good things about them.

When I was studying classical - a bottom end Ramirez "student" model cost $800 - about 10 years ago.

A concert model started at $5000 -I have no idea why a classical guitar cost so much more than a top of the line Taylor or Martin.

I would say see about getting a second hand Ramirez , Raimundo or even Yamaha - that might be in your budget.

 

[Roubster]

I have a Manuel Rodriguez classical, that I bought for $500 and it sounded better than anything else in Sam Ash or Guitar Center, except for the Concert Classicals of course. It is hand made in Spain and it has a nice full tone. And if you are studying classical guitar there is NO way to substitute one with a steel string.

 

[edensdad]

I love classical guitar and play fingerstyle on a steel string in the p.i.m.a. (thumb, index, middle, ring) right hand technique already, so aside from the tone and making the teacher happy, I really can't see the reason for getting a nylon string.

I've set a $500 spending limit in case I don't like playing the nylon stringer - no big loss.

 

[Roubster]

Yea, but the 2 are COMPLETELY different in tone and actually the technique of how you pluck the string with your fingers (pima). Have you played a classical before a good amount so you get the feel of it? When I first started playing classical I couldnt almost play because the neck is so much wider and flatter and you really have to have a proper technique to play classical. I tried playing classical pieces on steel string and it sounds like sh*t. That's just my view point on trying to play classical on steel string, since I am a Classical Guitar Performance Major. But of course it is entirely up to you, and if you're happy with playing on the steel stringer than stick with it .

 

[Hookpunch]

I agree with you Roubster, if you play classical, it is vastly different than steel string. I had the opposite problem, I couldn't get used to the small necks on electric, I was almost always a string off. That and switching to playing with a pick was a big adjustment.

 

[edensdad]

I had a cheap $99 Yamaha as a beach beater for years before it fell out of the back of my buddies truck. I loved the wide neck - kindof like my Petrucci model on steroids.

I play 90% originals - most of the fingerstyle I play now is Michael Hedges sort of stuff, my older acoustic style was also all originals, but in the style of Jimmy Page ("Bron-Y-Aur", "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You")

Most of the Classical pieces I know are from rock players: "Dee" (Randy Rhoads), "Petite Etude" (Triumph) and "Roundabout" (Yes).

I also play Leo Kottke's version of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring".

I can play, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm a classical player .

I'm just a 38 year old shredder/metalhead that has to take an art class to complete his M.I.S. degree and decided to take guitar instead of scupture or graphic design. The good news is that after my audition with the Guitar professor, he accepted to teach me at an advanced level that's usually only reserved for music majors, and he waived all the co-enrollments and pre-requisites.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Hookpunch]

Edensdad - have fun and good luck. I fully appreciate having studied classical, it gave me a great theoretical grounding and sight reading skills. Let us know how you like it.

I am impressed a classical guitar teacher took you on after an audition, my experience is that they are very insular - if it is not classical guitar they usually are not interested. My teacher had no idea who any of the rock guitarists were, or even flamenco for that matter.

I guess you will start growing your fingernails and polishing them with sandpaper now.

 

[richbriere]

During my stint at FMIC, I CAN tell you that the Rodriguez Family really impressed me with their genuine concern about their "product". I sold quite a few of them and never heard any complaints---just the opposite. IMHO, the "best buy" in the $500 market by quite a long shot.

One thing that I try to tell each of my customers/clients; "Would you rather toss $100 into the street or INVEST a little more money into your playing future?"