Francisco Navarro Flamenca Negra

[sprucetop21]

Does anyone know if Navarro makes a flamenca negra? And if so....what he uses for the back and sides of the guitar? I'm trying to ascertain the authenticity of a Navarro flamenca negra online. Does he make a negra student model?

[NGiorgio]

Does anyone know if Navarro makes a flamenca negra? And if so....what he uses for the back and sides of the guitar? I'm trying to ascertain the authenticity of a Navarro flamenca negra online. Does he make a negra student model?

I have seen Navarro Negras in the student model. I believe the B & S were Palo Escrito. The other models usually have Indian rosewood B & S.

Student models do not have a signed label. The concert and grand concert have a signed label.

[nickc]

By the way, palo escrito or Mexican Rosewood as it is sometimes called, is a wonderful wood, especially for flamenco guitars, because it is so light. I prefer it to Indian rosewood, myself, because it can be dramatically figured, not straight-lined like Indian rosewood. There is nothing more boring than a straight line, but, If I were you, I would make a straight line to that Francisco Navarro negra flamenco on eBay right now, unless you can afford one of his more expensive models.

[NGiorgio]

By the way, palo escrito or Mexican Rosewood as it is sometimes called, is a wonderful wood, especially for flamenco guitars, because it is so light. I prefer it to Indian rosewood, myself, because it can be dramatically figured, not straight-lined like Indian rosewood. There is nothing more boring than a straight line, but, If I were you, I would make a straight line to that Francisco Navarro negra flamenco on eBay right now, unless you can afford one of his more expensive models.

There is a lot of palo escrito out there that is not so nice. Navarro appears to be using first rate materials, even on his lower priced models.

I agree, that negra on Ebay is at a very nice price.;-)

[sprucetop21]

Yeah I was debating between that one or a Cedar top with cypress back and sides (traditional pegs for tuners). The difference is about $200.00. Problem is, I'm not familiar with cedar top flamencos vs spruce top flamencos. I may have asked this before, but how do the 2 compare. I'm nervious about a cedar top flamenco only because I have a cedar top classical (Loriente Clarita) The cedar top is really warm sounding....and I don't want a similiar type sounding guitar. Essentially, I don't want a flamenco that sounds like a hybrid between a classical and flamenco....

[NGiorgio]

I have had a few cedar topped flamencos, both blancas and negras. Some of the best Ramirez flamencos from the past were cedar topped blancas. Go figure .....

My current Navarro blanca is a cedar top and it is very bright. However, if brightness is the priority in a flamenco, in either blanca or negra, you might want to go for a spruce top.

[tanolonco]

sprucetop21--I think you are going to have to test drive a few models. Give the new Carmen a try--who knows, maybe the blanca will sound like a negra. There are plenty of cedar top blancas out there that are very bright, raspy and woof and bark.

[Tim Miklaucic]

I believe GSI just got in several of the student Navarros. Maybe check with them regarding a general comparison between Loriente and Navarro. They should be able to compare side by side. Both Kurt and Dave T are familiar with both these lines.