Guitar Selection

[igworden]

I am researching my next classical guitar. I currently have a Kohno which is a cedar top and Indian rosewood. I am looking for a new concert level guitar with a Spruce top with Brazilian rosewood. What luthier(s) would you recommend? Such as: Ramirez, Bernabe, Sakurai-Kohno or Sahlin. Maybe you know of other luthiers that are up coming, building a concert level instrument. I also like a easy to play neck. Great sounding with clear tone goes without saying :D Ian

[Miguel]

Hi Ian,

that's a pretty broad question you are posing. As you can imagine there are plenty of luthiers to choose from, so it ultimately depends on what your personal taste and specific needs are (not to mention your budget). The 4 makers you mentioned (Bernabe, Sahlin, Sakurai-Kohno and Ramirez) are each great in their own right, and they are also quite varied in terms of the personalities of their instruments. Do you perform regularly? are you going to be playing with ensembles or mostly solo? Are you perhaps a hobbyist and play mostly at home? Is collectability an issue for you? Or do you mostly need a workhorse guitar? Finally, what type of repertory do you enjoy playing the most? Do you lean towards romantic music, or more towards intellectual music? Do you lean towards any particular style, or do you have a pretty broad taste?

Feel free to give us a call, or post a reply back and we'll be happy to provide some more input.

Best regards,
Miguel
GSI

[Jimbo]

Hey Ian,

It sounds like you need to play some more guitars! I was in the same predicament last year and I must have tried a couple of dozen really good classicals, I was really surprised with how much difference there was between them all, I would have to say every one had a different sound and feel. I settled on a rosewood Hauser model by a fellow Aussie Sean Hancock.

What I'm trying to say is that you need to find the sound that's right for you, the guitars you've mentioned sound like a good starting point as they're all top makers. Another thing that's important is the feel of the guitar, it has to be comfortable to play or you're not going to want to play it! This is one of the main reasons I went for the Hancock, it was just gorgeous to play.

Hope this helps you in your search. JR. :shock:

[L'Arizonien]

I am hearing that the Tezanos-Perez duo makes a nice instrument. Their Maestro model was impressive in a concert hall. I heard it last at a concert of Martha Masters'
CW

[SteveG]

Hi Ian,

You can't beat a big Madrid guitar for overall. The Tezanos Perez are amazing, they are like the Bernabe and Ramirez. I have 2 Maestros, 1 ceadr top and the other spruce. I have another spruce available, brand new 2003, it is on EBay. Have a look if you are interested, could be right up your alley and especially for the price.

[kozmo]

If you havn't bought a guitar yet I invite you to join us in celebrating the classical guitar on the classical guitar cruise.

Eric Sahlin, Boaz Elkayam, and Mike Peters will be there doing clinics on guitar making, woods, and the like.
Perhaps you'd prefer one of these fine Luthiers to build you your very own custom model.

www.classicalguitarcruise.com

Kenny Hill has donated a Rodriquez model guitar and may be aboard as well but he hasn't confirmed yet.

The ship is at 75% capacity for this cruise so don't wait to book if you're even considering going.

If you're looking for that one fine guitar I suggest having one made with the woods you prefer by one of these fine luthiers.

Best,
K

[craigbrandau]

Although I do not consider myself to be a classical guitarist, I've own a Sahlin that I purchased in 1991. It has a spruce top and Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. This is the only nice classical guitar that I've ever owned, but my previous teacher, owns a Khono with a spruce top, etc. I love his guitar and feel it's a bit better balanced towards the bass than my Sahlin. But with that said, I'd never trade guitars with him. I LOVE my Sahlin and now that it's over 10 years old, it's truly open and beautiful.

Good luck,
CCB :D