John Price/Ashley Sanders

[Section_10]

Does anyone play a John Price guitar? Describe that sound if you can. There's also Ashley Sanders who seems to be a great builder that learned from John. Anyone know about these guitars?

[edwardcav]

I know someone who owns a John Price 2004 spruce model, a stunning guitar. beautiful sounding.

have heard of ashley sanders but not played his guitars.

libre on this forum plays a price.

[Libre]

I heard my name mentioned. I do play a John Price. Here is my honest opinion. When I first played it in the store (Luthier Music in NYC) I thought it the loudest and best sounding guitar I ever played. I was looking for a new axe and I bought it on the spot. It has a cedar top, rosewood back and sides. Brazilian, I believe, because in Australia it is possible to acquire this wood. But I'm not swearing it is Brazilian rosewood. It is rosewood, though. It is indeed a beautifully made guitar, and the sound is huge. For one reason or another, though, I hardly ever play it now. For one thing, it weighs about 40 lbs (not really but it feels like it). My '61 Velazquez weighs about as much as a helium baloon. If I don't tie it down, the air currents will blow it off the guitar stand. I love the lightness of it. Don't ask me what the weight has to do with the sound or its musical qulity, but I can't get the heavyness of the Price out of my mind. I really don't know why, but I've lost my love for it (the Price). I am considering putting it on eBay or otherwise selling it. Now what I am looking for, is an 8 string fan-fretted guitar like Paul Galbraith plays. I would trade straight-up, or else sell the Price so I can get the money to get the the 8 string.

[steven.schram@reuters.com]

I have owned two John Price guitars, both built after 2002. I believe before 2001 the Price guitars were built much heavier. Those built in 1998, 99 etc are very heavy. The construction now, on the Price guitars is much much lighter. The backs however are very thick to compiment the thin tops which are lattice braced. Currently I have a John Price Flemenco/Classical guitar which has an amazing sound and really does not sound much like a Flemenco guitar anyway. The basses and trebles are very well balanced and the projection in a recital hall are amazing. The wood on this instrument is Australian blackwood which looks a bit like Koa, the top is Spruce. I did own a 2002 Price classical cedar which had a beautiful sound but the string tension to me seemed a bit stiff and the trebles were not well balanced with the basses which were huge. The workmanship on these instruments is in my opinion about as good as it gets. You can just look at these guitars and know they are of the highest quality. I have played many John Price guitars mostly Spruce and several members of the guitar society on Long Island have them besides myself including some concert performers. My current Price, the Flemenco/classical is currently up for sale but mostly due to reducing inventory in my home. I have several "good" guitars" I seem to be playing my vintage Ramirez 1A and my PRO R factory built Cordoba more than the Price these days so it needs to move. I am always buying and selling guitars.

Steve