Gonna buy a new one...

[John_c]

Hi folks :)

I thought I'd pick the brains of you fine people here. I'm currently playing an Alvarez classical guitar. It has suited my purposes just fine until now as I have been getting my feet wet in the classical world over the last year or so. Actually I'm having some problems at the moment with it - the 1st, high E string is buzzing when played at the eleventh fret and there is definite evidence of the neck warping outwards. This guitar does not have a truss rod (does any classic guitar have one of these?) so does anyone know if this problem can be fixed in any way?

I am moving to the Los Angeles area in a few months (July I hope) and want to purchase a new, quality classical guitar. Not necessarily expensive although I'm willing to invest what's required to get a quality instrument. It has been my experience in the past that quality and price are not always synonymous. But having said that, I am willing to spend upwards of $1,000 on a new guitar.

Does anyone know of any good stores in the LA area? Reputable brands? Should I sit and play it for several minutes before buying it (something I've always done with other guitars)? What about bringing along a more experienced classical guitarist to assist me in choosing an instrument?


If anyone has any advice, ideas, experience you can relate, I'd sure appreciate it a lot my friends. Thank you all so much and have a wonderful week :)
John

[J]

I would say if you’re not terribly attached to the Alverez and are ready to purchase a new guitar anyways, don’t bother fixing the old one. Put the cash towards a better guitar. There are very few Classicals with truss rods, so it’s doubtful you’ll see one. Bring someone who already plays classical if you’re going to a store that doesn’t have a good expirienced and knowledgable classical guitar person on staff. If you go to a CG specialty shop you can probably get a lot of tips from the staff. Give yourself some time and be sure to play a lot of guitars side by side. You can even bring along your current guitar so you have a reference point from store to store. Cedar tops open up quickly and Spruce tops will take a few years. Both have differences in sound quality and neither is better. When you think you’ve found the one, see if you can have the guitar strung with the tension/brand of strings you will be using. You can bring along a set just in case along with a foot stool and nail file. I’ll usually play it in a quiet room for about a ½ hour before making the final decision. Good Luck

[adrian]

John_c,
If you're going to be in the area, feel free to give our sales department a call at 1-310-586-1100. Ask for Ken, Dave, or David. We're happy to answer any questions.

Adrian,
GSI

[John_c]

Thanks guys very much for your replies, J - you were a big help I appreciate it.

Adrian, I will be in CA the start of July but I don't know WHEN I'll be buying - hopefully before the end of the year. Anyway I'll probably mosey on down before that and have a look-see. Thanks a million for the help, I really appreciate it.

[sktn77a]

Some, but not all, Alvarez classical guitars have a truss rod (eg the current MC80 and MC90). In any event, if yours does not, is your bridge heavily sloping down towards the high E string? If so a flatter saddle may cure your buzzing (you may just want to raise the entire saddle height with a new saddle). Higher tension strings may also be enough to eliminate the buzzing on the high E. These should cost less that $10 each if you can do it yourself and may just give you a little more time without that annoying buzz before you take the plunge and spend a lot of your hard-earned money!

Keith