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View Full Version : Asturias Standard ... Wow


TimMoore
09-28-2005, 07:23 AM
Hi All,

I'm a long time lurker and first time poster.

As an electric guitarist turned ss acoustic guitarist turned cg wannabe (or cg "student" is a better name), I decided to take the plunge and finally upgrade my cg.

I decided on the Asturia Standard based on price and on the comments regarding it's playability. I figured that it's playability would ease the transition from ss acoustic to a nylon cg. I was under the impression that improved playability would be a "relative" term to very unplayable cg's that I had experienced in the past.

When I recieved the instrument, I was stunned. I immediately realized that this instrument was as playable or more playable than all my other guitars. For reasons that I still don't undrestand, barre chords, my long standing nemesis, are no longer a problem. They sound full and no dead strings or buzzing. I can't believe that I became a better player just by getting a new instrument. :D

The craftsmanship on the instrument is superb and I can't find a single flaw anywhere on the instrument. The tone out-of-the-box was a little disappointing but I'm amazed at how quickly the instrument opened up within a few hours of play and the tone is continuing to improve. Given that I've only had it less than a day, I can't wait to see how the tone of the instrument will continue to evolve.

I was also very impressed with the service from GSI. Literally within minutes of my placing the order over the internet, Ken was on the phone with me confirming my order and suggesting ways that I could save some money on shipping. I did not expect this level of service on a "student" instrument.

My only "complaint" about the instrument is the lack of any side dots. I'd like at least one dot for the 7th fret. But, I guess that this will just make me a better player to not have to rely on the dots ;-)

Finally, does any one know what type of strings come standard on this instrument and does anyone have any experience with other strings and their effect on this instrument ??

The thing that I've noticed is that the D and G strings don't sound very well together and although each one sounds great alone and intonation and tuning of the guitar seems spot on, if you play two notes together on the D and G strings they tend to "resonant" badly against each other causing some "sourness". For example, with the standard Aminor chord, if you play the full chord it sounds great. If you play just the D and G strings together, it sounds sour. I've not experienced this before on any of my instruments, and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this and if diffenent strings would have a difference.

Cheers,

Tim

pluffmudd
09-28-2005, 08:03 AM
Tim,

I have an Asturias Renaissance CD/IN. I agree - they are good sounding guitars. I found mine did open more and more over time. It also sounds better once it has "warmed up". Also, I live in a pretty humid area of the country and it also sounds VERY GOOD on days of 50-60% humidity.

I have tried many different types of strings on it and I prefer the following:

1. Augustine Imperial Red (these sound very good with a beautiful full tone)
2. Galli Genius (GR65) (a little thinner than #1, but still sound very good)
3. Aranjuez Classic Silver 300 (AR300) (these sound real good too)

Check http://www.stringsbymail.com. They have good prices....

I'd start with those and try them each in turn. Each set is diffent with different pro/cons. I'd leave each set on for at least a week to let them settle in. I've read that a lot of people mix/match basses/trebles by different manufacturers, but I prefer to use a complete set by one manufacturer - that seems to work for me.

Good luck and remember the journey is the goal... :wink:

Pluff

TimMoore
09-28-2005, 08:13 AM
Tim,

I have an Asturias Renaissance CD/IN. I agree - they are good sounding guitars. I found mine did open more and more over time. It also sounds better once it has "warmed up". Also, I live in a pretty humid area of the country and it also sounds VERY GOOD on days of 50-60% humidity.

I have tried many different types of strings on it and I prefer the following:

1. Augustine Imperial Red (these sound very good with a beautiful full tone)
2. Galli Genius (GR65) (a little thinner than #1, but still sound very good)
3. Aranjuez Classic Silver 300 (AR300) (these sound real good too)

Check http://www.stringsbymail.com. They have good prices....

I'd start with those and try them each in turn. Each set is diffent with different pro/cons. I'd leave each set on for at least a week to let them settle in. I've read that a lot of people mix/match basses/trebles by different manufacturers, but I prefer to use a complete set by one manufacturer - that seems to work for me.

Good luck and remember the journey is the goal... :wink:

Pluff

Hi Pluff,

Thanks for the info. I'll let these strings settle in and experiment some with your suggestions.

I have the opposite problem from you. I live in the desert with very low humidity. Our normal humidity is 17-25%. I try not to leave guitars out of the Humicase any longer than necessary. We do get some days in the winter with 50%+ humidify. I'd be curious to see how this guitar responds.

Thanks,

Tim

nighthitcher007
03-22-2010, 11:58 PM
sounds good to me

tanolonco
03-23-2010, 04:04 PM
TimMoore--for a side dot you can get a small piece of paper that has the sticky backside and make a dot. You can use a piece of a label, a piece of shiny paper (like the colored stars one can buy at the drugstore or art supply store) or just about anything. The "sticky paper" will come off easily when you want to have it come off thus not injuring the guitar (do not use superglue). The paper avoids drilling a small hole and gluing in an object (say a small earring stud type of thing).

A lot of professional guitarists use some form of marker--it helps to orient oneself.

Ditto on stringsbymail. The nice thing is that stringsbymail sells many strings in bass set only and treble set only so you can mix and match cheaply as well as buy multiple sets of basses to one set of trebles. A lot of folks will go through 4-6 sets of bass strings before changing the trebles.

bradsmokes
05-06-2010, 12:17 AM
sounds good to me :):)

strngdrvnthng
05-07-2010, 08:52 AM
I currently own two Asturias guitars, a John Mills 20s and a 2008 Custom. Both are Spruce/Ind RW and both sound and look spectacular. The workmanship is second to none from this company. On both guitars I use D'Addario EJ 44/46 C or LP with D'Addario Titanium treble B and 1st E. These strings are consistent, long lasting, and great sounding, and I use them on all of my classical guitars but two. I recommend that you try them since you're experimenting with strings anyway. Congratulations on your new guitar. I wish you a lifetime of beautiful sounds, best wishes, John C.