Classical guitar, which brands, models and price range?

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brooombrooom Frets: 1170
I got started in classical guitar, many years ago.

As I've been letting go of all my electrics and subsequently thinking more and more about playing acoustic guitars. I've thought about having a classical nylon string guitar again.

I would like something decent this time around. A guitar with solid wood construction.

I've been looking at brands such as Cordoba, Esteve and Alhambra.

Any recommendations or tips would be welcome.

Thanks
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Comments

  • ToneControlToneControl Frets: 11788
    buy second hand, it's a buyer's market

    what's your budget?
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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    I was thinking no more than £1500.
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  • ToneControlToneControl Frets: 11788
    you should be able to get something good for that, but you're under the normal band for used hand-made luthier guitars

    Don't make the mistake I made a few months ago, which was to use my existing knowledge to buy one, instead
    join this forum: delcamp  and have a look on their for sale pages

    Then there are a few "classical guitar brokers around the UK", who tend to stock 20-30 high-level instruments, I tried one near me, and bought an excellent used guitar, and was able to try it against a much larger variety than in a shop, but with lower used prices.

    here are some links for you
    https://www.kentguitarclassics.com/guitars
    http://www.nugentguitars.com/
    there were some others I have seen too

    London guitar studio is a good start

    I will write more later
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  • ToneControlToneControl Frets: 11788
    there are good shops in Birmingham and Stafford too
    https://www.staffordguitar.com/
    https://www.classicalguitar.co.uk/

    I was in a similar position before last Christmas: always played classical a bit, wanted to get back to it more.
    My old classical was a higher-end factory one (RRP £1500-2000) that frankly did not inspire me much, it weighed a ton and did not have great tone (I think).
    I would assume that there are factory made ones that are better

    My first error was to buy a fusion nylon, then I found that I didn't actually like a narrower fingerboard, although I liked the radius on it. Also, it was X-braced for amplified stage work - for classical you need fan-bracing or lattice to get the top moving from the lower-tension nylon strings

    Don't make the mistake of looking at flamencos either, they have a very different purpose
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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    edited October 2018
    yep definitely not looking at flamenco guitars, would prefer more of an all round classical guitar, with classical aesthetics as well.

    Preferably something based near London. Would be nice.
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  • ToneControl said: 
    My first error was to buy a fusion nylon, then I found that I didn't actually like a narrower fingerboard, although I liked the radius on it. Also, it was X-braced for amplified stage work - for classical you need fan-bracing or lattice to get the top moving from the lower-tension nylon strings

    Don't make the mistake of looking at flamencos either, they have a very different purpose
    Generally classical guitars and their players seem to go for higher tension nylon strings than flamenco guitars; specialist flamenco strings are generally a lot lower tension than than classical guitar string sets.

    A flamenco guitar has a lower action in addition to less relief can be 'easier' to play. I would recommend trying a flamenco negra (one with rosewood back and sides) if possible.  Generally, classical guitars have a 12th fret of above 3mm -3.5mm and above , flamenco guitars for 3mm and under.

    Cordoba have some good models in your budget, but I would avoid Esteve and Alhambra.  FWIW, I think the best budget nylon strings guitars are Camps; the Camps Primera models are exceptional for the price.  

    In London guitar shops for nylon strings are limited with one of the few decent places is London Guitar Studio, which is near Bond Street where they usually have some Camps models in stock. 

    Kent Guitar Classics might be worth getting a train to if you are able to, their 'Cadenza' model is supposed to be very good, a bit more than your budget and the maker Stephen Eden posts on another forum I frequent who's a gentleman. 

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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    Thanks, I've been looking at Cordoba's actually. Any experience with Ramirez?
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  • ToneControlToneControl Frets: 11788
    you need to learn the current and past model ranges for those manufacturers, then you can search ebay for the bargains. Ramirez are a top name, but their cheaper stuff is not exceptional
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  • menamestommenamestom Frets: 4641
    you need to learn the current and past model ranges for those manufacturers, then you can search ebay for the bargains. Ramirez are a top name, but their cheaper stuff is not exceptional
    Their cheaper guitars are made by the likes of Camps and Alhambra I believe.
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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    What do you mean "cheap". Basically is a £1500 Ramirez, cheap?
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  • brooom said:
    What do you mean "cheap". Basically is a £1500 Ramirez, cheap?
    It would be an student level guitar built in a factory and probably not by Ramirez. Not good value in my opinion. For a bit more you could get a used hand-made concert level guitar.
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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    understood, will check... first I've got to sell some of the gear I currently have. Priorities!
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  • you need to learn the current and past model ranges for those manufacturers, then you can search ebay for the bargains. Ramirez are a top name, but their cheaper stuff is not exceptional
    Their cheaper guitars are made by the likes of Camps and Alhambra I believe.
    Camps are pretty good, Alhambra less so!  

    Ramirez used to be excellent, but those particular models are very expensive and highly collectable. 

    I agree with heavyrocker about going for a bit more and going for a used concert level guitar. 
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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    will try to do so, I've had a look at london guitar studio and they seem to have some used concert guitars, also I've received some suggestions, which look good.

    Will try to go a bit higher in budget but don't really want to stretch it too much.

    Also need to sell a lot of gear before I venture into this.
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  • ToneControlToneControl Frets: 11788
    just go and try a load of guitars - and form opinions before the money is ready
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  • brooombrooom Frets: 1170
    yep, I will give london guitar studio a try. As it is the closest to me.
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  • Jaycee said:
    I do wish you hadn't posted this... it ticks so many boxes for me that at some point I'm going to have to spend some money on one :)

    Si
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  • JayceeJaycee Frets: 287
    edited October 2018
    Jaycee said:
    I do wish you hadn't posted this... it ticks so many boxes for me that at some point I'm going to have to spend some money on one

    Si
    My apologies  I live not far from Cardiff where Paul is based. I did pop into his workshop a few years ago and he has a great setup and the guitars sound great.  I wondered if his prices were close to Broom' £1500, looks like they may be.
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  • I've got a nice Amalio Burguet '2M' for sale...just haven't got round to listing it yet...will drop you a PM.
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