Help with first classical guitar in NYC

Noblerinthemind · #1 04-23-2009, 02:26 PM

Hi all,

I live in New York City and I'm trying to satiate my obsessive need for a classical guitar and yet still be able to afford food when its all said and done. I was thinking $400 at the high end. Now I'm thinking maybe $300-$600.

I've played piano most of my life and a little guitar but now I've become totally obsessed with classical guitar.

I want to be able to try the guitar I'm going to buy so that leaves out online purchases and limits me to what's in stock at my local guitar stores.

I've been to Rudy's and Luthiers in NYC and I'm thinking about either the Seagull Patrie Etude, the Alvarez AC60, or one of the Antonio Aparicios aa30 (which I kinda fell in love with but its around 600) or aa20.

Any thoughts? Anyone know of where else in New York I can try quality guitars - not counting Ash, GC or Mannys?

Thanks!

Brent Hutto · #2 04-23-2009, 02:32 PM

Two questions:

Are you going to play classical music?

And are you using classical technique (guitar on left leg, neck above horizontal, etc.)?

JamesN4 · #3 04-23-2009, 02:39 PM

I can't help you with your question, but I can say welcome to the forum!

James

Noblerinthemind · #4 04-23-2009, 02:51 PM

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, I am going to play classical music. I'm willing to branch out into Jazz but I'm not there yet. I play(ish) Sor Etude in b minor, Op. 35, N° 22 and a couple of other studies on my steel string for the time being, but it makes it more difficult to use classical technique. But, yes, ideally I do use classical technique - proper positioning of the guitar on left leg, above the horizontal, angled, etc.

Thanks again!

Bryan T · #5 04-23-2009, 02:54 PM

If you can find a used Alvarez Yairi, then be sure to spend some time with it. I've played a few that were really special and very affordable.

Tomo · #6 04-23-2009, 02:55 PM

PM sent

Tomo

Noblerinthemind · #7 04-23-2009, 03:28 PM

Thanks Tomo! Very cool!

Brent Hutto · #8 04-23-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noblerinthemind

Yes, I am going to play classical music. I'm willing to branch out into Jazz but I'm not there yet. I play(ish) Sor Etude in b minor, Op. 35, N° 22 and a couple of other studies on my steel string for the time being, but it makes it more difficult to use classical technique.

Sounds exactly like me about six months ago. I had always used "classical" technique for fingerstyle steel-string and that Sor etude was the one piece I could sorta play.

I ended up way overspending my budget on an older Japanese classical guitar. I like the Yamaha guitars in the CG151/CG171 range among the really affordable ones and the Aparicio instruments you mentioned are probably nice at a slightly higher price point.

terrapin · #9 04-23-2009, 03:41 PM

Did you see this??????????

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=152495

TBman · #10 04-23-2009, 03:42 PM

I've played some Rodriguez guitars that are in your budget and sounded good. The GC by me (Route 17 Paramus NJ) had an Orpheous guitar also that sounded excellent.

My starter classical is a $99 all laminate. It doesn't sound boxy, believe it or not. To my ears, there isn't that much of a difference between my $99 special and a $300 solid top. Around $600 I start hearing a good bit of a difference. The Orpheous sounded excellent, but some of the workmanship was a little off.

Also, sales tax in NJ is only 7%. There is also a GC on Route 4 east in Paramus, west of the Garden state mall on the east bound side. Hop on the GWB and you're there in 15 minutes.

Noblerinthemind · #11 04-23-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrapin

Did you see this??????????

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=152495

Yeah, I saw that earlier and was pretty excited about it but 1) its Flamenco so I'm not sure how that would effect my beginner classical playing and 2) I can't actually play it to know how it would effect anything.

Has anyone ever played the 3F and have an opinion?

Thanks for all the input so far, by the way.

terrapin · #12 04-23-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noblerinthemind

Yeah, I saw that earlier and was pretty excited about it but 1) its Flamenco so I'm not sure how that would effect my beginner classical playing and 2) I can't actually play it to know how it would effect anything.

Has anyone ever played the 3F and have an opinion?

Thanks for all the input so far, by the way.

48 hour approval period is "kinda" standard on this forum................

Kindness · #13 04-23-2009, 04:12 PM

I think that sometimes the spanish guitars tend to be set a bit high in the action. I have to agree with Brent, the Yamaha series 171SF is amazing. Yes, it's Flamenco, but I have played it several times at GC and this guitar is simply great for the price. Otherwise, I would scoop up the Takamine 132S on this forum, fantastic guitar, and it has a truss rod.

Lisa

Chris Wood · #14 04-23-2009, 04:13 PM

I looked at classical gutars recently and played a number of them. Guitar Center sells the Orpheus Valley Sofia SC for about 650 bucks. Really nice sounding guitar, nicely made out of all solid woods (I think). Try one if you have a chance.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Kremona-...38-i1443079.gc

Chris.

Brent Hutto · #15 04-23-2009, 04:24 PM

The fact of that Alhambra 3F is a flamenco is unlikely to present a problem IMHO.

I've played a Yamaha CG171SF (flamenco version) that would work fine for classical but the CG171S (spruce classical) had a warmer and fuller tone to my ears. Then again I played it a couple hundred hours of practicing after I played the '171SF which has to be part of the difference.

I think I'd jump on that 3F myself in your situation, unless you are really uncomfortable with buying before trying in person.