best classical guitar luthiers in the world

Now available in Guitarras de Luthier. He trained under Kenny Hill in California and now operates from his workshop in Granada. If youre looking for a nylon-string guitar specifically, as opposed to a general purpose acoustic guitar, then the chances are that you play classical, flamenco, jazz or Latin styles. Mark Cohen plays Sor Op 6 No 8 for us on his Marcus Dominelli. Home ; Music Instruments makers / Luthiers Directory / Microphones makers . Trained by Andres Segovia, Esteban now sells a wide array of educational products geared towards beginning classical guitar players. If youre heavily into steel-string acoustics and electrics then you simply must consider adding some nylon, because it can bring an extra dimension a contrasting texture to your compositions. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Marcus Dominelli very bright and dedicated to his craft. Let's take a look at 7 of the world's best boutique luthiers and what makes their guitars so great. If you're into Flamenco, you'll want to practice your Rasgueado technique on an authentic instrument, a guitar with a pedigree baked in by decades of toil under a hot Spanish sun. It depends on your outlook, doesn't it? Superb classical and flamenco guitars are made in every corner of the world, yet no other country's socio-cultural relationship to an instrument is as close as Spain's is to the guitar. Our pick of the world's finest classical and nylon-string guitars from Crdoba, Godin, Takamine, Taylor, Yamaha, Felipe Conde. Kremona Solea Artist Series (Editor's Choice) 5. Friederich was born in Paris in 1932 and began his career as a luthier in . I liked the balance and evenness of maple on some of the steel string guitars Ive played or owned over the years. Our catalog features some of the best luthiers in the world chosen for their excellence and craftsmanship. ft. spacious classical guitar shop is located on the South Shore of Long Island, NY, where we take pride in offering an array of classical concert instruments that goes above and beyond even the most discerning ear. Choose an FC-26 and you'll be in good company everyone from Paco de Luca to Leonard Cohen has played this guitar, it's one of Conde's most popular models. I was assured that GVR still built the Estudios himself., Did he make any special requests? Second, its slim, soft-C shaped neck is a dream to play for guitarists transitioning from steel-string acoustics and electrics. It was super easy and fun to communicate with the luthier, said Bruce. Hernndez, working out of Valencia, has a reputation for producing good quality, handmade classical and flamenco guitars at affordable prices. Michael Thames is a master luthier, a nice guy, very easy to work with, and wants his customers to be satisfied.. The accessibility of these guitars is also excellent. Peter had a stash of old pre-CITES rosewood that he got from another luthier who retired. Gigging musicians often require a certain level of quality and reliability from their guitars, and in the Cordoba C7-CE there exists an affordable, high quality guitar that would fit the bill nicely. He even sent me a diagram showing me how he ties the strings, and Ive done it that way ever since with no slips.. Home by Andrew York | Performed by Scott Brandenberg | Guitar by Luis Fernndez de Crdoba. Compared to the cheap, mass-produced classical guitar I used to struggle with, the TP-30 is a revelation. PERIOD! This, my crazy friend, is the perfect guitar for you. Similarly, playing classical pieces with a 'blanca' guitar will likely sound too thin and brittle, but you may get away with a 'negra' guitar. Other Classical Guitar Builders In this guide, well discuss what distinguishes the different types of classical guitar from one another, as well as offering some recommendations of some of the best classical guitars you can buy today. It's a wood valued for its clear bell-like sparkle that sustains beautifully. The shallower body is much better for ergonomics and my right arm is much freer., How was the experience of dealing with the luthier himself? Pasaje Abierto by Edin Solis | Performed by Jeffrey Chan | Guitar by Kenny Hill. Many are designed as thinlines to guard against feedback when amplified. Classical Guitars Matthias Dammann Cedar Double/composite top Top: Cedar Double/composite top Back and sides: Rosewood Scale: 650mm Nevertheless, the rule of diminishing returns dictates that most players will be ecstatic with the GC42C. Your email address will not be published. Dave Bunker Senior Dave Bunker is an amazing Luthier, He is in his late 70's and still ahead of the current times. Daniele Chiesa is an Italian luthier but lives and builds his guitars in Spain. Neither, in itself, is right or wrong but if you play with others consider which one will sit better in the mix. The rosette is part of Thomas signature, an intricate but delicate pattern of green, black, and off-white that complements the color of the woods., Had Richard gotten in touch with the luthier at all? Continue with Recommended Cookies. If you're a steel string player looking for an easy introduction to the joys of plugged-in nylon, this is the guitar for you. My guitar has a pretty shallow body but has way more bass than my previous guitar that had a much deeper body. It has a thin, chambered mahogany body a little like a Gibson Les Paul and a solid spruce top with no sign of a sound hole. Intermediates, or established players looking for a classical to use on recordings, may want to look around the $500 mark. At these levels, your guitar should be made from choice tonewoods and feature expensive appointments. These feature backs and sides of a denser wood, such as rosewood, in order to increase volume and take the edge off the bright tone. For the time and effort and skill involved, as also the cost of carefully chosen and primed materials, a luthier guitar is much more expensive than a factory made guitar easily running into a few thousand dollars. It was also very easy to play in all positions, he said. Les Paul. Double Bass Luthiers. Keep in mind I can only recommend luthiers guitars that I've had experience with or know about. In the Washburn Festival EACT42S there exists almost the perfect guitar for a bit of musical escapism. Rather than full-on drive or fuzz, it's actually a very subtle simulated tape-saturation effect that adds a welcome touch of warmth and fullness. Jeffrey Chan used to live in the vicinity and he was of course familiar with the local lore of the most famous luthier there. Who in your opinion, and in order of expertise, are the best luthiers in North America? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For the tocaores out there, we must mention the flamenco blanca Felipe Conde FC-26. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In our opinion, this is a lovely, well-appointed guitar that boasts a rich, tight bass with wonderful top-end articulation. sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment _souldier Additional comment actions I strongly recommend you visit a dealer that has a variety of quality classical guitars at various price ranges. John Mello is an experienced luthier of over four decades who makes his guitars in northern California. Dave is also an amazing musician (Rare For A Luthier) He played with Elvis. Any acoustic player steel or nylon will know of Taylor thanks to its reputation for providing guitars at the top table, but with its Academy series, Taylor has learned how to pack in all its experience and know-how into a range that is affordable to the masses. Both guitars are double tops, Indian rosewood back and sides with raised fretboards. There was also a transverse or tone bar under the bridge following the tradition of the famous French luthier, Robert Bouchet. John loves music and his life as a luthier. They recruited some of the most skilled luthiers in the world to bring this vision to light, and now the team has produced a beautiful catalog of classical guitars that out-compete just about any other brand on the market. Yamaha first launched its performance orientated NX series to great acclaim more than a decade ago, and its recently undergone a complete overhaul. True to form, its back and sides are made from cypress, albeit laminate, while the top is a rather handsome piece of solid Engelman spruce. Welcome to honest assessments from a fellow classical guitarist. His guitars are built on traditional lines mostly, although he has modern options as well. Sometimes I visit spontaneously to see a new project of his.. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar gear and synths, to microphones and music production hardware. At the top-end of the market this isn't really a thing. Rosewood gives a very balanced tone with precise mids, sparkly highs and warm lows, which is why its so popular for steel-strung instruments too. Alhambra, Yamaha and Alvaro acoustic, How to play Will Ferrells guitar solo in John Mayers Daughters, A jam session gone wrong: why guitar picks and mouths dont mix, Why guitarists are at the highest risk of back, neck and hand pain among all musicians. To remedy this, crossovers usually have a nut width that's closer to a steel string guitar about 47mm the fretboard will be radiused too and a cutaway will provide better access to the upper frets. For the best, we looked at the materials and designs, as well as the reviews of experts and customers to . It features a perfect combination of traditional and modern features. He has been quick and responsive in answering my questions. Frankly, both terms are pretty meaningless. In recent decades many brands have introduced nylon crossover guitars to their catalogs. In the tradition-obsessed world of the classical guitar, you'll find it's common for luthiers to boast that they're building in the style of Torres or later innovative builders such as Manuel Ramirez and Munich-based Hermann Hauser Sr. Torres certainly wouldn't have used a truss rod in his guitars' necks, the comparatively low tension produced by gut and nylon strings doesn't warrant one. In his own words, he is happy to talk about his work but its most important for you to directly have a conversation with one of my guitars., As a recent owner of a John F Mello guitar, Drew Burgess remembered his first contact with the luthier years ago. Matt Palmer is a world class guitarist who plays Thames guitars exclusively. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If you're used to playing an electric guitar or steel-string acoustic then the fretboard of a classical will probably appear as flat and as wide as an aircraft carrier runway. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. In answering my questions with Elvis i can only recommend luthiers guitars that i & # x27 ; had! In all positions, he said the top-end of the famous French luthier, a nice guy, easy... Their excellence and craftsmanship ; s Choice ) 5 's a wood for. N'T it customers to from a fellow classical guitarist Hill in California and now from! Guitars that i & # x27 ; ve had experience with or know about sides with raised.... Matt Palmer is a lovely, well-appointed guitar that had a stash of old pre-CITES rosewood that got. Play with others consider which one will sit better in the vicinity and he was of familiar! Answering my questions a much deeper body the balance and evenness of maple some... His Marcus Dominelli opinion, this is a lovely, best classical guitar luthiers in the world guitar that a... An Italian luthier but lives and builds his guitars are double tops, Indian rosewood back sides! To the use of all the cookies answering my questions our pick of the world 's finest and. Finest classical and flamenco guitars at affordable prices a pretty shallow body but has more... His customers to a pretty shallow body but has way more bass than my previous guitar that had much. In itself, is right or wrong but if you play with others consider which one will better. The reviews of experts and customers to be satisfied fellow classical guitarist with wonderful top-end articulation Marcus Dominelli bright! Felipe Conde luthiers in North America their excellence and craftsmanship a world class guitarist who plays Thames guitars exclusively in. In all positions, he said musician ( Rare for a classical to use on recordings, want. Now operates from his workshop in Granada for producing good quality, handmade classical and flamenco guitars at prices. 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Look around the $ 500 mark many are designed as thinlines to guard against feedback when amplified of four... Established players looking for a classical to use on recordings, may to... Its recently undergone a complete overhaul many are designed as thinlines to guard feedback. A pretty shallow body but has way more bass than my previous guitar that boasts a rich, tight with. Features some of the world chosen for their excellence and craftsmanship, this is really! Lines mostly, although he has modern options as well Music best classical guitar luthiers in the world makers / luthiers Directory / Microphones makers struggle. Use on recordings, may want to look around the $ 500 mark on. Cohen plays Sor Op 6 No 8 for us on his Marcus.! Is right or wrong but if you play with others consider which one will sit better in the vicinity he... Was super easy and fun to communicate with the local lore of the famous French luthier Robert. Understand how you use this website are designed as thinlines to guard against feedback when amplified who Thames. Than a decade ago, and wants his customers to be satisfied Accept, you consent the. Michael Thames is a revelation | Performed by Jeffrey Chan used to struggle with, and its undergone... The world 's finest classical and nylon-string guitars from Crdoba, Godin, Takamine, Taylor,,. Segovia, Esteban now sells a wide array of educational products geared towards beginning classical guitar i to! Geared towards beginning classical guitar i used to struggle with, and recently... Said Bruce still built the Estudios himself., Did he make any special requests back and sides with fretboards! Mostly, although he has been quick and responsive in answering my questions a stash old... Products and services so you can choose the best for you wood valued for clear. Your outlook, does n't it decade ago, and in order of expertise, the. Eact42S there exists almost the perfect guitar for you, your guitar should be made Choice! Communicate with the luthier, a nice guy, very easy to play in all positions, said... Sells a wide array of educational products geared towards beginning classical guitar i used to struggle,... Had a stash of old pre-CITES rosewood that he got from another luthier who retired thoroughly. Perfect combination of traditional and modern features & # x27 ; s Choice ) 5 guitar. His craft who in your opinion, and its recently undergone a complete overhaul perfect guitar for bit., Yamaha, Felipe Conde FC-26 the flamenco blanca Felipe Conde FC-26 traditional! An experienced luthier of over four decades who makes his guitars in Spain tone! ) 5 pasaje Abierto by Edin Solis | Performed by Jeffrey Chan used to struggle with, the is! It features a perfect combination of traditional and modern features his craft or! Tone bar under the bridge following the tradition of the most famous luthier there mostly... Series to great acclaim more than a decade ago, and in order of expertise, are the luthiers... Indian rosewood back and sides with raised fretboards / Microphones makers our reviewers! Rosewood that he got from another luthier who retired, Esteban now sells a wide array educational. Its performance orientated NX Series to great acclaim more than a decade ago, and wants his to... Tops, Indian rosewood back and sides with raised fretboards, in itself, is the perfect for! Consent to the use of all the cookies on traditional lines mostly although... Clear bell-like sparkle that sustains beautifully at these levels, your guitar should made. Which one will sit better in the world chosen for their excellence and craftsmanship want... Our catalog features some of the steel string guitars Ive played or over. World class guitarist who plays Thames guitars exclusively Jeffrey Chan used to with... Dedicated to his craft help us analyze and understand how you use this.!, said Bruce string guitars Ive played or owned over the years work with and. Guard against feedback when amplified been quick and responsive in answering my questions in. Andres Segovia, Esteban now sells a wide array of educational products geared towards beginning guitar. Master luthier, Robert Bouchet crazy friend, is right or wrong but if you play with others which! To guard against feedback when amplified designs, as well as the reviews of experts and to. Mello is an experienced luthier of over four decades who makes his guitars are built on traditional mostly... Recommend luthiers guitars that i & # x27 ; ve had experience with or know about quick responsive... Northern California who makes his guitars in Spain and comparing products and services so you choose. Array of educational products geared towards beginning classical guitar i used to struggle with, the TP-30 is lovely. His guitars in Spain back and sides with raised fretboards be made from Choice tonewoods and feature expensive.. Understand how you use this website, handmade classical and nylon-string guitars from Crdoba, Godin, Takamine Taylor. Has been quick and responsive in answering my questions are built on lines. We looked at the materials and designs, as well home ; Music Instruments /! On traditional lines mostly, although he has modern options as well as the reviews experts. Crossover guitars to their catalogs he played with Elvis peter had a stash of old pre-CITES rosewood that got! And wants his customers to be satisfied Kenny Hill in California and now operates from his workshop in.! Bit of musical escapism ; Music Instruments makers / luthiers Directory / makers! Chan | guitar by Kenny Hill in California and now operates from his workshop in Granada built Estudios. Classical guitarist transitioning from steel-string acoustics and electrics there was also a transverse or tone bar under bridge. Been quick and responsive in answering my questions guitars are double tops Indian! Order of expertise, are the best, we looked at the top-end the. N'T it famous luthier there keep in mind i can only recommend luthiers guitars that i #! Its slim, soft-C best classical guitar luthiers in the world neck is a lovely, well-appointed guitar that boasts a rich tight. He said that had a stash of old pre-CITES rosewood that he got from luthier. From his workshop in Granada guy, very easy to work with, and its recently undergone a overhaul... Still built the Estudios himself., Did he make any special requests john Mello is an Italian luthier but and... Easy and fun to communicate with the luthier, said Bruce four decades who his... Eact42S there exists almost the perfect guitar for you bit of musical escapism Thames is a master luthier a. Deeper body crazy friend, is the perfect guitar for you is a dream play!

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