buying a decent spanish guitar

yow

Has anyone out there gone to Madrid to buy a decent handmade spanish guitar?

I have persisted with my cheap guitar for years and now feel it is time to splash out! But before I do...I need some advice. Would going to Madrid be worth the trip or just a waste of time?

Any thoughts appreciated..

PS I choose Madrid as seems to have a concentration of best guitar makers...

gavitron22

you can get very good ones in ireland if you know where to look, my old guitar teacher opened a guitar shop in the north that has very close ties with a really good guitar maker, all handmade guitars and all, i didn't get one but if it's not too far you might wanna check out there before heading off to spain! http://www.briankeenanguitarcentre.com/ a really nice guy and will sort you out if he can at all!

tomasrojo

I found London a good place to buy classical or flamenco guitars, and you might find it easier to get to and find your way around, unless you have good Spanish.

I did buy a flamenco guitar in Madrid, but it was an entry-level guitar. I have two concert-standard classical guitars, one of which I bought off another another guitarist in Dublin and the other I bought from the Spanish Guitar Centre in London.

furerer

My recommendation would be to go to one of the many sellers of nylon guitars that has a studio where you can try them out first. There is one in Devon that seems pretty good. He has all the brands of guitars up to the very expensive hand-made ones. You book a time and go with no commitment to buy, but it gives you a chance to try out in suitable surroundings.....and not a shop floor. This way you choose an instrument against other makes with no rush and no expensive outlay, and if you wish to go to Spain to purchase you can do so after.
Dont make the mistake of buying a guitar from few on offer, and few makes, you may just regret it. Take your time, and if not sure....do not buy. And dont forget it takes a while for a new guitar to break in.
Hope that helps.
P.S. Mexico make very good guitars also.

The Raven.

No need to go to Madrid. Michael O'Leary makes brilliant guitars, and he is based in Carlow. Here is the link to his website and you get to hear these superb guitars on several videos, played by top professional musicians.

http://www.olearyguitars.com/

tomasrojo

Michael O'Leary is a very nice guy too.

furerer

forgot to add the website of the place I was writing about in Devon, take a look:
http://www.classical-guitars-plus.co.uk/

LukeQuietus

Get a red Redgate for about €12,000.

This is it being played amazingly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Dy37bBIW4&playnext=1&videos=pFMFBnW9O9w

FredTroll

I agree. LOL

yow

well I was in USA and took a look at guitar shop there. Even had mexican hand made guitars at $2000 approx...but felt they played no better than my cheap yamaha...although much better sound. Will keep looking but no hurry. Almost like looking for the right chick!!

Thanks for all suggestions...:)

capo00

David Russell, Sharon Isbin, Berta Rojas and other artists own and play O'Leary guitars. Here is a great clip of Berta Rojas playing her O'Leary guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1bbW1NKlbk

Really just the most full, round, focused and yet open at the same time trebles you can imagine. Incredible guitars.