So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

It's all good, I was just joking, I'm used to being told my degree is gonna be worthless :)

No. It is those sound recording engineer courses that are a waste. The UK is littered with disgruntled/over-educated graduates who imagined that a piece of paper would automatically land them a fun/exciting/"glamorous" recording studio job.

My favourite piece of advice on this subject originally appeared in a column in "Sound On Sound" magazine. Contributor/musician/composer Big George Webley suggested that young men and women should forget about the recording industry and, instead, train to be plumbers. London needs plumbers!

I digress.

+1 on Aria. The Sandpiper model is a nice electro-acoustic. I cannot remember the nut width. Your tutor may be strict about having the proper two inch nut.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

His only specifications were no cutaways and no electronics

other than that it's up in the air

Good suggestions so far, thanks guys, I got a lotta guitars to check out :)
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Right... because electronics will kill tone... I'd stuff a PUTW in there just to mess with him.

Can most people even hear the difefrence a cutaway brings? I recall a pretty big discussion on MIMF and I think the end opinion was that that area doesn't move enough air to matter. I may be remembering incorrectly.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Wow, he's really old school. Does your music department have guitars that they lend out to students for practice? If they do, I would get one of those. My music department had yamahas and fenders.

Whenever you're ready for a concert classical, I suggest you get one from this guy:

http://myworld.ebay.com/beli005&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSX:SELLERID

This guy is a real luthier. He actually looks for the wood, gets it cut down, and builds them all by hand.

!BmKOeGwCGk~$(KGrHqUOKi8Etlyt7OKtBLepq1yNDQ~~_3.JPG


I'll buy one from him if I'm ever worthy to play such a beauty.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

He doesn't want cut aways because some scales, phrases, pieces, or etc require you to play beyond the 12 fret. There are certain techniques that are thought about playing anything higher than the 12 fret. I guess he doesn't want to go easy on his students. A lot of classical players can come off as snobs at time. Trust me, I've seen it.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

He doesn't want cut aways because some scales, phrases, pieces, or etc require you to play beyond the 12 fret. There are certain techniques that are thought about playing anything higher than the 12 fret. I guess he doesn't want to go easy on his students. A lot of classical players can come off as snobs at time. Trust me, I've seen it.
I know that but... what's the point? Then again I reckon he'll learn to do without the cutaway so he'll rip on a guitar that has better access. Now, what's the story with electronics? I've seen Portuguese guitarists (players of the Portuguese Guitar, not regular guitarists that are Portuguese) add some sort of electronics and those things are actually louder than a nylon classical.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

yamaha
my first acoustic was a yamaha classical that I too bought off a class drop out
for 100 bucks

sounded great
hard to play( and I mean REAL hard)

made everything else easier
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

I know that but... what's the point? Then again I reckon he'll learn to do without the cutaway so he'll rip on a guitar that has better access. Now, what's the story with electronics? I've seen Portuguese guitarists (players of the Portuguese Guitar, not regular guitarists that are Portuguese) add some sort of electronics and those things are actually louder than a nylon classical.

I dunno man, trust me I'd rather have a DC with pickups and a bigsby, but no such luck
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Ok - let me answer the question; The cheapest yamaha classical you can find. Honestly, the cheapest Yamaha anything is pretty dang functional. I have a Yamaha CGX-171, I love it (that's not the cheapest!).

Here is my favorite line - "All you need is a Master's or PhD"

Another - Methusala, my teacher says no cutaway's or electronics.

I can go on. Bro - you need to have a serious sitdown with some people about ten years older than you, living in the 21st century, not working for the school and get some reality check. I'm not saying that to be b!tchy, preachy or whatever. I'm saying it because so much of everything you are saying sounds soooo wrong I can not even begin to know where to start!

what I'm seeing / hearing about your whole deal says T-R-O-U-B-L-E all over the place. It sounds to me like you have a goal, but it doesn't sound one bit like these guys at school are going to do jack to get you there. They are a bunch of sheltered academic eggheads with their heads up their @$$es in tenured la-la land.

There are ways you can hit your goal - achieve everything you want AND be prepared for a worst case scenairio....And I guarantee it won't be following their Betty Crocker 1950's recipe to play Tordiglioni.

Why do I say this? Because I have a PhD, spent time a t a school with a SERIOUS music program, have worked in the real world, and know what kind of disconnects there are between those dudes and everything else. Send me a PM...we'll talk.

Or get the Yamaha and rock (or bach) on...
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

I know that but... what's the point? Then again I reckon he'll learn to do without the cutaway so he'll rip on a guitar that has better access. Now, what's the story with electronics? I've seen Portuguese guitarists (players of the Portuguese Guitar, not regular guitarists that are Portuguese) add some sort of electronics and those things are actually louder than a nylon classical.

IDK, he's just a purist when it comes to the classical guitar I guess. I was taught a bit of classical by the style of "Andres Segovia". If you don't know who he is, this is the guy who put classical guitar on the map. This guy once said that if you don't have nails on your right hand you shouldn't be playing classical guitar. These hardcore classical guys can be snobs. :28:
 
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Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Long time no contact bro...glad to see you're still doin what you do.

From what i've observed at the shop, the Cordoba stuff is pretty good quality for money and most of their stuff comes with a nice gig bag. Yamaha is pretty much THE "I'm only buying this because I want to learn to play it" instrument...from guitars to flutes and everything else...so their classicals are not bad.

I am very disappointed that you're selling your Gretsch and not planning to immediately replace it with a white Les Paul Custom -- especially cuz you know I'll hook you up on one :smokin:
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

IDK, he's just a purist when it comes to the classical guitar I guess. I was taught a bit of classical by the style of "Andres Segovia". If you don't know who he is, this is the guy who put classical guitar on the map. This guy once said that if you don't have nails on your right hand you shouldn't be playing classical guitar. These hardcore classical guys can be snobs. :28:

By the "style" of....what does that mean? Did you mean "IN the style of"

Not a nail on any finger. I play just fine.

I guess Mike Stern doesn't really play Jazz because he uses a Tele. I suppose Stevie Ray couldn't play the Blues because he wasn't black. I guess Yo Yo Ma has been all but banned for playing non-bach programs. This guy must HATE Liona Boyd (probably be cause we know who she is and he is a bitter old fart no one has heard of!)

That's the thing that gets me. Yes - Segovia INVENTED THE SPORT!!!!! Just like Robert Johnson did the blues (well, not exactly) But RJ would never presume to tell you how to play. Neither would BB, Clapton, Slash and any other number of great players. But these guys managed to get a teaching gig and are set - until I do a study on cost of the faculty vs enrollment; Bottom line is they cost more than they are worth! You know what that means - no one wants to hear it. Places like GIT/Berklee etc...are way ahead of the curve.

When you become that locked into something you have killed it and your art is DEAD. Never listen to guys like that. All they understand is how they got theirs and are living in the past, and most importantly - they have no concern for helping you get yours.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Ok - let me answer the question; The cheapest yamaha classical you can find. Honestly, the cheapest Yamaha anything is pretty dang functional. I have a Yamaha CGX-171, I love it (that's not the cheapest!).

Here is my favorite line - "All you need is a Master's or PhD"

Another - Methusala, my teacher says no cutaway's or electronics.

I can go on. Bro - you need to have a serious sitdown with some people about ten years older than you, living in the 21st century, not working for the school and get some reality check. I'm not saying that to be b!tchy, preachy or whatever. I'm saying it because so much of everything you are saying sounds soooo wrong I can not even begin to know where to start!

what I'm seeing / hearing about your whole deal says T-R-O-U-B-L-E all over the place. It sounds to me like you have a goal, but it doesn't sound one bit like these guys at school are going to do jack to get you there. They are a bunch of sheltered academic eggheads with their heads up their @$$es in tenured la-la land.

There are ways you can hit your goal - achieve everything you want AND be prepared for a worst case scenairio....And I guarantee it won't be following their Betty Crocker 1950's recipe to play Tordiglioni.

Why do I say this? Because I have a PhD, spent time a t a school with a SERIOUS music program, have worked in the real world, and know what kind of disconnects there are between those dudes and everything else. Send me a PM...we'll talk.

Or get the Yamaha and rock (or bach) on...


PM sent, but don't talk to me like this, especially out in the open, if nothing else it's just bad manners.

Yes, we're doing pretty much strictly Segovia stuff, lots and lots of exercises and right-hand technique. I kind of dig it, actually, it's polishing up my solo jazz stuff a bit

Xander, you know I want it, but I have to buy this guitar and hopefully have some money left over to put towards... not a pro jr for my ensemble/combo classes.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Hey - I'm all for solid right hand foundation. And it will transfer to the Jazz. I know my Blues are better for playing classical.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

By the "style" of....what does that mean? Did you mean "IN the style of"

Not a nail on any finger. I play just fine.

Yeah, I didn't have any nails and I was moving along with what was taught. I guess I didn't word it right but yes "in the style of". IIRC, there are several teaching methods for classical guitar and my department decided that segovia's was the best.
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

I have a Takamine C-128 for since about forever.

Always served me well, sounds good and survived some rough
handling. Highly recommended.

c128-01_med.jpg


c128-02.jpg
 
Re: So I have to buy a classical guitar...

Don't bring Esteban into this, we all know he's a ******, regardless of what style he plays
 
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