Alhambra 10C - Am I Dreaming?

[LVR]

It sounds like you, the OP, want to love your guitar but have some doubts or insecurity, or why bother to post about it? Here's an affirmation: it's OK to love your guitar without reservation.

[BeumontSuite]

It sounds like you, the OP, want to love your guitar but have some doubts or insecurity, or why bother to post about it? Here's an affirmation: it's OK to love your guitar without reservation.

Oh, i do love my guitar. No doubt about that. I was originally wondering how such great sound could come from an instrument that by nature, is not known to produce sound comparable to higher end instruments. Granted, i don't own a higher end instrument, but the sound i'm getting now is seriously making me doubt the "factory guitars are second rate" theory. I know, that makes no sense, if i have nothing to compare to. What else am i to think when my trebles shimmer, and the basses sound like a grand piano? Every note hangs in the air after being played and melt sweetly into the next note like a marriage made in heaven.

[Kintla]

I am going to skip the details, but to answer your question, yes, it is possible for a "factory" guitar to meet or even (blasphemy I know) possibly exceed good luthier built instruments, I am not saying it happens often, but imo it can happen, and if the guitar in question makes you happy that's the main thing.
Sherman

[soundknight21]

I am loaning an alhambra guitar right now and I enjoy playing it. I was surprised by the quality of this instrument it is only a 3 c but it contains all the necessary features of a proper instrument. A good dynamic range, subtle nuances in the tone and a relatively consistent tuning. I have a torres style, australian lattice braced style and spanish flamenco hand made instruments, when I want to play serious music at a concert or to prepare for a concert I use these instruments. But when I want to have fun I play the alhambra. If I am enjoying playing the 3 c so much I would really love to try a higher grade alhambra.

Not all factory guitars are the same because not all factories are the same. Ramirez and alhambra are a couple of stand out examples. Yamaha use to be a good example also but has fallen in quality.

Richard Howell of melborne australia has a website in there is a page where he talks about the relationship between the luthier, the player and the instrument. If you are thinking of getting a handmade instrument you need to know exactly what you want. The purpose I believe of getting a handmade instrument is so you can find the instrument you want and ask for minor adjustments to tailor it to your body and physical comfortability lost playing.

[soundknight21]

It sounds like you, the OP, want to love your guitar but have some doubts or insecurity, or why bother to post about it? Here's an affirmation: it's OK to love your guitar without reservation.

Oh, i do love my guitar. No doubt about that. I was originally wondering how such great sound could come from an instrument that by nature, is not known to produce sound comparable to higher end instruments. Granted, i don't own a higher end instrument, but the sound i'm getting now is seriously making me doubt the "factory guitars are second rate" theory. I know, that makes no sense, if i have nothing to compare to. What else am i to think when my trebles shimmer, and the basses sound like a grand piano? Every note hangs in the air after being played and melt sweetly into the next note like a marriage made in heaven.

My teacher told me a story about a lesson with john williams. John needed a guitar to demonstrate something. The only instrument in the room at that time was a yamaha of poor quality. My teacher said that john took this guitar and began playing. He apparently still sounded like john williams even though it was a very poor factory made guitar.

If you are getting a sound you want on your factory guitar and it sounds good then it's probably to do with you more than the guitar, so congratulations on having a good sound clap clap clap.

[BeumontSuite]

I wish there was a video detailing a day in the life of an Alhambra maker. What secrets would it hold, and what truths? We can only speculate what parts of the guitar are made in which manner, or how many different craftsman work on any given section of the instrument. Together they have to craft something that produces beauty. A lot of well known luthiers also work in the same way, whereas they have one or more apprentices or family members that produce different sections of the guitar for them. We all know that sometimes the makers wives or sons will do the french polishing, or various other duties.

What is important in the end is the sound, and to a lesser extent (but not to some), the build quality or asthetic. Lucky to have both.

[petermc61]

Richard house of melborne australia has a website in there is a page where he talks about the relationship between the luthier, the player and the instrument. If you are thinking of getting a handmade instrument you need to know exactly what you want. The purpose I believe of getting a handmade instrument is so you can find the instrument you want and ask for minor adjustments to tailor it to your body and physical comfortability lost playing.

I think the spellchecker got you. The interesting article you mention is on the site of the Australian luthier Richard Howell.

Peter

[mk49]

What else am i to think when my trebles shimmer, and the basses sound like a grand piano? Every note hangs in the air after being played and melt sweetly into the next note like a marriage made in heaven.

If your guitar really sounds as you described, I think it's you who makes it sound like that. Do you have any recordings?

You really should feel lucky. Many players keep searching for a perfect guitar, which doesn't exist, in my opinion.

[BeumontSuite]

I did some recording on it a few years ago, but the equipment i was using was not the best. I'll admit, it was cheap. The recordings as they exist do not do the guitar justice. I wouldn't post them as a testament to anything.

I think the perfect guitar is subjective, completely. I can't help but think of Kill Bill right now..."I'll give you one million dollars, and you give me the greatest guitar ever made by a man." Dreaming.

[montana]

I'm in a bit of a conundrum, as where i live the classical guitar is not important. There's no real market for the instrument, so retailers won't stock anything more than $300 factory Yamahas made in China. When i found my Alhambra it was sitting in a music store and i managed to "steal" it for $500. To this day i've never encountered a finer guitar in any music shop where i live (Saskatoon, SK, Canada). And i've been searching for years, just out of curiosity. My dilemna is if i ever want to upgrade i will have to either make a monumental journey to another country, or order one online. But what if i order something and it doesn't sound as good as my Alhambra when i receive it? For me to upgrade i will need a substantial improvement in all areas to justify the price. I can't imagine purchasing multiple guitars just to keep sending them back, in hopes that the right one will come along someday. It would be ironic if the right one was sitting beside me the entire time.

if you want a real comparison, give Daryl Perry a call and bring your guitar. The reason i mention this luthier (other than he is well known...and 10,000 plus for his guitar) He lives in Manitoba if im not mistaken. Might be worth the trip.

[BeumontSuite]

I'm familiar with Daryl Perry. I have an album from Ben Schenstead that features one of Daryl's guitars. Great guitars, but as you said, very pricey. If there was any way i could afford an instrument like that, believe me, i would be out shopping.

[alhamdi7]

Hi, I also have a fabulous Alhambra 10C. I however am not quite sure I have selected the best strings for it. What kind of strings do you have on your 10c

[KeMe]

Welcome to the Delcamp forum,Alhamdi7. I would like to invite you to introduce yourself to the other members of the forum in the Introduce Yourself subforum here.

Kay

[BeumontSuite]

Hi, I also have a fabulous Alhambra 10C. I however am not quite sure I have selected the best strings for it. What kind of strings do you have on your 10c

I've become fond of high tension strings as of late. You should have no problem with a well known brand, like Galli. Go to 'stringsbymail' site. They have a premium selection of high quality strings.

[Fling13]

Does anyone know how the alhambra 10c verses the cordoba c10? From what I read, they are mostly the same price and same specs , solid cedar/spruce top and solid rosewood b/s. I am wondering if I should buy a c10 for a 10c, LOL.