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From: elf@utcsrgv.UUCP (Eugene Fiume)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Opinions on buying a classical guitar
Message-ID: <4520@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Jun-84 14:34:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.4520
Posted: Mon Jun 11 14:34:50 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 11-Jun-84 15:22:47 EDT
References: <671@abnjh.UUCP>
Organization: CSRG, University of Toronto
Lines: 31

I thought I'd follow up on Jim's inspirational message on acquiring a
classical guitar.  I think the single biggest problem with buying any
instrument is that unless your technique has been perfected--and whose is--
what sounds good to you now may change with the improvements (or in my
case degradation) in technique.  Classical guitars are particularly
prone to this problem, especially when you start buying so-called handmades
(e.g. Ramirez, Kohno).  These are typically very well made guitars with
individual characteristics.  For example, high quality classical guitars
have either cedar or spruce tops.  Cedar-topped guitars tend to sound louder
and brighter than spruce-topped ones, all other things being equal.
That doesn't mean cedar is better.  But certainly the characteristics of the
guitar affect (perhaps unconsciously) one's technique AND choice of repertoire.
It can be hard to judge how one will be affected by an instrument.
My solution is the obvious cop out: own more than one guitar.
Another thing to worry about is humidity.  Depending on where the guitar
was made, the sound (and health) of a guitar is optimal somewhere in the
30-60% relative humidity range.  The precise figure is depends greatly on the
instrument, and it is wise to choose a guitar whose requirements are not
at odds with your environment.

Lower-priced guitars can often be surprisingly good.  My first guitar was
a pretty cheap Yamaha (less than $200 Canadian, about 10 years ago), which
I kept for a long time.  Takamine makes a super cedar-topped instrument
for just over $250CDN.  In fact, T makes two low-priced models.  The
cheaper one has always sounded better to my ears.
From my experience, the Japanese (e.g. Yamaha, Takamine) have it all over
the Americans (e.g. Fender, Martin) wrt budget-priced classic guitars.

	Eugene Fiume
	U of Toronto
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