Hey Kai! Had a couple questions about buying a new Flamenco guitar. If I want to buy from guitar salon do I have to order it? And would a flamenco Córdoba be a good guitar or would you recommend another?

Hey Malia!
Most of the guitars at Guitar Salon will say on the site if they are in stock. If not, they'll have to order them for you. And Cordoba makes some really fun flamenco guitars, so I would definitely recommend them. Tell me what your budget is and I'll be happy to make a few suggestions.
Cheers,
Kai

Hey Kai! Okay awesome! My budget is $600-$1000.

Hey Malia,

At the higher end of your range the Cordoba F10 is really good - all solid woods, sounds great and really fun to play. At the lower range you can get a GK studio if you need cutaway and/or a pickup, or the F7 is also really fun and way at the bottom of your range at around $550. I did a demo vid of that one a while back (see link below) and really liked it. It's not a spruce/cypress 'blanca' though, so you have to decide how important that is to you. personally I say go with what sounds and feels best for you. The most important thing though is to be open minded - if you have the chance to go play a bunch of guitars that''s definitely the best-case scenario, and if not and you order a guitar don't be shy about sending it back if it doesn't feel and sound right for you. And if you want one from GSI let me know and I'll try to choose a good one for you when I'm there. Keep me posted on what you decide!
Cheers,
Kai

Okay awesome! Thank you so much! I am going to go to Guitar Salon on June 27th to check out guitars, so that would be great if you could pull some for me to try that day that would be great! Or even recommending which guitars to try would be great!

Thank you!

Malia

Also for got to add, was wondering your technique on nail care.
Thanks!

Kai, what is your impression of the Alhambra flamenco guitars, specifically, the 9fc blanco or the 10fc Pinina? Feel free to respond off line if you prefer.

Thanks, Kai. By fall, I may be looking for a nice flamenco guitar in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. I’d like something that has a nitro finish or French polish. I don’t like poly finishes at all.

I have an Alhambra 9p classical that is surprisingly good. But, I have never had an opportunity to play any of their flamenco guitars. So, I’m curious about them. Right now, I’m getting by with an old Alvarez Yairi that I fitted with a golpeadore. I actually like it a lot, but after playing a ‘68 Contreras (unfortunately outside my price range) at Rudy’s in NYC a couple of weeks ago I have the bug for a nice flamenco guitar.

Hey Mark - sorry for the delay getting back to you. I'd say that in that range the Camps and the Loriente are fantastic (you can get both at guitarsalon.com, which is one reason I know them so well), but if you can do 2k I'd say wait and save another 500-1000 and that can really open up stuff on the used market, some of which may be not too different from the Contreras you liked. Of course for 2k you get a brand new guitar that you know will be in great shape, etc... and you never know what you're getting on the used market until you've played it a bit, so it partly depends on your sense of adventure and how much you value the vintage aspect of it all.
Let me know if you find anything good!
Cheers,
Kai

Thanks, Kai. I’m sure I’ll be tapping into your expertise as I get closer. I have been eyeing the Felipe Conde 14 FP-N at the Guitar Salon site. I think it’s good advice to save a bit more and look at used options in the $2.5 to 3k range. I appreciate the advice!