Video Contents: 👇 1- Intro Falseta "TÍO SABAS de PACO DE LUCÍA": (00:00 - 1:32) 2- Video Introduction "Playability and Sound" (1:32 - 3:08) 3- Playability General Points "Left & Right Hand": (3:08 - 4:17) 4- Scale Length Explanation: (4:17 - 5:49) 5- Action Explanation: (5:49 - 6:32) 6- Neck Shape Explanation: (6:32 - 7:08) 7- Strings Separation Explanation: (7:08 - 8:50) 8- Standard Guitar Scale Length Measurements: (8:50 - 9:23) 9- Action on the Left Hand Measurements (Measuring the distance from the 12th "Fret" {and not the ebony}, to the 6th String): (9:23 - 11:14) * It's ok to have a little bit of Buzzing sound! (As you can hear in the intro of this video), without it, it will sound classical! 10- Standard Separation of the strings Measurements: (11:14 - 12:26) * Forgot to mention in the video, the drilled holes HAS to be EQUALLY SPACED! 11- Guitar with Smaller Measurements: (12:26 - 14:24) 12- Guitar with Bigger Measurements: (14:24 - 15:09) 13- Left Hand Size: (15:09 - 16:18) 14- Right Hand Size: (16:18 - 17:11) 15- Outro: (17:11 - 18:37) I hope you enjoy the video! Cheers, Luciano
Excellent information . I know a lot of people who have bought expensive guitars because of the name rather than considering all this crucial information . Thanks you.
Luciano; this is simply a magnificent explanation, just what I was looking to better understand. Thank you for sharing your helpful thoughts and knowledge.
I especially like that you actually give measurements, in particular the discussion of action (measured as distance betweeen the bottom of the sixth string and the top of the 12th freet). Most classical guitars, when professionally adjusted, are at very lowest 3.5 mm, and up to around 4.5 mm. More economical, mass produced classical guitars are often built with even higher action and need to be adjusted, but I've found that many can't really go below 4 mm. I'm going to try to find a flamenco guitar to play to see if I like it better.
thanks for this video, I have second C 40 Yamaha guitar and same problem, high action on 12 fret, hand pain from couple hours playing barre chords, about 6 mm gap, so I took of white plastic and sand off bottom of this on sticky sand paper to the limit but it was not enough, so I sand off top bridge surface and now I have around 4 mm, after your video I want to make under 3 mm on 12 fret and I want to say that right distance action most important what every one should look in guitar, beginners too specially, many people complain on left hand pain that is because most of this, and desire to play guitar drifting away.
I have examined hundreds of guitars and also through several books out there that give dimensions from Torres, Santos, several Hausers, Ramirez, Frederich, Romanillos etc. the standard string length is 650 - or more accurately I should say scale length. The actual measurement with compensation the actual measurement will be between 651 and 654, but they will be considered 650 scale guitars.
I went to a Luthier and he suggested to me to get a smaller length like 640. My guitar now is a 650mm and although I have smaller hands, I still am comfortable except the big stretches .Thanks for the video.
I believe that you want as long of scale as is possible for your hands to play. A longer scale length of guitar has a deeper tonality as the strings make a larger arc when vibrating. Shorter scale length sounds more pointy. My opinion.
The distance of the strings at the saddle is also important, it can be between 41 and 44 mm. Usually, I think the standard is 43 at a saddle/Neck of 52mm. More narrow (nowadays built more) could be dangerous for not damping strings!
hello, I'm writing to you from Germany, I'm of Turkish origin, I'm very happy when I listen to you, I don't understand English, but I'm sure you give quite good information about those guys, please recommend me which guitars you like the most 1,2,3 thank you in recent years I'm not heard someone play like you, I'm writing with google translator, I love you ❤❤❤
excellent ! je viens de relayer votre vidéo sur un forum de guitare classique tant les explications sont claires et détaillées. La plupart des gens lors de leur premier achat de guitare de luthier ne pensent pas à tous ces aspects et achètent une guitare "à la loterie" ... parfois sont ravis, parfois un peu déçus, parfois très déçus. Mais c'est de leur faute, moi aussi je les préviens, il ne faut pas laisser le hasard choisir, il faut tenir compte de ses mains, car un diapason trop grand devient injouable ou occasionne de nombreuses douleurs à de petites mains ( comme les miennes), j'ai du faire refaire une guitare d'ailleurs à cause de ça, mais le luthier ne m' a pas fait payer plus, il a juste récupéré la 660 mm et m' a fait une 651 mm .
Many thanks for the information! Very different to a lot of guitarist you see that just do look at me I can play. Over here. With hardly any advice or guidance. I've just started and I'm hooked and want information knowledge guidance and advice
My fine friend thank you so much for sharing your musicality and Artistry with us. I've been playing for 30 years professionally as well as teaching I've had good guitars but mostly they become tools. I want to find a true soulmate in a guitar but I don't have the ability to play different ones. If money is not my objective do you recommend any particular brand such as Lester Devoe or something else that might be my match made for me. I would appreciate your time I'll send you some cigars or take some lessons or something to show my appreciation for your efforts.
Excellent and useful information Luciano and many thanks! I have a question regarding the purchase of a new guitar for scala length. I have had for the last 10 years a Jose luis postigo guitar with a 666mm length and have falling in love in a Lester Devoe guitar 2017 which has a scale of 650mm. I have played on it approx. 15 minutes, but is still i am a bit unsure if it is right to buy the expensive Lester negra guitar because of smaller scale or you think I can get used to this over time? My general impression is that everything else works fine on Lester guitar I test it, but the 650 mm length is still a bit uncertain. I would appreciate it if you could give me some advice and your thoughts on this what would you do?
Absolutely brilliant and straight forward information all round. The fact the you gave standard lengths etc plus your own personal preference was fantastic. Thank you for sharing your advice.
Complimenti, ottimi consigli! Questo é il mio campo avendo costruito un prototipo "ibrido" (con legni riciclati!): manico da 850mm "pezzo unico" con misure da classica, senza paletta (tipo Steinberger), corde da elettrica (distanziate come la classica) che si accordano con viti (sfalsate con 655 mm di diapason di media) direttamente nel legno (conseguente sustain molto più lungo), cassa armonica (disegno Maccaferri) (8cm) "aperta" (senza fasce) ma collegata con sistema di spine di legno (esterno) e una fascia arcuata interna che collega manico(dal XV tasto) e fondo. Il tutto amplificato con sistema piezo G-TONE e pickup esafonico GK-3 collegato al Roland GR 55. Alle mie classiche (Privada anch'essa adattata per il sistema Roland e la Raimundo) sto provando diversi tipi di materiali per il capotasto e il ponte (plexiglass, resina poliuretanica, osso [trovato a mare sig!], mogano [riciclato] con sellette regolabili per l'intonazione). Prossimamente proveró la terracotta (sarebbe meglio in ceramica, ma più difficile da realizzare [prova tu visto le conoscenze che hai]). Tutto questo per dire di preferire avere pochi strumenti e magari costruiti con legnami provenienti da fonti ecosostenibili. Scusa la lunghezza. Saluti a casa. Alla prossima
Every Flamenco guitar I find are all 650mm scale length, Alhambra, my Salvador Cortez, my Cordoba F7 Paco, I'm looking into Esteve 6F ab Alhambra 7FC, both 650 scale length and in stringspacing I can find nothing in the spec's, should I take a small ruler with me when I go shopping, I'm also feeling that my Cordoba plays easier than my Salvador Cortes 55, love the way you explaine things, thank you., I checked both my guitars, when I messure between the nut and the saddle both are 652, when I messure centre nut, centre saddle bone they both are 655, stringspaci g at the bridge between low and high e on the Cortez is 56 and on the Cordoba 56,6, but both not expencive guitars because I considder muself still a Flamenco beginner, but if I go for an upgrade, should I go for the Esteve 6F or the Alhambra 7FC?
The distance from the fret to the string the action of the guitar changes as it moves up the board the measurement is usually given at 12 fret which you don't mention, or I never noticed
Thank you for the informative and helpful video. I remember shopping for a guitar in Granada especially in Cuesta de Gomérez and it was a very confusing experience as there were many variables (woods, sizes, factories, etc). I hope you make more videos to explain the landscape of flamenco guitars in Spain in further detail.
I totally agree, it can be so confusing! I think that's why it's better knowing a little bit more what you want exactly, and then you'll know better what you're looking for and where to search hopefully. I'll try my best to do more videos on this in the future. Cheers!
Thanks for this video, lots of good thoughts on this. I have big hands (big palm long fingers) so I do like a larger scale length and wider nut size, but it does make long stretches more difficult, even with big hands, and as you mention, really tires out your left hand. I like a lower action without a lot of buzz. I never really thought about some of things you mention when thinking about speed and comfort although I always thought right hand strength is just as important as left hand strength. While sound is an important factor, one thing is true, even a poor guitar can be made to sound like a million bucks in the hands of a good guitarist, such as yourself 😀
Thank you Trevor! Yes, a big guitar (Especially with high action left hand) will tire you very quickly, try to avoid these guitars. And exactly what you said at the end, you can still get a certain quality from a cheap (But comfortable) guitar, whereas it's highly possible you will make much more mistakes on an expensive, un-playable one! So at the end people will like listening to your performances more if you play well on the cheap one haha Cheers!
Thanks for this practical information. When you talk of 2.5 action is this at the 12th fret low E string? Once someone said if from the tip of thumb to tip of pinkie in open palm if it is 8-8.5" you should get a 640mm. Is this false in your opinion? One sees small Asian women who use standard size from what i see. Thanks for the help!
Thank you so much for your beautiful playing and the inspiration you provide I'm sure all of us that are able to watch your videos. Are you familiar with the andulusian guitars Barbero models? I am saving up to purchase a fine guitar do you have an opinion of these? Ala Ruben Diaz El Esmail
First of all, I would like to thank you for this video it was really very interesting. I kindly suggest that you make a video about the sound because I think it is a very important aspect of the guitar. If you could provide a video where you explain what each kind of wood produces which kind of color it will be really helpful 👌👌
Hi! I'm new to your channel and find these videos, and the way you explain things, very helpful. I hope to get a custom made flamenco or classical guitar one day. Greetings from Dongying city, Shandong in China. I hope you and your family and friends are all well. Kind regards!
Hi Luciano thank you for the great content. Could you comment on prudencio saez mod 22? I know it is some sort of good piece but need comments especially all your confort parameters. Thank you.
Hello, I got a question. At 10:28 you are explaining about left hand action and a 2,5mm measurement. Where is this dimension to measure? At 12th fret between the string and the fret ?
I am looking at a Jose Salinas where the width of the fretboard is 51mm, but the width of strings at the bone between 1st and 6th string is 59mm, so is guess the width of the fretboard does not always mean the strings themselves will be automatically more narrow? Thanks for all your advice.
Mr. Luciano i have a question about the width of the neck. If the width of the neck is 53mm will there be more space in between the strings or not necessarily? That is to say, the standard seems to be 52mm, but can some guitars with 52mm width have more spacing between than others? Thanks for any advice. A.V.
Muy buena explicación, yo tengo una guitarra de David rouse un constructor inglés. Me lo hizo a pedido, personalizado. Solo me pregunto si mi toque era fuerte o ligera . Le dije ligera y la guitarra resultó muy buena para mi toque flamenco.
Que bien me alegro mucho. Puede ser que te ha mandado una guitarra con un tiro mas pequeño, que es mas fácil de tocar y lleva meno tension en este caso creo. Un saludo!
Great video! When you are explaining pulsacion (2.5-3.0mm) you mean the hight on 12 fret? Or 7 fret? I realised you did not mention it. Would you be so kind and answer this question? It is quite important to me, because I have some technical problems with playing around 9-12 fret. All the best,
One more question. In your opinion does a 12 hole tieblock better in general than a 6 hole or does it depend on the luthier? The 12 hole seems to be becoming more popular these days. Thanks.
Thank you Luciano for the valuable information. One detail to clarify is that the action you mentioned is for the 1st string (the thinnest) and is the distance between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the string. BTW, what are Paco de Lucia's guitar specs?
@@LucianoGhosn it's just a little smaller for the right hand than I'm used to. I find myself picking up my cheap old Yamaha (cg171) instead of the new one quite often. The Yamaha was about 61mm at the bridge, (E to E) and the new guitar 58. Oddly, the yamaha has a more narrow string measurement at the nut, despite being wider at the bridge. Seems strange. I don't know why that is and it doesn't feel that way, but the tape confirms it. Hearing you say you sold your Reyes makes me wonder if maybe I ought to do the same thing, even though I got a great deal on it and it was kind of the maker to sell it to me. I suppose in time it will be obvious what the right move is. Oh, not that I'm deciding between the two or anything, but the Yamaha's action is at 2.8mm (12th fret) and the custom 2.7, but I believe the custom can go down further and the yamaha cannot. How hard is it to find a guitar that can be lowered to the 2.5-2 6mm range, as far as price? Thanks, man : )
@@mackhomie6 I see, yes it doesn't mean always that a more expensive guitar is going to be more comfortable sadly.. Sometimes cheaper guitars that are machine-made can be much more precise really. If you feel really uncomfortable with the new guitar you have now, then yes I definitely recommend that you change it. Finding a guitar that can go that low (And maintain a certain quality without buzzing too much of course) is pretty hard! Good luck with your next purchase then! Cheers!
Thank you for the informative video, Luciano. I have a 650 but I often feel that it's slightly smaller then my ideal size so you've answered a lot of questions I had. When you measure the string height, is it from the fretboard or the fret (metal part)?
Hello Miguel, I'm very happy to read your comment, that's my intention I'm glad it helped! Yes like you said first, you measure from the fret itself (Metal part) to the 6th string. Cheers!
I have noticed in cheaper beginner guitars a problem with right hand strings placement. Mine (Alhambra 3F) has strings unevenly placed. The space between A and D, B and G is much wider than between E and A, B and E. This effects my playing quite a bit.
Don't even make me start... This is my nightmare and I get furious when I see a "Hand-made' guitar, which is already priced over 2,000EUR or 3,000EUR, with ridiculously un-even drilled holes on the right side. I don't claim that it's an easy job on the Luthier to make them even, but if you can build this whole instrument and make it sound like that, I'm pretty sure you can drill the holes equally no..? 🤦♂️ I literally got angry writing this comment. 😅🤣 Please change the guitar, or ask for a Luthier to close the holes and open up new even ones. Cheers!
@@LucianoGhosn Haha yeah, it is pretty bad. Mine is pretty cheap considering it is "Hand made" but still. I'm still a beginner (been playing for a year) and I have started to see the damage it does when going faster with picado. Will you ever do a video on chords and harmonies (some simple and the more complicated ones like the ones Antonio Rey uses)? I think that would be a great video and it would benefit you for bringing more new beginner viewers to your channel. Anyways, great work as always!
@@misterace1191 I will think about it, thanks for the suggestion! Good luck with the guitar, I recommend not studying on such guitar even if you're a beginner as it will affect your playing for later. Thank about it. Cheers!
That's a good question! I like it to be not too high, somewhere around 8 to 10mm by the bridge. I never check by the sound hole I usually measure only by the bridge. Cheers!
Good advice, I would only add measurements are a relative thing and the more important issue is playability. My advice is to never buy a guitar, whatever the dimensions, before you can sit down and play it a good hlaf hour, preferably an hour. Gerardo Nuñes reportedly had to sell a Reyes he had preordered just because there was something about the neck shape that he just couldn't stand. I would further add that to many, the standard length is 650 mm (and many beginner classical guitars from Yamaha are 648 mm). Hence, don't overfocus on the dimensions. If a guitar is comfortable to you and has the sound you want, dimensions should not stop you from buying it.
Hello Hierro thanks for watching the video and for your comment. I understand, choosing a guitar without trying it personally has a certain risk of course, there are many things that we cannot notice by just checking photos and videos. One Hour of trying it is not enough, sometimes it can take weeks or months before you start noticing something, (Maybe you are not feeling well on that day, maybe your nails are shaped slightly different, or they are shorter/longer than usual). I'm saying that based on my experience. However trying it personally is not always an option for everybody of course. When you said "If a guitar is comfortable for you and has the sound you want...", there is a reason behind that, it's because of these certain (Measurements) that are fitting to your way of playing. So again, if you feel you're really 100% comfortable with the guitar you have right now, my strong recommendation is to start measuring, and the next time you want a guitar, look for these measurements to save yourself time for the future. PS: When I go with this much detail about this, it's because I'm talking about achieving "Maximum" playability of course, playing pieces from Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo, etc.. for example, and not just accompanying or playing chords all the time obviously. Hope it helps, Cheers!
@@LucianoGhosn I agree, there are so many aspects. And one hour may not be enough, but is the minimum. Just as you, I warn people to be cautious with long scale lengths, yet I myself play exactly such an instrument. In the hands of an experienced player, it can actually be used to improve technique so when you take an "easier" guitar, hard pieces will seem like a piece of cake. It's like the joke about the guy who used to wear shoes that were two sizes smaller only because he felt very relieved when he takes them off. :)
@@hierroflamencoguitar3658 Hahaha I totally agree with that, the guitar I have now is considered really big actually (In all aspects), so when I pick up my cheaper and smaller guitar to practice sometimes (If there's so much humidity in the room for example), I tend to find it a piece of cake like you said. Mostly the left hand though, for the right hand, having the tight spacings becomes very frustrating because I feel it stops me from playing how I really intend to play. Cheers!
Thanks for the advice ! ps. Any suggestion on the nut width ? I played Recuerdos de la Alhambra on an accoustic guitar with a 47mm nut width and it was great (I guess its scale was 650). I dont have long fingers btw . Regards from Athens !
You're welcome! I remember my Reyes I think had the nut width on the left side of 42mm if I'm not mistaken, but I have to look into this more before I confirm it. Regards!
You liking the knoblochs? (Sounds obscene lol) Luthier strings will be back in a few months, apparently. They sounded great on mine and the luthier recommended them, but they were gone a week later when I went to buy some haha. I just noticed the thing at the bottom right. they sponsored you, huh? good for you.
Thank you Mack, that's great if the Luthier strings come back, I used to use them before too they were great! Yes now I got sponsored by Knobloch strings and I couldn't be any happier really, their quality speaks for itself, just watch the intro of the video and I don't have to say anything really. Cheers!
My good friend Antonio Bernal here can make you whichever size you want, fitting to your own measurements, and budget. www.guitarreriaalvarezybernal.com I can help with putting you guys in contact with each other if you're serious about it. Cheers!
@@mackhomie6 Thanks again Mack, this intro is from the Maestro Paco, a piece called (Tío Sabas), you should check it out: ruclips.net/video/mrMhv3k1EQs/видео.html The falseta I play starts at 1:04 Cheers!
There are NO STANDARDS. I have a small hand and play a 664mm scale. The longer the scale the more tension it will take to reach pitch of A-440. BUT, BUT, the strings will fell loser than a shorter scale because of the longer string length from saddle to nut. Read Jose Oribe's book, "The Fine Guitar." He talks about this on page 32. Just because it's on the internet does not me it's true. Too many experts there...IMO
Depends what you mean by "Practice". When we pick up the guitar to play, we tend to directly start playing pieces, improvising, experimenting, etc... You can do that for 8 hours or more, and you will probably only improve just a little bit. Whereas, 2 Hours of actual practicing, or we can use the word "training", (which is doing exercises one after the other without taking so many breaks, following a certain program/routine, focusing on improving our weaknesses, etc..) Would be 10 times more helpful. That way you would be using your time much more effectively, having a condensed routine program. Now if you ask, "How about if I train, (Second option I mentioned here), for 8 hours or more a day, is it good?" I would not recommend that even, I believe you will burn yourself out. My strong recommendation when it comes to improving/maintaining your technique, would be CONSTANT practice, every day. (2 hours is more than enough). Having a certain time in the day where you dedicate your time for these exercises, and attempting not to skip a day, would be best and most effective for the long run. Hope it helped, Cheers!
@@LucianoGhosn Thankyou so much it helped a lot I was practicing scales and techniques for 5 to 6 hours a day but it was too much for me but now I have a fixed routine for what to practice when thankyou for the information
Maestro! What a great video as always! What is the exact knobloch set that you use? Is it the qz nylon medium? Do you find it close to the sound of the luthier 20 or maybe better?
Thank you Andreas! If you like I can send you an email with the photo of he exact pack I am using. I use the Nylon low tension set. I am really impressed by the sound! It's pretty obvious in the intro right? The Luthier strings had just slightly softer tone on the basses I feel. I especially like the Basses on these Knobloch strings, I feel they have more presence, and their durability is amazing.
@@LucianoGhosn the problem you write some things on the title of videos, and you don't do the same things, for example you wrote picado or tremolo.. etc, when I open the videos you just talk! At least you teach
Video Contents: 👇
1- Intro Falseta "TÍO SABAS de PACO DE LUCÍA": (00:00 - 1:32)
2- Video Introduction "Playability and Sound" (1:32 - 3:08)
3- Playability General Points "Left & Right Hand": (3:08 - 4:17)
4- Scale Length Explanation: (4:17 - 5:49)
5- Action Explanation: (5:49 - 6:32)
6- Neck Shape Explanation: (6:32 - 7:08)
7- Strings Separation Explanation: (7:08 - 8:50)
8- Standard Guitar Scale Length Measurements: (8:50 - 9:23)
9- Action on the Left Hand Measurements (Measuring the distance from the 12th "Fret" {and not the ebony}, to the 6th String): (9:23 - 11:14)
* It's ok to have a little bit of Buzzing sound! (As you can hear in the intro of this video), without it, it will sound classical!
10- Standard Separation of the strings Measurements: (11:14 - 12:26)
* Forgot to mention in the video, the drilled holes HAS to be EQUALLY SPACED!
11- Guitar with Smaller Measurements: (12:26 - 14:24)
12- Guitar with Bigger Measurements: (14:24 - 15:09)
13- Left Hand Size: (15:09 - 16:18)
14- Right Hand Size: (16:18 - 17:11)
15- Outro: (17:11 - 18:37)
I hope you enjoy the video!
Cheers,
Luciano
Thanks a lot👍
nice video!! First i had yamaha c40 then alhambra 4f and now i have a yamaha ncx1c :)
Excellent information . I know a lot of people who have bought expensive guitars because of the name rather than considering all this crucial information . Thanks you.
Luciano; this is simply a magnificent explanation, just what I was looking to better understand. Thank you for sharing your helpful thoughts and knowledge.
Great video and information.
Adding the contents with timing is perfect .
Love your playing and spirit.
I especially like that you actually give measurements, in particular the discussion of action (measured as distance betweeen the bottom of the sixth string and the top of the 12th freet). Most classical guitars, when professionally adjusted, are at very lowest 3.5 mm, and up to around 4.5 mm. More economical, mass produced classical guitars are often built with even higher action and need to be adjusted, but I've found that many can't really go below 4 mm. I'm going to try to find a flamenco guitar to play to see if I like it better.
Wow! What a phenomenal player he is. Reminds me of my beloved and most respected guitarist Vicente Amigo.
thanks for this video, I have second C 40 Yamaha guitar and same problem, high action on 12 fret, hand pain from couple hours playing barre chords, about 6 mm gap, so I took of white plastic and sand off bottom of this on sticky sand paper to the limit but it was not enough, so I sand off top bridge surface and now I have around 4 mm, after your video I want to make under 3 mm on 12 fret and I want to say that right distance action most important what every one should look in guitar, beginners too specially, many people complain on left hand pain that is because most of this, and desire to play guitar drifting away.
Best tips especially for player’s skills so far. Luciano brings understanding the guitar and playing skills on the next level. Great video 👍🏻
Thank you Ashan! Happy you liked it.
Cheers!
You love every single note. Bravo. Your playing is ALIVE.
Thanks Luciano for this very detailed explanation of the most appropriate guitar dimensions.
I could listen to you all day long !!!! Gorgeous expressive playing !
Thank you for sharing your art !!
Thank you!
I have examined hundreds of guitars and also through several books out there that give dimensions from Torres, Santos, several Hausers, Ramirez, Frederich, Romanillos etc. the standard string length is 650 - or more accurately I should say scale length. The actual measurement with compensation the actual measurement will be between 651 and 654, but they will be considered 650 scale guitars.
Thanks! I asked you on your latest video about these issues and all the answers are here.
I went to a Luthier and he suggested to me to get a smaller length like 640. My guitar now is a 650mm and although I have smaller hands, I still am comfortable except the big stretches .Thanks for the video.
I believe that you want as long of scale as is possible for your hands to play. A longer scale length of guitar has a deeper tonality as the strings make a larger arc when vibrating. Shorter scale length sounds more pointy. My opinion.
The distance of the strings at the saddle is also important, it can be between 41 and 44 mm. Usually, I think the standard is 43 at a saddle/Neck of 52mm.
More narrow (nowadays built more) could be dangerous for not damping strings!
hello, I'm writing to you from Germany, I'm of Turkish origin, I'm very happy when I listen to you, I don't understand English, but I'm sure you give quite good information about those guys, please recommend me which guitars you like the most 1,2,3 thank you in recent years I'm not heard someone play like you, I'm writing with google translator, I love you ❤❤❤
You are a very promising guitarist, clear and accurate performance. Wish you the Best. Greeting from Germany.
Thank you Alaa! Greetings!
excellent ! je viens de relayer votre vidéo sur un forum de guitare classique tant les explications sont claires et détaillées. La plupart des gens lors de leur premier achat de guitare de luthier ne pensent pas à tous ces aspects et achètent une guitare "à la loterie" ... parfois sont ravis, parfois un peu déçus, parfois très déçus.
Mais c'est de leur faute, moi aussi je les préviens, il ne faut pas laisser le hasard choisir, il faut tenir compte de ses mains, car un diapason trop grand devient injouable ou occasionne de nombreuses douleurs à de petites mains ( comme les miennes), j'ai du faire refaire une guitare d'ailleurs à cause de ça, mais le luthier ne m' a pas fait payer plus, il a juste récupéré la 660 mm et m' a fait une 651 mm .
Many thanks for the information!
Very different to a lot of guitarist you see that just do look at me I can play. Over here.
With hardly any advice or guidance.
I've just started and I'm hooked and want information knowledge guidance and advice
Thank you very much Luciano this is very helpful I HOPE SEE A DEEP EXPLANATION ABOUT FLAMENCO NAILS i’m pretty sure you have a lot to say about it
You're welcome Josuee, glad you liked it.
I will keep this topic in mind ok, thank you for the suggestion.
Cheers!
Gracias Luciano! Very informative.
Muchísimas gracias fenómeno ojalá estuviera estos vídeos traducido al español un saludo!!!
My fine friend thank you so much for sharing your musicality and Artistry with us. I've been playing for 30 years professionally as well as teaching I've had good guitars but mostly they become tools. I want to find a true soulmate in a guitar but I don't have the ability to play different ones. If money is not my objective do you recommend any particular brand such as Lester Devoe or something else that might be my match made for me. I would appreciate your time I'll send you some cigars or take some lessons or something to show my appreciation for your efforts.
Excellent and useful information Luciano and many thanks! I have a question regarding the purchase of a new guitar for scala length. I have had for the last 10 years a Jose luis postigo guitar with a 666mm length and have falling in love in a Lester Devoe guitar 2017 which has a scale of 650mm. I have played on it approx. 15 minutes, but is still i am a bit unsure if it is right to buy the expensive Lester negra guitar because of smaller scale or you think I can get used to this over time?
My general impression is that everything else works fine on Lester guitar I test it, but the 650 mm length is still a bit uncertain. I would appreciate it if you could give me some advice and your thoughts on this what would you do?
Absolutely brilliant and straight forward information all round. The fact the you gave standard lengths etc plus your own personal preference was fantastic. Thank you for sharing your advice.
So happy that it helped!
Cheers!
Muy bueno este video.... muy buenos consejos..... mil gracias Luciano!!!!!!
Thank you so much for this 👍👍
Complimenti, ottimi consigli! Questo é il mio campo avendo costruito un prototipo "ibrido" (con legni riciclati!): manico da 850mm "pezzo unico" con misure da classica, senza paletta (tipo Steinberger), corde da elettrica (distanziate come la classica) che si accordano con viti (sfalsate con 655 mm di diapason di media) direttamente nel legno (conseguente sustain molto più lungo), cassa armonica (disegno Maccaferri) (8cm) "aperta" (senza fasce) ma collegata con sistema di spine di legno (esterno) e una fascia arcuata interna che collega manico(dal XV tasto) e fondo. Il tutto amplificato con sistema piezo G-TONE e pickup esafonico GK-3 collegato al Roland GR 55. Alle mie classiche (Privada anch'essa adattata per il sistema Roland e la Raimundo) sto provando diversi tipi di materiali per il capotasto e il ponte (plexiglass, resina poliuretanica, osso [trovato a mare sig!], mogano [riciclato] con sellette regolabili per l'intonazione). Prossimamente proveró la terracotta (sarebbe meglio in ceramica, ma più difficile da realizzare [prova tu visto le conoscenze che hai]). Tutto questo per dire di preferire avere pochi strumenti e magari costruiti con legnami provenienti da fonti ecosostenibili. Scusa la lunghezza. Saluti a casa. Alla prossima
Molto simpatico Francesco!
Sei un liutaio? Molto interessante.
Grazie per aver guardato il video e per il tuo commento.
Saluti!
Luciano
Thankyou so much for this video I recently bought a Cordoba F10 and I'm really happy with it 👍
Great, congratulations!
Every Flamenco guitar I find are all 650mm scale length, Alhambra, my Salvador Cortez, my Cordoba F7 Paco, I'm looking into Esteve 6F ab Alhambra 7FC, both 650 scale length and in stringspacing I can find nothing in the spec's, should I take a small ruler with me when I go shopping, I'm also feeling that my Cordoba plays easier than my Salvador Cortes 55, love the way you explaine things, thank you., I checked both my guitars, when I messure between the nut and the saddle both are 652, when I messure centre nut, centre saddle bone they both are 655, stringspaci g at the bridge between low and high e on the Cortez is 56 and on the Cordoba 56,6, but both not expencive guitars because I considder muself still a Flamenco beginner, but if I go for an upgrade, should I go for the Esteve 6F or the Alhambra 7FC?
Thank you so much. I learned so much...
The distance from the fret to the string the action of the guitar changes as it moves up the board the measurement is usually given at 12 fret which you don't mention, or I never noticed
Thank you for the informative and helpful video. I remember shopping for a guitar in Granada especially in Cuesta de Gomérez and it was a very confusing experience as there were many variables (woods, sizes, factories, etc). I hope you make more videos to explain the landscape of flamenco guitars in Spain in further detail.
I totally agree, it can be so confusing! I think that's why it's better knowing a little bit more what you want exactly, and then you'll know better what you're looking for and where to search hopefully.
I'll try my best to do more videos on this in the future.
Cheers!
very informative, thank you for this video!
You're welcome Ali, thank you for watching!
Cheers!
Very good, thank you😘
Thanks man! Love it! Necessary video!
Glad you like it Renato!
Cheers!
Great video! I didn't know about the D neck!
Thanks! Me too honestly, until I went to Spain and saw some guitars that had this type of neck. I believe it came from Granada if I'm not mistaken.
Thanks for this video, lots of good thoughts on this. I have big hands (big palm long fingers) so I do like a larger scale length and wider nut size, but it does make long stretches more difficult, even with big hands, and as you mention, really tires out your left hand. I like a lower action without a lot of buzz. I never really thought about some of things you mention when thinking about speed and comfort although I always thought right hand strength is just as important as left hand strength. While sound is an important factor, one thing is true, even a poor guitar can be made to sound like a million bucks in the hands of a good guitarist, such as yourself 😀
Thank you Trevor!
Yes, a big guitar (Especially with high action left hand) will tire you very quickly, try to avoid these guitars.
And exactly what you said at the end, you can still get a certain quality from a cheap (But comfortable) guitar, whereas it's highly possible you will make much more mistakes on an expensive, un-playable one!
So at the end people will like listening to your performances more if you play well on the cheap one haha
Cheers!
Thanks for this practical information. When you talk of 2.5 action is this at the 12th fret low E string? Once someone said if from the tip of thumb to tip of pinkie in open palm if it is 8-8.5" you should get a 640mm. Is this false in your opinion? One sees small Asian women who use standard size from what i see. Thanks for the help!
Excellent information! Thank you very much Amigo!
You're welcome Kawi!
Thank you so much for your beautiful playing and the inspiration you provide I'm sure all of us that are able to watch your videos. Are you familiar with the andulusian guitars Barbero models? I am saving up to purchase a fine guitar do you have an opinion of these? Ala Ruben Diaz El Esmail
Useful video! Thx
When you mention 2.5mm string height, is that for the high E? Is the low E closer to 3mm then?
Great English!!! Great playing. . . good ideas too
Para mi gusto la mejor taranta jamás compuesta, y dificil
Super video. Thank you! 💪💯🥇
You're welcome!
Thank you Luciano, very helpful !
You're welcome Savas!
First of all, I would like to thank you for this video it was really very interesting. I kindly suggest that you make a video about the sound because I think it is a very important aspect of the guitar. If you could provide a video where you explain what each kind of wood produces which kind of color it will be really helpful 👌👌
Thank you for watching, I'm glad you like it!
I will think about it ok thanks for the suggestion.
Cheers!
Hi! I'm new to your channel and find these videos, and the way you explain things, very helpful.
I hope to get a custom made flamenco or classical guitar one day. Greetings from Dongying city, Shandong in China. I hope you and your family and friends are all well.
Kind regards!
Hi Luciano thank you for the great content. Could you comment on prudencio saez mod 22? I know it is some sort of good piece but need comments especially all your confort parameters. Thank you.
Hello, I got a question. At 10:28 you are explaining about left hand action and a 2,5mm measurement. Where is this dimension to measure? At 12th fret between the string and the fret ?
Professional playing
I am looking at a Jose Salinas where the width of the fretboard is 51mm, but the width of strings at the bone between 1st and 6th string is 59mm, so is guess the width of the fretboard does not always mean the strings themselves will be automatically more narrow? Thanks for all your advice.
sin palabras increible oleeeee
Sublime ! Je t'adore Luciano Ghosn !
Thank you Romane!
I would love to see you play a Yamaha 200n silent
Wonderful video, we would all really appreciate it if you showed us how to file our nails.
Happy that you liked it Ghaly, will keep this in mind ok.
Cheers!
Mr. Luciano i have a question about the width of the neck. If the width of the neck is 53mm will there be more space in between the strings or not necessarily? That is to say, the standard seems to be 52mm, but can some guitars with 52mm width have more spacing between than others? Thanks for any advice. A.V.
So much helpfull thanks🌹🌹🌹
You're welcome Farid.
Cheers!
at first I thought "man, this 650 devoe looks tiny in his hands" and then you said it's a 666 😐 you're a goddamn giant
Hola!
Can you share what your set up is to record?
Muy buena explicación, yo tengo una guitarra de David rouse un constructor inglés. Me lo hizo a pedido, personalizado. Solo me pregunto si mi toque era fuerte o ligera . Le dije ligera y la guitarra resultó muy buena para mi toque flamenco.
Que bien me alegro mucho. Puede ser que te ha mandado una guitarra con un tiro mas pequeño, que es mas fácil de tocar y lleva meno tension en este caso creo.
Un saludo!
Great video! When you are explaining pulsacion (2.5-3.0mm) you mean the hight on 12 fret? Or 7 fret? I realised you did not mention it. Would you be so kind and answer this question? It is quite important to me, because I have some technical problems with playing around 9-12 fret. All the best,
Però Luciano vedo che usi quasi spesso la postura del maestro Vicente 😁😁😉
Thank you very much maestro
One more question. In your opinion does a 12 hole tieblock better in general than a 6 hole or does it depend on the luthier? The 12 hole seems to be becoming more popular these days. Thanks.
Good advice!
Thanks!
Thank you Luciano for the valuable information. One detail to clarify is that the action you mentioned is for the 1st string (the thinnest) and is the distance between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the string. BTW, what are Paco de Lucia's guitar specs?
Hola Senior-i love flamenco music and i buy yamaha cx40/02 650mm -i hope i can learn play flamenco with you )) help---Salam from Baku )
Great!
What do you think of the yamaha 200n silent
Oleee grande Maestro Luciano xxxxxx
Muchas gracias Georges!
RUclips needed this video. Wish you'd made it three months earlier : )
Thank you Mack! Why did you buy a guitar a few months ago and now not happy with it?
@@LucianoGhosn it's just a little smaller for the right hand than I'm used to. I find myself picking up my cheap old Yamaha (cg171) instead of the new one quite often. The Yamaha was about 61mm at the bridge, (E to E) and the new guitar 58.
Oddly, the yamaha has a more narrow string measurement at the nut, despite being wider at the bridge. Seems strange. I don't know why that is and it doesn't feel that way, but the tape confirms it.
Hearing you say you sold your Reyes makes me wonder if maybe I ought to do the same thing, even though I got a great deal on it and it was kind of the maker to sell it to me. I suppose in time it will be obvious what the right move is.
Oh, not that I'm deciding between the two or anything, but the Yamaha's action is at 2.8mm (12th fret) and the custom 2.7, but I believe the custom can go down further and the yamaha cannot.
How hard is it to find a guitar that can be lowered to the 2.5-2
6mm range, as far as price?
Thanks, man : )
@@mackhomie6 I see, yes it doesn't mean always that a more expensive guitar is going to be more comfortable sadly.. Sometimes cheaper guitars that are machine-made can be much more precise really.
If you feel really uncomfortable with the new guitar you have now, then yes I definitely recommend that you change it.
Finding a guitar that can go that low (And maintain a certain quality without buzzing too much of course) is pretty hard!
Good luck with your next purchase then!
Cheers!
you are very polite
Oleee maestro... nice sound . greeting minimic
Thank you!
Me gusta mucho su toke 👏 Lucíano te suena muy biem
Thank you for the informative video, Luciano. I have a 650 but I often feel that it's slightly smaller then my ideal size so you've answered a lot of questions I had. When you measure the string height, is it from the fretboard or the fret (metal part)?
Hello Miguel, I'm very happy to read your comment, that's my intention I'm glad it helped!
Yes like you said first, you measure from the fret itself (Metal part) to the 6th string.
Cheers!
Are you talking specifically about flamenco guitars?
is there any way to adjust the action on a classical guitar without a truss rod
what about faustino conde with 670 scale? why they say that guitar is so easy to play, that is a pretty big of a size!!
I have noticed in cheaper beginner guitars a problem with right hand strings placement. Mine (Alhambra 3F) has strings unevenly placed. The space between A and D, B and G is much wider than between E and A, B and E. This effects my playing quite a bit.
Buenisimo luciano! Porfavor un tutorial en castellano!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@danielgomez2178 Gracias Dani! Me lo pensaré sí, veo que hay muchos españoles por aquí!
Me alegro mucho gracias por ver el video.
Saludos!
Don't even make me start... This is my nightmare and I get furious when I see a "Hand-made' guitar, which is already priced over 2,000EUR or 3,000EUR, with ridiculously un-even drilled holes on the right side. I don't claim that it's an easy job on the Luthier to make them even, but if you can build this whole instrument and make it sound like that, I'm pretty sure you can drill the holes equally no..? 🤦♂️
I literally got angry writing this comment. 😅🤣
Please change the guitar, or ask for a Luthier to close the holes and open up new even ones.
Cheers!
@@LucianoGhosn Haha yeah, it is pretty bad. Mine is pretty cheap considering it is "Hand made" but still. I'm still a beginner (been playing for a year) and I have started to see the damage it does when going faster with picado.
Will you ever do a video on chords and harmonies (some simple and the more complicated ones like the ones Antonio Rey uses)? I think that would be a great video and it would benefit you for bringing more new beginner viewers to your channel. Anyways, great work as always!
@@misterace1191 I will think about it, thanks for the suggestion!
Good luck with the guitar, I recommend not studying on such guitar even if you're a beginner as it will affect your playing for later.
Thank about it.
Cheers!
Absolutely beautiful
Thanks!
How about string height at the bridge and at the sound hole? Many thanks, great video.
That's a good question!
I like it to be not too high, somewhere around 8 to 10mm by the bridge. I never check by the sound hole I usually measure only by the bridge.
Cheers!
I prefer action at bridge 6 to 7mm. That action require thiner top in order to compesate volume and thatcrequire very stif and old dry spuce top
Good advice, I would only add measurements are a relative thing and the more important issue is playability. My advice is to never buy a guitar, whatever the dimensions, before you can sit down and play it a good hlaf hour, preferably an hour. Gerardo Nuñes reportedly had to sell a Reyes he had preordered just because there was something about the neck shape that he just couldn't stand. I would further add that to many, the standard length is 650 mm (and many beginner classical guitars from Yamaha are 648 mm). Hence, don't overfocus on the dimensions. If a guitar is comfortable to you and has the sound you want, dimensions should not stop you from buying it.
Hello Hierro thanks for watching the video and for your comment.
I understand, choosing a guitar without trying it personally has a certain risk of course, there are many things that we cannot notice by just checking photos and videos.
One Hour of trying it is not enough, sometimes it can take weeks or months before you start noticing something, (Maybe you are not feeling well on that day, maybe your nails are shaped slightly different, or they are shorter/longer than usual). I'm saying that based on my experience. However trying it personally is not always an option for everybody of course.
When you said "If a guitar is comfortable for you and has the sound you want...", there is a reason behind that, it's because of these certain (Measurements) that are fitting to your way of playing.
So again, if you feel you're really 100% comfortable with the guitar you have right now, my strong recommendation is to start measuring, and the next time you want a guitar, look for these measurements to save yourself time for the future.
PS: When I go with this much detail about this, it's because I'm talking about achieving "Maximum" playability of course, playing pieces from Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo, etc.. for example, and not just accompanying or playing chords all the time obviously.
Hope it helps,
Cheers!
@@LucianoGhosn I agree, there are so many aspects. And one hour may not be enough, but is the minimum. Just as you, I warn people to be cautious with long scale lengths, yet I myself play exactly such an instrument. In the hands of an experienced player, it can actually be used to improve technique so when you take an "easier" guitar, hard pieces will seem like a piece of cake. It's like the joke about the guy who used to wear shoes that were two sizes smaller only because he felt very relieved when he takes them off. :)
@@hierroflamencoguitar3658 Hahaha
I totally agree with that, the guitar I have now is considered really big actually (In all aspects), so when I pick up my cheaper and smaller guitar to practice sometimes (If there's so much humidity in the room for example), I tend to find it a piece of cake like you said. Mostly the left hand though, for the right hand, having the tight spacings becomes very frustrating because I feel it stops me from playing how I really intend to play.
Cheers!
ALHAMBRA O CORDOBA?
Thank you.👍🏻
You're welcome!
thanks so much !!!
You're welcome!
Ole ole 🌹🎼
Thanks for the advice ! ps. Any suggestion on the nut width ? I played Recuerdos de la Alhambra on an accoustic guitar with a 47mm nut width and it was great (I guess its scale was 650). I dont have long fingers btw . Regards from Athens !
You're welcome! I remember my Reyes I think had the nut width on the left side of 42mm if I'm not mistaken, but I have to look into this more before I confirm it.
Regards!
Merci beaucoup
De nada!
You liking the knoblochs? (Sounds obscene lol)
Luthier strings will be back in a few months, apparently. They sounded great on mine and the luthier recommended them, but they were gone a week later when I went to buy some haha.
I just noticed the thing at the bottom right. they sponsored you, huh? good for you.
Thank you Mack, that's great if the Luthier strings come back, I used to use them before too they were great!
Yes now I got sponsored by Knobloch strings and I couldn't be any happier really, their quality speaks for itself, just watch the intro of the video and I don't have to say anything really.
Cheers!
Do you know agood guitar for small hands ?
My good friend Antonio Bernal here can make you whichever size you want, fitting to your own measurements, and budget.
www.guitarreriaalvarezybernal.com
I can help with putting you guys in contact with each other if you're serious about it.
Cheers!
Any update on the album?
that intro was great... yours?
@@mackhomie6 Thanks again Mack, this intro is from the Maestro Paco, a piece called (Tío Sabas), you should check it out:
ruclips.net/video/mrMhv3k1EQs/видео.html
The falseta I play starts at 1:04
Cheers!
Pa cuando la Taranta entera? Me parece una pasada
Me encanta esta Taranta del Maestro! No se si la hago entera por aqui o no, cuesta bastante trabajo esta eh? jajaja
Saludos!
🌹🌹🌹
There are NO STANDARDS. I have a small hand and play a 664mm scale. The longer the scale the more tension it will take to reach pitch of A-440. BUT, BUT, the strings will fell loser than a shorter scale because of the longer string length from saddle to nut. Read Jose Oribe's book, "The Fine Guitar." He talks about this on page 32. Just because it's on the internet does not me it's true. Too many experts there...IMO
Sir I have a question Is practicing 8 hours a day good or I need to do more ?
Depends what you mean by "Practice".
When we pick up the guitar to play, we tend to directly start playing pieces, improvising, experimenting, etc...
You can do that for 8 hours or more, and you will probably only improve just a little bit.
Whereas, 2 Hours of actual practicing, or we can use the word "training", (which is doing exercises one after the other without taking so many breaks, following a certain program/routine, focusing on improving our weaknesses, etc..) Would be 10 times more helpful.
That way you would be using your time much more effectively, having a condensed routine program.
Now if you ask, "How about if I train, (Second option I mentioned here), for 8 hours or more a day, is it good?"
I would not recommend that even, I believe you will burn yourself out.
My strong recommendation when it comes to improving/maintaining your technique, would be CONSTANT practice, every day. (2 hours is more than enough).
Having a certain time in the day where you dedicate your time for these exercises, and attempting not to skip a day, would be best and most effective for the long run.
Hope it helped,
Cheers!
@@LucianoGhosn Thankyou so much it helped a lot I was practicing scales and techniques for 5 to 6 hours a day but it was too much for me but now I have a fixed routine for what to practice when thankyou for the information
Magnifique.ole
Gracias!
Maestro! What a great video as always! What is the exact knobloch set that you use? Is it the qz nylon medium? Do you find it close to the sound of the luthier 20 or maybe better?
Thank you Andreas! If you like I can send you an email with the photo of he exact pack I am using.
I use the Nylon low tension set. I am really impressed by the sound! It's pretty obvious in the intro right? The Luthier strings had just slightly softer tone on the basses I feel. I especially like the Basses on these Knobloch strings, I feel they have more presence, and their durability is amazing.
@@LucianoGhosn My email is andreas_kikinas@yahoo.com. you can send it there or on messenger. Thank you!
@@andreaskikinas Hello Andreas, ok I will send it to you on Messenger then it's easier from there.
Cheers!
tu parles bcp , arrêt de parler bla bla bla,
If you don’t like it please click away and never come back.
@@LucianoGhosn the problem you write some things on the title of videos, and you don't do the same things, for example you wrote picado or tremolo.. etc, when I open the videos you just talk! At least you teach