Has anyone ever played an Alhambra 3F? Or Alhambra 7FC? Both flamenco guitars. I keep hearing good things about Alhambra, but I've never played one, and very few places seem to sell them.

Hi, haven't been on the forum for a little while so have only seen your post and I hope I am not too late to give you my opinion.
I own an Alhambra 7FC which I bought new here in London two years ago at a shop just off Oxford Stree called El Mundo Flamenco. I am a relative beginner at flamenco guitar although I have played rock and blues for over 35 years and I own a Gibson Les Paul, Flying V, Stratocaster and some others so I think I can identify a quality instrument. Although just starting flamenco, I wanted a reasonably good quality instrument and I tried a number in the shop in the price bracket I was thinking of. The Alhambra 7FC was the first one I played which I thought had the flamenco 'sound' although it was a bit more than I thought I would have to spend (£700 but case included). The salesperson then suggested I try another guitar without telling me what it was. I tried it but didn't like it as much at which point she said it was another 7FC! So as we know, even the same model can differ between examples. I am very happy with the guitar for the level I am at although it may not compare with guitars from the great luthiers. However, I feel it is well made, very light, well finished and very loud! They put new Hannabach strings on it when I bought it but when we tried it in the shop they didn't sound very good and they volunteered to put some D'Addario Pro Arte EJ45's on it. They transformed the guitar back to what I wanted. However, after playing it for a while I started to think the guitar was sounding too mellow and I have now put some D'Addario Black Trebles on which have again given it a different and much better flamenco sound. I sort of like the more metallic raspy flamenco sound and these have taken it a long way towards it.

So I feel it is a very good instrument for the price and would recommend it. It is nicely placed between the cheaper 'student' instruments and the top end big name makers concert level guitars. Everyone has their own preference regarding necks and some might feel that it is a bit big on the 7FC but then again I haven't played that many flamenco guitars to compare it against.

Hope this has been of some help in your deliberations! Don't know if they are imported into the US but they are available here in the UK at the above mentioned shop, which is also known as the London Guitar Studio and no, I have no affiliation with them aside from being a satisfied customer!

I have an Alhambra 4P classical, and think it's an excellent guitar. I've not tried their flamenco models


Alan