Sometimes, when you're looking for a guitar that is well made, especially a classical or flamenco guitar, you tend to think that Spanish quality is the best.
Many people fail to recognize that perhaps local is better than foreign.
Just as with food, locally grown is sometimes better than imported.

When I realized that my factory Cordoba 45-FCE was becoming my enemy,
I entered a high-end guitar store where the prices as well as sound of the guitars were unappealing. I sought out to find luthiers who could make a high-quality guitar yet for a reasonable price. I decided to look for a relatively-local luthier and found a website that lists all the luthiers in the United States. It was then that miraculously I stumbled upon Peter Tsiorba, a luthier in Oregon.

From the moment I entered the website, I was amazed by the quality of his craftsmanship. I called Peter the next day and after a few days had agreed to proceed with placing an order for a flamenco blanca. Why so fast, you ask?
Well, I heard the sound of a few of his guitars on the internet and was blown away by the texture and balance. I needed an axe that could be my friend,
not an enemy like the Cordoba.

About a month ago, in June, I received my long-awaited flamenco blanca from Peter Tsiorba. The first thing I noticed was the great smell that quickly rose into my nostrils. It was the smell of freshly-crafted cypress, spruce, cedar, cocobolo, and walnut wood. And then it hit me, I should tune it and play it!!!
And so I did. The sound is unspeakably crisp and loud. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.

Since I play classical guitar with a more of a lean toward flamenco, Peter decided not to make the cypress sides and back as thin to preserve the mellow sound. The result is a pure flamenco sound with the softness of a classical guitar. It isn't a negra per say. It is an authentic blanca with classical capabilities - great for playing fusion.

Peter is really passionate about making guitars. He doesn't just put a set of strings on a piece of wood. He really puts his soul into making the customer happy with an instrument that is able to handle any musical setting.
Paying a reasonable price for my blanca, I've gotten much more than I would out of a Ramirez for the same exact price. What is the price? Well, you have to contact Peter if you want to find out more.

The only thing I can leave you with is a little insider edition on the world of guitars. Local is sometimes better (for me). But if you're a foreigner, definitely consider checking out Peter's work. You'll be regret-less.

MDF, I can imagine coming from a Cordoba to a Tsiorba would be a real shock. Before I got my Tsiorba, I had owned and played on many fine handmade master flamenco guitars. Peter's exceeded any of them regardless of price. Do you have a sound clip or video of yours being played? Are you in Oregon?

Hello Sam,

I have posted videos of myself on youtube but will be revising them due to the poor sound quality.
I'll keep you posted. Also, I'm not in Oregon. I'm from NY.

Matthew

mdf193 wrote:Sometimes, when you're looking for a guitar that is well made, especially a classical or flamenco guitar, you tend to think that Spanish quality is the best.
Many people fail to recognize that perhaps local is better than foreign.

Yes, and not only better, but often less-expensive. I certainly have enjoyed my Tsiorba blanca. The more I play it, the more it continues to improve. Recordings don't do it justice. Someone has to play a Tsiorba to fully appreciate why owners so enthusiastically praise them.

-Bob

Yes I agree.
I have told my students many times that they should think about the guitar they are buying, not the label.
In the USA you have Peter Tsiorba for example and in the UK there is Pablo Requena. I think the guitars may have some similarities.
But I also think that a flamenco guitar from Spain can also be very good. For example all of my Gerundino guitars seeem extraodinary to me.
But not wanting to take this thread away from its original purpose, certainly Tsiorba seems wonderful...if I did not have responsibilities I certainly would like to be on his waiting list.
Saludos
Tomás

Hello Everybody,

Interesting post! I have a flamenco guitarra blanca made by Darren Hippner and, in my opinion, It's comparable to my 1963 Ramirez guitarra blanca. The only advantage that Senor Ramirez has over Mr. Hippner is an easier playing action.

This is a bit tangential, but -- based almost entirely on word of mouth from this Foro -- I just placed an order for a Tsiorba classical , due in April 2011 or thereabouts. It will be spruce & cocobolo, 640mm, pretty traditional appointments except for soundports.

davinort wrote:This is a bit tangential, but -- based almost entirely on word of mouth from this Foro -- I just placed an order for a Tsiorba classical , due in April 2011 or thereabouts. It will be spruce & cocobolo, 640mm, pretty traditional appointments except for soundports.

Then I will be very interested to hear from you on here when you have the guitar.
I imagine that you will also have listened to the sound examples to help you form an impression.
Good luck
Tomás

davinort wrote:This is a bit tangential, but -- based almost entirely on word of mouth from this Foro -- I just placed an order for a Tsiorba classical , due in April 2011 or thereabouts. It will be spruce & cocobolo, 640mm, pretty traditional appointments except for soundports.

I haven't played any of Peter Tsiorba's classical guitars, but based upon my Tsiorba flamenco blanca and what others are saying about his guitars I will be surprised if you don't love it. I look forward to hearing you play it.

-Bob

Bob wrote:

davinort wrote:This is a bit tangential, but -- based almost entirely on word of mouth from this Foro -- I just placed an order for a Tsiorba classical , due in April 2011 or thereabouts. It will be spruce & cocobolo, 640mm, pretty traditional appointments except for soundports.

I haven't played any of Peter Tsiorba's classical guitars, but based upon my Tsiorba flamenco blanca and what others are saying about his guitars I will be surprised if you don't love it. I look forward to hearing you play it.

-Bob

Until yesterday I hadn't played on a Tsiorba classical. It was an amazing guitar that can sing classical or bark flamenco. Beautiful easy playing light and old world charm. I wanted to play on others, but as Peter explained, the only way to have a personal guitar is to make one for himself ... worked in theory, but in practicality his personal guitars stay around about two weeks. The one I played on is for sale on his website and why it is still there is a mystery. If I didn't have my homemade negra, it would have come home with me after a goleador was installed. I couldn't fully appreciate it because the little classical I could play stunk and I kept messing up compas because I couldn't golpe. http://www.tsiorba.com/available-inventory/