The idea of a Spanish made flamenco guitar being best has faded almost into non existence. The case for buying Spanish made factory guitars to save money has no merit. They are over built and way over priced. I make these statements based on the many new makers worldwide that are putting out an authentic sounding and easy playing handmade flamenco guitar. True their prices will go up as they get more orders and build a reputation, but it seems someone will always take their place.

Let's look at Andy's $2000 flamenco. How can he sell a handmade French Polished easy playing flamenco for the same money as a top line factory model that is basically a hard to play guitar with poor response? He uses already made rosettes and second grade woods that may have as good a tone qualities as top grade, but appearance wise have a flaw to the cosmetic perfectionist. Still better woods than any factory model. http://www.andyculpepper.com/Guitars.html

Also we have Jeff Sigurdson that makes a handmade model for $1500 or less. His secret is using Northwest American woods that can be bought for much less than European woods, but can make as good an instrument as any European wood. He also uses a thin lacquer finish which is time saving, but still makes a nice instrument. We see this same quality finish on many Spanish flamencos selling for over $6000. http://www.sigurdsonguitars.com/

These are just 2 examples of makers that are offering real deal flamenco guitars for an amazing low price. I am sure there are many others worldwide that are handmaking quality authentic flamencos for the same or less than the cost of production made factory ones that are unresponsive, hard to play, and simply do not sound flamenco.

Now if we explore the used market, we find these individual luthier handmade low priced guitars holding their value much better than other guitars out there.

Also a good used master grade handmade flamenco can many times be bought for half or less of the original price and be not only a better investment than a factory, but also a superior instrument in every way. It puzzles me why factory flamencos still sell when individual luthier handmades can be purchased for the same money. Maybe it is that the buyers don't know they have a choice.

I think you hit the nail on the head with your last comment . " the buyers don´t know they have a choice " plus i think a very big factor in in all of this is marketing and we are all lead blindly to buy mass produce/overhyped whites goods .

I certainly agree. When I was at a point where I wanted to "move up" a bit and looked at the factory guitars I imagined that they were my only choice. But luck (and someone on this forum) directed me to Jeff and I got a wonderful guitar from him. I would never have believed what a great guitar Jeff could produce at the price. I also got a very good guitar from Darren Hippner. Both of these were no more money than a factory guitar and I had the excitement of receiving a hand-made guitar, as well as the pleasure of supporting local luthiers.

Byron