I would welcome any opinions on Engleman Spruce for soundboard material. I just completed a Flamenco Guitar using Engleman for the top.
I havn't put a finish on it yet, just strung it up and tried it for sound. It sounds ok,but I will need to finish it before I can be sure of the sound. I doesn't feel very stiff latterely when tapped, but could improve when finished and with a tap plate fitted. It's the Latteral Stiffness and the soft feel with the Golpe that I am interested in mostly.Thanks, Harry.

Harry,

I have done a number of flamencos with engelmann spruce, and had very good results. Here's a very simple point and shoot camera video recording of one made about six months ago:


Too much stiffness is my mind is a negative. I prefer flamenco sound in older guitars. A lot of modern flamenco guitars have stiffer tops, heavier-built, and sound closer to classicals, at least to my ear. I guess it may have something to do with flamenco trends leaning toward jazz, at least in the nineties. For old-school flamenco, I prefer less stiffness in the top. I've handled and observed a number of vintage flamenco guitars, many of which had very thin, and rather flexible tops. Here is one, which the story goes belonged to Ramon Montoya. I have had a chance to do some restoration work on it recently. The top is SUPER FLEXIBLE and the guitar had a great sound. Only four fans, with no "closing" bars or "V". This is a 1949 Hermanos Conde. Three-piece spruce top.

Thanks Peter, I found your reply very helpful and encouraging. I like the sound of your example and your playing. I have been playing my engleman and I do like the sound the more I play it. It was mainly the feel of the Golpe that put me off.
I will let you know how it goes when I put a finish and a golpedore on it. on it. Thanks again Peter and good luck.
Harry.