I basically joined this forum because i'm looking to buy a guitar for my very supportive boyfriend who has given me a lot, and i just wanted to give him a little back. Unfortunately i'm not rich and can't spend more than 1500. I saw this one online http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=514333 and was wondering if it looked good for the price it was at. I know he would rather have a well made hand crafted one and if he could afford that he would have bought one already but he's working hard to create his own business at this time and doesn't have much money either . Can anyone help me out?? The guitar is Rodriquez FF flamenco. I really like the design of it, I think it's much prettier than other flamencos i've seen. I especially like the rim on the edge i dont' see many with that design. I don't want to just buy it for looks but I really fell in love with it! He really likes exotic sounding flamencos with an edge, he uses a classical guitar right now that he somehow transformed into a flameco very well. I NEED HELP!

ok well thats alll

your replies would be very helpful. THANKS!

I have never played one, but have heard good reports. The good thing here is the company is very reputable and the price is reasonable. A nice case is included so you can't go wrong IMO. I think your boyfriend should be pleased. Perhaps he will join the foro and we can get him interested in old school flamenco and some day have him make a recording on the Rodriguez to share with us. Very nice gift!

Greetings ILA,

This could be an excellent starter flamenco guitar for Anthony. Two of the most important considerations when purchasing a guitar are playability and the quality of the 'voice' of the instrument. It certainly has eye appeal.

I read the company guarantee and return policy and I would say, "Go for it!". Anthony will have the opportunity to play and evaluate the guitar. If he likes it, he keeps it. If not, he can return it and you are only out the shipping costs.

I have not purchased from this company, but I have purchased, traded, and sold several guitars over the net and have never had any problems.

Order it now and let's see how pleased and surprised Anthony is with this wonderful gift! Please keep us posted as to the results.

Doog

I think you might be better off purchasing the Yamaha student flamenco model rather than the Rodriguez FF. The Yamaha is around $350 usd and I understand the latest models are constructed of Cypress back and sides with a solid Spruce top. I own a Rodriguez C3F flamenco student model which is decent and I've played several Yamaha's and its not a bad instrument but you may have to demo several to find a good one. I've played a FF model and it wasn't alot better than my C3F but it was approx $1,000 more. Save your money and buy your boyfriend the Yamaha or the Rodriguez C3F and then when he's ready move up to a truly good instrument spend the money. The problem i've found is that most Flamenco's under 2 grand are not much better than student models. There are exceptions of course but you need to find a reputable dealer who understands Flamenco's. Check out LaFalseta.com for some decent instruments.
Sig--

Hello and thank you all for your replies!
It was a great help, I took into consideration the guitars at la falseta website because Anthony really wanted pegs in his flamenco guitar. I'm thinking about getting the 900 dollar one. They're hand made, cheaper, and have the pegs but i'm still debating whether to get the FF. What do you guys think of this guitar? Do you think it's a better deal? http://www.lafalseta.com/navarro_flamencos.html- It's the student flamenco model 1

He's tried out the yamaha at guitar center and he didn't like that one at all and the C3F was the one he really liked thats why I thought to buy the FF. I'm still very drawn to the FF because I think it has a very beautiful look to it. Sig was this guitar really not that much better than the C3F?

I'm still debating and he mentioned how he doesnt want to buy anything now because the weather is too cold to ship a guitar. So I took that as a hint and everything is stalled for now. We'll see what happens. But thank you all for your comments sorry I didn't reply sooner, I'm in nursing school and it occupies my existence much like flamenco occupies anthony's existence. And by the way he is on this forum but I wont reveal his identity hehe. Although you could probably figure it out easily! Thanks again!

I really don't think the FF model is worth $1,000 more. I would suggest that if he likes the C3F model go for it as you can always resell it at a later date. I agree, the FF is probably a "prettier" model but it really comes down to playability and tone not just looks... I wouldn't worry too much about shipping a guitar during cold weather and I would strongly encourage you to purchase the C3F model if he likes it...
Sig--

If you haven't bought a guitar yet, I have found Cordoba guitars to be superior for my students, and they make a model – 45FM flamenco guitar for about $900. You might check that one out. It also comes in 45FP, with traditional pegs instead of machine tuners. I haven't played these, but as I said, I feel that Cordoba guitars are very good for that category.

Hi, I recommend against the FF. It looks nice and is an okay guitar--just okay. It is not worth the $1100 or $1200 that stores are asking. For that price you can find a used Sanchis Hermanos 2F or Castillo, or maybe a used Bellido or Bernal if you look hard enough. For $700 or $800 you can get a decent Esteve from Fernandez Guitars, all solid woods and set up correctly. For a beginner guitarist, the Cordobas are okay but if he really likes flamenco, he might quickly outgrow it.

I agree with no on the Rodriquez. They look nice, but I've actually played several of these, and I have to say I'm not impressed. Go for the Cordoba. I've heard good reports on the Esteves, though I've never played one.

I've actually owned the ff (not the sabicas) and the c3f. they are pretty nice guitars to play on, the company itself is actually owned by Fender now if i'm not mistaken. I would actually reccomend if you like the sabicas to go with he normal ff you can find them for around 900 (thats how much I payed for mine). The other one I would suggest would be the Ramirez FL2 which you can find used for around 1500 or so. The normall FF is very similar to the sabicas they only real difference, if I remember right is on the back. The back on the sabicas is just cypress on the normal FF it is cypress and indian rosewood.