Antonio PICADO

We have been carrying the fine guitars made in the workshop of Antonio Picado Cardoso in Berga, a mountain village near Barcelona, Spain. I met Senor Picado there in November 2002 and we immediately established a warm relationship. The shop has five artisan luthiers under the direction of Senor Picado producing about 20 guitars each month, each one getting the full attention of one builder during its construction. The result is a superior line of instruments that offer great value, sold elsewhere in the USA for considerably higher prices than ours.

The Picado line does not stop with the Model 60. For even higher quality Picado handmade guitars go to the "$3000 and up" section.

For a good look at the Picado workshop in operation go to: www.guitarraspicado.com

Following are some customer reviews:

Dear Bob and Mike:
The Picado 49 arrived today undamaged. The outer box was a bit scuffed, but the packing materials proved adequate for the trip to Chicago. After tuning up the guitar and striking the first notes, I simply could not believe my ears! The warm full tone combined with the volume and projection make this, by far, the best acoustic guitar I have ever played, and much much better than anything I found in the local guitar stores. The case is nice, and well constructed for this guitar. I am keeping it! Sold!
Your website is informative and helpful. I especially like the search feature based on price, and your editorials about each guitar are interesting and informative. The sound files that you sent are of excellent quality, played beautifully, and quiet influential in my decision to select the cedar soundboard Picado 49. Your objective discussion with me on the phone gave me confidence that I was dealing with an honest and experienced store. I would recommend you to anyone without hesitation.
Thanks,
Bobby Keyes
Chicago, IL, October 2009


Dear Bob,
Thank you for collecting such a wonderful selection of great classical guitars! And thank you Michael for your very professional assistance in helping me choose my new Antonio Picado 60. I love this instrument! It has such a wonderful tonal quality, such brilliance of sound and great projection. Every single note has such beauty of tone! Superlatives don't do this instrument justice. My playing has never sounded so good. I am enchanted.
Thank you.
Michael Walker
Clearwater, FL, September 2009

• Model 49 - ...................................................................................................... Solid Alpine Spruce or Western Red Cedar soundboard with solid Indian rosewood sides and laminated rosewood back, Honduras Cedar neck and ebony fingerboard with bone nut and saddle. The spruce model has a clear, ringing tone, while the cedar version is warm and woody without being tubby.
  
  It is available also with a 640 mm string length for players with smaller hands.
  
  Price includes case.
  
  $1295
• Model 53 - ...................................................................................................... Solid Alpine Spruce or Western Red Cedar soundboard, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, Honduran cedar neck and ebony fingerboard with bone nut and saddle. A great moderately priced instrument for the serious student or amateur. It is sold by some dealers for considerably more.This is a highly recommended instrument.
  Price includes case.
  
  $1495
• Model 54 - .................................................................................................... Canadian Cedar or Alpine Spruce soundboard, premier quality solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, Honduran cedar neck and ebony fingerboard with bone nut and saddle. A deep, rich woody tone and good volume. Sold with hardshell case. Fustero tuning machines. Sold at some internet shops for from $2,000 to $2,995.
  Case is included.
  
  $1795
• Model 60 - .................................................................................................... Solid Canadian Red Cedar or Alpine Spruce, first quality solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, Honduran Cedar neck and Ebony fingerboard. All specially selected high quality woods which produce a vibrant Spanish type tone. Sold with hardshell case. Priced by other dealers at from $2,800 to $3,495.
  Case is included.
  
  $2250
• Model 53 Flamenco - .................................................................................................... Here is a great opportunity for a serious flamenco player on a budget to obtain an authentic Spanish guitar with all the energy and flash needed for performance at a reasonable price. Bright penetrating trebles over hard clear basses, very percussive and strong. $1495
• Model 45 - Solid Red Cedar or Alpine Spruce or cedar soundboard with laminated Indian rosewood back and solid sides. Honduran cedar neck and ebony fingerboard. Bone nut and saddle. A top choice for students and serious amateurs.
  Case extra.
  
  This model has been discontinued but I still have a few left in stock. Also available with 640mm string length. $895
• Model 60 Flamenco - .................................................................................................... This is a first rate flamenco guitar suitable for performance in a taverna or on stage, giving powerful slashing rasquedos and hard punctuated scale passages for accompaniment and solo playing. A tonal range in the Barcelona tradition of gypsy music, this instrument is designed to satisfy any advanced player. German spruce top and the finest Cypress back and sides with tap plates and ebony fretboard. $2250

Douglas GRAHAM

At last a faithful copy of the famous Greg Smallman guitar design is available at a small fraction of the original price. This instrument, handmade in Asia, imitates the lattice bracing pattern that Smallman devised some years ago and that created a new sonic dimension for the classical guitar with a huge increase in volume. John Williams has remained an endorser and player of Smallman instruments for most of his career.

• Melbourne - In keeping with the Smallman design, this model includes a super thin western red cedar top for deep, rich tone, and thick slabs of Indian Rosewood on the back and sides for a stable foundation and optimum projection. The lattice bracing permits maximum movement in the soundboard while controlling the tone.
  
  The finish is satin. There is the characteristic arm rest to keep the player's forearm from dampening the soundboard's vibrations.
  
  This is a great chance to own a guitar much like John Williams's guitar at an affordable ptice. $2500

Francisco HERNANDEZ

Francisco Hernandez is a luthier from Paracho, Mexico. In a town full of professional luthiers, he is a famous luthier. He has been building guitars for 45 years. He has worked for Hill Guitar Co. for many years, building all of their higher quality models. In that capacity, he has built guitars for many top concert players. This guitar is not a Hill instrument. It was built by Francisco at his independant workshop in California in early 2010 to his own designand dit is signed by the luthier. It is finished in French polish.

Francisco likes to subtly modify the design of each instrument he builds (when he's not building to someone else's plan), and they are all beautiful--in sound and craftsmanship. .

This guitar features a spruce top and Palo Escrito (Mexican rosewood) back and sides with an ebony fingerboard and Schaller tuners. .

The tone is bright and scintillating with a penetrating projection. A happy sounding guitar which is fully worthy of a concert stage..

• Signature - This will make a great choice for a player who is looking for both power and delicacy, impressive forte and lyrical pianissimo. With all of Senor Hernandez's experience making guitars under his own name and that of Kenny Hill you can be sure of getting a guitar of wide sonic possibilities. $2600

Francisco NAVARRO

Francisco Navarro guitars come from the workshop of Mexican luthier Francisco Navarro in Paracho where they are meticulously made by hand from top quality woods.

• Student Classical Model - The top is made of tight grained cedar and the back and sides are Palo Escrito, the unique and beautiful rosewood native to Mexico. The bridge and fingerboard are of cocobolo and the bridge saddle and nut are made of bone.
  A very good guitar for the price which includes a hardshell case. $950
• Concert Classical - This is a wonderful guitar for the money built of fine red cedar and lovely Mexican rosewood (called Palo escrito in Spanish and as richly grained as Brazilian rosewood). Rich tone and smooth response with good volume, adding up to an expressive instrument. Bell-like trebles and sonorous basses allow the player a wide range of colors and moods. Along with the Giambattista G4, this is the best quality buy under $2000.
  Hardshell case included. $1750
• Student Flamenco Model - Solid spruce top and solid Spanish cypress back and sides with cocobolo fingerboard and bridge make this an exceptional buy in a starter flamenco guitar. 650 mm scale and wood binding and wood inlaid rosette.
  Price includes case. $895
• Concert Flamenco - Excellent selected spruce soundboard with highest quality solid Cypress back and sides, tap plates and ebony fingerboard.
  Snappy flamenco tone and plenty of volume, a real professional guitar. $1600
• Student Classical 640 mm - Same as the "Student Classical Model" however with a 640 mm string length, a 50 mm nut and a radiused fretboard for ease of play.
  Price includes case. $950

Francisco SOLERA

An excellent line of finely made guitars from one of the best moderately priced makers in Madrid, Spain. The meticulous construction and close attention to detail make these instruments highly recommended for students and amateurs on a budget. With a choice of either cedar or spruce soundboards the player can find the best guitar to suit his or her taste.

• IB5 Alcala - Solid Western Red Cedar soundboard
  Laminated Indian rosewood back and sides
  Ebony fingerboard
  650 mm string length
  Fustero tuners
  Rich dark tone $750
• IB8 Medina - Solid Spruce soundboard
  Solid Indian Rosewood back and sides
  Ebony fingerboard
  650 mm string length
  Fustero tuners
  Bright, clear tone $895

GIAMBATTISTA

FRENCH-ITALIAN MASTERPIECES OF THE LUTHIER'S ART

From Paris, the City of Light, comes the most brilliant line of high-end student and professional guitars ever offered in the U.S.

Their excellent clarity, resonance, sustain and projection set them above most Spanish and Japanese guitar brands in the under-$2,000 league.

Jean-Baptiste Castelluccia, third-generation Parisian luthier, built his first guitar at the age of 13 to give to a boyhood friend who was an avid player. He learned the art at the workbench of his father who carried on the work of his own father who had come to Paris from Italy in the 1940's.

The goal of all three Castelluccias has been to provide the best possible instruments, using the finest tone woods, at the lowest possible prices.The first Jean-Baptiste Castelluccia concentrated on making Django Reinhardt-style acoustic jazz guitars which were all the rage during the Swing era in France.His son Jacques then shifted the direction towards classical guitars to fill the demand created by the growing French classical guitar interest spurred by such great players as Ida Presti and Alexander Lagoya, Roberto Aussel and Alberto Ponce.

The present Jean-Baptiste, grandson of the founder of the atelier, builds and oversees the making of some of Europe's finest student and concert classical guitars.

Like all fine guitars, these must be tried and compared to be truly appreciated. I invite you to do so if you are looking for the best possible quality in a moderately priced guitar.

Giambattistas also come in cutaway acoustic-electric versions featuring Fishman dual pickups and the same exceptionally fine workmanship as the regular models. If this option interests you, please give us a call or send an email.

Let me add as a side note, that after almost 30 years of dealing exclusively with classical guitars, I have never before been so impressed by the honesty of the workmanship and the superiority of the product as I am with this line of exceptional guitars.
For further commentary, please click on What Customers Say.

Here are a couple of customer reviews:

Hello Robert and John,
Thursday night we all waited outside in the garage for the UPS truck. When David saw the box come out of the truck he was thrilled. He immediately opened it and played his new Giambattista G6. All he said was "sweet" When I heard the guitar I knew that I had found the right people to trust. Your knowledge of classical guitars is wonderful and this comes across on your web site. Although I do not know a lot about guitars I do know when one sounds better than another. Wow! The Alvarez was dead and my instincts to trust you about the Giambattista were right on. As David"s guitar teacher said: "There isn't a little difference, there is a HUGE difference".
Sarah Blanc
New Canaan, CT, November 2006


Mr. Castelluccia & Artists:
I recently purchased a Giambattista G8 from Robert Page at The Guitar Store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, your distributor.
First, let me compliment you on the selection of Robert Page and The Guitar Store as your United States distributor. Theirs is a comfortable store well maintained and attractively arranged. Mr. Page is excited about representing your instruments. He personally assisted me in making a choice as I was visiting his shop in Philadelphia in December of 2005.
Second, I am also excited about the Giambattista guitar. I acknowledge the fact that this instrument is a student guitar, however, the craftsmanship, playability and sonority of the G8 is far superior to may higher priced concert instruments. I do not know how you do it for the price.
Therefore, on behalf of all the students who will, by your having offered a guitar of such excellent quality, be able to afford a beautiful sounding, well constructed guitar,
Thank you!
Roger Watkins
Greenville, NC, January 2006

Greetings,
I just wanted to let you know that the Giambattista G6 guitar I ordered arrived yesterday safe and sound. My guitar teacher gave it a thorough test drive today and was very impressed with the quality of the instrument. In his opinion it is comparable to guitars priced much higher elsewhere. It is a keeper! Thank you to John for helping me sort out the various issues and end up with a great guitar.
Thanks again,
Steve Saunders
Oregon,February 2005

• G4 - European Spruce or Western Red Cedar sound board, solid Indian rosewood sides and laminated Indian Rosewood back, Ebony fingerboard, 650 mm string length, bone saddle and nut. Gold plated tuning machines. Finished in light nitrocellulose lacquer. $1850
• G6 - Spruce or cedar solid tone woods in better quality and solid Indian rosewood back and sides, same string length, greater depth of resonance and more sustain. Fine German-made Reubner machines (Hauser style). Clear nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
  
  A glance at "What Customers Say" will give you an idea of the overwhelmingly positive response we've had to this whole line of guitars which we introduced to the American market in 2000. $2150
• G6b - Same tone woods in higher grade and all solid matched Indian rosewood back and sides, same string length, richer tone and greater projection. Reubner machines. Clear nitrocellulose lacquer. This model and the highest model G8 are in every sense superb values for guitars that straddle the line between upper end student/amateur guitars and professional concert guitars.
  
  A glance at "What Customers Say" will give you an idea of the overwhelmingly positive response we've had to this whole line of guitars which we introduced to the American market in 2000.
  
  $2425
• G8 - Highest quality Alpine Spruce or Western Red Cedar soundboard. First grade East Indian rosewood back and sides. Ebony fingerboard with nickel alloy frets. 650 mm scale with 52 mm bone nut. Spanish cedar neck reinforced with ebony center strip. Excellent German-made Reubner tuners in the Hauser style. The power and open, clear tone of this model will amaze you. $3000

Jose Luis REYES

Handmade in Spain exclusively for The Classical Guitar Store, these are exceptional instruments for the serious student who wants a beautiful artisan guitar with all the resonance of solid wood soundboards. Finished with a light coat of fine lacquer to bring out the richly grained woods, these Reyes guitars will please the most demanding players.

All Jose Luis Reyes guitars come with 650mm and 640mm string lengths.

• 101 - This entry level model features a solid cedar soundboard with good quality laminated mahogany back and sides and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. $450
• 102 - Better quality solid cedar top with darker straight grained mahogany veneer and better tuning machines and rosewood fingerboard. Birch binding on front and back edges. $560
• 201 - Indian rosewood veneer back and sides and bridge with ebony fretboard and spruce or cedar soundboard, this guitar has a bit fuller projection and sustain. The edges have full rosewood and birch purfling front and back. $625
• 203 - Stunning grained Brazilian rosewood veneer on back and sides with solid cedar top and ebony fingerboard and good quality tuning machines make this a real value. The tone is resonant and clear with plenty of sustain and volume. $795
• 301 - All solid Indian rosewood back and sides and solid red cedar soundboard with ebony fingerboard to create another level of resonance. Full binding and purfling on front and back edges. Honduran mahogany neck. Better quality tuning machines. $875
• 302 - A wonderfully lively flamenco guitar made with traditional solid cypress back and sides and a spruce soundboard protected by clear tapping plates. The fretboard is ebony and the neck is Spanish cedar with excellent tuning machines.
  ,br> Price includes case. $1095
• 303 - A great sounding guitar made of all solid German spruce or Canadian cedar top with solid Indian rosewood back and sides and a 3-piece mahogany/ebony laminated neck for extra stiffness. High quality tuning machines. Highly recommended for the serious student or amateur.
  
  This model comes with case. $1295

Jose RAMIREZ

The name of Jose Ramirez is legendary throughout the world. Having built concert guitars for many of the greatest artists such as Andres Segovia, Narciso Yepes and Christopher Parkening for more than a century, the company also has offered student guitars made in various other workshops under their guidance. While retaining many features of the concert instruments, these models are more affordable and very popular with students and serious amateurs.

• R-4 - Very good condition second hand guitar with minimal dings and full structural integrity. Typical Ramirez dark, romantic tone with that ineffable Spanish aura. Cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides and ebony fingerboard. A real bargain for one of Ramirez's top "estudio" models. $2500
• 2CWE - A mint condition Ramirez with cutaway and excellent Fishman electric pickup system. The characteristic Ramirez romantic resonance with the additional option of plugging in to an amplifier for public performance. An exceptional gigging instrument. $2000

Kenny HILL

These New World guitars were designed by Kenny Hill and handmade by expert craftsmen in China. Manufacturing methods and wood quality are the same as used in the home workshop in California for the Signature and Master series. These all solid wood guitars are given their final set up, adjustments and quality inspection as soon as they arrive in California.

• Player - The sold high grade cedar top of this model gives a warm yet clear tone with plenty of depth. The fingerboard is ebony and the back and sides are solid Indian rosewood for good resonance and projection. A light lacquer finish makes the guitar gleam.
  
  A heavy duty custom case is included in the price.
  
  $1700
• Almeria - The Almeria model is based on the design of an elegant 1885 Antonio de Torres guitar such as Francesco Tarrega might have played. It has graceful lines and a slightly smaller body than full 20th century designs.
  
  It features an Engleman spruce top, solid Indian rosewood body, ebony fingerboard and Ruebner tuning machines. It is entirely French polished.
  
  The Almeria model comes with either a 650 or 640 mm string length. Both models have clear singing trebles and well defined basses and a relatively quiet voice.
  
  $1750
• Estudio - This model features select solid cedar soundboard, Indian rosewood back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, adjustable truss rod in neck, bone saddle and nut, fine light lacquer finish.
  
  This guitar is sold with a good heavy duty hard case included.
  
  $900

MUSIMA

• Calvin Cramer - Musima guitars are an entry level guitar that are made in Markneukirchen, Germany and feature a solid German spruce soundboard and curly maple back and sides. They are a good, strong beginner guitar featuring a slightly narrower fingerboard, easy action and a surprisingly good tone. These guitars normally sell for at least $500 however we can now offer them at this new low price! $350

ORPHEUS VALLEY

The Kremona workshop in Bulgaria has been making quality stringed instruments since 1924 and supplying musicians in Europe and Asia. Kremona classical guitars are now available in select stores in North America under the name of Orpheus Valley and we at the Classical Guitar Store are happy to be able to represent them. The attention to detail in building these guitars and the fine woods used make each and every model from the Sofia to the Performer to the Artist Series exceptional in terms of quality for price.

For an overview of the company go to www.kremonausa.com

• Fiesta FS - The Fiesta model has a solid Alpine spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides at a very reasonable price. The bright tone and beautiful balance are outstanding. The gloss finish is lightly applied nitrocellulose lacquer. Saddle and nut are made of bone $795
• Romida - This model offers an exceptional buy considering the quality of the woods used in its construction and the very good tone that results. It features a solid even grained European spruce top with solid Indian rosewood back and sides and a Honduran mahogany neck. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony. $1200
• Fiesta Cutaway - Solid spruce top with laminated rosewood back and sides (to reduce chance of feedback) with cutaway for easy access to the upper fingerboard. This guitar is equipped with a Fishman Classic 4 pickup for performance with an amplifier with complete control of volume, tone and balance. Amazing for the price. $795
• Solea - Solid finely grained American red cedar with gorgeous cocobola rosewood back and sides make this an incredible instrument for the money. The tonal response is smooth and rich and produces plenty of volume with great clarity. Bone saddle and nut. Ebony fingerboard. The price includes a hard shell case. $1600
• Sofia S65C - This outstanding full size beginning level guitar features a finely grained solid red cedar top and mahogany back and sides with gloss finish and 65 cm scale. It is also available by special order in 7/8, 3/4 and 1/2 sizes. The tone is clear as a bell with good projection. $450
• Sofia - The Sofia model is one of Orpheus Valley's Artist Models and is different than the Sofia S65C. This one has a solid cedar top and solid mahogany back and sides at a very reasonable price. The top has a gloss finish which is lightly applied nitrocellulose lacquer. The back and sides have a l satin finish. This all solid guitar has a surprising rich tone which you don't get from a laminate guitar. $700

Paco MARIN

Paco Marin guitars are made in Valencia, Spain and represent true Spanish tradition and quality at an affordable price. We've been importing these guitars for quite a few years now, the consistency in their sound and craftsmanship has been great. They tend to have a clear, balanced, full-bodied sound that's even in all registers.

• PM315 - This fine low priced guitar features a solid spruce top and mahagony veneer wood back and sides, with rosewood fingerboard, bridge and bindings. The tuning machines are nickel plated lyre design. The tone is clear and satisfying. Unusual sustain and depth of tone for an instrument at this price. $500
• PM395 - This is one of our best Paco Marin models, featuring a solid cedar top, solid rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard, and lovely samanguila bindings with bone nut and saddle. It has stronger volume than the lower models with a rich, warm resonance. This is an instrument which compares well with guitars costing up to $1500 for it offers a lot more projection and sustain than you would expect in a guitar at this price. Highly recommended for the committed student and avid amateur.
  Sold with case. $1095
• PM631 - A great "punchy" Spanish tone with good clarity and sustain, this model features all solid woods finely finished in light lacquer. The Indian rosewood used on this model is very distinctive and beautiful. Easy to play with fast reponse and woody resonance, a great guitar for the modest price.
  Sold with case. (temporarily out of stock). $1250
• PM330 - This model cannot be beat as an entry level flamenco and/or classical guitar. It is loud, bright and full of punch with its solid spruce top and sycamore (looking very much like cypress) back and sides. It would serve very well indeed as a student guitar for those looking for a lively tone at a modest price. $500
• PM355 - This fine modestly priced guitar offers a choice of good solid cedar or spruce sound board, ebony fingerboard, rosewood back and sides, bridge and bindings. The tuning machines are gold plated Spanish made. The nut and saddle are bone.
  The tone is bright and resonant with a true musical character all its own. A serious guitar with great dynamic range and responsiveness for the price. $795
• PM561 - This model from Paco Marin is similar to the 315 model but is smaller in size. The string length is 612 mm and the nut width is 48 mm making this instrument about a 7/8th size and perfect for the student who's not quite ready for a full size. Like the 315 model, the tone is clear and satisfying. Unusual sustain and depth of tone for an instrument at this price. $450

R. E. BRUNE

• Model 20 - An full and dark toned guitar with unusual power for a student instrument. The famous Evanston, IL, luthier R.E. Brune, whose concert guitars are highly prized, has these models built to his specifications in the Asturias workshop in Japan. As the leading American authority on the history of classical guitar construction, Brune has designed this model according to the best guitar principles. $2400