Classical guitar question

Subject: Classical guitar question
From: Mudlark
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 04:57 PM

In 1963 I purchased a guitar from Jose Oribe called an Artisano. Made in Mexico, by members of his family, or so he claimed, it was the "cheap" guitar he carried for those that could not afford his expensive concert guitars. I think I paid betwn $300-600 for it... Once I got my Martin steel string I've never looked back, and am now thinking about parting with the Artisano. I have 2 questions: having not bot nylon strings in a while, I'd like input on the best ones to buy...the guitar still has a beautiful tone but the strings are well past their sell-by date. I think the last ones I used were D'Agoustinos. 2nd question: The only local guitar dealer is a great guy, but I'm not confident he would give me an honest assessment of what this guitar is now worth. I realize w/o seeing and hearing the instrument no one could give me an accurate estimate, but I would appreciate getting a RANGE, at least, of what it might be worth...it's been cased, no warps, no problems, nothing more than a few very superficial dings....and it has a beautiful, rich tone.

I've spent a lot of time on the web trying to get a fix on this, but no luck so far. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

PS...I did try asking Mr. Oribe about it but no luck there...with his concert guitars now selling for $7-12K I was probably lucky he even answered me ...and there is no Serial No. on this guitar, unless it's buried under the Oribe label that is stuck over the original...

Subject: RE: Classical guitar question
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 05:45 PM

Mudlark - Can I also suggest that you post your question at acousticguitar.com, the magazines website? They have a section in their forum for clasical guitar players and you might get some additional info there. Good Luck

Subject: RE: Classical guitar question
From: Mudlark
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 08:50 PM

Brilliant suggestion, Wesley...thanks!

Subject: RE: Classical guitar question
From: Benjamin
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 10:33 PM

If your looking for a new nylon string, you'll probably get the most for your money from a Kenny Hill guitar.
As for your oringinal queston, I have no clue what it might be worth. If it's a famous builder and in good condition, it might get a decent price ($1 - $2 thousand maybe).

Subject: RE: Classical guitar question
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 10:53 PM

Put it in the MudCat Auction. Sell it for a boodle. Inflate the value. Take a deduction taxable. Win for you win for MAXimal.

Subject: RE: Classical guitar question
From: Don Firth
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:17 PM

I think I may have the same model guitar: "Guitarra Artisana" (I believe -- I'm not looking at the label right now) with José Oribé's "Inspected and Approved" label pasted just below and slightly over it.

I bought mine from The Rosewood Guitar in Seattle in late 1976 or early 1977. I was told that it was made in Japan for Oribé. The Rosewood Guitar dealt in concert quality instruments (a couple thousand on up), but got these as a lower-priced instrument for students and for those who wanted a good quality guitar but couldn't afford thousands of dollars. They had five of them at the time, as identical as five different guitars can be. Steve Novacek, proprietor of the Rosewood Guitar (who was also concertizing extensively at the time) thought very highly of them, and we spent the whole afternoon checking them out. They were all very good, but we both agreed that I got the pick of the litter. I had a José Ramirez at the time (Segovia used one), one of the older ones with a spruce soundboard, and I wanted a second guitar to drag to parties, hoots, and such. I bought the Artisana for $300.00, plus $ 50.00 for a hard-shell case.

The Artisana has rosewood back and sides and a red cedar soundboard. After playing it for several weeks, I wound up liking it better than the Ramirez! It has a warmer, more open sound, it's just about as loud, and it fills a concert hall just as well. Like many Japanese-made guitars of that era, it looks identical to a Ramirez, and on several occasions (once when I played at a Seattle Classic Guitar Society meeting) several people who know classic guitars pretty well assumed it was a Ramirez. Not bad for three-hundred bucks.

Right now I have one classic (the Artisana), an Arcangel Fernandez flamenco guitar (bought inexpensively in 1961 and now worth so much it scares me), and a neat, odd-looking little Go travel guitar—small, and not quite as loud as a full-size classic, but it sounds like a real classic guitar. I figure I'm well fixed for guitars.

I wish I could give you some evaluation of the Artisana, but I don't even know what mine is worth right now (I'm not planning on selling it). But I'm certain that it's worth a heck of a lot more now than what I paid for it back then. I would have no hesitation about using it for a full-blown classic guitar concert in a sizable hall. The guitar is definitely up to it. It's me that isn't. I can play classic fairly well, but not that well.

If you have a local classic guitar society, seek them out and see if someone there can give you an opinion. If it's anywhere near as good as mine, it should be worth a fairly good bundle. Good luck!

('course, you could always keep it).

Don Firth

P.S.: I use D'Addario Pro-Arte strings, hard tension. They sound great.