Hi,
I've been playing the classical guitar since I was 11 years old. That's 44 years. It has always been the place I go to for serenity, a meditative space, and a real connection with something much bigger than myself.
Learning the instrument has been a labour of love which is still continuing and will never stop. Right now I am struggling for instance with the very challenging sequence of bar chords in Asturias (Leyanda). I need to build up the muscles in my hand. It's hard to practice that sequence for long without my wrist hurting. This is a piece that I keep coming back to but feel that this time of visiting it is the time when I get it to the point where I can add it to my Youtube collection. We'll see!
My guitar ownership journey started at the age of 11 when I inherited my mother's A Dotros Cordoba guitar. This was a lovely guitar but unfortunately got lost about 8 years later in Canada. My next guitar which I bought second-hand in 1978 and kept until 2013 was a Nagoya Suzuki, all laminate beauty which I cherished over the years and served me well. It had the sweetest sound, great intonation, and could melt the soul. However the laminated top limit its projection and volume and note separation so within the last two years, having become really serious about the classical guitar again, went looking for some upgrades.
I bought a guitar with no label which turned out to be a Kiso Suzuki and although better in some respects to the Nagoya Suzuki, I would say, that overall, my Nagoya beat it.
Then I bought a spares or repair Sada Yairi Soloist with the neck falling off a bit, action therefore way to high, needing serious help. I have fixed it up and this guitar sings. The solid spruce top on this guitar is amazing. This guitar is not much to look at it but it sounds fantastic. Its trebles are rich and full and yet is still has sustain to die for. I love it.
My journey did not end there however. I picked up a cheap Esteve Granados Model 1 on Ebay (it had 2 cracks in the top), sealed these cracks (not very prettily, levelled the frets, changed the nut and saddle for bone, and this guitar now has a fantastic tone and great resonance. Asturias sounds great on it.
My main guitar for the past 6 or 7 years has been the Aiersi Masters Smallman that I purchased directly from the factory in China. It has some amazing features. It's bass response is tremendous due to the arched back and deep body. It is a loud guitar with great projection. It has amazing sustain compared to other classical guitars I have played. It has matured since I have bought it and I play it every day. It is subject to changes in tone due to humidity. It needs to be kept on the dry side to get the best sound. Please see my listing for this guitar. I act as an agent in the UK for Aiersi. I have developed a good relationship with them over the past 7 years.
Here I am playing Bach on it. (my favourite composter)