Issue 12 - September 23rd, 2012

I would like to invite you to be part of this Weekly Magazine by raising questions and giving me suggestions thorugh e-mail so this magazine can become a good material for all flamenco lovers, researchers and musicians. Enjoy it!

A.- Comments, Questions and Answers:

1) At the beginning I thought that I just needed one nice guitar, but now -after having one negra also- I am very happy to play both Santos. I can’t play the other guitar I had (with smaller distances) anymore because I don’t feel comfortable with it. On the other hand, I have observed that generally some musicians play only one or two guitars but I see that you play many guitars and I wonder how do you adapt yourself to so many different kinds of guitars so easily?; is there any similarity in measurements or touch (pulsación) between the guitar models you play?

2) Which humidity control devices do you recommend me to use to keep my guitars is good shape?

B.- Videos of the Week:

1) Composition por Tangos. Based on: “Para John” (Tangos) by Ruben Díaz. A piece dedicated to John McLaughlin.

C.- Video Recommendation of the Week:

José Romanillos Documentary (5 videos)

A.- Comments, Questions and Answers:

1) At the beginning I thought that I just needed one nice guitar, but now -after having one negra also- I am very happy to play both Santos. I can’t play the other guitar I had (with smaller distances) anymore because I don’t feel comfortable with it. On the other hand, I have observed that generally some musicians play only one or two guitars but I see that you play many guitars and I wonder how do you adapt yourself to so many different kinds of guitars so easily?; is there any similarity in measurements or touch (pulsación) between the guitar models you play?

2) Which Humidity control devices do you recommend me to use to keep my guitars is good shape?

ANSWER TO QUESTION 1

The models Barbero and the Santos I play are pretty similar to each other regarding touch (pulsación) and measurements, but they are slightly different from each other regarding dimensions and internal work of the top. One of the many reasons I like these guitars is because I can switch from one to another very easily. 20 years ago it took me a couple of months to feel comfortable with the change from a Conde 1974-Cypress to a Ramirez 1956 or to a Felix Manzanero-Rosewood for example. I didn’t like that part, because, just as a variety of colors are necessary in art, in my experience, different guitars give color to your playing and to your recording works.  This is an important question because the easiest is to play your different guitars simultaneously the better.

ANSWER TO QUESTION 2

You can have a simple HYGROMETER like this:

http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_405&products_id=4956

*Do not leave this sensor inside the case, it should be outside in the room where you keep the guitar.

IMPORTANT: Use the humidifier only if the place is under 40% humidity (generally in winter time in cold weathers). You should re-fill it with water every 2 or 3 days.

Here is the link for the HUMIDIFIER:

http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_405&products_id=1656

B.- Videos of the Week:

1) Composition por Tangos. Based on: “Para John” (Tangos) by Ruben Díaz. A piece dedicated to John McLaughlin.

This is a beautiful documentary on master luthier Jose Romanillos. He generously explains & teaches (in English) many secrets about the Spanish guitar making, for example: the complexity of the sound board requirements. It comprises very valuable information!

JOSÉ ROMANILLOS PART 1 - How to SELECT WOOD - Validity of OLD METHODS

JOSÉ ROMANILLOS PART 2 - GOOD and BAD Spruce

JOSÉ ROMANILLOS PART 3 - SOUND of OLD guitars when they were NEW

JOSÉ ROMANILLOS PART 4 - How to make the BETTER GUITAR TOP

JOSÉ ROMANILLOS PART 5 - PANDORA's BOX - FINE TUNING the TOP