The whole works

In the business of making and selling guitars for nearly sixty years, the Alhambra name is possibly the most familiar of the leading Spanish manufacturers today. Their exhaustive collection of models ranges from classical guitars (professional, concert, conservatory and student), flamenco guitars (concert, conservatory and student), semiacoustic and acoustic (classical cutaway, flamenco cutaway and crossover), bandurrias and lutes, to left-hand guitars and short-scale guitars. One of the guitars belonging to this latter group is the Alhambra 9P 7/8.

Universal appeal

Handmade by a select group of luthiers at the Alhambra workshop in Muro de Alcoy, near Alicante, Spain, the Alhambra 9P 7/8 is a Señorita model. The name denotes an instrument that is ever so slightly smaller than a full-sized guitar, with a nut width of 50 cm, a scale of 636 cm, and a body depth of 94 cm on the upper bout and 102 cm on the lower bout. It does not however, indicate that this is an instrument made exclusively for women: it is perfect for anyone with smaller than average hands, or shorter arms – male or female – who wishes to buy a guitar that is just that little bit more comfortable to play.

Now over to Sarah from New York for a first-hand review of this very special instrument.

Sarah – New York Alhambra 9P 7/8

Dear Manuel,

This note is a bit overdue, but I hope you will excuse the delay. The Alhambra 9P guitar arrived several weeks ago in perfect condition and more quickly than I would have thought possible. The artisans at Alhambra did a magnificent job on the fret markers and of course on the instrument as a whole. It took me a while to find her voice but I think the wood and the strings are just now beginning to settle in, with tones emerging in a whole new spectrum to explore. I am hearing a richly balanced and mellow sound which can be coaxed into brighter, singing tones with practice and skill. I am truly impressed once again with the craftsmanship of the Spanish guitar makers!

The smaller scale and neck width of the Señorita model are just starting to feel more familiar. It has taken some adjustment but after these few weeks I am noticing more room for expression and fewer notes just out of reach in those difficult passages. Though I have not become overnight the expert and flawless player that I was hoping for , I have gotten over that initial disappointment and settled for more incremental progress and a slight expansion of my capabilities, with a much better fit for my small and aging hands!

Thank you for all your assistance with this, for the quick answers to my questions and lightning fast delivery! I will restate what I hope is obvious, that I am very happy with this instrument and this purchase. New York City, for all it has to offer, has few shops that deal in quality student level classical guitars, and I appreciate your presence online as a service to the international community.

With Kind Regards,

 

On cloud 9P

Thank you, Sarah for giving us a real feel for the Alhambra 9P 7/8. We are delighted that you are happy with your instrument.

Guitarists who have chosen this same model coincide that the smaller scale does not compromise the sound: a deep resonance, strong base notes and superb volume and sustain.

And yes, the clear, radiant tones make it difficult to disguise mistakes, commanding a steady diligence that is rewarded by an increasingly skillful mastery of the instrument.

The craftsmanship is superb, as Sarah says: it’s what we’ve come to expect from an Alhambra. The raw materials are above par, besides: a neck made from the finest Spanish cedar, with ebony fingerboard, a solid Indian rosewood back and sides, and a solid red cedar top that exudes an intoxicating, earthy fragrance.

New York, New York

It seems that nowhere has everything you need, even the most famous city in the world for shopping, with brands, labels, malls and boutiques you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.

But at GFS, we are more than happy to plug the gap. For everything else, we suggest heading over to the Big Apple.