I recently purchased the Alhambra 9p CW with the Fishman M Blend set up. I have intentionally waited a few months before offering my review. This guitar was bought as a significant upgrade/replacement for my classical gig guitar and I wanted to use it in several different professional scenarios before offering my thoughts.
Out of the case, the Alhambra was a knock out. Several of my students have used Alhambras in the past. I am not a stranger to the level of craftmanship they put in their instruments. Their student level guitars are solid. However, this 9P is in a different class of quality, tone, volume and playability. Within a few minutes of playing it, I could hear it begin to open up. The volume is amazing. There is a wide range of tone colors to play with. The neck is very comfortable. The scalloped heel makes playing in the upper reaches even more comfortable than other cutaways I have tried. This is a major plus for a lot of the jazz work I do on a classical guitar.
The neck is about 1.5 mm narrower than my concert guitar. Even with my big hands, this has not be an issue.
Here are the various scenarios I have now used the 9p:
I used this guitar (purely acoustically) to accompany students in recital. This guitar has the volume to be heard without just being loud and thin. Plenty of sustain and an wide rich tone pallette makes this a guitar suitable for pure classical work. There is a warmth and depth to this sound you would expect from a Spanish guitar.
I have used the 9p in several professional engagements (weddings, receptions, etc) where I needed to amplify it. The Fishman setup on this is astounding. This doesn't just sound like a loud classical guitar amplified, it sounds like THIS guitar. Being able to blend the different pickups and mic on the guitar allow for really boosting the sound through the amp while being able to avoid the bright "clicky" sound some electric classicals give. The blend also helps you to dial in your sound to avoid boominess. The controls become intuitive very quickly after just a few minutes of playing with them.
Lastly, I have played in my own church where I was plugged directly into the house sound system. Our music minster simply set the sound board to center and let me balance my tone from the guitar itself. When I first practiced with this at the church it was one of those moments where you realize, "Wow! This is what a classical guitar really sounds like!" You don't notice the electronics. What you do notice is a solid gorgeous spanish guitar sound that you can feel.
The only strings I have used are those recommended by Geof, the Savarez Alliance 540J. I tried these first (again at Geoff's recommendation) on my early 90's Asturias concert guitar. These made this great guitar sound even better. I have only changed string brands three time in my 40+ year career of playing. After hearing these strings on a guitar I knew, changing to them was an easy decision. I dont even have the curiosity to try other strings now. My Asturias and Alhambra have Savarez Alliance on them and I dont see that changing.
Geoff and I exchanged emails and phone conversations before I decided to give the 9P a shot. He answered all of my questions. He made the buying process extremely easy, and kept me informed all along the way.
There has been absolutely no buyer's remorse with this guitar. I cannot recommend the 9P and Geoff highly enough.
