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Description
The Alhambra 1C Hybrid Terra (1C HT) is an excellent choice for the beginning classical guitar player who wants to take things seriously. This guitar is unbeatable in its price range. (Click here to hear the pronunciation of "Alhambra".)
An entry level instrument to start in the study of the guitar with very good performances, a perfect finish, quality woods, and lightweight Right out of the box, this guitar surprises by its quality and by the characteristics of its materials. Handmade with selected woods, the 1C model is made with a solid Cedar top and Mahogany back and sides, beautiful woods that make up this Spanish guitar. The finish is careful to provide an elegant instrument. Elements such as nickel-plated machine heads, the fingerboard of Indian Rosewood, and the binding on top define a beautiful and stylized guitar.
DESIGN AND COMFORT
The string action and the choice of the frets make the 1C model very comfortable, an instrument very suitable for the beginning in the study of the art of the guitar. Comfort together with sound and a nice aesthetic appearance reward the student efforts of the art of classical guitar.
POWERFUL SOUND
Although the 1C model is an entry level guitar, designed primarily for students and with a good value for money, we discover a guitar with volume and high capacity to define the sound. The saddle and nut are made of melamine, a synthetic material which highly transmitting the sound and contributing to a round and defined sound.
In short, the 1C model is a student guitar with very good performance and the more you play it, the better it sounds.
"Julia Florida" by Agustin Barrios (Guitarist: Brad Earnhardt) ©XGuitars Inc.
Features:
Top: Solid Red Cedar
Back/Sides: Lam. Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Fret Markers: 3, 5, 7, & 9
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Tuners: Nickel Plated
Scale Length: 650mm
Nut Width: 52mm
Made in Spain
Alhambra Deluxe Soft Case Included
Recommended Strings: This guitar comes with D'Addario EXP44 Extra Hard Tension strings installed. These are not bad strings, but don't allow the guitar to live up to its full potential. I recommend the following strings for this guitar:
-Geoff Ferdón, owner of XGuitars
I purchased a 1C in order to leave it at my sister's house, rather than travel with my Javier Mengual instrument. I wasn't expecting a lot from the 1C, honestly, other than it being an instrument I wouldn't hate practicing on. Well, the 1C turned out to be much more than that.
Like all Alhambra guitars, it's built like a tank. Even though it's very light (I'm used to my 13lb Mengual) it's solid. The top looks beautiful, with a nice grain. The back, sides, and neck have an interesting texture. They feel almost like a composite, but they're excellent under hand. The neck is smooth and easy to play. The feel is so similar to my Mengual that there was essentially zero adjustment time. The action is a touch lower, but that's no biggie. I can't drive this guitar like I can my Mengual, or the G will buzz, but I'm not performing on it. I can practice just fine. In fact, though I wouldn't, obviously, play a concert on it, in a casual setting I could play for people without feeling like I shouldn't.
So, how does it sound? It's surprisingly resonant, and has a very nice tonality. Out of the box, it's a bit nasal and thin. However, after putting on D'Addario EJ46 strings and playing it for a week, the sound has started to open up. With more play time, it will improve and warm up nicely. If this were a guitar I played more often than just when I visit, it would become quite excellent. As a student instrument, it's perfect. The sound will develop such that a new player will be able to develop a real sound concept.
This is, in fact, a real guitar in the sense that one could play this guitar for years before needing to step up to a better instrument. Does its sound match that of a more expensive instrument? No, obviously. But, does it sound like it's got the same DNA as a fine instrument? Yes, absolutely - no question. Putting on your favorite strings makes a difference. Perhaps changing to a bone nut and saddle might improve the sound marginally, but it's not really needed. Alhambra doesn't make junk, and they choose materials that produce the best instrument for its price. Always. You can shop Alhambra guitars without any concern other than budget. Wherever you land, you'll get the best instrument your money can buy.
As to Geoff, and XGuitars, you can also count on the best, every time. Geoff will work with you, guiding and advising, until you make a purchase that you are 100% certain is the correct one. His QC is absolute, and he delivers every time.
This has been, start to finish, another wonderful experience. Thank you Geoff.
OK, now stop reading and go practice!!
I was looking for a high quality, reasonably priced student guitar and this is it! It has a solid cedar top that is nicely resonant with good sustain on all strings at low and high frets. It is much easier to play than the old classical guitar that I started with. I bought it from XGuitars so that it would be set up by a professional luthier. Geoff corresponded with me about the setup, lowered the action, and even filed and tapered a high fret to avoid a buzz. He noticed that the shipping method I had selected would take a bit longer, so we changed it and I got a bit of a refund. My new guitar arrived in perfect condition, with the strings Geoff recommended, and optimized for ease of play by a beginner like me. I'm very happy with this experience.
It was a pleasure to work with Geoff on my new Alhambra 1C guitar.
The help he gave was excellent, and the extra work he did in upgrading
the strings and adding the Kremona under-bridge pickup was perfect.
The unit came very well packaged, and in excellent condition.
I have been enjoying playing this guitar with its warm tones and great sound.
I am very happy with my choice, and with choosing XGuitars for my purchase.
When it comes time to upgrade, I will certainly return to Geoff and XGuitars.
Good guitar, good service. Thanks
Very content with my shopping experience and my new guitar. Shipping was fast and packaging was also great. Geoff responded quickly to my emails and that gave me my peace of mind on top of everything else already mentioned. This was my first time purchasing anything from XGuitars and I'm so happy that I did! I'm sure I'll be coming back for accessories and such soon.
