Description
The Mengual y Margarit Serie C Classical Guitar is a truly world-class concert instrument. It's tone is absolutely beautiful, with fluid and piano-like tone. This guitar is shockingly loud, with very strong, clear basses. It is built in a very small workshop that is its own independent operation from the rest of the Alhambra facility. In this workshop, master luthiers Javier Mengual and José Margarít build this guitar from start to finish with the utmost care and artistry. (Click here to hear the pronunciation of "Alhambra".)
Medley of "Torija" (F.M. Torroba) / "Prelude, Fugue and Allegro" (J.S. Bach) / "Sounds of Bells" (J. Pernambuco) played by David Stevenson
This is the next in line above the Linea Profesional. The Linea Profesional is an excellent guitar, but the Mengual y Margarit guitars are really a significant step above. They are truly luthier-built and it really shows in the sound. They have that sound quality of a luthier-built guitar that is hard to categorize, but definitely real and incredibly beautiful. The improvement in sound is considerably greater than the $1,000 increase in price from the Linea Profesional. I've had people compare them to guitars priced at $7,500 and prefer the Mengual y Margarit guitars.
The Mengual y Margarit Serie C classical guitar has thicker sides and back than standard (3mm vs 2mm), giving it more volume and sustain. Because of this, it is slightly heavier than a standard guitar. The top is thinner than standard and French polished, giving it very powerful volume and projection. The Serie C differs from the Serie NT only in that it uses a Lattice bracing pattern, giving it it's particular tonal qualities.
Top: Solid Red Cedar
Back/Sides: Solid Indian Rosewood
Bracing: Lattice
(For a Torres fan-braced version of this same guitar, click here to see the Serie NT.)
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck Wood: Spanish Cedar with Ebony Reinforcement
Neck Type: ErgoNeck
Scale: 650mm
Nut: 52mm
String Spacing at nut: 42mm
String Spacing at bridge: 58mm
Nut & Saddle Material: Bone (Extra saddle included)
Tuning Machines: Schaller (Made in Germany)
Finish (top): French Polish (gives the top maximum resonance)
Finish (back & sides): Polyurethane (provides improved durability)
Strings Installed: Royal Classics Sonata
Hardshell Case Included
Made in Spain
MEASUREMENTS
Upper Bout Width: 11.375" (11 3/8")
Lower Bout Width: 15.0"
Upper Bout Depth: 4.0"
Lower Bout Depth: 4.125" (4 1/8")
Weight: 68.7 ounces
IMPORTANT: This guitar features a 12-hole bridge. This design puts the strings at a higher angle relative to the saddle, allowing a greater transfer of energy into the top of the guitar at the saddle. This gives this guitar extra volume and resonance. It is very important that the strings are tied properly to prevent slipping. For instructions on how to tie the strings, please see the video below:
Recommended Strings: This guitar comes with Royal Classics Sonata Extra Hard Tension strings installed. These are not bad strings, but don't allow the guitar to live up to its full potential. For this guitar, I recommend Savarez Alliance set 540J. These strings provide great volume and resonance. Being Carbon, they are a bit thinner in diameter than nylon strings. The tone is brighter and not as mellow as nylon strings. If you want a softer sound, nylon may suit you better. If you would like to have strings installed other than the ones that come with your guitar, you can add the Strings Installation Service to your order.
-Geoff Ferdón, owner of XGuitars
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Customer Reviews
The Serie C is a phenomenal instrument. The top, which is lattice braced and French polished, is super responsive but still allows clear separation of notes high volumes. Intonation is fantastic, and the voice is beautiful with lots of character available. It is beautifully constructed and immaculately finished. I've auditioned a number of guitars over the last couple of years, many of them by prominent luthiers. The Serie C is as good as any I've played.
This is the second instrument I've purchased from Geoff. Both experiences were superb. Geoff's commitment to excellence shows through at every turn. Truly, I cannot imagine buying an instrument from anyone else.
The mengual & margarita C is a top end guitar with wonderful tone and volume. The fit , finish and build quality are as good as it gets.the mystererios hand built luthier tone is there.the the blank canvas is three ready play with any nuance an artist can provide. Thomas d. Jones
Let me start by saying that I am new to the guitar, but not new to music. I have been fortunate to have had a long career as a symphony/opera/ballet musician. In my retirement, I decided it was time to fulfill a lifelong desire and finally learn to play classical guitar. My teacher, who has had a long relationship with Alhambra, knew I would find a good instrument through Geoff and XGuitars. Originally, I was looking at the NT model, but when a couple of Cs became available, Geoff contacted me and offered me one. One of the characteristics of a great business, and therefore a great owner, is a willingness to make the process of buying an instrument as worry-free as possible. Geoff was willing to send the guitar to my teacher, on approval, before we settled the deal. That is a mark of not only a great businessman, but also a great person. I can't imagine ever doing business with anyone else unless, of course, I fall into a pile of money and can afford a Thomas Humphrey. As to the guitar, the title of this review is a direct quote by my teacher when he first played this instrument. All I can say is that, to my ear, it lacks nothing in terms of the beauty of sound and expressive capabilities. I have been playing it on a daily basis for a month now. It has begun to open up marvelously. Changing from the Savarez 540J to D'Addario EJ46 has traded a bit of projection for a deeper and warmer sound. I have yet to try the EJ46FF, which will be my next set. Anyway, this is an amazing instrument, that easily holds its own against single-luthier-built instruments I have heard. I can't wait until Covid is over and I can listen to my teacher play this guitar like it should be! Thank you Geoff!
I recently purchased the Alhambra Mengual y Margarit Serie C from XGuitars. This is my second guitar purchased from XGuitars. The first was the Alhambra Linea Profesional. The build quality of both instruments is top notch, and the customer service is second to none. Geoff went above and beyond in answering my questions, and insuring that my instrument was set up properly and ready to play. I highly recommend Alhambra guitars, and I highly recommend XGuitars!
I have played the guitar for over 45 years, and have had much professional experience in various groups and as a solo artist. During this time I have played and owned many great guitars, mostly high quality steel string instruments. Recently I have re-kindled my interest in the classical style and in nylon string guitars, and have tested many and own several.
The Alhambra Series C, which I recently purchased through Geoff at XGuitars, is a wonderful inspiring, instrument, and is certainly among the best guitars I have ever played.
The tone is gorgeous and nuanced, with a bold expressiveness. It has a magical combination of power and delicacy. As such , it is suited to many styles of music.
This guitar has that indescribable, yet real, quality that inspires passion for music.
My wife is a professional musician who has listened to countless hours of my playing over the years.
She immediately noticed a difference in my playing related to this guitar. True love.
Along with refined and elegant qualities of construction, it has an ergonomic neck design which brings great playability to the experience.
Geoff advised me on the purchase of this instrument and I found his advice to be right on, and the service excellent.
I heartily recommend this Alhambra Series C guitar, which in my opinion is a fine value for the price.