im visiting paracho soon (im about 40km away..) to search for a guitar, im wondering if anyone has an instrument from paracho, or has had any experience with these instruments, or even been to paracho.
thanks,
sx
thanks,
sx
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Seattle
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Re: paracho guitars..?
Fri, April 22, 2005 - 7:31 AMso i bussed up from uruapan to paracho..
holy stinkin guitars everywhere, and along the maindrag wafts the aroma of cedar and mexican rosewood and canadian spruce, as all the constructors sit in their shops casually whittling away at bridge peices or gluing necks and securing them with string and wedges.. and then theyll talk with you forever, boasting of their building prowess, trying to find a guitar that suits you best and urging you to sit and play it. "es no bueno? es mas fino! una otra, un momento .."
and then after mowin down on blue corn cookies and creme horns, ya walk into one of the 'tienda grandes' and hotcrap! more strings than guitar center could even imagine.. upright basses, violins, ukeleles, quatros, mandolins, lutes, the mariachi instruments- the five string nyloncordfretted vihuela, giant gitarrone, twelvestringed bajo sextos, and my favorite, the uke sized ten stringed charango- with an armadillo shell back.
stacks and racks like ya woulnt beleive..
of course, for a guitar of great quality, ya have to search for the real good builders.. although a whole family may work in the shop, three generations at a time, those who really take the time to make their instruments works of functional art with the strength to provide years of stunning tone.. well, theres only a few of em. and theyre good.
a true point of pilgramage for any lover of the guitar.
and they have great thunderstorms...
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Re: paracho guitars..?
Mon, June 26, 2006 - 9:50 AMBought a cut-away classical made in Paracho a few days ago for $1...needs to have the bridge glued back on (some genius strung it with steel strings)...hope it sounds good after I fix it! -
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Re: paracho guitars..?
Mon, September 4, 2006 - 4:02 PMI was in Mier, Mexico for about a week a year and a half ago, and I bought an old classical guitar off some guy on the street for like $10. The label on the inside shows that it was made in Paracho, and the company is "Ochoa Guitarras". On the top of the guitar it's labeled "Tipo Valenciana" It has a really great rich deep tone, but it has some problems. when I bought it, it had steel strings on it, that were completely dead. They were shot, so they wouldn't stay in tune, so instead of putting on new strings, it seems like the guy who had it before me just kept retightening the strings to try and keep it in tune......so I think that combined with the fact that they were using steel strings in the first place, it started pulling the bridge up towards the neck, so there is some significant deformation in the top. the whole thing is kinda bowed in just behind the sound hole. The action is really high as well, so it makes it a bit difficult to play. I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about this guitar maker, or how well known Ochoa Guitarras is, or more specifically "Tipo Valenciana".
Also, is there anything that can be done to fix the warped top or adjust the action in situations like this?
Anyone with any info to chime in with, feel free.
Thanks.
Adam -
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Unsu...
Re: paracho guitars..?
Sun, October 29, 2006 - 10:14 AMThese are big problems. Classical guitars are not braced to withstand the force of steel strings. You'll have to take the instrument to a local luthier, and most likely have the top replaced. High action is typical on nylon string guitars because it increases the guitars projection, and with nylon strings, high action doesn't hurt your fingers like it would with metal strings. The repairs will definitely cost some money, but seeing as you got the instrument for next to nothing, you'll do well overall. "tipo Valenciana" means "Valencia type," Valencia being a city in southeastern Spain.
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Re: paracho guitars..?
Sun, October 29, 2006 - 8:59 PMSounds like you paid $10 for a guitar you're going to have to pay 200-300 bucks to get fixed...
TT
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Re: paracho guitars..?
Sat, January 12, 2008 - 9:41 PMYes, I have been to Paracho, Mexico 2 times. It is a wonderful place to visit. If you are looking for a great guitar, I suggest you buy a guitar from Jose Luis Diaz R. He has been making guitars since 1953 and the craftmanship of his guitars are the best. I bought a wonderful classical guitar from him for 13,000 pesos made of Honduras Cedar. The sound is great. His best model made with Brazilian Rosewood goes for 35,000 pesos. I am planning on making another trip next year to buy my second guitar. You can buy a student model from him for about 6,000 pesos. Regards, Peter
