Product: Alhambra J-2
Price Paid: USD 700
Submitted
10/18/2006
at
05:32pm
by
Eric
Features
:
No Opinion
This is a Jumbo steelstring, made in Spain!!!
Built in 2004. All solid woods (Red Cedar top, Ovengkol back and sides, rosewood bridge with bonebar, ebony fretboard). Chrome machine heads (Schaller minis?) Neck width at saddle 45mm. Shaping is a flat D. The Strings are held through the bridge as you know from Takamine, Lowden or Ovation (god bless - no pins ;-), with two bone-bars for a compesated tonality in higher regions.
I've seen the body construction (bracing etc.) in a Lowden before. Great.
Sound
:
10
One interesting factor is the fact, that it is built with the traditional "spanish neck-joint". This feature is a reason why traditional-built spanish classical and flamenco guitars have this serious attak in the tonal appearance.
The J-2 has got balls! And really smart heights. If you like some mids for a bluesy playing like Eric Clapton - here it is! It is as balanced as a Jumbo-guitar of one famous american manufacturer, who also offers one of the most famous solid body electrics, you know? ;-)
But for less price and more brilliant while picking it.
It's sound fits twice: Strumming and fingestyle. This was the reason why I bought it and sold my M-32 "Seaforest" ;-). Been a great guitar for fingerstyle, but I decided to play a more strummable one because of the band I'm playing in.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
The factory set-up was great. E1 2,1mm at 12th fret and the angle of the Strings on the bridge was near 40?!!! Good pressure - well done, Alhambra.
It has a natural finish, no gloss. I like this , because of the tonal quality. Maple bindings on Top and back - around the top with maple/rosewood/maple/rosewood. And the look of the Ovengkol is near to Indian Rosewood - catchy...
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Although the neck is made to fit an electric guitar-players needs ;-) it's stands like an oak, lol. I tuned it regular first, then detuned to DADGAD (Irish folk tuning) for two days and then back up regular. No Problem with the neck adjustment. I'm looking forward to fit it with a pickup - Schertler or fishman (fish can be ordered with all Alhambras). Because I think my J-2 would be great on stage.
BTW - it comes up with Dunlop Strap-lock-system at the rear and the neck joint. Perfect!!!
Customer Support
:
10
I contacted the manufacturer just to say "thank you". They are very helpful and kind. I asked them for customising the machine heads (the J-3 is fit with gold ones) and they were very cooperative. The warranty is 2 years. But I'm not afraid of anything. I'm playing an Alhambra 3F-model Flamenco guitar for 13 years now. NO SERVICE NEEDED YET!!!
Overall Rating
:
10
I'm playing for more than 20 years now. I own a 12-String Takamine EN 10-12, an Alhambra 3F flamenco, A Gibson Les Paul Std. and a'57 Reissue Flying-V. A Jackson Soloist Archtop ltd. 1991 and an old Ibanez DestroyerII with FlameMaple Top.
I don't regret my M-32 to be gone. The J-2 is MY guitar. If anyone steals it, I would have to kill him ;-). I checked an Alhambra auditorium and a dreadnought at the shop I bought my J-2. They were lovely, too. I would buy an Alhambra again! No fate!! I just wished it had Ebony Tunerknobs. That would look gracefully.
It is an "affordable eyecatcher" with a really "expensive tone"!!!
NOW AFTER ONE AND A HALF YEAR PLAYING THIS GUITAR, THERE??S STILL NO NEED IN ANY SERVICE! The guitar stands in my living room or is carried to my friends. I also took her with me on holidays at the sea. I mean, the guitar had to master several environmental circumstances, and there is still no problems with the setup!!!
