Alhambra 6P CTW

This wonderful instrument is '98 model. Solid Cedar Top with the Fishman Pro-blend. From what I can understand, this is the last of the line with the Indian Rosewood laminate sides - the next up (7s +)is solidwood sides. This came with a set of strings but of unknown manufacturer - and this is an important point: I have used Carl Mangon, La Bella's, Galli, and other high-tension on my other Alhambra 2C (the Student model which sold me on Alhambra's quality for the price), and strings do make a differenc, so keep that in mind with my review. Can't wait to get some preferred high-tensions on it.

Price Paid: $360, shipped, with case. Yeah, I know you hate me now!

This guitar is perfect for my musical style, which covers a lot of bases. I am a hybrid musician, predominantly a keyboard player and have had a call to play a lot of high energy electric lately, but nylon string along the lines of Earl Klugh, Jose Luis Encinas, Jesse Cook, Peter White - contemporary stylings - is what I favor and can somewhat pull off. I did study classical under Michael Bjelica (who studied under Leona Boyd) and do try to emply classical technique, but am still very much learning. I needed a performance oriented nylon string, and again this is perfect.

Ok - the sound: Excellent balance on all strings. Seems to prefer a lighter touch to get the best tone. I would describe the tone as somewhat bright and brittle (defined), with a medium quick delay but with a very nice resonance. Starting at the 9th fret (mid string) there are some interesting harmonics (or lack of) which persist to about the 11th, kind of a hollowing of the sound - very jazzy sounding and cool, but also somewhat dramatic. Might be the strings, but in listening to recordings of the 5P I hear the same thing. In the higher registers on the high strings, the decay is very quick - I find this especially if trying to overplay, so dynamics might not be that controllable. This is where strings might make a big difference, but then again this is a workman's mid-level guitar, too.

The Pro-Blend: Very impressed with this. I was not sure at first because I am a live mic'ing kind of guy, but this will really simplify things for performance. Working with it, it is flexible and very musical sounding - I mix to the mic, more than the piezo generally, but feedback mitigation can be tricky. Very nice feature.

Problems: No real problems with the tone - I have experienced some buzz in the lower strings and some was literally the Fishman cavity, so that should be easy to fix. Very minor though, and I have not had it professionally set up. Intonation is spot on. Very very good workmanship on this guitar.

I am so impressed with the workmanship on these Alhambras - comparing them to anything in their price range or more, I cannot find better until you get to $2K or more. Excellent attention to detail, and this one, with it's rich Cedar top and inlays, has an old world class to it that is just wonderful. This guitar was shipped to me from Mexico, a rather daring Ebay purchase, and had the expected minor wear and tear, not abused at all, but not babied either, just like I treat a guitar (hey they are made to be picked up and PLAYED after all), but this 6P played beautifully right out of the case. I love the ebony fretboard (big big fan of ebony) and the side markers are a big help for this 'un-Master'!

Like my other 2C, there is a slight little finish stress crack between the high b and e string. I am wondering if this is characteristic of the builds.

As stated. These just plain are built CONSISTENTLY WELL. I would only consider at this point purchasing a used Alhambra without having the chance to get my hands on it. I trust them.

No experience to date. No need!

My my - why not a 10? As far as pure value I'll give it a 12, especially for the wickedly low price I procured this wonderful instrument for. But I have to be reasonable and grade based on the world of nylon strings. This is not a pure concert class classical. An expensive Spruce Top, solidwood sides, and probably some other loving touches would be my next step, but we are talking over $2,000, and probably well over (and they probably wouldn't dare add electronics!). For what I do this guitar is PERFECT. A few weeks ago I had the chance to do an accoustic set performance with my student level 2C, it's nice but it underscored my need for a better performance worthy classical. I wanted an Alhambra, a cutaway, and built in electronics. Little did a know that mere days later I could be enjoying this wonderful gift. Thanks to my wife for surprising me with this birthday gem!!!

Great guitar. It has a magnificent sound.

Definitely has a rich and full sound.

Action is perfect. Very easy to play.

I have had this guitar for about 3 1/2 years and it is in great shape. I do keep it in a hardshell case with a humidifier.

Never had to get any repairs. Do not know.

Overall I think this guitar is great and recommend it to my students and colleagues.

2003 brand new Alhambra 6P CTW full-bodied classical guitar with cutaway. 19 frets (fatter than average classicals), solid cedar top, laminated rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard, honduras cedar arm. Normal 650 mm scale. Nut/saddle made of bone.
Fishman pro blend pre-amp mounted.
Beautiful pearloid blackletter "A" on the guitar head.
For it's price this is a very well constructed/finished instrument.
A beautiful feature of the Alhambras is their cutaway, wich are venetian-like and give total access up to the 19th fret. To help even more, the heel of the neck is nicely carved and contoured consenting the hand to accomodate better in the higher positions. Even though the fretboard meets the body at the 12th fret as usual with a classical guitar, i play very nicely all the way up, almost it was my Ibanez GB10 hollowbody eletrcal!
This guitar came without case.

Clear, articulate classical sound, with good volume when unplugged. Attacched to an amp the, is really beatiful, because of the incredible Fisham pro-blend pre-amp. Better than anything i ever heard in terms of acoustic amplification, and it's clear why the Fishman is the amplification system to compare against. Full of possibilities, sound varies a lot depending on the setup.

Action was a bit high for me but i'm not a classical player, so... i sanded it down a bit. One nice feature of the Alhambras are te frets, very well dressed and slightly fatter than normal classic guitar ones. The ebony fretboard is very confortable and smooth.
General finish is great, spanish artisans do their work with pride. Bindings are very accurate and rich, the rosette is beautiful, i could't find any flaw. The only "but" are the tuning pegs, wich are low priced ones. i'll upgrade them to schallers in the near future.

This guitar is very well made. In spain they make them like nobody else i think.
I don't use a backup, just an extra battery just in case...

People at Alhambra are professional and friendly. I e-mailed them and was e-mailed back the same day. Cheers!

I've been playing for the past 35 years, owned a lot of stuff, eletrical and acoustical. Prior to this nylon baby I owned a Takamine sc132 wich is a comparable instrument in terms of price. I tested My Alhambra in the shop against one, and the Alhambra is clearly better. Ebony fingerboard, Fishman pre-amp, etc... besides that, the overall guitar setup was better.
I played an 1500-Euro Ramirez cutaway as well, and sincerely this Alhambra stood very well against it. Great, great, price for the money. I would definitely buy another one, maybe a superior model (7P, 9C ctw models) wich are all-solid.