Salvador Castillo Classical

I liked my Castillo blanca so much I ordered a negra, this time with a 66cm string length; Brazilian rosewood B&S, European spruce top, Spanish cedar neck, all solid. Castillo now puts in graphite neck reinforcement -- I don't think he needs it, but he likes the security. The tuners were custom (ornate) ebony wooden pegs. I requested mosaic edge purfling and bridge and peghead inlay. Semigloss hand-rubbed finish. Body is based on a Torres but with Castillo's own improvements in bracing. Hard case included. He is happy to let you ask for whatever features you want. He will work with you. Transparent golpeador on the top. because it's a flamenco, regardless of what the heading says.

Magnificent flamenco sound. Bright in the treble, but with more sustain than his flamenco blanca. Hard to say whether the greater sustain is due to the longer string length, the rosewood back and sides, or the slightly larger body (the blanca was a few mm smaller).

I think if i had it to do over, I might order Mexican rosewood, or palo escrito instead of Brazilian rosewood B&S -- just because it gives as good sound at far less cost. It's high figure is nice looking, too.

Great action. The longer string length makes it subtly slightly harder to be quite as fast, but you can order with 65mm instead of the 66mm I got. I wanted the challenge and the larger sound that 66 is reputed to give. Paco de Lucia plays a 66+.
If you are one of those people who is unsure whether they will like the old-fashioned friction pegs, Castillo is a master at fitting these pegs. If his fit doesn't satisfy you, get machines, because no-one does a better job.
The custom mosaic inlay I requested makes this a magnificent looking guitar. Very elegant. People react with expletives. No kidding. No problems with action, fit, or finish. All superlative.
You can get fancy carved pegs inlaid with ivory, even. It deserves an eleven for fit and finish.

I play it live. It is standing up well. I can depend on it, absolutely. The friction pegs DO NOT slip, and yet are easy to tune.

I never discussed warranty. His reputation is enough. Mail to Paracho, Mexico, is uncertain, so I would rather take it to a good local luthier if it ever had a problem. Salvador would be happy to fix any problems if they ever developed, but the mail is somewhat risky. I've never actually had a problem with shipping, but the outside of the packing was severely damaged in one shipment (the guitar was ok though).
You aren't dealing with a factory here. These are each individually made, numbered, dated and signed by the maker. When you deal with Castillo guitars, you are dealing with the maker.
You need to speak Spanish or use an online translator like BabelFish when you write to him. He doesn't speak English. Maybe that's why he hasn't been discovered yet.

Castillo's guitars won the Mexican National annual guitar festival competition -- I believe it was last year (not sure of the year though). There are literally thousands of guitar makers in Paracho, some of whom supply respected spanish "makers" with finished instruments to sell with spanish labels. There are a dozen or so in Paracho who are top-notch, and a handful who have won the national prize. Paco de Lucia played one of Castillo's flamenco guitars and pronounced him the best in Mexico. I doubt PDL, being Spanish would admit any Mexican luthier was as good as the best Spanish makers even if he were, but I have compared them, and I believe he is.
Incidentally, Castillo has the advantage of being a first rate flamenco guitarist, so he doesn't have to depend on others to tell him what works and what doesn't. He has an instinctive feel for it himself.
I've been playing 50 years. I have worked in the Smithsonian musical instrument restoration lab. I own 6 fine spanish guitars presently, one classical, 5 flamenco, and have owned 11 lifetime. If this were stolen I'd replace it instantly. I'm very picky about my instruments. I don't play anything second-rate. This compares favorably with a Ramirez, a top-of-the-line Chica, and a Bellido. I have had these side by side, alternately comparing them. You could easily pay 4 times the price for a comparable spanish guitar.

I play a 1967 Manuel de la Chica flamenco blanca and a '72 J. Ramirez classical, and I worked (66-70) at the Smithsonian musical instrument lab in the MHT, so I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to guitars. My Castillo flamenco, although different (as all guitars are) is fully the equal of either the Chica or the Ramirez. Top notch construction details and materials, and a lot of punch, as a flamenco should have. Case included. I had it shipped and the case arrived damaged (the guitar was fine). The neck is a little wider (1/8") than the Chica, but it is an improvement. The pegs work well. French finish, and he offers a choice of 66 0r 65 cm string length, and a choice of woods. He also offers a choice of graphite or steel reinforcement in the neck . I know that will turn off some purists -- it did me -- but the graphite is as light as wood, and in any case it doesn't affect the sound. Castillo is good enough that he doesn't need to use reinforcement in the neck, but he insists.

Sound is outstanding. Raspy when you want it, lyrical when needed, and plenty of volume with very little effort. I think this is achieved by keeping construction feather light. I've been playing flamenco for 50+ years, and this is as light as any guitar I have tried. He puts D'Addario strings on when he ships. They are a little more brilliant and a little less fluid than the Savarez red-card(bass)/laBella golden (treble) combination that Sabicas used (and I prefer). I am still playing it in, but this guitar improves audibly very quickly. I don't think I've ever owned a guitar that improved so quickly with playing.

All excellent. No complaints at all. Very easy to play. I haven't had to do a thing to it since it arrived. Maybe the climate in Florida is similar to that of Paracho.

Haven't had it long enough to have an opinion.

He lives in Paracho, Mexico. I felt lucky that it arrived undamaged, and wouldn't risk sending it back to the maker. He would be happy to make adjustments, but shipping is truly risky. If you have him ship, get him to sandwich some scrap plywood on either side of the case.

Been playing 50 years (since I was 8) and have played solo concerts and studied with Carlos Ramos in Washington DC (he was a student of Ramon Montoya). This is a very, very fine guitar -- certainly for the money, but price aside, it would be hard to do better. If it were lost, I would commission another in a heartbeat. In fact, I have commissioned a flamenco negra under construction now.

I purchased a Salvador Castillo Classical at Sr. Castillo's shop in Paracho in 2005. Back, sides and neck are Palo Escrito (Mexican Rosewood), top is Engelmann Spruce, saddle and fingerboard are ebony. Tuners a bit gaudy (gold-coloured hardware and a bit too elaborate for my taste)Saddle is equipped with double holes for each string, which is much better than the standard system - strings can be fastened with much greater reliability at the saddle, as a result.

Lovely, balanced sound. Surprisingly good volume and excellent dynamic range. Bass notes are warm and "thrummy", treble clear and sharp.

Guitar is beautifully constructed, joints and bindings are very good. Lovely "sandwich" effect of all three woods used in construction as decorative touch on headstock. Guitar was set up nicely when purchased in Paracho, has not changed significantly since. (I live in a nasty climate where it is very cold and dry half the year - I have kept the guitar well-humidified) Bookmatching on top and back is lovely.

French polish demands that a little extra care be exercised in handling guitar. Apart from changing strings, I've had no maintenance issues yet.

Owing to distance between my home and Paracho, it would be challenging to return the instrument for repairs or adjustments.

I am an enthusiastic amateur with about thirty-five years of guitar playing behind me. I am NOT a classical guitarist but wanted a very good quality nylon string guitar to add to my tonal pallette. I spent a day in Paracho going from shop to shop to shop, looking at scores of instruments (mostly pretty poor) - the Castillo guitar just came alive when I picked it up, and knocked me over with its beautiful sound, balance and dynamic range.

I brought the guitar into the Twelfth Fret (a very highly respected guitar shop in Toronto) for an evaluation, and was told that the instrument was comparable to some of the best hand-made classicals.

In spite of having a number of nice acoustic guitars, the Castillo has become the one I generally go to first.

A great guitar at a price which was actually a steal; $1200 is not a lot of money to pay for a good guitar, and this one is a GREAT guitar.

Classical guitar built 2004 dec. Paracho.Solid spruce top(Sitka I believe 25 growth rings per inch, silking everywhere.He told me it was Engleman,I think Engleman comes from Europe??? )Tunning pegs german made. Body and sides, Mexican rosewood very tight grain.Neck, mahogany reinforced. Fretboard ebony with polished medium nickle frets.Twelve hole bridge , bone nut and saddle. Padded case(tight fit).

Sound is classical. Best sounding guitar I have played.Bass is bass treble is treble and mid is mid overall sound is fantastic.Mind you I have only played it for 4 days now.I have strumed guitar recreationaly for 18 years. I also build guitars for a hobby.

Poorly fit nut. tunning pegs abit messy.Everything else was imaculate for the price.

I hope it will be reliable, so far so good. Finnish is french pollish, therefore requires touch up and care.

Glad to meet the luthier, very friendly and personable.

I love this guitar.It looks awesome, sounds awesome and plays awesome. I am not a musician that makes money(havn't met many that do) but play many instruments quite well including piano, guitar, and violin. A little tromebone and trumpet.Contact me at kjernisted@netscape.net.Include a subject ie paracho.

A 2003 Concert Classical made in Paracho, Mexico.
Standard 650 mm scale all solid spruce, palo escrito, ebony fretboard with reinforced spanish cedar neck 52 mm. Highly polished nickel medium frets. Schaller 18:1 ratio Hauser style tuners, smooth precise tuners. Custom padded concert style case (Black varnished, solid hardware, red liner inside). 12-hole bridge with a sharp 45 degree string bend. Bone nut and saddle.

Spruce top as it ages has a very pleasing complex tone. May be Engleman, may be German but a high grade. We still think this is a very good sounding classical for it's traditional design. I have since sold both mine and the buyers are satisfied. They have heard live concerts using high end traditional guitars and value the sound of their Castillo's. This would not compare to the volume of a Hybrid / Composite / honnycomb doubletop design such as a Dick, DeJonge, Smallman, Reynolds, Oberg etc... Not in that class at all. In the low side of concert it performs well. The rest is up to the audience, player, strings, action, humidity, ear health. Whatever. These negative annonymous posts are puzzling. They hurt the value certainly, but both dealers I dealt with had a satisfaction gaurantee or you could return it. Why didn't annonymous politely ask for a refund ? Did they try ? Perhaps annonymous is a boorish Moore ?

No complaints, very smooth.

French polish all around is thick but needs care.

The support is with the Dealer ( part of the retail price ) and should be requested up front. Shipping to Mexico is perilous and I have to admit Castillo ships sometimes in un-reinforced triangular boxes through the DHL sytem.

Had to re-evaluate my rating in lew of the price errosion. Still, I am happy with the price : performance ratio. Would love to hear Indian rosewood performance and the next design improvement.

I HAVE FOUR SALVADOR CASTILLO GUITARS--THREE FLAMENCO MODELS AND A CONCERT CLASSICAL MODEL. TWO OF MY FLAMENCOS MADE IN 2000) ARE CYPRESS SIDES AND GERMAN SPRICE TOP,EBONY FRET BOARDS, AND EBONY TUNING PEGS (CLAVIJAS). MY OLDER CASTILLO FLAMENCO (1999)HAS CYPRESS SIDES, CEDAR TOP, AND EBONY FINGER BOARD. ALL OF THESE GUIATRS ARE FABULOUS, AND BLOW AWAY OTHER FLAMENCO GUITARS OWNED BY PEOPLE I PLAY WITH--MANY OF THEM PLAY GUITARS MADE IN SPAIN. OFTEN THEY CANNOT BELIEVE THE SOUND I GET. ALSO, MY GUITARS HAVE WEATHERED WELL. I LIVE IN A COLD CLIMATE (DRY IN THE WINTER AND HUMID IN THE SUMMER) MY CASTILLO GUITARS ARE THE BEST INVESTMENT I'VE MADE. RECOMMEND THEM HIGHLY!

tHESE GUITARS ARE FULL, RICH, BRIGHT. THEY HAVE SOULS. CASTILLO KNOWS HOW TO MAKE FLAMENCO GUITARS AS WELL AS PLAY THEM. HE'S THE ONLY FLAMENCO PLAYER IN PARACHO. THESE GUITARS RECORD WELL, AND SOUND GREAT WITH LIVE MIKES ( SHURE SM81, SENNHEISER)

GUITARS WERE SET UP GREAT IN PARACHO, BUT NEEDED SOME ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THEY REACHED HOME (EASTERN UNITED STATES). LUTHIER FRIENDS LOOKED AT THESE GUITARS ARE WERE AMAZED AT THE QUALITY CONSTRUCTION.
INDEED WORTH MUCH MORE THAN THEIR PRICE.

THEY WILL LAST FOR YEARS. MINE DO NOT CHANGE MUCH WITH CLIMATE VARIATION.

A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO CONTACT CASTILLO, BUT I GET ADJUSTMENTS DONE BY LOCAL LUTHEIRS. HOWEVER, IF YOU SEND STUFF TO CASTILLO, HE WILL FIX IT AND SEND IT BACK PRONTO

SALVADOR CASTILLO IS A WORLD-CLASS CONSTRUCTOR, EVERY BIT AS TALENTED AS ANY IN SPAIN. NOW HE IS WELL KNOWN. IN THE FUTURE HE WILL BE FAMOUS.

A 2003 Concert Classical made in Paracho, Mexico.
Standard 650 mm scale all solid spruce, palo escrito, ebony fretboard with reinforced spanish cedar neck 52 mm. Highly polished nickel medium frets. Schaller 18:1 ratio Hauser style tuners, smooth precise tuners. Custom padded concert style case (Black varnished, solid hardware, red liner inside). 12-hole bridge with a sharp 45 degree string bend. Bone nut and saddle.

My style goes from Flamenco to Classical. The palo escrito body bridges the two styles nicely. Perhaps like Brazillian rosewood. Rich bass and sparkling treble, highly separated tones. Rasquedo, strumming, folk, finger picking. All brighter than my Yairi Concert Classical CY-140 which is cedar and Brazillian (laminated) rosewood.
Even with a shorter scale than the Yairi, it booms bass so much more resonant and complex. Louder than my R.Castillo, the S. is finely tuned spruce and French Polished.

Action is medium and very level. Rasquedo needs this to be perfect. Well matched top. Rounded edges and bindings you would see only in a very expensive guitar. Attention to detail. I do own his father's (R.) which was a "second" and not so finished but they both share great tone designs.

The case will protect the instument well. The hardware is robust and lockable. Finish is high polish and the French polish seems very well done. Care must be taken on French Shelac polished finishes. Keep away from cologne or any alcohol. Wear a longsleave and wash your hands. That is the sonic tradoff or inconvenience. It's a concert instument and I hope would be cared for and avoid "gigs". Use a solid piezo model for amplified gigs.

Luthiers future business relys on current service. These are imported by reps. who process the warranty. There was no written warranty, only the promise to make right any problems. I understand this luthier has responded well to feedback and problems in the past.

I've played for 30 years, all styles of sane music. I would buy this one again. If someone offered me this classical or any other $2500 class luthier built guitar for free, it would be the Castillo. I have played and bought many classicals. I've played cedar, spanish pine, and german spruce tops. Yairi, Hopf, Fernandez, Ramirez. I have a brother who teaches music and has also compared this Castillo to aged $4000 luthier built classicals in the LA area shops.

mexican rosewood sides and back. solid spruce top. not many other appointments for a high priced guitar.

play classical with the usual riffs,runs,strums. non amplified. likes are comfortable fretboard. dislikes are a dead sound with no clarity and sounds mono toned when strumming. a strong classical or any acoustic guitar will vibrate from its top to emit a strong clear sound but this one falls short. I have owned many less expensive classicals that had a far superior sound to this one.

action is fair to good. fit is fair. finish is not what one would expect on a high end guitar. Extremely plain looking

this one will be a wall hanger so I dont have to rely on it alot.

N/A

HAVE BEEN PLAYING CLASSICAL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I WOULD NOT BUY THIS ONE AGAIN. THIS GUITAR HAS NO PERSONALITY AND SOUNDS NO DIFFERENT THAN A FAR LESSER PRICED ONE. I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED A ALVAREZ-YAIRI OR YAMAHA CC150