Conference napalm::guitar

    I should have qualified by what I meant by getting blown away.  I meant
    they quoted me a price almost 10 times what I paid for the instrument. 
    I have since wrote to them to get updated info. for my records.

    I don't know much about Pimentel guitars (I've hear of them, that's
    about it.  My impression is they are a high-quality, small shop). 
    Maybe they are overly optimistic on the instrument's value, maybe not.  
    
    Generally speaking, the list price given by the major manufacturers
    is much higher than the "street" price.  For example, many retailers
    offer Martins at 40% off list.  Smaller makers, however, are generally
    discounted much less.
    
    I can offer a couple of *possible* reasons that the estimate they gave
    you might be accurate:
    
    	o Are the sides and back Brazilian rosewood?  Given the date of
    	  manufacture (1976), the fact that it was a special model, and
    	  that it was made by a relatively small maker, this is not 
    	  unlikely.  Top quality solid Brazilian rosewood sides could
    	  add as much as $2K (or even more) to the value of the instrument.
    	  For instance, I think a Ramirez 1A in Brazilian rosewood listed
    	  for about $2.5K in the mid 70's.  The same guitar today lists for
    	  about $12K  ($8K in Indian rosewood).
    
        o The high-end classical guitar market is probably stronger today 
    	  than it has ever been.   People are willing to pay premium prices for
    	  an invidually hand-crafted instrument of high quality.  Classical
    	  prices haven't gone up as quickly as archtops have over the last
          several years,  but they have certainly out-paced inflation (at 
    	  least at the top end).
    
        o Older top quality classicals often sell for more than a similiar
    	  new guitar from the same manufacturer.  The older instrument is
    	  broken in, so you don't have to guess how its going to sound in
    	  a couple of years.  This is particularly true if the luthier has
    	  a waiting list.
    
    The value was 10x what you paid?  Maybe you got a great deal. If you
    don't mind saying, how much did they say it was worth?
    
    Also, it's only worth what they said if you can find someone who will
    buy it at that price.
    
    Jim 

I vistited the shop during a trip to Albuquerque last month, and was impressed
with the quality of their product.  Their standard concert model sells for $5000,
and there is a waiting list for them.  Most of the builders concentrate on the
classical lines, but Rick specializes in steel string guitars, and gets between
$5000-10000.  There is currently a 3 year waiting list for them.  It doesn't 
sound like they under-quoted your guitar.

I went there to look for a vihuela.  They used to make them, but discontinued the
line a couple of years ago.  Rick estimated a $4000 cost to build a new one.  They 
had one, built in '93, on display in the office (gathering dust on top of the coke
machine, actually), and when he offered it to me for $1500 I jumped at it.  Can't
wait to pick it up!  

Have fun with your guitar.  I would love to play one of that quality someday.

/Mike

    I have the complete specs. on the guitar, but not with me.  It is made
    of Indian rosewood, Sitka (Silka?) spruce top, ebony fingerboard,
    rosewood and bone bridge.   It really is quite an exceptionaly good
    looking guitar, and I have looked at many.  And, it sounds better as it
    ages.
    
    Some background, my friend of 15 years ago was from Albuguergue and
    purchased the instrument from Pimentel in '76.  Pimentel has
    records of the original purchase of $550.  My friend, who moved West to
    CA some 13 years ago, was also a guitar horse.  He sold this piece to
    me for $450 to buy an Ovation.  A year later, Rick Pimentel gave me an
    appraisal of $1,000.  Just yesterday, I received a reply, again from Rick,
    and his updated appraisal is now $4,000.  (This is noted as a cost to
    replace rather than the actual value of the instrument though.)  I was
    fortunate enough to purchase this in absolutely perfect condition. I,
    however, managed to put an extremely minute ding into the side during the
    first year I played it.
    
    If I am ever in that area I would love to stop by for a visit.  Richard
    and Robert Pimentel (both masters) are exceptionally courteous,
    patient, and knowledgeable people to talk with.  Their new literature is
    extraordinary...  I would love to get my hands on one of Richard's
    steel strings.                       
    
    Good luck with your new purchase.  You will never regret it, and thanks
    for the information.
    
    Bob

    What exactly is a Vihuela? Please describe this instrument. 
    
    Mark

The vihuela is a Spanish Renaissance guitar.  It is smaller than the 
modern guitar, and has six doubled strings.  The center sound hole, 
and four smaller holes located diagonally outward from the center,
are covered with fine latticed woodwork.  It sounds approximately like
the Renaissance lute.  For a good demonstration of the instrument,
check out the CD, 'Vihuela Music of the Spanish Renaissance', by
Christopher Wilson.  Listening to that album convinced me to make
the purchase.

/Mike

    >For a good demonstration of the instrument,
    >check out the CD, 'Vihuela Music of the Spanish Renaissance', by
    >Christopher Wilson.
    
    I'll second that recommendation...a great recording.
    
    Paul

    I thought the vihuela only had five courses (as opposed to six).
    Like the lute, there were probably different variations.  I could
    also be confusing thing the vihuela with the renaissance guitar
    (which grew from four to five and finally six doubled courses,
    after which the doubled strings were dropped).
    
    
    Jim

Frederick Noad, in his book on Renaissance guitar music,
said that the vihuela had six courses.  He didn't mention
the Renaissance guitar, but I vaguely remember reading
elsewhere about a five course instrument that was the 
precursor of the modern guitar.  I'll have to chek to be
sure, though.  Modern vihuelas have six courses, however,
and are patterned after the instrument popular in 16th
Century Spain.

/Mike