Features of Flamenco Guitars
The appearance, size and shape of the guitar used by Flamenco guitarists in general are very similar to that of the classical guitar. However, Flamenco Guitar does have a brighter, louder, more percussive and cutting sound. This unique sound is due to its internal structure as well as the material used. The Flamenco Guitar is also fitted with tapping plates (Golpeadores) to protect the top from the vigorous finger tapping of the players. Traditionally the Flamenco Guitar uses distinctive pegs made of ebony or rosewood for tightening the strings, but now the metal machine heads are used instead. Also, some prominent Flamenco guitarists have begun to use instruments with the dark Brazilian or Indian rosewood, instead of cypress, for the back and sides. Such an instrument, with its distinctive sound, is known as a "guitarra negra" (the black guitar). The traditional cypress guitar is known as "guitarra blanca" (the white guitar).

Where to buy
In most retailed guitar shop, expense professional Flamenco Guitars are rarely available for sales. It is due to the fact that these guitars only represent a tidy portion of markets where retailed business would not be interested to market these guitars. To buy professional class Flamenco Guitar, one could go to online shop or directly to guitar makers.To be certain about the quality of the guitars, the most practical approach to meet the guitar maker and to try out their guitars. However, renowned Flamenco Guitar makers, like Manual Reyes Maldonado, having orders and demands more than what they could produce in their life, would never have spare guitar for anyone to try in their studio. It is virtually impossible to get a new guitar from them. Alternatively, buyers could purchase a pre-owned master's guitar from player's community or dealers (You could contact us for any perspective purchase).

What elements constitute a good Flamenco Guitar
In my view, there are two ends of criteria: Objective and Subjective. The Objective Criteria are volume, depth, balance, Flamenco sound, ease to play, low Flamenco actions, response, playability and craftsmanship. The subjective factors are the suitable scale length, string spacing and other physical matters relating to the players' fittings. Price of the guitar is usually not a judgment criterion but a good indication of the quality of the guitar. Another important point is that a guitar cannot be judged by listening to a CD or any video file on a computer because it lacks the dynamic of feeling with hands and the sound qualities going through electronics are usually distorted.

Flamenco Sound
Flamenco Guitar and Classical Guitar produce very different sound. Good Flamenco Guitar could produce sounds conveying the feeling of Flamenco. The sounds vary from Guitar Makers. By large, we could describe the Flamenco Sound to be sad, soulful, open, clarity, punching with slight buzzing sound. On the other hand, classical guitars tend to be more melodic with long sustains. It would produce muddy sound when playing Resguardos. Last but not least, not all players could surface the real sound of a good Flamenco Guitar. Only those have the ability and power to play different styles of Flamenco could tell whether a Flamenco Guitar is good or not. Any inexperienced buyer should bring along an experienced players for trying out the guitar if there are such opportunities.