posted 09-23-2004 12:01 PM
I went to Paracho in Mar 2003 and came home with a Carlos Pina guitar. Later that year I went to Berkeley (im in Sacramento) to check out what Montalvos had from Paracho, and I was not impressed. I would like to have had my Pina in the same room to compare, but I didn't like any of those "Casa Montalvo" (IIRC) guitars for my dollar.What other people here have said about sending a non guitar player to buy your guitar is true, BUT I do feel that you can send your friend to a specific luthier with a certain amount of money, have him ask for a guitar with this and that wood, and get a good guitar, because there are luthiers in Paracho that build guitars consistently well.
On the other hand, I wouldn't drop 1000 on a guitar (that you'd have a hard time returning for a refund!) if I couldn't play it. There are many "good" guitars for a thousand dollars that I didn't particularly like to play.
That being said, for 1000, I would look at Carlos & Edgar(son) Pina, Salvador Castillo, and Hernandez (don't remember first name). Castillo is on the main drag past the bank on the plaza side of the street. Pina is down that direction but down a street to the right. Hernandez I don't remember, I had a guy showing me around.
Good luck.
[This message has been edited by Ucdcrush (edited 09-23-2004).]
posted 09-23-2004 12:01 PM