La Sonanta is an official distributor of Francisco Navarro being one of Mexico's finest Luthiers. In 1989 Francisco Navarro was rewarded with the first place in the Mexican competition, held annually in Paracho, Mexico. During the past 10 years Francisco Navarro has received world-wide acclaim. Navarro's guitars carry with them the influence of Torres, Contreras, Romanillos and many other renowned Spanish Luthiers. Their training and tradition live on in the Americas through the fine artistry of Francisco Navarro.
An excellent, completely handmade, affordable spruce/rosewood flamenco guitar with a great flamenco growl…It all feels right with this guitar. For the money, you could not do any better. This Santos Hernandez based model from Francisco Navarro has all solid aged woods, finished in French polish, a fretboard in ebony…all really rare and unseen within this price range. Playability really is excellent with a comfortably shaped neck and low action. The top is made of solid aged Mexican spruce, the back and sides are made from gorgeous solid aged Mexican rosewood, palo escrito, that due its much more lower density compared to Brazilian or Indian palosanto, reflects a much more percussive negra sound with a low sustain that we flamenco guitarists love. All this resulted in an excellent flamenco guitar at an unbeatable price-quality ratio. The expressive trebles and beautiful deep balanced basses characterize this very affordable flamenco guitar being a full-blooded super lightweight, fast, clear, crispy flamenco guitar… amazing value for money.
How to build an affordable, excellent flamenco guitar without sacrificing quality of sound and playability? Although no compromises were made in the quality of the superb craftsmanship, French polish, ebony fretboard, solid aged woods and bone nut and saddle the following measures were taken:
1) The top is made of master grade, aged sold Mexican spruce rather than the more expensive German spruce.
2) The back and sides are made of master grade, aged Mexican rosewood rather than the more expensive Brazilian or Indian Rosewood.
2) Rather than adorn the guitar with artistic marquetry herringbone, multi-line purflings and bindings, the decoration used on this flamenco guitar is simple but elegant.
3) Instead of using expensive tuners, more affordable but good quality machines are used
Even the great USA based luthier Tom Blackshear has expressed his admiration for Francisco Navarro his work and art.