El Degas C-120 classical

[ClassicalsRUS]

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and have very recently become a big fan of El Degas guitars. I was in my local Salvation Army family store a few weeks ago and in a big wooden bin with some other stringed instruments I found a very neglected classical guitar with the El Degas paper label inside, a model C-120. To my eye anyway, it seemed like very good quality and I couldn't stand to leave it behind in a dirty heap with the kiddie guitars and violins. Not knowing anything about the brand I did a some quick research on my phone before I bought the guitar. This forum and some other photos on the internet were very helpful. Thank You! The paper label seems older than some of the photos I saw. I'm guessing this guitar was made in Japan, probably in the early 1970's...? I took it home and got to work carefully cleaning and polishing. I ordered some new tuners, a new bone nut and saddle. It had a tall replacement plastic nut on it that someone stuck in with foamy Gorrila Glue, and a set of very old and crusty D'Addario steel strings on it. I am happy to report that there was no serious damage done from the steel strings, only about a six inch section of the top had separated from the side, an easy glue up. The neck is fantastic! Straight, really big and fat, and again there seems to be no damage from the steel strings. I addressed all these issues just enough to get it playable. I put on a new set of Pro Arte strings and tuned up. This guitar sounds Incredible! I've had many classicals and this is my current favorite. Big sound with a very rich growly bass resonance. It plays very nicely with no real dead spots. I still have some work to do, some fretwork, a small crack in the sound board, another small separation of the back, some missing binding, etc. but for now I'm just enjoying the surprisingly great sound of it.
I also wanted to mention that inside the body I can see what looks like a piece of very old newsprint, a photo of some guys sitting at a workbench, and underneath is what appears to be Japanese script. It is mostly loose but a part of it is glued to the neck block. I didn't want to rip it out. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?

Any information about the history of these guitars would be very much appreciated. I never get tired of learning about old guitars.

I will do my best to upload some photos soon.

Thanks!

Michael

[charles]

I do not actually have much experience with the classical models - I have never bought one in all these years of enjoying these instruments. I would love to see your photos! I'm intrigued about the newsprint inside the guitar.

[Barry]

Hello Michael and congratulations on recognising a quality instrument "in the rough" and for having the skills to bring her back to life, it sounds like you've done everything right. We seldom see classical guitars here so it's great to hear about your find.

Beginner guitar players (and their parents) often make the mistake of buying a classical guitar thinking that it will be easier to play and softer on the fingers than a standard acoustic. Nothing could be more wrong.

A classical guitar has a whole different geometry and construction, especially the neck which is wider and flatter. That requires a different fingering positioning and plucking technique, even a different holding position in order to get the correct volume and tone. Nylon strings can be somewhat easier on the fingers, at least initially, but in the end you still need to develop those callouses!

As you've mentioned, putting steel strings on a classical guitar is a very big no-no, and is usually fatal to the bridge and surrounding components, the soundboard bracing is just not designed to take that sort of tension. I'm glad you were able to restore everything with only minor damage.

I have a lovely little classical guitar, a 1969 Goya G10, which I can't play very well, but i love the tone and it's a nice change from all that steel stuff eh?

[ClassicalsRUS]

Hi Barry,

Thank you for your post and your kind words!

I have been to your site before and I like your collection. I've always been a fan of "not the usual" guitars. I think they are far more interesting, and there is so much more to be learned from so many different brands we may not have heard of.

Agreed, playing a classical is a whole different thing. You really have to alter the way you usually play. The sound is great though, a much different voice for sure.

I really like that Goya! It seems the Japanese guitar makers were really trying to build top notch reproductions of Spanish classical guitars at that time, late 60's, early 70's. The quality of materials and workmanship is very good. The El Degas is right in there, very surprisingly well made. The neck is really big and wide at the top but it becomes comfortable after a bit of playing. At the moment it sounds the best out of the three other classicals I have.

I am continuing to read as much as I can about the El Degas name. So far it seems quality standards were very high for the time period we are talking about.

I will try to get it together to post some photos shortly.

[charles]

El Degas was on the beginner to intermediate end of the guitar market overall and did not have a stellar reputation, but there are gems to be had!

Thank you for sharing yours.

[Barry]

I really like that Goya! It seems the Japanese guitar makers were really trying to build top notch reproductions of Spanish classical guitars at that time...

Yeah, she's a little treasure all right, very light and resonant. However, believe it or not, in this production year, it was made in Sweden, not Japan!

Who'da thunk it?