Classical, Spanish & South American Guitar Jewels

I agree, but some makers have gone off in totally new directions which don't please everyone. I'd rather hear John Williams on his old Fleta than on a new Smallman. But, yes, overall it's a golden age for lutherie--for all instruments, it seems. There are some astounding violins and mandolins, for instance, being made these days.

I agree with Tostados' preference for Fleta over Smallman. But how often do you get to hear a master play in a small room without amplification? (answer: virtually never.) The modern "loud" guitars (e.g. Smallman) don't seem to have quite the same beauty of tone as more traditional designs They are designed for projection in big auditoriums. I don't really understand why Williams would play a Smallman on record. Perhaps he agrees with Jerry Garcia, on The Pizza Tapes, where he said, "Louder is better. On this planet, louder's better."

I like almost everything by John Williams, Michael Chapdelaine, Elliot Fisk, Laurindo Almeida, Joe Pass... there are many great players.

I'm with you LLoyd on many enjoyable players. I've never checked what guitars players are/have been using although I find the different qualities (well mainly lack of quality) very significant. But if guitarists are moving to "stronger" guitars I think it me be that the demands of fortissimo playing always seems to reveal weakness in a guitar, at least to my ears. Of course I have always had to overlook that, particularly in Spanish music, because 1.there is so much beauty in the delicacy 2. the fortissimo sections are where the recording quality has also been weak. Your thoughts?

Also Lloyd, I posted a response on your older question re power cords for phono preamp.

Lloyd, I've only heard a few classical guitar concerts where amplification was used. JW was one of the artists and I think the only other time was one of the times I heard the Assad Bros. I could make a long list of the fine classical guitarists I heard unamplified but it would be pointless and boring.
Now, steel string players make the amplified sound part of their presentation. Tommy Emmanuel is never without his digital reverb (Midiverb II) and Adrien Legg uses a whole host of effects. Chet Atkins mostly used an electric guitar.