Testimonials from Musicians and Friends
From Anthony Armijo
August 17, 2010
"Great instruments made by great guys. I'm a "wanna be" musician because these guitars are the type of instruments that make you "wanna be" playing music. I own three Pimentel guitars and I have another one on the way ( I feel like I should pass out cigars every time I get a new one). I don't own any Picasso or Van Gogh paintings but I do have four Pimentel guitars, I think that definitely makes me an art collector."
From Larry Betzel
Feb. 18, 2010
YouTube Video about Pimentel Guitars visit
1/13/2000
I remember seeing the top of my guitar when Rick was building it last May. Then I saw it again in November. At both visits, I could not believe how beautiful it was. But even this did not prepare me for the moment I opened the case and first saw the completed instrument. There are instruments, and there is art. This guitar is both of these, and more. There is a spirit, an essence to it. It helps connect me to my own spirit and essence.
Beyond that, it plays like a dream. It seemed to know my music right out of the case. I actually put a tape measure to the neck, because I knew it had to be a short scale. No long scale neck could this effortlessly. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the scale is a bit longer than my Martin ...
Then there is the sound. The tone, volume and sustain are incredible. I am looking forward to many years of appreciation as the spruce settles in.
Thank you all for this most wonderful of guitars.
Sincerely,
Larry Betzel
Anchorage, Alaska
About Betz's Acoustic Saver Guitar Cabinet
From Rick Hutt
August 13, 2010
I received my Grand Concert Classical (Indonesian Rosewood back and sides / Spruce top) in March 2010 and find it hard to put down once I start playing. First of all, it is a beautiful instrument to look at, but once the first note is played it’s clear that the tone matches the physical beauty that the Pimentels put into this guitar. I own several classical guitars, including hand-made models from Spain, but none can come close to the sound of this one. The action allows me to concentrate on performing as opposed to conquering the technical difficulties presented by a piece of music. This freedom is amazing and when I receive good feedback from a performance, I now say, “It’s not me, mostly it’s the guitar”.
The process of deciding what to include in my Pimentel was made easy during my conversation with Rick Pimentel. He took the time to look at my hands, listen to me play, and determine exactly what I wanted in my “ultimate” guitar. Gracias, Rick y la familia Pimentel!
Rick Hutt
Chicago, IL
From Mark Daily
June 21, 2010
Dear Mr. Pimentel,
I purchased a Pimentel Model 001 in 1980 and I have enjoyed playing it for the last 30 years. In January while visiting your shop, I was able to purchase a Grand Concert Guitar, made by you in September of 2009. It is a beautiful work of art, and I thoroughly enjoy playing it. The sound is incredible. Many times I will stop in the middle of a piece and just listen to it sing. Thank you so very much for making this wonderful guitar.
I was in Albuquerque at the beginning of this month visiting my parents, and of course I stopped by your shop to visit. Your son Robert was kind enough to show me and my family around the shop. My children were all very impressed, and were very interested to see where my guitars were made. Robert told me you were not feeling well. I certainly hope you are feeling better now and that you are back in action. I look forward to seeing you and thanking you in person on my next trip to Albuquerque. Owning a Grand Concert Pimentel is a dream come true for me, and by the grace of God I now have one. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Daily
Hagerman, Idaho
From Bruce B. Sawyer
August 6, 2010
Over the past few years I have worked with Rick Pimentel of Pimentel Music many times to hire musical talent for special events I have produced for my clients. From solo classical guitarists to full blown Mariachis, Rick has gotten us some of the best talent imaginable. Every performer presented to us from Pimentel has been world class in talent, reputation, and professionalism. It seems that Rick and his family are well networked with the finest musicians from across the southwest. There is no doubt that I will be calling Rick the next time I need musicians for one of our special events.
Bruce B. Sawyer
From Bob Uecke
August 2, 2010
"There are few classical guitars I have played that sound, play, and look as good as my Pimentel Concert Grand."
January 10, 2009
Excerpts from Harmony Central post
"... making the guitar a bit over a year old. I feel compelled to write this update because of the absolute perfection of this guitars sound. Warm, comforting, very dynamic, sweet, moving. This instrument both challenges me to play better, and teaches me to play better by revealing subtleties that I was not aware of until I received this amazing instrument. Everyone who hears me play comments on the sound.
I have never seen a more beautifully stained cedar top. The stain color is reddish but not gaudy. Everyone who sees this guitar comments on its beauty. Handmade from tonewoods. Fragile. Has held up well, the neck is straight, action is still perfect (the action is low and does not buzz a bit on any string in any position-I am very fussy about clean notes).
This instrument was designed to fit what I was looking for in a classical guitar facilitated by several conversations that I had with Rick Pimentel, and Robert Pimentel. They would call me up while the guitar was being built and ask me about what I was looking for when each specific area was being tended to (sound, action, color, special features, etc. ) to be sure that I would receive the perfect guitar. I felt that they treated me as the best guitar virtuoso there ever was. I have the deepest feelings of gratitude for the entire Pimentel family. They build incredible guitars at their shop in Albuquerque."
From Rich Connell
July 26, 2010
I live in Tulsa, OK have a 1996 Classical grand Concert Indonesian Rosewood, with spruce top, a very powerful sound and beautiful design,.
I am a member of the Tulsa Guitar Society, which promotes youth guitar players, and just general playing! Here is the link, come visit !
Rich Connell
From Don Thompson
June 26, 2010
I own four Pimentel Guitars Including a 12 and 6 string steel and a Grand Lorenzo Gold & a Concert that was made especially for my wife. I have had these guitars since the early 1970s and I have to tell you the sound becomes richer as time goes by. I travel a lot and I have tried big name guitars all over the US and Europe and I have never found one that equals (or even comes close) the mastery of sound quality I have in my Pimentel Guitars. Thank you again for my wonderful instruments & keep up the outstanding work.
Don Thompson
Phoenix, Arizona
From Simon Way
 December 25, 2009
Hi Rick and Robert- Merry Christmas!
Owning a Pimentel Guitar has been a life changing experience! So easy to play and such a good sound plus you have the pick up so perfectly installed it's wonderful when plugged into my P.A. The sponsor who helped pay for it at my church was very pleased by how good a sound I can get with it.
I need to show it around more to generate some orders which I will do shortly. One of our local top classical players played it at one of his gigs and said it was very musical. I thought it was better sounding than his own $5,000.00 instrument. Thanks for your great work -
Simon Way
Spokane, WA
From Jack Holcomb
March 23 , 2010
Hello Rick and family,
I met you back in 1998 when you introduced me to your father who was building a classical guitar. I ordered a Brazilian Rosewood cutaway which was built for me by your father and I absolutely love it. I was playing it tonight and it has the most wonderful balanced sound with incredible projection. Your father inspired me to try building my own guitar and now I am on guitar number 22 but I have a long way to go before I even come close to the skill and workmanship of your father. Were it not for my visit to your shop over 12 years ago I would not have become a luthier nor would I have learned to appreciate a really fine hand made classical guitar.
Please give your father my thanks for that first visit to your shop and for the inspiration he has given me. And- a big thanks for my wonderful Pimentel guitar.
Best Wishes to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Jack Holcomb,
Holcomb Guitars
Atlanta, GA
From Earle Palmer
Dec. 7, 2009
I happened on to your website by accident, but yes. I bought a flamenco peg head Port Ordford cedar BNST, in 1995. I have been delighted for the almost fifteen years I've owned it, and it is my favorite guitar. I have about eight guitars, two of which I paid much more money for than my Pimentel, but I wouldn't trade my Pimentel for anything. Thank you for such a fine instrument,
Earle Palmer
Olmito Texas
From Bryan L. Perdue
March 13, 2008
Bryan plays two guitars commissioned by Pimentel and Sons, Luthiers, a family business located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These fine instruments are totally hand crafted with finest woods and superb skill of true craftsmen.
The first is a Concert Classical Guitar, a totally handcrafted instrument from the "Grand Lorenzo Gold" series - named Luther's Clef.
This guitar was exquisitely handcrafted by the Master Luthier and family patriarch, Mr. Lorenzo Pimentel. The back and side of this beautiful instrument are made from 40 year old Brazilian Rosewood. The top is constructed from European Spruce, while the neck is crafted from beautiful Honduras Mahogany. The fret board is cut from African Ebony Gabon with a rosewood bridge. The signature Rosetta is hand cut from multiple exotic woods and the instrument trimmed in gold. The head is uniquely adorned with turquoise, mother of pearl, ivory, ebony, and red coral.the intricate artwork of Rick Pimentel.
The second is a Custom Dreadnought - named the "Sunrise Surprise" and is the first instrument from the New Mexico Sunrise series commissioned in 2005 and delivered in 2007. ( Read the article from Albuquerque Journal. )
This custom made guitar was built by Rick Pimentel. The sides and back of this marvelous instrument are made from 40 year old East Indian Rosewood. The top is crafted from Adirondack Spruce from the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. The neck is made from Honduras Mahogany and the neck with the exotic Rosewood, Bocote from South America. The neck of this guitar is meticulously garnished with red coral zias, surrounding ebony carved Brother Bear inlaid with in a delicate of mother of pearl bed.
Bryan also plays a 1979 Martin HD-35 guitar that he acquired in 1980.
Bryan L. Perdue
375 CES/CECGIS
Program Manager, Installation Geospatial Information & Services (IGI&S)
From Daniel Aguirre
Yo vivo en Juarez, Chihuahua (Mexico), y cerca de aqui esta la casa Pimentel (en Albuquerque NM , USA para ser preciso), y son unas guitarras de calidad extraordinaria, si quieres visitar la pagina y echarles un vistazo
http://www.pimentelguitars.com
, yo tengo una (de hecho es un requinto) y suena excelente... me enamore de el en cuanto lo senti en las manos...
Te las recomiendo ampliamente...
Daniel posted this on Forro de Guitarra
- comments posted on this site with his permission
From David Brody
Dec. 3, 2003
My name is David Brody, and I have been teaching classical guitar at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, since 1986. I was Hector Garcia's graduate teaching assistant at UNM during the late '70's. I have owned a Pimentel Concert #1 since 1978. I have three other guitars, a Kohno and two Rodriguesz's. My Pimentel is still the standard that I go back to in evaluating guitars, and I still prefer it for my many types of music, specifically the the music of Tarrega, Llobet, Turina. The sound has grown to a very rich maturity that my other guitars lack, and that I can't seem to find in any other instrument.
David Brody
More information about David Brody
From Rick Burnley
Sept. 8, 2003
It would be hard for me to exagerate the pleasure that I'm experiencing playing the beautiful steel string guitar that you made for me. I can't keep my hands off it, and kid about having to join a 12-step program because I'm so addicted to playing it.
I began playing in 1960 and have had many nice guitars since including a fine Gibson archtop, and a Conde Hermanos flamenco model, both of which I sold, but I can't imagine the circumstances where I'd be willing to let og of your beautiful instrument.
I strum a chord and listen in amazement to the clear bell-like tone and the sustain is incredible. It has great resonance, almost like a flamenco guitar, so it's wonderful for playing rhythm. It has a lovely sonority and it booms like a canon when I play it hard. I've never had all of these qualities in one instrument. If I were to give it a name, I'd call it "La Perfecta".
My friends and fellow musicians have all commented on its terrific sound, and a professional luthier to whom I showed it strummed one chord and said, "Boy, it's got a great tone."
I'm playing more than ever, and as a result, I'm improving at a surprisingly quick rate, which is very gratifying to me. I can't thank you enough for having made this amazing instrument which has had such an effect on my musical life. I take it with me everywhere; it's my most precious possession
Rick Burnley
Pacitas, New Mexico
From Charles Cartwright
9 November 2001
Dear Sirs;
"Mahalo nui loa", thank you very much, for this wonderful instrument, it arrived Thursday 11/8/2001. I was surprised to hear that I had won your "Jazz Classical 50th Anniversary Guitar", as I have only won two things in my life, one of them being this guitar. I have had many guitars over the years, most of them inexpensive brands, with the exception of, my Martin HD-28 and a solid wood hand made classical instrument out of Brazil. Needless to say each had it's good and bad points, and each has left it's own memories.
This instrument is the first other than the Martin that has lived up to my expectations, right out of the package. The set-up is superb, at first I thought it might be a bit low, that proved not to be the case, no fret buzzing with my playing anyway, the tone and volume are wonderful, tonal balance is as good as I have ever heard. The Fishman electronics, when played through my home system, sound natural and has good balance with all controls in the neutral positions. The woods are beautiful, the color and grain are a pleasure to the eye, and the sound they produce gives pleasure to the ear also.
Your workmanship and attention to detail from the selection of the tuning machines, wood selection, inlay work, finish, and setup makes this an instrument that I want to spend time with. I would without reservation recommend it to anyone who is looking for quality and performance. Your assistance in providing a case and accessories was much appreciated, and a pleasure in this day of automated answering services, it is nice to talk to a knowledgeable person, whom is interested in helping you.
Again mahalo, and He pomaika'i 'ia mai ke Akua [God Bless You]. I wish you and yours every success for the future.
Me ke aloha pumehana [with warmest regards]
Charles C. Cartwright
From Tim Heath
Hey Robert, I thought I'd send you a note wishing you, your father and the rest of the boys a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
As you know I have received the new Nylon Jazz Fusion. It's a truly amazing instrument. When I first got it I thought I'd show my guitar teacher, Manny Mestas, my one hour lesson turned into a two hour lesson, most of which consisted of Manny playing my guitar. No words could describe the look in his eyes or the delight he took in playing the guitar. All he kept saying is this guitar is so awesome! He in turn wanted to show it to another students so I left the Fusion with him. He showed it to everyone, he even took it on his television show. His boss JerryCoehlo who is an accomplished guitarist himself said that the Fusion could be the only guitar anyone would need.
I have a friend who used to play professionally in a band, he seemed to chastise me a little about spending so much on my guitars, but when he played the fusion all he could say was 'I don't know how much you paid for this one, but whatever it was, it was worth it. It's the best guitar I've played.'
As you know Robert I'm just a beginner, and all I can say is that it has the action of a Gibson jazz, and sounds like something the great Chet Atkins would play, or you can play it in with a true classical sound too. It sounds awesome when amped and sounds great even without an amp.
All I can say is that it is so easy to play, it is a true work of art both visually and musically. And since the Pimentels made it seems to have a heart and soul as well.
Simply put, when you buy the best you'll never be disappointed.
Thanks,
Tim
From Kevin O'Malley
Dear Rick & Gang,
Thanks so much for your splendid hospitatity during my visits to your shop last week, and the week before. It truly was like going to heaven without having to die first.
Your friendly welcome from all of the family was heart warming, to say the least. I am absolutely in awe of the work you do there. Your guitars are truly works of art, both aesthetically and acoustically. I defy anyone to outshine you in a head to head comparison. Those fortunate enough to play one of your instruments will want to go home and burn their mass produced imitations, from Martin right on down. I know - I heard (and saw) the difference!
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Southwestern model. I know I will never get a better value for money in an acoustic guitar. I wish you, your Dad and all of the Pimentels the continued success you richly deserve. You are a cut above, as craftsmen and just plain as men. It was an honor to spend some time there, and kill off a Corona. I hope I'm able to return the favor someday. In the meantime, I will do my best to tell the Pimentel story out my way.
God Bless, and thans so much, again.
Your friend in New Jersey,
Kevin O'Malley
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