The Almansa CTWE 447E is a Spanish-made, thin-body electro-classical guitar that gained attention in the early 2000s for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern playability. Manufactured in Muro del Alcoy, Alicante, Almansa guitars are known for combining Madrid-style luthiery with contemporary production techniques, resulting in instruments that appeal to both classical purists and modern performers.
Specifications
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Top: Solid German spruce with a tap plate (golpeador), catering to flamenco techniques.
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Back and Sides: Solid cypress, contributing to a bright, percussive tone.
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Neck: Mahogany reinforced for stability.
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Fingerboard: Ebony, offering durability and smooth playability.
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Nut Width: Approximately 50 mm, slightly narrower than standard classical guitars, enhancing comfort for players transitioning from steel-string instruments.
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Electronics: Equipped with a Fishman preamp system, featuring volume, contour controls, and blendable microphones, suitable for amplified performances .
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Body Style: Thin-body with a cutaway, facilitating easier access to higher frets and reducing feedback during amplification.
Fishman Prefix ProBlend – Overview
The Fishman Prefix ProBlend is a premium onboard preamp system that combines an undersaddle piezo pickup with a miniature internal microphone, allowing players to blend both sources to capture a more natural and dynamic acoustic tone.
Key Highlights & Benefits for Flamenco / Thin-Body Guitars:
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Natural Sound Reproduction:
Flamenco guitars have a bright, percussive tone with fast attack. The ProBlend’s microphone captures these subtleties—like the sound of golpes and rasgueados—far more authentically than a pickup alone. -
Blend Control:
Enables players to mix the direct pickup signal (for clarity and feedback resistance) with the mic (for air and realism). This is especially useful on stage where feedback can be an issue with microphones alone. -
Phase and Notch Controls:
Help combat feedback, which is particularly useful for thin-body guitars that are more prone to it when amplified. -
3-Band EQ and Contour Control:
Tailor the tone to suit different playing styles, venues, or genres. For example, you can dial in a warmer sound for classical pieces or enhance the attack for flamenco rhythms. -
Onboard Mic Level & Trim:
Fine-tune the mic's gain to avoid overloading during aggressive playing—ideal for flamenco's dynamic style. -
Compact Side-Mounted Design:
Integrates seamlessly into the guitar’s side without being intrusive, maintaining the instrument’s aesthetics and comfort.
The ideal pickup for Thin-Body Flamenco Guitars:
The Fishman Prefix ProBlend excels in guitars like the Almansa CTWE 447E because it provides:
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Clarity and projection from the piezo (which is vital given the smaller body size),
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Air and nuance from the internal mic, which preserves the natural acoustic character despite the body’s reduced resonance,
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And effective feedback control, a major consideration when performing live with thin, percussive guitars.
Build Quality and Era Context
Almansa's approach in the late 1990s and early 2000s was to produce semi-artisanal guitars that balanced affordability with quality. The CTWE 447E exemplifies this, offering features typically found in higher-end models, such as solid woods and reputable electronics, at a mid-range price point. However, some users noted that while the guitar felt comfortable and well-balanced, certain aspects of the finish and overall feel were comparable to less expensive instruments.
Reception by Reviewers and Players
User reviews of the CTWE 447E were positive. One reviewer appreciated its suitability for flamenco and rumba gypsy styles, highlighting the guitar's thin neck and ease of play, and praised its performance when amplified through systems like the Roland AC 60. Conversely, another user felt the instrument lacked depth in bass response - which is standard note for acoustic and classical guitars with exceptionally thin bodies.
Legacy
While the CTWE 447E may not quite have achieved iconic status, it represents a significant period in guitar manufacturing where traditional Spanish craftsmanship began integrating modern features to meet evolving musician needs. Its design catered to players seeking a classical guitar with the versatility for amplified performance and genres beyond traditional classical music. Today, it stands as a testament to Almansa's commitment to producing accessible, quality instruments that bridge the gap between classical tradition and contemporary requirements.
