Forums > Areas > Central Highlands

Daisy

Jun 23, 2008, 1:13 PM

Post #1 of 9 (1044 views)

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Guitar Village

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I've searched a couple of forums, but I haven't found any reference to this. I know I read about it somewhere. Can anybody tell me about a village--I believe within reasonable driving distance from Guadalajara--where the town specializes in making guitars and other musical instruments? Our daughter and son-in-law (who only has about 20 guitars!) are coming soon, and I've like to see if it's a feasible trip for us during their few days here. Thanks so much for any information .

esperanza / Moderator

Jun 23, 2008, 1:20 PM

Post #2 of 9 (1037 views)

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Re: [Daisy] Guitar Village

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You're thinking of Paracho, Michoacán. The town specializes in handcrafted musical instruments, including the guitar.

Paracho is about four hours from Guadalajara. It's about two hours from Morelia, Michoacán.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Daisy

Jun 23, 2008, 1:26 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1034 views)

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Re: [Daisy] Guitar Village

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Thanks, Esperanza! That was quick! But I was hoping it was closer. Maybe on their next trip, we'll do it, and add Patzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan, and Morelia to the itinerary.

wendy devlin

Jun 23, 2008, 1:37 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1029 views)

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Re: [Daisy] Guitar Village

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This information comes via several men I know, who visited Paracho, looking for guitars. Guitar-players.

You may need to do some more homework on who makes what, their locations, 'tallers', workshops, quality, reputation, previsit...to make the most of your time there.

Daisy

Jun 23, 2008, 1:45 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1025 views)

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Re: [wendy devlin] Guitar Village

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Very good idea, Wendy. Good excuse,also, for a pre-visit visit. And maybe impress son-in-law with my vast knowledge.......Nah.

Daisy

Jun 23, 2008, 1:59 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1023 views)

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Re: [Daisy] Guitar Village

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Thanks very much. With the name of the village I was able to find a number of sites online, with recommendations for luthiers.

jerezano

Jun 24, 2008, 9:05 AM

Post #7 of 9 (983 views)

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Re: [Daisy] Guitar Village

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Hello,

While the times given by Esperanza to Paracho are probably correct, she didn't mention that it is an easy drive. From Guadalajard to Morelia and Patzcuaro to Uruapan is autopista (Morelia to Patzcuaro?), and all roads even the two lane state highways are well surfaced and easy driving. Paracho is also famous for a World Guitar Festival--you probably found the dates already on the various web sites--which no guitarist, whether just learning, a skilled ameteur, or a professional should EVER miss.

We drove all the way from Jerez, Zacatecas to Paracho, got there in the early afternoon after spending much time along the way with a relaxed luncheon and exploration in Uruapan, were lucky to find lodging in a 1 star hotel on the outskirts of Paracho, and attended a concert that same night. You should be able to do the same from Guadalajara--much closer--with no trouble. Of course, at this time you might not find any concerts.

Please check your Guía Roji. There seems to be a much shorter route from the south side of Lake Chapala through Sayuayo de José María de Morelos over to Paracho. There should be no necessity to go to Morelia and then double back. I can't find my Guía Roji or I would check for you.

Found my Guía Roji. If there is a Zamora exit turn-off on the Guadalajara-Morelia autopista, that would be even better. Unfortunately Guía Roji does not show exits. I wish they would. I don't know how you could find out either unless you can get a map of the auto-pista system somewhere.

jerezano.

(This post was edited by jerezano on Jun 24, 2008, 9:39 AM)

esperanza / Moderator

Jun 24, 2008, 10:41 AM

Post #8 of 9 (972 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Guitar Village

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The Guía Roji does indeed show exits. Look in the back, at the various routes of the cuotas. There is an exit for Zamora, although the exit is about 35 winding kilometers from that town.

There would be no need to go all the way to Morelia and then back to Uruapan and Paracho. However, although the road from Zamora is well-paved and pretty, it's not fast. Remember that it's the libre (free road), has only two lanes, and is sometimes subject to a great deal of truck traffic. There have been a few times when I've been stuck behind trucks all the way from Ocotlán in the west to Morelia in the east, making that trip seven hours instead of five or less.

The trip around the south side of Lake Chapala takes substantially longer than taking either the cuota or the libre from Guadalajara to most central and eastern Michoacán destinations.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

jerezano

Jun 24, 2008, 11:27 AM

Post #9 of 9 (965 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Guitar Village

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Hello,

Thanks Esperanza. As often as I have used my Guía Roji I have never noticed those cuota routes before. What a find!

jerezano.