A range of prices and quality levels that covers a wide spectrum of guitarists. We take five of the latest designs from Admira into the lab. These hugely well-known instruments start in the learning and student range and go up to pieces for the most experienced players, in both classical and flamenco.
About Admira
Since its founding in 1944, Enrique Keller S.A. (EKSA) has become one of the most important Spanish guitar manufacturers in the world: Admira Guitars.
A 100% Spanish product, deservedly able to represent Spain all over the world. Admira Guitars are sold in more than 50 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. These guitars are the result of combining the experience of the finest craftsmen with age-old techniques and the latest technology, backed by almost 70 years of passionate, tireless work.
Admira put to the test
We received five Admira guitar models, courtesy of the manufacturer Enrique Keller, S.A. Common features worth highlighting include the good finish of their varnishes and trim. These guitars are very well finished, with an impeccable look and high-gloss finishes.
Spanning somewhat different price ranges and materials, all of them have the same dimensions and are built with the “Spanish heel” joint. Below we go into our impressions and the prices of each model. It is worth noting, however, that the basic difference in their prices (from €219 to €635) is largely due to their construction materials.
The different models, from the A5 to the A20, increase in the quality of their woods, and also differ in laminate versus solid construction. All of them have exceptional woods but, obviously, quality increases as we move up the range. Although they all have solid tops, only the A20 is all-solid.
Cedar, mahogany, rosewood, spruce, ebony, etc. Excellent construction materials and solid tops.
Admira A5 guitar
At first glance it seems really hard to get a guitar with a solid cedar top, a mahogany neck, etc., and impeccable finishes for just €219. This is a very carefully made, well-built instrument that fights to be as competitive as possible in its price range. Our tests confirm remarkable natural sustain, as well as good tuning stability thanks to sensitive, stable tuning machines.
Although its big sisters outdo it in harmonics, feel and tonal balance, it seems like a “collector's” piece for its finish and materials, at a competitive price
Admira A10
Compared with the previous model, it adds a rosewood reinforcement to the mahogany neck, which suggests a model that will be more stable over time than the A5. We noticed slight improvements in the feel of the fingerboard and a somewhat better frequency balance. We liked the mids and highs, while in the lows it keeps the remarkable, round punch that the previous A5 model also has.
We also found it easier to get harmonics on different parts of its fingerboard. Those extra 80 euros are worth it. At least in our opinion.
Admira A15 guitar
A step up from the previous two, it introduces an ebony fingerboard, which may justify part of the extra cost compared with the others. A smooth feel and good tonal balance. Somewhat more aggressive in the mids than the A20, but at almost half the cost, which makes it a good option in the mid range.
Admira A20 guitar
The guitar with the strongest claim to being the best of the batch we received. When we took it out of its packaging, the smell already gave off richer aromas (like good wines) of exquisite-quality woods. That unmistakable smell of a pedigreed Spanish guitar. Besides having a solid top (and solid throughout) and somewhat higher-quality tuning machines, its biggest differences can be heard in the sound.
A more balanced blend of lows, highs and mids and, above all, a special sweetness in the sound it gives off.
Flamenco guitar, Admira F4
This is the guitar most clearly different from the previous ones, both in finish and in sound, since it is aimed at the flamenco concept rather than the classical one. It is the only one of the five with a spruce top and flamed maple back and sides. An instrument that gave us great sustain in our tests, with very low action and therefore comfortable playability, good harmonics and a somewhat “harder” sound. The guitar has good natural volume and a curious stripe down the back of its neck.
