What’s the Best Classical Guitar for Me?
Whether you’re seeking a classical guitar so you can learn your first chords, or you want a unique handmade model, you might already feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of choice. With this purpose-made Buyer’s Guide, we’ll try to help you find exactly what you need by answering your most frequently asked questions. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
1. Do I Need a Spanish or Classical Guitar?
The terms Spanish, Flamenco, and Classical are used to describe the same kind of nylon-stringed guitar. The modern classical guitar as we know it is actually based on a 19th century design from Spanish guitar builder, Antonio de Torres. At the time, this kind of guitar was only built in Spain and used to play traditional Spanish music. This is why many people know it as the ‘Spanish guitar’. At the beginning of the 20th century, during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the Spanish guitar was used to play classical pieces more and more and slowly but surely, the Spanish guitar became better known as the classical guitar.
2. Do I Need a Classical or Steel-String Acoustic Guitar?
When talking about ‘acoustic guitars’, we could be talking about steel-string acoustic guitars or classical guitars. These are two different kinds of instruments, each with a different sound and playing feel. The classical guitar is usually played with the fingers and, thanks to the nylon strings, this makes for a warm sound. The steel-string acoustic guitar (or just ‘acoustic guitar’) is used to play most pop and rock music. Beginner guitarists will tend to go for the softer feel of the nylon strings of a classical guitar. The wider neck also makes it easier to grip chords for the first time, since there’s more space between each string.
3. Electro-Acoustic or Acoustic Guitar: Which One Do I Need?
The foundation of an acoustic and electro-acoustic guitar is essentially the same, since you can also play an electro-acoustic guitar as if it was a normal acoustic. The difference: an electro-acoustic guitar has a built-in pickup and an output for a jack lead. This means that electro-acoustic guitars can be easily amplified on stage, or can be plugged into a mixer, acoustic amplifier, or audio interface, and they almost always come with an integrated preamp with volume, bass, and treble controls and maybe a tuner. Disadvantages: Electro-acoustic guitars are more expensive than standard acoustic guitars. Also, so that the electronics can be built in, a hole has often been cut into the side of the body which can compromise on acoustic resonance and sound quality. The same applies to a ‘cutaway’, where part of the body has literally been cut away at the shoulder for full fretboard access, which is often a feature of electro-acoustic models (see Question 1). But if you’re a beginner, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice the difference.
If you want to amplify a normal acoustic guitar, then you can install a pickup or use an external pickup. You could also use a microphone, but when performing on stage, this can increase the chance of feedback.
Also see our Electro-Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide.
Electro-Acoustic Classical Guitars
Acoustic Classical Guitars
All Classical Guitars
Electro-Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide
External & Installation Pickups for Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers
3. What Size Should My Guitar Be?
The size of a classical guitar is usually noted as 4/4, 7/8, 3/4, 1/2 and 1/4, where 4/4 is a standard ‘full-sized’ model. But be aware that the ‘fractions’ are not a literal indication of the size when compared to a standard model. So, it’s not actually the case that a 1/4 model is a quarter of the size of a standard sized, 4/4 classical guitar. We’ve included this table to explain how the measurements work.
4/4 Classical Guitars
7/8 Classical Guitars
3/4 Classical Guitars
1/2 Classical Guitars
1/4 Classical Guitars
4. What Strings Do I Need?
These days, classical guitars have nylon strings. Originally, classical guitar strings were made from the stomach lining of sheep or goats. Now, polymers like nylon are used. The three lower pitched strings have a nylon core that’s then wound with metal, making the strings thicker so that they can be tuned to a lower pitch without feeling slack. Without this winding, the nylon would have to be so thick that the guitar would be unplayable. As such, you may have heard a classical or Spanish guitar being referred to as a nylon-stringed guitar. In contrast to a steel-string guitar, a nylon-string guitar has a warmer, less bright sound.
5. What Accessories Will I Need?
A classical guitar can fall out of tune fairly quickly, so it’s a good idea to have a tuner close at hand. To keep your guitar protected on the way to a performance, rehearsal, or lesson, you’ll need a guitar bag or guitar case. A guitar stand is also useful for safely storing your guitar when you’re taking a break, and it’s also wise to maintain a good playing posture and comfort using a specially designed foot stool or even a guitar strap. In our range of classical guitar packs, you’ll find a number of complete packs with all the essential accessories included.
Classical Guitar Packs
Classical Guitar Bags
Classical Guitar Cases
Tuners
Guitar Stands
Foot Stools
Classical Guitar Straps
6. What are the Pros and Cons of Having a Guitar with a Solid Top?
The most important part of a classical guitar is the soundboard, or top. This thin piece of wood is directly bound to the bridge and transfers the vibration of the strings to the sides and back, so that the chamber (body) can resonate. Classical Guitars with a ‘solid top’ have a soundboard made from one piece of wood. One piece of solid wood is naturally more flexible, so it can resonate optimally. The result is a full sound with plenty of volume. The downside of a solid top classical guitar is that it’s usually more expensive to produce and the wood itself is more sensitive to temperature and humidity shifts.
7. What are the Pros and Cons of a Guitar with a Laminated Top?
Laminated wood is made by glueing three or more thin layers of wood together, and should not be confused with the plywood you can pick up from your local DIY shop. Laminated wood is a little stronger than solid wood since it’s less sensitive to temperature and humidity shifts. But it’s exactly this strength that can cost you in terms of sound, since for optimum tone, the top (or soundboard) needs to be able to vibrate optimally. However, since laminated wood is easier to produce, it tends to cost less. This is why most entry-level and budget models will be found fitted with a laminated top.
8. What Kind of Wood Sounds Best?
Beginners don’t need to worry too much about wood types. The difference in sound is so subtle that it can only really be picked up by a trained ear. But, here’s a short overview of the wood most commonly used to build classical guitars:
- Spruce: Light coloured with a bright and articulate sound.
- Cedar: Light brown with a red tint; ideal for fingerpickers with a light touch.
- Basswood: Often used to build entry-level models. Balanced sound.
- Mahogany: Red/brown colour with a warm and deep sound.
- Rosewood: Brown with a clear grain and deep and sparkling sound. Perfect for bluegrass.
- Maple): Light coloured, sometimes with a complex flamed or clouded wood grain. Bright and tight sound.
Links and More Information
Product Categories
Classical Guitars
Classical Guitar Strings
Classical Guitar Packs
Classical Guitar Bags
Classical Guitar Cases
Tuners
Guitar Stands
Foot Stools
Classical Guitar Straps
Blogs
How to Tune Your Guitar or Bass
How Does a Clip-On Tuner Work?
How to Change Classical Guitar Strings
Acoustic or Electric Guitar? Where’s the Best Place to Start?
