How to choose a classical guitar

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

If you're an aspiring guitarist and want to learn how to play, finding the perfect musical instrument for your skills and needs can be quite a challenge.

Each musician has different preferences in tone, wood type, guitar style and aesthetics and this will influence your choice. But any guitar has basic characteristics that should be considered when choosing this instrument.

What is a classical guitar made of?

To be able to choose a guitar, you need to understand how it works.

The most important thing in a classical guitar is the soundboard - the top piece of wood on a classical guitar. There are two types of deck: plywood and solid wood.

Plywood decks are made from three thin layers of wood that are glued together. Usually the top layer is made of fine-grained wood, while the lower layers are of poor quality material. Plywood decks provide a strong and stable upper register, but a slightly duller sound and less resonance.

Although plywood guitars are cheaper, hardwoods are more sensitive to string vibrations, so the sound of these guitars is muchbetter.

Solid wood boards are built from two single-ply wood plates, usually cedar or spruce, and joined together with a seam down the middle of the guitar. Both types of wood give different qualities to the sound of the guitar.

• Spruce is harder and bends less, resulting in a bright, crisp sound.
• Cedar is softer, cedar body will sound languid, soft and warm.

Solid bodies are always found on the highest quality (and most expensive) classical guitars. If you're on a tight budget, plywood-topped guitars are a great option, but it's still best to prioritize sound quality when choosing a guitar.

Classical guitar also consists of:

1. Kolkov. (peg mechanism). These are a kind of screws that regulate the tension of the strings on stringed instruments and are responsible for their tuning. Pegs are a must on any stringed instrument.
2. Sill. The part that raises the string above the fretboard to the required height. The nut on the guitar is top and bottom.
3. Ladov. These are parts located along the entire length of the neck of the guitar. They are protruding transverse metal strips. The fret is also called the distance between these two parts.
4. Vulture. An elongated piece of wood against which the strings are pressed when played to change the note. When choosing a guitar, it is important to check if the neck is not bent. Fretboard curvature greatly affects the sound quality.
5. Heel neck. This is where the neck and body of the guitar are attached. Can be beveled for easier fret access.
6. Shells. Lateral body. The shell can be both bent (from a single piece of wood) and composite.

Classical vs acoustic

It's important to make sure you choose the right type of guitar. There are two main classes of acoustic guitars: nylon string classical guitars and steel string acoustic guitars. It is very important that you understand the difference, because they have completely different functionality, despite the fact that they are almost identical in appearance.

So, how do you tell a classical guitar from an acoustic guitar?

Vulture

First of all, the neck of a classical guitar is much wider than that of an acoustic guitar. Classical guitar necks may not have fret markings, while acoustic frets are always marked.

Case

Secondly, the body of a classical guitar is usually very symmetrical, there are no resonators (curly cutouts) that allow you to expand the register of the guitar (although there are some models of modern classical guitars that have resonators). Acoustic guitars are most commonly seen in dreadnought form.

Not all acoustic guitars have specially shaped sound holes, so you don't need to rely on this alone when choosing a guitar.

Strings

Third, the biggest difference between a classical guitar and an acoustic guitar is the strings. Classical guitars have nylon strings, while acoustic guitars have steel strings.

If you put steel strings on a classical guitar, then a higher tension will cause damage to the fretboard, headstockand thresholds. Installing nylon strings on an acoustic guitar is unlikely to damage the guitar, but it will change the sound for the worse.

Typically, due to the difference in string material, classical guitar is much easier to play because nylon is softer. Beginning guitarists should still choose classical guitars.

Sound

The classical guitar has a soft tone and is most often used with a finger-style playing (i.e. without a pick - a special record). Acoustic guitars have a sharp, bright sound.

Acoustic guitars have a special jack for connecting to a guitar amplifier. The sound is then louder due to the amplification through the speaker, but remains more chamber compared to electric guitars.

Budget

Classical guitars are popular with beginner players because they tend to be much cheaper than acoustic guitars. They come in a wide range of prices: for beginners, a guitar in the region of 6000 rubles is suitable, more advanced players can find models several times more expensive.

Choosing a classical guitar largely depends on your budget. It is worth buying the best tool you can afford.

Should I buy a used guitar?

If you're on a budget, buying a used instrument may allow you to get a better instrument than if you spent the same amount of money on a new guitar.

Unfortunately, a good used guitar will be much harder to find than a new one, and you will need to inspect the instrument carefully tomake sure it's not damaged too much. Paint chips or string ends sticking out of the headstock are not significant defects and do not affect the sound quality.

This acquisition has one significant plus: buying a guitar in a store, you do not know how it will behave in the future. The previous owner can tell you about a used guitar.

You can take a more experienced guitarist with you to help determine the quality of the instrument. This applies not only to buying a guitar "from hand", but also to the choice in the store: not all new guitars are of sufficient quality. Some stores may even sell used guitars.

Handmade vs factory made

The way a classical guitar is made will have a significant impact on the price. Classical guitars can be both factory-made and handmade. Lower priced guitars are always factory made.

Handmade guitars are made by a manufacturer who carefully selects the wood, cuts it to size, joins all the parts together by hand and gives a unique design to their products. Of course, handmade guitars will be significantly more expensive than factory made ones. But even if you have the financial means to purchase a handmade guitar, you cannot be absolutely sure of its quality. Always choose a reputable manufacturer wherever you choose to buy your tool.

What to choose for a child?

Many guitar models are available in 1/2 or 3/4 sizes. If you choose a classical guitar for a child, then it is better for him to choose the size of the guitar that is comfortable for himself. It should always be appropriate for the person's height and weight distribution, and the bar should fit comfortably in the hand.

How to take care of your guitar?

A guitar, like any other instrument, needs to be properly cared for.

Lubricating the string grooves will make tuning easier and help reduce the squeak that often occurs when tuning a classical guitar. An easy way to smudge those crevices is to color them in with a graphite pencil.

Keep the guitar away from heat sources and moisture, and do not drop or throw the instrument. It is worth purchasing a special water-repellent insulated case to transport the guitar in rain and cold.

Don't sit down to play your guitar immediately after it has been exposed to temperature extremes, otherwise it will be bad for its condition.

Choosing a classical guitar is a difficult and responsible matter, but it is worth understanding this issue as detailed as possible so that music brings pleasure.