How does classical neck joint differ from steel string construction?

[Dr. Porkchop]

Couldnt find this info on web, so wondering if you could describe the classical neck joint and how it is different than a typical steel string neck joint. thanks. Is one joint stronger than another? Would you buy a steel string guitar that had a classical neck joint?

[Freeman Keller]

Most classical guitars have what is called a "Spanish heel" which you can kind of see in this pic

 

 

Basically the neck extends inside the body - there is not a separate neck and block like a steel string. The sides fit into two groove saw cut into the neck block. One ramification of this is that the geometry is built into the guitar and cannot be easily changed (ie. the only way the neck angle can be changed it to either plane the fretboard surface or to heat and "slip" the heel itself). Fortunately, due to their lower stress classicals don't normally need resetting.

 

I would never buy a steel string guitar with a Spanish heel. Note that some nylon string guitar (like Martin and Taylor's) have X bracing and the Martin, at least, has an MT neck joint.