Members KBN Posted January 13, 2004 Members Posted January 13, 2004 Hi there. This is my first time posting here in the AG forum. I am hoping you can help me. I play quite a bit of fingerstyle acoustic stuff, but only have steel string guitars. I have decided to add a fairly nice classical. Only problem is that I don't know much if anything about classical guitars. Is it possible to get a nice classical for $600 to $1000? I am assuming I can, but I really don't know the market. Secondly, what do I look for? Are their tell tale signs to stay away from? What builders should I look for? Any help would be much appreciated. Keith
Members F-holes Posted January 14, 2004 Members Posted January 14, 2004 Alverez-Yairi produces some decent solid top classical guitars in that price range.
Members IanHey Posted January 14, 2004 Members Posted January 14, 2004 Oddly enough my predicament was exactly the opposite .... I had played classicals for years but could never find a steel string that I like to play fingerstyle with ... until just recently. It's been alot of fun especially since I have been trying to work out a fingerstyle that works on the steel strings .. it's a lot different than nylon ... but such a great sound. If you are just looking for something with nylon strings to play fingerstyle I would look at the Yamahas .... they are very good value for money for around $700 or less you should be able to get a very nice model. However, I personally haven't found any of the larger manufacturers who make a decent classical .... the Japanese guitars I've tried just do not play like a classical, (to me). I think alot of the problem is with the set up .... they try to use a lower action which is probably easier to play but just doesn't work for a classical guitar. I played a Taylor nylon string which GC had on sale for $1900 .... it looked beautifull ... it was absolutely dead .... I wouldn't pay $190 for it. Construction methods that work with steel strings just don't with nylon. I would stay away from any of the major "flat top" manufacturers. (Taylor, Gibson, Martin etc.) If you want a decent classical guitar to play with a classical style you should be able to get a decent guitar for about $800 on up. If you go a little higher say $1200 - $1500 you should get a very nice instrument ... all solid wood, well set up with a good sound. The problem is knowing what to look for .... if you can find a reputable store who deals in fine classicals ... I would think it would be your best bet. You might pay a little more .... but you'll probably be much happier with what you get. You need to try different guitars .... one big difference is the top ... spruce vs cedar ... cedar is more traditional, spruce seems to be clearer and project more, (at least to me). You also might prefer the flamenco type of sound ... they tend to brighter, more percussive, they play a little easier, (the action is slightly lower). If you have some classical teachers in your area .... you might contact them and see if they have anyone who is in the market to upgrade. Some of the best deals I see are from people wanting to upgrade. A good place to start might be looking at Ramirez or Esteve guitars, (8 series or above). I also like the Cordobas ... especially for flamenco ... for $1000 on up they seem to build very nice instruments. One good site to check out is www.fernandezmusic.com ... he gives a pretty good run down on the spanish built guitars. Hope this helps.
Members S~R~O Posted January 14, 2004 Members Posted January 14, 2004 Try Here, from what I hear the Guy does everybody right when it comes to Classical Guitars....... www.southwestguitar.com
Members KBN Posted January 14, 2004 Author Members Posted January 14, 2004 Thank you. I really do appreciate all the help. Keith
Members Mattface Posted January 14, 2004 Members Posted January 14, 2004 Someone selling a pretty nice looking classical over on the Buy and Sell forum on UMGF for a very nice price. I don't know anything baout these guitars, but I just red your thread, and then this one: http://pub125.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm3.showMessage?topicID=2744.topic
Members JasonA Posted January 14, 2004 Members Posted January 14, 2004 That's a great price, and a great guitar, but it's not a classical. It's a flamenco guitar. I had a Picado and really liked it for some stuff. But it is much more percussive and punchy than a classical.
Members fretwizard4hire Posted January 16, 2004 Members Posted January 16, 2004 i know its an everyday commercial name, but i like cordobas. you can get them from gc or musiciansfriend, but i would look on ebay and try to get a 75r, they are really pretty nice for that price. i use one for gigging for about a year and a half.
Members nylon rock Posted January 17, 2004 Members Posted January 17, 2004 I tried a lot of classicals recently and the Yamaha cgx-171-cc is still the best one I've heard. I own one, but tried another in the store and it too sounded great. So they are consistent as are most Yamahas. The cedar top, which I originally did not like, really is important. Gives the guitar an incredibly warm sound. I like a 1 7/8 inch width at the nut; 2 1/4 is too wide, unless you have lobster claws. Don't spend too much, because you are going to scuff them up; Willie Nelson's "Trigger" is the exageration, but you get the point. For the price range you are looking at you should have no problem.
Members franchelB Posted January 18, 2004 Members Posted January 18, 2004 Since you're probably used to a steel-string neck, I'd advice looking at curve-necked/(crossover) classical guitars. Thankfully, most of the popular ones have it.You didn't state whether you want straight acoustic or acoustic/electric. IMHO, higher-quality classical guitars acoustic with a flat neck with wider string spacing. Many have spanish surnames like: Ramirez, Rodriguez, and Conde. Personally, I love my Takamine CD132sc, though the model has been discontinued by Tak. And I'd recommend it to anyone, but it IS a Classical guitar. I have had to re-adjust my playing habit to able to play it properly.
Members WHY_U_TRY Posted May 23, 2006 Members Posted May 23, 2006 I just played a Takamine CD132SC today at a music store and it was incredible...they had a Taylor NS72-CE as well that I was comparing it to and I couldn't stop putting the Taylor down to play the Takamine. I have a Rozas classical guitar that I'm going to sell and am looking for something much more practical (the Rozas was $5000 and I'm afraid to bring it out since I'm not going to school for classical music anymore) I think I'm going to pick up the Takamine after I do some more research...the DSP electronic system sounded amazing as well for delivering the nylon sound through an amp
Members Tony Burns Posted May 25, 2006 Members Posted May 25, 2006 Lucida Concerto 777 - ANYWHERE FROM 600-700--made in Spain , Solid Rosewood back and sides, Solid Cedar top , mahogany spanish heel neck ( sides into neck ) Ebony fingerboard - this guitar is comperable to most in the 1500 dollar range at about half the price -- also for this price you get a half way decent case -( thou the case is chinese )--They are a very nice sounding instrument -- check out the reviews on this site on this or any other classical your interested in -- by the way the Picado ( also Lucida ) is also highly reguarded as a nice flamenco instrument .
Members geddyentwistle Posted May 25, 2006 Members Posted May 25, 2006 guitar center in nashville has a big mark down on the ramirez e 1 or 2....from around $2800 to $1250 i just got one, and after a year of searching, it is by far the best sounding under $2000 even my wife could tell the difference
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