Classical Guitar

[Special-K]

I want to know, how can I recognise if an Classical Guitar is good or not...

Please give me some tips and hints on this

Thank you

[fett]

The key to any classical (acoustic) guitar is the soundboard. Here are a few tests. Put your mouth close to the soundhole and say "Boo" with force. You should hear a nice echo. Tap the all around the soundboard and you should hear distinct differences depending on where you tap. Like any guitar, make sure the action is acceptable. There are all kinds of ways the action can be off. Having a set bridge makes it vital that intonation is correct. Do harmonic test. Is the hardware quality stuff? Classical guitar strings are a bitch to stay in tune. They have to stretched to the right tension. Bum strings will make it sound awful. Fancy Rosettes are nice and usually a sign of quailty. The bottom line is you have to see it, feel it and play it. Once a classical guitar goes out of whack: bridge pulling up; warped soundboard at the bridge; separating at the heel , etc, it's a pricey fix. I deliberatley left out and mention of wood- type. Someone else can do that.

[Special-K]

Thank you fett!

I want to buy one and go into a private classical school.. I guess
I want to follow the path Randy has gone...

[kelly user]

classical guitar really do follow the rule, what you pay for is what you get. though i paid $70 for a really decent yahama acoustic, but it just for doodling in my room, for a really decent one, i would think $500 would be a good intermediate one. look for classical guitar that are from spain. spain is the equivalent to the US when it come to guitars. make the sound boards are laminate either.

[LEOKV2]

I believe Mexico and Peru are also known for their classicals. Mexico is a bit different, I think they manufacture "mariachi" guitars which are a bit different than classicals. In the case of PERU, where I live, it's known that a lot of European musicians come down here to visit the Inka ruins AND buy a good classical guitar. They say that they are better than the Spanish classicals. Of course, it's all up to taste. Here, a good Peruvian "boutique" classical guitar will cost anywhere from 2000 to 3000 dollars. I own a "semi-pro" which was like 600 bucks. Great sounding.

[Strat God]

Good classical guitars cost more than electrics.

Good companies:

Jose Ramirez
Alhambra
Cordoba
Taylor

Bad companies:

Esteban
Zimgar
Michael Kelly

Classical guitars have real fat necks with no truss rod. If it warps- your screwed. "Playable" Decent guitars start around $750 and go to 10 grand easy.
You want solid sides and back woods, a mahogany neck, spruce or cedar top -cedar is warmer with more sustain but it dents easier.
A good classical will be light as a feather when you hold it.
The only proper use for a cheap classical is in the fireplace.

[jgcable]

Good classical guitars cost more than electrics.

Good companies:

Jose Ramirez
Alhambra
Cordoba
Taylor

Bad companies:

Esteban
Zimgar
Michael Kelly

Classical guitars have real fat necks with no truss rod. If it warps- your screwed. "Playable" Decent guitars start around $750 and go to 10 grand easy.
You want solid sides and back woods, a mahogany neck, spruce or cedar top -cedar is warmer with more sustain but it dents easier.
A good classical will be light as a feather when you hold it.
The only proper use for a cheap classical is in the fireplace.

+1. I have a Taylor and it is outstanding.

[Super_shredder]

i have an old classical guitar which my granddad passed onto me
its nut is loose so when i change strings it falls out.
some luthiers in spain did this so there is better conntact between the nut and the wood so maybe try that out if you are buying an older one maybe check that

[SouthernXer]

La Patrie Etude are great for the money, also.

[npacheco]

The key to any classical (acoustic) guitar is the soundboard. Here are a few tests. Put your mouth close to the soundhole and say "Boo" with force.

I'm surprised no one is giving Fett $h!t for this piece of advice right here "BOO"? Of all things to say into a soundhole of an accoustic guitar and Fett comes up with "BOO"? :ROTF:

[Special-K]

What do you say to Martin classic guitars?...
I could get one for 45€ cause I guy needs the money...He said
it`s USA build