Best Classical Guitars of the Year

• The Cordoba C10 is my pick for the best classical guitar and a reliable performing instrument
• The Cordoba Stage is a great option for a thinbody nylon
• The right classical guitar for you depends on where you’re at in your guitar journey.

The best classical guitar should help you learn correct technique and keep growing on the instrument. If the classical neck is uncomfortable, the action is too high, or the frets feel sharp at the edges, you won’t play your best. In the same vein, if the tone feels dull or “boxy” and you’re constantly swapping nylon strings to chase clarity, that’ll distract you from actually practicing. Below are my top picks across budgets and playing abilities, from full-size concert guitars to stage-friendly thinbody cutaways.

Best Classical Guitars At-A-Glance

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of materials, body styles, tonewoods, and ideal use cases

Guitar Model	Best For	Top Material	Body Style	Electronics	Price Range	Scale Length	Nut Width
Cordoba C10	Overall performance	Solid cedar top → warm, quick response	Full-size	None	$$$$	650 mm	52 mm
Cordoba C7	Students & intermediate players	Solid cedar top → easy response at lower dynamics	Full-size	None	$$	650 mm	52 mm
Cordoba Stage	Thinbody live performance, PA/band setup	Thinbody chambered design → reduces feedback	Thinbody cutaway	Yes	$$$	650 mm	48 mm
Cordoba GK Studio	Crossover electric/acoustic	Spruce + cypress → crisp, flamenco-leaning attack	Slightly thinner acoustic with cutaway	Yes	$$$	650 mm	50 mm
Yamaha C40	Budget beginners	Laminated top → stability and durability	Full-size	None	$	650 mm	52 mm

Cordoba C10: Best Classical Guitar Overall

The Cordoba C10 is a concert-level nylon-string guitar that offers expressive performance and classic Spanish-style voicing.

This model has a solid Canadian cedar soundboard with Indian rosewood back and sides, so you get a clear “classical” mix of warmth + note separation. Cedar tends to give you an immediate response under the right hand, and rosewood tends to add overtone content and clarity when you’re playing bass and melody together. The 650 mm scale length keeps string tension in the standard classical feel, and the 52 mm nut width supports traditional spacing for classical technique.

It has enough acoustic volume for small-room gigs, and it feels responsive whether you’re playing rest stroke lines or lighter fingerstyle. It’s also well regarded as a reliable step before you get into true luthier-built territory. A traditional fan bracing pattern helps projection, which matters for solo repertoire and holds up fine in ensemble settings.

According to players on Reddit:

• Warm, full-bodied tone
• Better projection (vs some upgrades)
• Strong value for money
• Comfortable playability

Overall it’s ideal for advanced students, conservatory players, and seasoned performers who want a responsive, warm concert guitar with a traditional 52 mm nut width and 650 mm scale length.

Cordoba C7: Best Classical Guitar for Students

The Cordoba C7 offers a professional feel at a student-friendly price point.

Built with a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides, the C7 leans into a warm, balanced tone that works well for beginner to intermediate classical music. The cedar top helps the guitar speak easily at lower dynamics, and the mahogany body tends to keep the sound focused and controlled rather than overly complex.

It has an Indian rosewood fingerboard, and a good setup helps with smooth left-hand shifting, clean barres, and steady intonation. Cordoba also includes a dual-action truss rod, which gives you more adjustment range as seasons and humidity change. With fan bracing and a standard 650 mm scale / 52 mm nut width, it stays in familiar “classical-spec” territory while still feeling approachable for newer players.

According to players:

• “Very good” mid-tier
• Clear/crisp trebles
• Robust bass / louder feel
• Finish/build holds up well

It’s an ideal upgrade from entry-level models if you want to pursue structured classical training and develop right-hand technique like rest stroke and arpeggios.

Cordoba Stage: Best Thinbody Classical Guitar

Cordoba Stage is a thinbody classical guitar that works in many settings across the stage and studio.

With a solid spruce top and chambered mahogany body, this nylon-string instrument is built around one big goal: play well amplified. Spruce tends to give you a brighter attack and clearer note edges, and the chambered body helps reduce the “hollow boom” that can trigger feedback when you’re on a loud stage. That’s why it’s easy to take to a bar gig, play outdoors, or run into a PA without fighting your sound the whole night.

The Fishman Stage Pickup System gives you a consistent amplified nylon tone that sits well in a band mix for Latin, pop, worship, and crossover gigs. The 48 mm nut width and slimmer neck profile change the feel in a practical way: the left hand can feel quicker, and the right hand can feel less stretched, especially if you’re used to steel-string acoustics or electric guitar.

According to players:

• Shines plugged-in
• Quiet unplugged (practice-friendly)
• Lightweight, ergonomic body
• User-friendly controls

Overall it’s the best nylon-string option here for amplified performance, pit work, and hybrid classical-rock/pop shows where you need consistency through monitors.

Cordoba GK Studio: Best Acoustic-Electric Crossover Guitar

Cordoba GK Studio merges flamenco-style snappy tone with classical tonal richness.

This is one of my favorite guitars to play right now. It has a solid European spruce top with cypress back and sides, and that wood pairing is a big part of the vibe: spruce helps a fast, crisp attack, and cypress leans into that dry, punchy flamenco-style response. The cutaway body gives you easier upper-fret access, which matters if you like solos, high-position melody work, or fast runs.

Compared to my C12, this one really has that snappy flamenco edge. The action came set up great and it’s easy to play. The thinner neck profile also changes the feel in a very real way: it can make legato runs, chord changes, and quick rhythmic stuff feel more natural. I often find myself playing jazz on this guitar because of that feel, and because the notes stay articulate when you play chord melody.

According to players:

• Good “first flamenco” pick
• Solid top value proposition
• Crisp attack (flamenco-ish)
• Cutaway/electronics are nice

This is a great choice if you want to mix classical, flamenco, and acoustic styles, or if you want a nylon-string that feels comfortable for pop and jazz.

Yamaha C40: Best Budget Classical Guitar

Yamaha C40 is a no brainer for a nylon-string guitar for beginners on a budget.

Its laminated spruce top and meranti back and sides aren’t trying to compete with solid-wood concert guitars, but the tradeoff is simple: you get a consistent, reliable instrument that holds up well as a starter. Laminates tend to be less sensitive than solid tops, which is a plus if you’re learning, traveling, or dealing with dry heat and humidity swings.

I’ve had this guitar for about a year and have taken it on camping trips to practice on the road. It’s easy to play and beginner-friendly, but it’s also a solid second guitar to keep around if you want that smooth nylon sound without babying it. The tone leans a little dark, which can work nicely for bossa nova grooves and basic fingerstyle pieces.

According to players:

• Best bang-for-buck starter
• Very consistent build
• Easy playability/intonation “fine”
• Tough/travel-friendly; humidity-stable

An affordable, dependable entry into the world of classical guitar.

Classical Guitar Buying Guide

A few things to know before buying a nylon-string acoustic guitar. Classical guitars differ from steel-string acoustics in construction, tonewoods, hardware, and technique requirements. Important notes include:

• Top Material: Solid tops (cedar or spruce) provide more resonance and dynamic range than laminates. Laminates offer more durability and consistency for beginners.
• Body Style: Full-size classical body provides more unplugged projection. Thinbody/cutaway means easier stage use and upper-fret access, but usually less unplugged volume.
• Nut Width: 52 mm nut width supports traditional right-hand spacing and left-hand classical feel. 48–50 mm nut width offers more crossover comfort for steel-string or electric players.
• Scale Length: 650 mm scale length supports standard classical tension and feel. Shorter scales offer lower reach and slightly softer feel for smaller players.
• Bracing and Build: Fan bracing supports wide tonal range and balance, while lattice bracing can boost volume and response. Classical build style influences sustain, response, and how the top “breathes.”
• Setup and Comfort: Professional setup adjusts action height and intonation. Action that’s too high makes harder left-hand work and more fatigue. Sharp fret ends mean discomfort that kills practice time.
• Strings: Nylon string choice (tension + material) changes feel and brightness. D’Addario and Savarez sets are common starting points for dialing in tone and playability.

Take some time to match the guitar to your playing goals, whether you focus on classical repertoire, fingerstyle soloing, Brazilian music, or crossover live performance. Brands like Cordoba, Yamaha, Alhambra, and Kremona are solid picks across price points. Also consider a professional setup, then experiment with nylon strings (D’Addario Pro-Arte, Savarez) to dial in feel, tension, and tone.

Cedar vs. Spruce: Choosing a Top Wood

Cedar-top classical guitars (like the C10 and C7) often feel warm and immediate, with an easy response at lower volumes. Spruce-top classical guitars (like the Stage and GK Studio) often feel a little brighter and more punchy, with strong note definition and a crisp attack. Neither is “better” across the board. It comes down to what inspires you and what fits your repertoire, your right-hand touch, and your room or stage setup.

My Experience with Classical Guitars

I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years and classical seriously for the last five. I’ve performed in a wide range of settings, from opera productions like The Barber of Seville to solo restaurant gigs using my Cordoba C12. I consider it a responsive and expressive instrument.

Teaching has also been a big part of my journey and know the importance of a great beginner guitar. These instruments may be entry-level, but with proper setup and attention to technique, they can take a student surprisingly far.

Over the years, I’ve played extensively on both Cordoba and Yamaha models. They’ve performed well and I’d recommend them to anyone. Right now, I rotate between my Cordoba C12, Cordoba GK Studio, and Yamaha C40 depending what I want to play at the moment.

What About Luthier-Built Classical Guitars?

Luthier-made classical guitars are the next level beyond production models like Cordoba or Yamaha. These instruments are handcrafted by individual builders and tailored for tonal balance, playability, and aesthetic detail. But finding the right luthier guitar takes time. Each builder has their own voicing style, neck shape preferences, and approach to materials. For serious players, it’s often a long process of trying different makers before landing on the guitar that truly fits.

Best Classical Guitars: Bottom Line

To summarize, if you’ve got the budget, the Cordoba C10 is a great instrument. And if you’re just starting out, the Yamaha C40II is my choice for the most affordable option.

Best Classical Guitar: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about finding the best classical guitar.