How To Buy a Classical Guitar: Shopping Tips (2024)

Classical guitars offer a world of musical expression that beckons you as you enter the music store. Your journey to select the perfect instrument begins with an honest assessment of your abilities, budget, and goals.

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How To Shop for Classical Guitars

There are many different ways to buy classical guitars, from Amazon and online retailers like Sweetwater to specialty shops like Siccas Guitars or Guitar Salon International or even Reverb and your local Facebook Marketplace for used listings.

Here are some tips:

Online: If you shop online, make sure the seller has a good return policy. Also, be completely confident in the seller’s honesty and customer service. Read reviews to see how transactions go. Remember that Amazon is a grouping of many individual sellers who might fulfil orders directly from their warehouse or use Amazon’s warehouse. With Amazon, shop from sellers that have good reputations off Amazon with their own stores and sellers that have good average review scores.
In-person: This is the ideal way to shop for a reliable and affordable classical guitar, especially if you’re looking for an instrument to take to a conservatory, use in competitions, or perform live. Online retailers like Sweetwater do have large selections, but specialty stores like GSI have selections tailored to professional classical players. One guitar may have rave reviews online but might not feel great in your hands, and you want to find that out before the purchase, ideally.
Secondhand marketplaces: Buying a classical guitar on the used market is a great way to save some money. The ideal situation would be to try the instrument out in person, of course. If you can’t do that, it’s up to you to research the seller a little bit and see if you’re comfortable with the listing. You can ask them questions to see their history with the guitar, too.

Assess Your Skill Level

The classical guitar stands as a crucial element in shaping your musical journey, with your skill level being a key determinant in selecting the ideal instrument. As a beginner, embracing a guitar that corresponds to your body size will enrich your playing comfort and facilitate your learning curve.

The body shape and depth of the guitar also contribute significantly to the instrument’s tonal qualities and playability, which are essential to consider beyond the neck’s length and the number of frets. Opting for a guitar with a smaller body can be particularly beneficial for younger players or those with a more petite stature, ensuring the instrument isn’t cumbersome.

It’s important to prioritize a comfortable fit, as it can be a powerful motivator and greatly enhance your practice sessions. Spare yourself ample time to explore various guitars, trusting in your innate sense of what resonates with you both in feel and sound.

Set Your Budget

Crafting your budget for a classical guitar is an important initial step. Quality instruments, which typically fall between the $300 and $1000 range, are excellent starting points for beginners. Affordability should always guide your investment, seeking that perfect balance where cost and quality harmoniously intersect.

When you delve into the world of reputable guitar brands, you’ll find that Alhambra, Cordoba, Yamaha, and Alvarez not only cater to your financial limits but also offer good value.

Guitars that are priced from $300 to $700 shine as particularly suitable for newcomers to the guitar world, offering an optimal blend of affordability and functionality. Retailers with a solid reputation can be instrumental in helping you pinpoint a choice that resonates with your budgetary constraints.

It’s wise to avoid the lure of exceedingly inexpensive guitars from large retail chains, as these typically compromise on crucial aspects like sound quality and tuning stability.

Understand Guitar Materials

Cedar, with its warm, inviting timbre, sits at the heart of a classical guitar’s soulful sound. Players often gravitate toward this softwood for its ability to produce deep, mellow tones and its rapid response to the lightest touch. The rich harmonics and the full-bodied resonance that cedar provides make it a cherished choice for those seeking an instrument that sings with a quick maturity.

In contrast, spruce tops stand at the forefront of tonal clarity, their bright, bell-like tones ringing through with crisp articulation. This versatile wood appeals to guitarists across diverse musical genres, offering a sound that blossoms over time, gaining character as the years pass.

When considering the impact of different materials on a classical guitar’s voice, one mustn’t overlook the significance of finishes. The traditional French Polish, revered for its ability to enhance resonance, acts as a magnifier for the guitar’s natural sound, allowing it to resonate freely and fully. On the flip side, a thick lacquer finish might stifle the guitar’s expressiveness, muting its vibrant overtones and intricate acoustic nuances.

Thus, informed selection of both wood and finish is paramount for any guitarist intent on finding an instrument that faithfully amplifies their unique musical expression.

Evaluate Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship in classical guitars stands as the cornerstone of superior quality, demanding meticulous selection of materials to achieve the finest standards. The luthier’s reputation shines through in the instrument, speaking volumes about the dedication to excellence. With each nuance playing a pivotal role, the craftsmanship enhances the guitar’s sound and playability, making it a joy for musicians.

As you examine the guitar, let the finish showcase the luthier’s precision, the joinery reflect the strength, and the bracing within echo the harmony of a well-built instrument.

Inspect the guitar’s frets, ensuring they’re impeccably installed, and gauge the neck’s straightness, a testament to the instrument’s integrity. A well-crafted guitar exudes a sense of sturdiness and balance, a tribute to the luthier’s skill.

Experience and the luthier’s finesse often tell a story as rich as the guitar’s sound, transcending the influence of price on quality assessment. In the realm of classical guitars, a modestly priced treasure may sometimes eclipse an expensive counterpart in terms of craftsmanship.

Test and Play Before Buying

Classical guitars possess a world of unique charm with their distinct comfort and sound quality that beckon for a personal touch. When you take the time to strum the strings, feel the fretboard under your fingers, and sense the instrument’s resonance, you engage in an intimate audition that no online review can replicate.

The craftsmanship of the guitar becomes evident as you inspect the neck’s alignment, the relief’s adequacy, and the rich, harmonious tones that emanate with each gentle pluck. As a player, you’ll find that the nuances of each guitar’s tonality and the tactile response to your playing style are as individual as the instruments themselves.

Seeking the wisdom of a seasoned guitar teacher or an experienced musician transforms the quest for the perfect classical guitar into an educational journey. These connoisseurs of melody can offer tailored advice, amplifying your understanding of which guitar will harmonize with your technique and musical aspirations. Heeding their guidance, you stand at the cusp of making a well-informed decision, ensuring that your investment becomes a conduit for decades of melodic pleasure and artistic growth.