Classical Guitars

The classical guitar is the perfect instrument for beginners just starting out on the guitar, since it is strung with nylon strings which have a much lower tension than the steel strings found on steel acoustic and electric guitars. What is more, classical guitars are available in a range of different sizes, so children from the age of five can learn to play in complete comfort. Thomann offers an extensive range of classical guitars of all sizes, including a wide selection of left-handed models. And because purchasing a musical instrument is always a matter of trust, Thomann offers a 30-Day Money-Back Guar­an­tee to ensure a stress-free, no-risk customer experience. What is more, Thomann also offers a 3-year warranty to make sure that its customers can enjoy their instrument for years to come.

How much does a classical guitar cost?

Good-quality classical guitars for beginners are available in the price bracket of 200 euros or less. For those just starting out on the guitar, classical guitar sets that also include important accessories like a gig bag, a foot rest, and a tuner are available from Thomann, Harley Benton, and other brands. More advanced players in turn can of course find classical guitars built from selected woods as well as flamenco guitars and masterclass guitars.

Players who want to perform with a classical guitar on stage or in different musical styles should also take a look at Thomann's miscellaneous classical guitars.

The online guide to classical guitars provides detailed information on all of the factors that are relevant when shopping for a classical guitar. And Thomann's guitar department is of course ready and willing to provide assistance by e-mail at gitarre@thomann.de or telephone at +49 (0)9546-9223-20.

Beginners: Classical or steel acoustic guitar?

• The biggest difference between a classical guitar and other acoustic guitars is the type of strings used.

• Classical guitars are strung with nylon strings.

• Steel acoustic guitars on the other hand are strung with steel strings.

• The lower tension of nylon strings compared to steel strings makes them easier to hold down, which is why classical guitars are recommended for beginners in particular.

• Classical guitars are available in a range of different sizes, so children of all ages can easily find the guitar that is right for them.

• Young players and adults who are looking for a guitar suitable for modern musical styles like Pop, Rock, Folk, and Country would be better off looking for a steel-string acoustic, however.

1/4, 7/8, or 4/4 - what needs to be considered when it comes to classical guitar sizes?

When a person starts learning to play the guitar as a child, they can continuously upgrade to a larger size of classical guitar as they grow, starting with 1/8 and continuing with 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 , and 7/8 sizes before progressing to a 4/4-sized instrument.

The correct guitar size is determined by the scale length, in other words the distance between the bridge and the nut. The shorter the scale length, the shorter the neck and therefore the smaller the distance between the frets. A shorter scale length also means that the circumference of the guitar's body will be smaller. The following chart provides a useful guide and indicates which scale length is appropriate depending on the player's height.

A factor that of course should not be neglected is how a classical guitar feels in the child's hands. It is not a problem if the instrument is (technically) a little too small for them, but a guitar that is too large will inevitably be uncomfortable.

The history of the classical guitar and how it is played

Origins and history

The classical guitar as we know it today is actually a comparatively recent invention, and the first models that would now be recognised as such were built in the 19th century by Andalusian luthier Antonio de Torres. Despite its relative youth, however, the instrument is a member of the lute family and thus has a long list of ancestors. These include the Arabian lutes that made their way to Europe as early as the 8th century as well as the Spanish vihuela, which provided an early template for the modern classical guitar and enjoyed its heyday during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Woods and construction

A classical guitar typically features a top made from spruce or cedar wood, and the underside of the top is fitted with a system of bracing (also developed by Antonio de Torres) to provide stability and optimise its vibration characteristics. Rosewood, mahogany, and maple have all become popular choices for the back and sides, with mahogany frequently used for the neck and either rosewood or ebony for the fingerboard. At the same time, however, woods such as nato, basswood, and ovangkol are used in the lower price brackets in order to provide a more affordable alternative while still retaining as much of the tonal character of the aforementioned woods as possible. Classical guitars traditionally employ a so-called "Spanish" neck joint in which the heel of the neck is set deeply into the body. This construction method provides a high level of stability and good sustain, but it also makes the guitar more complicated to build, since the body has to be specifically made to accommodate the neck joint. For this reason, other methods that allow the neck and body to be manufactured separately and then subsequently joined together using screws or a glued joint have been developed over time.

Strings

Strings for classical guitars were initially made from catgut (a material manufactured from pig or sheep intestines). This traditional material was not particularly durable, however, and from the late 1930s onwards it was largely superseded by the nylon strings that are widely popular today. These in turn were developed by string maker Albert Augustine at the request of Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia. An interesting detail is that the three bass strings in a classical guitar string set are additionally wound with silver-plated copper wire. Other strings for classical guitar available today include carbon strings and coated strings, which last significantly longer than their standard counterparts.

Playing technique The classical guitar is a "plucked" string instrument, meaning that the strings are played with the fingers of the right hand (or left hand in the case of left-handed players) and ideally using the fingernails. In its traditional context, the classical guitar is played sitting down, which means that a strap button will usually have to be retrofitted if the player wishes to play standing up using a strap. Nylon-string guitars are also immensely popular in modern Pop and Jazz music, where it is also not uncommon for them to be played using a plectrum.