Acoustic, Spanish, Classical ??

cormie

Hi,
I recently got a nice Semi Acoustic and it's pretty good indeed but... my friend got a classical guitar and I actually prefer the softer sound out of it. It has plastic strings compared to my all metal ones. I think it much better suits the type of music I like to just pick up and play. Is it just a matter of getting new strings to achieve the same sound or what's the story?

Also, is a classical guitar the same as a Spanish guitar or what?

Any shared knowledge appreciated:)

Bratach Bán

No, if your guitar has steel strings, you can't just replace them with nylons. The guitar is built in a different way - the top of a steel string guitar is heavily braced to help withstand the tension upon it. Nylon strings will not cause the top to vibrate sufficiently. Short answer: You need another guitar if you want to use nylons.

A Spanish guitar and a classical guitar are not quite the same thing, although many people (including those who work in guitar shops) don't know the difference. Technically, a Spanish guitar is meant for flamenco playing, and the strings will be closer to the fingerboard. It will also usually have a protective scratchplate on the surface, to prevent scratching when the hand strikes the guitar during fast strumming.

A classical guitar will be more suited to playing individual notes than chords, and the strings will be higher above the fingerboard. Usually, but not always, they are played with the fingertips of the right hand, instead of a plectrum.

Hope this helps.

cormie

Thanks for that:)

So would that be the only difference between Classical and Spanish? They use the same string types etc?

Bratach Bán

cormie wrote:

Thanks for that:)

So would that be the only difference between Classical and Spanish? They use the same string types etc?

Yep, same string types, generally 'normal tension nylons,' and if you're buying it in ireland, chances are they won't have any true flamenco or Spanish guitars in stock, anyway. If you're looking for a reasonable classical to start out on (and I agree with you, by the way, I love the sound of them) you don't need to spend a whole lot of money.

Walton's has a Valencia Classical (I think it's the CG30R) for 199 euro, and it has a solid top - which is something you shold look out for. Cedar too, so it should be a nice warm sound. Definitely a great starter guitar, but the usual rules apply - play the guitar in the shop before you buy.

If I can help you with anything else, give me a shout.

Best of luck.

cormie

Cool thanks a lot:) See I have a Semi Acoustic worth about €5-600, which I actually got by trading my electric/amp set-up with a boards member just a month or two ago:o I had never played a classical before then and when I did I loved it so I might try do another swap for a classical worth around the same:)

Bratach Bán

cormie wrote:

Cool thanks a lot:) See I have a Semi Acoustic worth about €5-600, which I actually got by trading my electric/amp set-up with a boards member just a month or two ago:o I had never played a classical before then and when I did I loved it so I might try do another swap for a classical worth around the same:)

Wow, if you have that much money to play around with, you'll get a great guitar. As a rule of thumb, you tend to get more classical guitar for the price than when buying a standard steel string.

I play a La Patrie presentation, around 500 with a case - if you can find something similar, I can tell you that it's a great guitar.

Anyway, best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

LegacyUser

Valentia guitars aren't great. If spending that amount of money go for one of the lower end Roderiquez guitars.

A guitar for 500 euros won't be 100% handmade, but much of the construction will be done by hand. Get yourself a proper classical guitar.

JimmyJazz

+1 for Roderiquez!