Classical Guitars

TeddyTedson

Why are there different sizes?? 4/4, 3/4, ect?
Accoustic guitars seem to all be standard size unless it's a childs guitar or something.
What size classical guitar do the pros use?

Ostrom

The ratios are the same as other guitars as far as i know, childrens guitars would be 3/4 and under, 4/4 is fullsize.

TeddyTedson

So would a 3/4 classical be for people with smaller hands then?

Ostrom

I'm not sure if there is more to it than size - i dont know if classical guitars differ in tone by size. I play a 3/4 bass because i find it difficult moving from guitar to bass, and i had always understood the difference to be nothing more than comfort.

damonjewel

TeddyTedson wrote: »

So would a 3/4 classical be for people with smaller hands then?

You could look at it that way, I dont have the greatest span in my fingers and so I use to have an old 3/4 classical. It was great fun as my fingers could achieve so much more than the usual unwielding full size could. However I think the purists would say that you should really be using a 4/4.

electrogrimey

A 3/4 guitar isn't going to sound as good as a 4/4 guitar, so if you can go for a full size.

markok84

I recently bought the 4/4 classical that was in Lidl, a snip at 50 euro. I was very surprised by the tone, it's quite nice with a decent set of strings on it. I bought it with the intention of adding a pickup. I'm just wondering does anyone here have experience with adding a pickup to a nylon string guitar, ie will a run of the mill piezo do the trick or do I need something different?

TeddyTedson

markok84 wrote: »

I recently bought the 4/4 classical that was in Lidl, a snip at 50 euro. I was very surprised by the tone, it's quite nice with a decent set of strings on it. I bought it with the intention of adding a pickup. I'm just wondering does anyone here have experience with adding a pickup to a nylon string guitar, ie will a run of the mill piezo do the trick or do I need something different?

Sorry can't help with the pick up but saw the stuff Lidl had. Amazingly cheap. I wanted to get up but was working. They had lots of stuff last year too coming up to Xmas.
Next year maybe

markok84

My local store still has a few of the classical guitars left, so I'm sure if you asked they might have one for you.

endacl

TeddyTedson wrote: »

Why are there different sizes?? 4/4, 3/4, ect?
Accoustic guitars seem to all be standard size unless it's a childs guitar or something.
What size classical guitar do the pros use?

Full size.

endacl

TeddyTedson wrote: »

So would a 3/4 classical be for people with smaller hands then?

No. For smaller people. Children.

endacl

efla wrote: »

I'm not sure if there is more to it than size - i dont know if classical guitars differ in tone by size. I play a 3/4 bass because i find it difficult moving from guitar to bass, and i had always understood the difference to be nothing more than comfort.

They differ massively in tone by size.

endacl

markok84 wrote: »

I recently bought the 4/4 classical that was in Lidl, a snip at 50 euro. I was very surprised by the tone, it's quite nice with a decent set of strings on it. I bought it with the intention of adding a pickup. I'm just wondering does anyone here have experience with adding a pickup to a nylon string guitar, ie will a run of the mill piezo do the trick or do I need something different?

This is not a smart reply. You bought a guitar shaped assemblage of wooden parts.

endacl

TeddyTedson wrote: »

markok84 wrote: »

I recently bought the 4/4 classical that was in Lidl, a snip at 50 euro. I was very surprised by the tone, it's quite nice with a decent set of strings on it. I bought it with the intention of adding a pickup. I'm just wondering does anyone here have experience with adding a pickup to a nylon string guitar, ie will a run of the mill piezo do the trick or do I need something different?

Sorry can't help with the pick up but saw the stuff Lidl had. Amazingly cheap. I wanted to get up but was working. They had lots of stuff last year too coming up to Xmas.
Next year maybe

Next year, buy the guitar stand. Can't fault these.

endacl

Folks. If you want to buy an instrument, buy decent one. Scenario 1: You by the cheap lidl object, really get into playing, and a couple of months later realise you're at the limit of what the yoke can do. End up buying a guitar instead. Can't sell the yoke. Scenario 2: buy the cheap lidl object. Don't really get into playing. Can't sell the yoke.

I've been having this discussion with parents of (prospective) students for years. 2-300 on a decent student guitar can get you a really good instrument for the price, which may last you years. I've students taking higher grade exams on entry level instruments by makers such as Alvaro, Admira and Rodriguez.
I can't think of anybody happy with a cheapo yoko after 6 months of playing. Don't waste your time and money on something that only looks like what you think you're buying.

Rant over. I've been seeing to many of those poxy things recently.....

Quillo

In general....as a guide, I've seen these recommendations:

Child 3'3" to 3'9" (4-5 years old) 1/4 size
Child 3'10" to 4'5" (5-8 years old) 1/2 size
Child 4'6" to 4'11" (8-11) 3/4 size
5' and taller (11 to adult) 4/4 size

Guitar Scale length (approx)
4/4 full size 24.75" to 25.5"
3/4 size 22.75"
1/2 size 20.5"
1/4 size 19"

D'Addario make strings to fit 1/2 classical guitars, don't know about the other sizes.

smooshmonster

endacl wrote: »

Folks. If you want to buy an instrument, buy decent one. Scenario 1: You by the cheap lidl object, really get into playing, and a couple of months later realise you're at the limit of what the yoke can do. End up buying a guitar instead. Can't sell the yoke. Scenario 2: buy the cheap lidl object. Don't really get into playing. Can't sell the yoke.

I've been having this discussion with parents of (prospective) students for years. 2-300 on a decent student guitar can get you a really good instrument for the price, which may last you years. I've students taking higher grade exams on entry level instruments by makers such as Alvaro, Admira and Rodriguez.
I can't think of anybody happy with a cheapo yoko after 6 months of playing. Don't waste your time and money on something that only looks like what you think you're buying.

Rant over. I've been seeing to many of those poxy things recently.....

Couldn't agree more.

I've been playing on the same guitar for over 10 years. It's a Hohner I bought for about 200 euro when I started. Any suggestions on what to upgrade to now?

endacl

smooshmonster wrote: »

endacl wrote: »

Folks. If you want to buy an instrument, buy decent one. Scenario 1: You by the cheap lidl object, really get into playing, and a couple of months later realise you're at the limit of what the yoke can do. End up buying a guitar instead. Can't sell the yoke. Scenario 2: buy the cheap lidl object. Don't really get into playing. Can't sell the yoke.

I've been having this discussion with parents of (prospective) students for years. 2-300 on a decent student guitar can get you a really good instrument for the price, which may last you years. I've students taking higher grade exams on entry level instruments by makers such as Alvaro, Admira and Rodriguez.
I can't think of anybody happy with a cheapo yoko after 6 months of playing. Don't waste your time and money on something that only looks like what you think you're buying.

Rant over. I've been seeing to many of those poxy things recently.....

Couldn't agree more.

I've been playing on the same guitar for over 10 years. It's a Hohner I bought for about 200 euro when I started. Any suggestions on what to upgrade to now?

Depends on what you're after, and your budget. Unfortunately, the choice of good midrange and concert standard classical guitars is limited here. If you're happy to invest in a ryanair hop, I'd suggest looking at Kent guitar classics. They carry a range of excellent hand- and semi-handmade instruments from around ST500 that you just won't see in this country, where the market is probably just a little to small. He'll pick you up and drop you back at stanstead, make you a cuppa, and let you try every instrument in the place. Which usually includes a smallman or two if you want to try john Williams' weapon of choice... Most guitars you buy here will involve a compromise of some sort, and you can think of the flight as the mark-up you would have paid if the guitar was sold here. Happy hunting!

smooshmonster

As it happens, I'm going to be travelling to London next month. So I will definitely take your advice and visit the place.

Thanks so much!

endacl

Best of luck with that. Let us know how you get on.

Here's the link: http://www.kentguitarclassics.com/