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How To Choose A Nylon String Guitar?

How to Choose a Classical Guitar?

Guiding Your Guitar Journey: Selecting the Perfect Instrument for Your Musical Path

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, the daunting task of selecting the perfect guitar for your daily requirements is a challenge we all encounter. At my Sydney studio, I’m delighted to assist you in choosing the ideal guitar within your budget that aligns with the goals we aim to achieve in our courses and lessons.

Let’s begin with fundamental advice on selecting a classical guitar, often referred to as a nylon-string guitar. Personally, I lean towards flamenco guitars for their robust attack and wide dynamics. These essential guidelines will assist you in making the best choice, devoid of price or brand bias.

Antonio Pinto 1C Open Pore (b) Guitars For Sale

How to choose a Classical Guitar: Essential Tips

Let’s begin with fundamental advice on selecting a classical guitar, often referred to as a nylon-string guitar. Personally, I lean towards flamenco guitars for their robust attack and wide dynamics. These essential guidelines will assist you in making the best choice, devoid of price or brand bias.

#1: Select 3 Guitars in your Budget

To ensure an informed choice, compare guitars within the same price range and brand. When you visit a guitar shop, pick one that fits your budget—around $200 to begin with—and request to try three guitars of equal price and make. This approach will help you make a wise decision.”

#2: Check the Tuning

Firstly, ensure the guitar’s tuning accuracy. Once the open strings are tuned, verify consistency across the fingerboard.

How? Play octave notes in different fingerboard sections. Check if they remain in tune. Test barred chords—do they sound in tune across the fingerboard? Does the 12th-fret harmonic coincide an octave lower with the 12th-fret pressed note?

Surprisingly, inexpensive mass-produced guitars may exhibit more consistent tuning than pricier options.

#3: Timbre, Dynamics and Projection

Firstly, ensure the guitar’s tuning accuracy. Once the open strings are tuned, verify consistency across the fingerboard.

How? Play octave notes in different fingerboard sections. Check if they remain in tune. Test barred chords—do they sound in tune across the fingerboard? Does the 12th-fret harmonic coincide an octave lower with the 12th-fret pressed note?

Surprisingly, inexpensive mass-produced guitars may exhibit more consistent tuning than pricier options.

#4: Make Your Choice

Once you’ve assessed these factors, opt for the most affordable guitar with superior overall tuning, versatile tone (sweet or sharp), and sound emanating from all directions. You could find that a $200 guitar matches the quality of a $1000 one.

Guided Guitar Comparisons: Flamenco Guitars Unveiled

I’ve included a video where you can both hear and witness my comparison of two guitars. While this instance involves comparing flamenco guitars, these tips apply to choosing classical guitars as well. Additionally, feel free to explore further guitar comparison videos available on my YouTube channel

Thomas Lorenzo

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