Classical Guitar

[GrumpyGregry]

Yamaha have a good rep and deservedly so imo. I've seen the bottom end Santos Martinezs in GAK in Brighton but don't really know them. Stagg stuff, ime, varies a lot from instrument to instrument and I would not buy sight unseen over the web.

 

[ColinJ]

But the best thing is that there are so many demos, tutorials, and idiot's guides uploaded onto YouTube nowadays that you get to hear and see how the pieces are meant to be played.

True! I just found this YouTube channel and there is some nice playing on the videos collected there.

Two pieces I always fancied playing were Bach's Bourrée, and Air on a G string ...




Maybe one day I'll be able to post videos of me playing them!

 

[MontyVeda]

+1 on all the recommendation for not buying a cheap one... although 'cheap' is a relative term.

with any classical or acoustic, get one with a solid top... it sounds so much better than plywood.

I bought an Admira Sevilla with a solid cedar top for £180 ten years ago... I had absolutely no intention of spending that much as my budget at the time was £100 absolute tops. But, the one with the solid top simply sounded so much better; it rang and it sang.

I filed about 3mm off the bottom of the saddle thingy to lower the action which made it much more playable for me and it's still one of the nicest guitars I've ever played.

As for steel string acoustics... I never used to play mine until I put electric stings on it. Less tension due to the lower gauge and therefore much easier/nicer to play. It also means they're a bit quieter, which for me, or more specifically, my neighbours, is a good thing.

crap guitars are easy to put down... buy one you really want to pick up.

 

[bobg]

Another vote for the Yamaha range, I gave my son an old C40, he played it at accoustic gigs and it didn't disgrace itself, mind you it sounded better before he fell out of bed onto it...

 

[brockers]

True! I just found this YouTube channel and there is some nice playing on the videos collected there.

Two pieces I always fancied playing were Bach's Bourrée, and Air on a G string ...

Bach is God. That is all.

 

[ColinJ]

Hmm, I just remembered that I lent my guitar to someone and he managed to lose the bridge saddle after taking the old strings off to replace them. He bought a replacement saddle and I've just noticed that it is far too high. According to this interesting article, the height of the action at the 12th fret should be from about 2.7 mm for the 1st string to 3.2 mm for the 6th. My strings are currently at about 6-7 mm - no wonder the guitar felt hard to play! I'll have a go at filing the bottom of the saddle down and if I cock that up I'll get an expert to have a look at it.

I also own a Tanglewood acoustic guitar and I'm sure that there is something not right about its setup. It sounds slightly out of tune at certain frets, even though the open strings are perfectly tuned. I'll have to check that out too.

I should add that I like the tone and appearance of both of my guitars, which is why I bought them!

 

[growingvegetables]

Ooops - yet another vote for the Yamaha. You buy a Yamaha, and it's utterly dependable - ime (and I have two - a 6 and a 12-string). It won't be the most astonishing guitar sound you've ever heard .... but they are consistent. Hey, but for that price? Consistency is a HUGE bonus

Tanglewoods? I've only looked at instruments in the £2-300 range - and one of my favourite guitars in our family is my daughter's Tanglewood.

Again ime - Staggs are very variable (but I've only bought or been involved in cheap Stagg electrics - not impressed with their consistency).

The Yamaha would give you the space to explore how and what you want to play ...... and then start wandering into guitar shops, and try a few instruments, and fall in love with the one that "sings for you" (whatever the label/manufacturer ).

 

[growingvegetables]

Hmm, I just remembered that I lent my guitar to someone .... if I cock that up I'll get an expert to have a look at it.

I also own a Tanglewood ... I'll have to check that out too.

The guy here is a bit of a magician. When it's been something that needed doing by a professional, he's been brilliant; when it's been something he could show you to do yourself ... well, he takes the time to show you how to do it!

 

[ColinJ]

The guy here is a bit of a magician. When it's been something that needed doing by a professional, he's been brilliant; when it's been something he could show you to do yourself ... well, he takes the time to show you how to do it!

Thanks - Leeds - that's handy! I might give him a call when I have £100 or so spare to spend on the two guitars.

 

[cisamcgu]

Thanks again for all the replies.

In the end, I decided that it would be hard to justify too much money and decided on the following

Yamaha C40 (rather than the C70) and includes a soft case, electronic tuner, and a book - for £98. It got good reviews (in fact was pretty much the only guitar that got many reviews out of the batch I was looking at), has a solid top (spruce) and a spare set of strings.

My local shop only had two classical guitars and one seemed cheap (plywood top) and one was a lot nicer, but a lot more expensive ( ~£220) so I bought the above from Amazon

I'll let you know how I get on

Cheers
Andrew

p.s. How do I add links.. the insert/edit link button is greyed out for me

 

[Melonfish]

prolly worth pointing out i own two Takamine's both of which are fantastic makes.
both steel string tho.
they ring and keep ringing for quite some time, they have hte sustain of my SG.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Wonder what classical guitar would sound like on a Yamaha GL-1 Guitalele?
You could get one to practise on when you're on your travels - I love mine

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks again for all the replies.

p.s. How do I add links.. the insert/edit link button is greyed out for me

Like this!

 

[Shaun]

(I would add links, but haven't worked out how to do that yet in the new software)

You need to highlight the text you want to link - then click the link icon on the editor toolbar - then paste the URL.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I play electric bass, and am self-taught. Like others have said, just do it.