Initially, classical guitars were designed primarily to perform works by classical composers such as Tarrega, Carcassi, or Sor. In the early 1960s, when rock ‘n’ roll was on the rise, those who dared to use classical guitars to play songs by Elvis and other rock legends faced disapproval from strict classical guitar enthusiasts who considered it an abuse of the instrument. However, with the tremendous success of Eric Clapton’s “Unplugged” album, even the most dedicated fans began to see the warm and soothing tone of the classical guitar as an essential part of music. Despite these changes, it is important to recognize that the evolution of the classical guitar was significantly influenced by the development of music in the 19th century in particular.

Instruments similar in shape and construction to the guitar as we know it today have a history that spans over 5,000 years. Evidence of ancient related instruments seems to exist in the Temple of Hammurabi in Babylon (1792 – 1750 BCE), depicting an ancient Egyptian guitar. These early instruments had small bodies as they lacked a support system. The Spanish Vihuela of the 16th century already had a remarkable similarity to the modern guitar. As time passed, especially during the Renaissance, Baroque, and Romantic periods, the Vihuela saw further development, mainly in Spain. By the 17th century, the Renaissance guitar had reached the French court of King Louis XIV. Just before the 18th century, the Baroque guitar, initially with four or five strings, received a sixth string – very similar to what is still manufactured today and called the classical guitar.

In today’s classical guitars, many of the critical elements found in 17th and 19th-century models have been preserved. However, significant changes have been made, mainly to the guitar’s interior. For example, the support system, which plays a crucial role in the sound intensity, has undergone modifications over time.

The Headstock

Classical guitars often feature an open-style headstock design. It is rare to find models with a closed headstock, as commonly seen in acoustic guitars.

Classical guitars tend to have fewer inlays or markers on the fretboard, such as fret position markers or dots, typically found at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 17th frets. Some classical guitars may have markers at the top of the neck to aid in navigation. Additionally, the fretboard on a classical guitar is wider, averaging around 5 centimeters. The increased width provides more space between the strings, which can be beneficial for beginners as it allows more room for finger placement.

Unlike acoustic guitars, classical guitars usually do not have a truss rod for neck adjustment. This is due to nylon strings exerting lower tension on the neck compared to the steel strings of an acoustic guitar. Classical guitar necks are typically thicker and wider. While the absence of a truss rod does not mean classical guitars are entirely protected from neck issues, some models feature an internal truss rod for added protection and easier adjustment.

In summary, the differences in headstock design, fretboard inlays, and neck construction contribute to the unique characteristics of classical guitars. These features are designed to accommodate the playing style, string type, and tonal requirements of classical music.

The wide fretboard and reduced string tension make classical guitars excellent for beginners. However, as mentioned earlier, they require a different hand position compared to playing an acoustic guitar. A guitarist trained in classical technique often places the thumb of the left hand behind the neck, adapting to the thicker neck of a classical guitar. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that the thumb of the left hand may have more comfortable access to the low E – high E strings on a narrower fretboard of an acoustic guitar compared to the wider neck of a classical guitar. This is one reason why many rock and pop songs are easier to play on an acoustic guitar rather than a classical one.

When choosing a classical guitar, you are essentially opting for an instrument suitable for a more traditional performance environment. The player sits on a chair, placing their left foot on a footrest and comfortably positioning the guitar on their left thigh. This means that classical guitars typically do not have a strap button for guitar straps and are not suitable for playing in an upright standing position.

Variety of Guitars and Styles

A musician exhibits greater flexibility when they can use various types of guitars, such as acoustic, electric-acoustic, classical, electric, Dobro, etc. However, for a beginner embarking on their musical journey, they typically start with a single instrument. Therefore, before choosing your musical companion, consider which genre of music represents you and with which guitar you want to explore.

Recreating Rock Sound with Classical Guitar

Reproducing a “rock” sound with a classical guitar might be a bit challenging. The distortion of a “rock” sound, created by complex techniques on the electric guitar, also influences the playing experience. There is much more than meets the ear: unique techniques of the electric guitar, such as bend-ups, slides, rock vibrato, or tapping, cannot be executed on the nylon strings of the classical guitar. Additionally, the body of the classical guitar, extending up to the 12th fret, naturally imposes limits, hindering soloing towards the higher notes on the lower part of the fretboard. With only 18-19 frets, the classical guitar cannot accommodate the aspirations of a budding soloist in the higher octaves.

Sound Production

When you strike the strings with the fingertips, the nylon strings of a classical guitar produce a circular, warm sound. You can find nylon strings from various manufacturers in different sizes (usually available in three sizes). However, the sound of a classical guitar is significantly influenced by the type and quality of the wood from which it was constructed. When crafting high-quality instruments, only selected woods are used.

Wood Selection

The choice of wood for the top (soundboard), back, and sides of a classical guitar is crucial in shaping its tonal characteristics. Different woods, such as spruce, cedar, mahogany, or rosewood, contribute to the unique timbre of the instrument. The craftsmanship involved in selecting and assembling these wood components plays a vital role in creating a guitar with a rich, resonant sound. Additionally, the neck and fretboard are commonly made from materials like mahogany or rosewood, affecting playability and overall feel.

The sound of a guitar is significantly influenced by the type and quality of wood used in its construction. The top, usually made of spruce wood, consists of two symmetric parts. Indian rosewood is commonly used for the back and sides, especially in higher-end instruments, although guitars with back and sides made of mahogany can also be found. The neck is typically made of mahogany, while the fretboard and bridge are crafted from ebony or rosewood.

The top of the guitar, known as the soundboard, is the most crucial part of the body for vibration and sound transmission. However, your first guitar may not necessarily be made of spruce. Even laminated wood can meet the needs of a beginner. On our website, you can find many affordable instruments with optimal sound and well-constructed wood.

Additionally, the bracing system, or “bracing,” reinforces the top and gives each guitar its characteristic sound. However, the impact of the bracing on the sound should not be overstated. Initially, the bracing system was developed to stabilize the top.

The final finish also affects the sound of an instrument. The coating must be simultaneously hard and thin, yet soft enough to avoid immediate cracking with changes in humidity.

The choice of wood is crucial to the sound of the guitar. In most cases, the natural beauty of the wood, with its distinctive grain patterns, is a feature in the design of each acoustic guitar. Instead of covering with paint, some surfaces are simply oiled or waxed, allowing the character of the wood to stand out. Some models may also feature a transparent lacquer layer. Sycamore, mahogany, rosewood, ebony, walnut are some of the most popular types of wood used in the construction of an acoustic guitar.

Beyond appearance, each type of wood contributes uniquely to the sound characteristics of each instrument, shaping its tone. To help you understand the tonal characteristics of each wood, let’s examine the most important woods and their corresponding sound characteristics:

Maple, with its transparent and clear sound characterized by delicate high and low harmonics, is highly valued in various aspects of luthiery. Its strength makes it a top choice for constructing necks. In electric guitars, maple tops are preferred for their ability to provide necessary sonic projection. In the world of acoustic guitars, it is often used in the top, contributing to a clear and bright tone.

Birch is now rarely used in modern guitar construction. It was popular in the early part of the last century when manufacturers used this wood as a base for constructing the sides and back of acoustic guitars.

Cocobolo is a type of wood that originates from Central America. It provides a sound similar to the legendary Brazilian rosewood and has steadily gained popularity in lutherie.

Ebony is a very hard, durable, and dense wood with high density, primarily used for the fretboard and the instrument’s binding.

Makassar Ebony is one of the most expensive woods in lutherie. It is often used in the construction of the instrument’s fretboard. In pricier acoustic and jazz guitars, it is also utilized in making the binding.

Oak is rarely used in modern guitar construction. It was famous in the early part of the last century when guitar makers utilized this durable wood for the construction of the sides and back of acoustic guitars.

Spruce is the top choice for the soundboard (top) of an acoustic guitar. It imparts a warm, open, and powerful sound. The most well-known types are Sitka Spruce, high-quality Engelmann Spruce, and Adirondack Spruce (Appalachian Spruce). Spruce wood from high-altitude regions is usually harder and stiffer.

Cedar is softer and more flexible wood compared to spruce, producing a warm sound with high resonance and quick response, making it ideal for classical and acoustic guitars. Since cedar is a relatively soft wood, ensuring the stability of the soundboard thickness is essential. It has a somewhat harder, thicker, powerful, and more direct sound compared to spruce. Unlike spruce, it requires almost no breaking in for a short playing time (approximately 100 hours) as it produces a fully developed sound. It is player-friendly because it can reproduce good tonal qualities even without much force. On the other hand, its dynamic tonal character and lifespan (around 70 years) are lower due to its structure.

Koa comes from Hawaii and is known for its highly pronounced wood grain patterns. Initially, Koa was exclusively used for building ukuleles and Hawaiian guitars. However, during the 20th century, more and more American guitar makers discovered the advantages of this exceptional material. Koa produces a very clear, transparent sound with pronounced midrange and high-frequency tones.

One of the most popular and versatile woods in guitar construction. It provides a rich, sustained, warm, and balanced sound with distinct highs and good harmonics.

Nato is a mahogany species that shares similar properties with its more well-known relative.

Like ebony, rosewood has a high density and durability. Its strength makes it particularly suitable for the construction of the fingerboard and bridge in acoustic guitars. The tonal properties of rosewood are of very high quality when used in the construction of the sides and back of the instrument, providing strong bass and clear harmonics. There are different species used in luthiery, with the most predominant being Indian and Brazilian rosewood

Walnut has gradually gained considerable popularity in guitar construction in recent years. The wood features an attractive color tone and provides a well-balanced sound, with distinct bass, pronounced midrange, and pleasant highs.

• Choosing the Right Guitar:
  • For beginners, it is usually recommended to start with a classical guitar due to its nylon strings, which are softer and finger-friendly. However, for those with a more modern approach, acoustic and electric guitars are more suitable.
  • Beginners should start with a quality instrument, typically costing between 100 and 180 euros in our online store. Many physical stores, supermarket chains, or online pages offer cheap, low-quality imitations from the toy industry, which are almost impossible to play and poorly constructed. These cheap instruments hinder musical development and fall into the category of toys.
• Invest in Quality:
  • It’s wise to invest in an affordable but genuine musical instrument. Good guitars can retain their value and even serve as a good investment. In contrast, cheap toys end up in the trash. When you decide to upgrade to a more expensive guitar in the future, your old guitar will still be there for you to take on holidays or wherever else you want to use it.
• Avoid Cheap Imitations:
  • Many physical stores, supermarket chains, or online pages offer cheap, low-quality imitations from the toy industry, which are almost impossible to play and poorly constructed. These cheap instruments hinder musical development and fall into the category of toys.
• Long-Term Investment:
  • Quality instruments can encourage musical growth and provide a better learning experience. They are also more likely to be enjoyable to play, encouraging consistent practice.
• Consider Resale Value:
  • Good guitars can retain their value over time. If you decide to upgrade to a higher-end instrument in the future, your old guitar may still have some resale value.

Remember, choosing the right guitar is a personal decision, and it’s essential to find an instrument that suits your preferences and playing style.

Classical guitars come in various sizes, and choosing the right size is crucial for a comfortable playing experience, especially for younger guitarists. Here is a guide to help you find the suitable guitar size based on your age group and body build.

For example, for a 5-6-year-old child with a regular body size for their age, a ½ size guitar is the right choice for comfortable grip and proper weight. The ¾ size child’s guitar is the next step, slightly larger, suitable for children aged 8-12. For older kids and “big kids,” the 4/4 size is the standard size for a classical guitar.

Explore our website for a wide variety of complete sets of ½ or ¾ Children’s Classical Guitars that include all the essential accessories for every aspiring guitarist taking their first steps into the magical world of the guitar.

Today, there is a wide range of products available for the proper maintenance and cleaning of guitars. Depending on the area and the type of surface you want to clean, there is a corresponding product. For example, if you want to revive the color of your dark wood fretboard – usually rosewood – then the suitable cleaning fluid is lemon oil (*not suitable for light-colored woods like maple). If you desire to restore the original gloss to the body of the guitar, then the guitar cleaner/polish to use is the DUNLOP 65 Formula. A minimal amount on a cleaning cloth can work wonders, removing dirt or fingerprints, restoring the original shine to polished surfaces. Another popular product is string cleaner. Use DUNLOP 6582 Ultraglide string cleaner to maintain your string set always fresh, extending their lifespan with a simple application after each use. The cleaner features a special applicator surface to deposit only the necessary amount while preventing it from drying out at the same time.

There is a vast variety of useful accessories for classical guitars. A classical guitar case with padding or, even better, a hardshell case, provides protection during transportation, and a guitar stand keeps your guitar always accessible, in the right position, and protected from falls. A tuner ensures that your guitar is always properly tuned. A footstool also helps maintain the correct body posture while playing the guitar.

At our online store, MusicPower.gr, you can choose from a wide range of accessories to accompany the guitar you select.