Looking For A Classical Under $500

[chinmusic]

Any recommendations? Poking my nose around the big box stores yields the Cordoba C5, C3, etc., as well as a Yamaha model, but any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[joeguam]

I absolutely love the Yamaha NTX700, did a NGD thread with a mini review. This guitar is a much nicer transition from acoustic. If you decide to check this model out, make sure to hear it plugged in before you make any decisions...the pickup built in make it sound like 3 times the guitar it sounds like unplugged.

[Blueser100]

I love my La Patrie Concert and my Yamaha C40ii.

[engleman]

I too have tried to find a suitable Classical for under $500. I have presently settled in with an Alverez AC60. It is the predecessor of the AC65. It has wonderful tone and projection. The western red cedar top is warm and respondent, while the mahogany neck is solid and smooth. This is my third Alvarez, and they have yet to disappoint me.

Engleman
Remember that it's about the player, not the guitar.

[scottishrogue]

I would recommend you look at Antonio Hermosa guitars. Available on eBay and are under $500. They are well built sound construction and sound great. My Hermosa AH-30 is a little flashy (abalone body binding and rosette) but a lot of bang for the buck. It sounds much better than most classical guitar in that price range.

Glen

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Blueser100

I love my La Patrie Concert and my Yamaha C40ii.

La Patrie are great guitars in that price range, that includes the budget Etude that I have. I'll admit that the Concert and Presentation do sound a little better though.

[Blueser100]

Yeah I had tried the Etude and liked it but felt the Concert had a less constrained, more open tone. I don't think you can go wrong with any La Patrie classical.

[GHS]

Under 500? The Yamaha NTX700 is very hard to beat. Excellent construction, great neck, beautiful finish. I'm a Yamaha fan from way back and they really just dont miss on their product.

[Wolfboy1]

Originally Posted by Blueser100

Yeah I had tried the Etude and liked it but felt the Concert had a less constrained, more open tone. I don't think you can go wrong with any La Patrie classical.

Wonderful guitars, very comfortable to play and very well made. I had an etude for many years as a "campfire" guitar. It was a far better guitar than I ever expected.

[rina1504]

The Cordoba's are excellent guitars for the money. Any commercial chain store I've walked into to try them out, they've been consistently well-finished with low action while still having enough material left in the saddle to go even lower. Intonation is also always spot-on. Their necks are also much thinner, using I believe a more modern "C" contour than the traditional "D" shape baseball bat grip which suits me. The tuners leave a little bit to be desired, but that's with any low-budget classical. But if you can find a C9 used, that's their cheapest solid-body model, that would be a steal at $500.

[jaybones]

Originally Posted by GHS

Under 500? The Yamaha NTX700 is very hard to beat. Excellent construction, great neck, beautiful finish. I'm a Yamaha fan from way back and they really just dont miss on their product.

+1 This! Don't have that exact model, have a pawn shop $35 "Yamaha acoustic - dusty, they tried to polish it with windex (or something water based that hazed the oiled finish) and put steel strings on it - didn't tighten it enough to break the neck".

[mgeoffriau]

At that price point you can get much more value used than new. There's a very nice spruce Cordoba C9 for sale on my local craiglist for $350. I don't need it, but it's awfully tempting all the same.

[chinmusic]

Thanks for the recommendations, all. I greatly appreciate the time. I'm looking for a proper full sized acoustic- electronics and thinlines need not apply.

[DavidWhitehurst]

Yamaha CG172SF Flamenco Guitar

I bought one of these and I've had expensive classicals in the past and this guitar sounds great, it's loud, and the quality in the construction is excellent. I bought it and Gator case and it's my go-to guitar for practicing. I perform on a steel string but this guitar is great for all kinds of music. I've played classical, jazz, country, rock, and even some flamenco on this guitar. Hand's down it's the best classical I've seen for the price!

[mr. beaumont]

I would go Yamaha, if you really want a classical, and LaPatrie, if you want a nylon string guitar. If you just said "what the heck is he talking about?" get the LaPatrie

From what I've played of Cordobas it seems to me their more expensive guitars are MUCH better.

You might find a Kremona Sofia used for under five bills. They're quite nice.