classical or flamenco

[Dan of SC]

Can anyone here tell me the difference between a classical and a flamenco guitar? Thanks, Danny Gray

[AlVal]

In simple terms
Physically
(Blanca )spruce top with cypress back and sides ( negra has rosewood )
Golpedor or plastic scratch plate
Thinner body
Lower action at 12th fret 2.5 - 3mm average and at bridge 7-8 mm average
Sometimes friction pegs instead of mechanical tuners

Flamenco guitars are generally built for quick attack
Classical guitars have more sustain
You can play classical pieces on a flamenco
Flamenco pieces don't work so well on a classical guitar

[zhunter]

That was a good and simple explanation. I think spruce is a big part but I imagine the right builder could make a flamenco out of most anything. Coming to nylon string after years of steel string electric and acoustic, I find I can explain to the electric guitar brethren this way:

Flamenco = Telecaster
Classical = Les Paul

And the lines as you would expect get blurred as Flamenco and its players evolve and I do hear flamencos voiced a little closer to classical though the physical characteristics noted above seem pretty stable.

And to be clear, I do play flamenco guitars but I do not play flamenco. I call what I play flamingo in deference to real guys who can really play it.

hunter

[Dave T]

Originally Posted by zhunter

I call what I play flamingo in deference to real guys who can really play it.

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are! (smile)

Dave

[ewh2]

Originally Posted by zhunter

That was a good and simple explanation. I think spruce is a big part but I imagine the right builder could make a flamenco out of most anything. Coming to nylon string after years of steel string electric and acoustic, I find I can explain to the electric guitar brethren this way:

Flamenco = Telecaster
Classical = Les Paul

And the lines as you would expect get blurred as Flamenco and its players evolve and I do hear flamencos voiced a little closer to classical though the physical characteristics noted above seem pretty stable.

And to be clear, I do play flamenco guitars but I do not play flamenco. I call what I play flamingo in deference to real guys who can really play it.

hunter

That oddly makes more sense than it should. Even the bit about the pink bird of Africa.