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  #1  
Old 04-14-2021, 06:51 PM
SonofJud SonofJud is offline
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Default Best nylon string guitar under $500?

Want to learn classical guitar, trying to figure out which brands to look for for a decent beginner guitar.
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Old 04-14-2021, 07:06 PM
Steve DeRosa Steve DeRosa is offline
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You might want to ask the4 mods to repost this over on the Classical subforum...
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Old 04-15-2021, 03:31 AM
Dogsnax Dogsnax is offline
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I recommend looking for a used Cordoba C9. Brand new they around $850-900. Outstanding solid wood classical guitar. I prefer the cedar top version, but that's just my preference.
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Old 04-15-2021, 07:06 AM
JERZEY JERZEY is offline
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The magic number comes in between 500-600usd. Yamaha NCX line comes to mind. Second hand Cordoba C7 and C9 units too.

The all time heavy hitter would probably be the Cordoba C5 models. Great instruments for the $. Has a truss rod and you can find tons of them second hand easily.

You will find a mountain of Kremona's second hand out there just be aware lots of them dont have a truss rod. For your first guitar a truss rod and reasonable action is a big bonus.
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Old 04-15-2021, 07:10 AM
KESTLY KESTLY is offline
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Cordoba C7 - don't even think about anything else!
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Old 04-15-2021, 07:21 AM
Don W Don W is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonofJud View Post
Want to learn classical guitar, trying to figure out which brands to look for for a decent beginner guitar.
I was in the same place as you...Yamaha CG142!!!!...very inexpensive but excellent tone and correct classical size. Came from Sweetwater in perfect condition and correct string height (which is always high compared to steel strings). It cost $279....It has gone up some but still very reasonable...solid European spruce top. I purchased a soft case to go with it for $80. Guaranteed not to disappoint. I have been studying classical with a teacher for the past couple years on this...(he has one too)...equivalent in my mind to some of the Cordobas that I have tried that cost much more.
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Old 04-15-2021, 09:32 AM
mawmow mawmow is offline
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La Patrie Concert from Godin...
It has nothing to be shy besides my ARIA AC-80.
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Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy...
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Old 04-15-2021, 10:15 AM
Vognell Vognell is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogsnax View Post
I recommend looking for a used Cordoba C9. Brand new they around $850-900. Outstanding solid wood classical guitar. I prefer the cedar top version, but that's just my preference.
Yeah.. I picked up the spruce model for about $415 some years back. Can't complain. +1 on the recommendation.
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Old 04-15-2021, 04:10 PM
Dru Edwards Dru Edwards is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mawmow View Post
La Patrie Concert from Godin...
It has nothing to be shy besides my ARIA AC-80.
La Patrie was was my initial thought. I have the lower series La Patrie Etude that I bought in 1997.
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Old 04-15-2021, 04:20 PM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SonofJud View Post
Want to learn classical guitar, trying to figure out which brands to look for for a decent beginner guitar.
Consult your teacher if you're truly going to learn classical guitar. If you are going for a more general "nylon string guitar" option you might want to ask your teacher what he thinks about the Taylor Academy series nylon.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...y-12-n-natural

Right at your price point and it's an exceptionally easy to play guitar.
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Old 05-06-2021, 09:35 AM
singlechange singlechange is offline
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In my opinion, a lot of classical guitar buyers looking for a beginner guitar are thinking that a low priced instrument is the way to go for someone who is just starting to learn. This thinking is a bit faulty thinking because you should be looking for a good quality guitar from the start. A good quality used student level classical guitar for $500-$900 will have a lot of the qualities like sound and playability of a concert professional guitar. Go for used classical guitar. You get more bang for your hard-earned buck. Whether you go new or used, be sure to find a luthier to do the set up work.
Take your time and look at lots of the posts here on this forum and also delcamp classical guitar forum. Getting a lot of information will help you make a good decision that you will not regret later.
Good luck searching. It's a lot of fun.
Robert A.

Last edited by singlechange; 05-06-2021 at 06:10 PM.
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Old 05-06-2021, 09:36 AM
Caddy Caddy is offline
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Another vote for a Cordoba.
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Old 05-06-2021, 10:51 AM
vc1 vc1 is offline
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The C7 sounds good. You just might need to get it set up - intonation on mine was a little wacky.
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  #14  
Old 05-06-2021, 12:30 PM
Cri75! Cri75! is offline
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Default Best nylon string guitar under $500?

I also think that Cordoba it is a good choice; anyway, I have an Alhambra 2C A (solid spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides ) from around 10 years and I do not have any regret or complain. I love it.

Last edited by Cri75!; 05-06-2021 at 02:23 PM.
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Old 05-06-2021, 01:04 PM
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TBman TBman is offline
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I have a Cordoba C5 which is fine. The tone comes from the nails.
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