The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Classical

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 08-15-2022, 09:12 AM
Hit-em Hit-em is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Default Guitar Recommendations ??

I'm looking at picking up a classical guitar mainly for finger picking, this would be my first classical guitar.

I want to get something that has good volume & depth.
I want spend somewhere in the range of $500 to a $1,000 since this is going to be a new venture for me

Anyone have any suggestions of make & models I should consider ?

I appreciate any input that you could give

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-15-2022, 11:59 AM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,794
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hit-em View Post
I'm looking at picking up a classical guitar mainly for finger picking, this would be my first classical guitar.

I want to get something that has good volume & depth.
I want spend somewhere in the range of $500 to a $1,000 since this is going to be a new venture for me

Anyone have any suggestions of make & models I should consider ?

I appreciate any input that you could give

Thanks
If you're coming to "classical guitar" via steel string you might give serious thought to purchasing a crossover guitar.

A bit of information about Crossover Guitar can be found HERE.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-15-2022, 04:38 PM
lkingston lkingston is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Asheville North Carolina
Posts: 3,231
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudy4 View Post
If you're coming to "classical guitar" via steel string you might give serious thought to purchasing a crossover guitar.

A bit of information about Crossover Guitar can be found HERE.

Happy crossover user here.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-16-2022, 08:56 AM
Picking Dick Picking Dick is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Somewhere in Southern California
Posts: 50
Default

What is a crossover guitar? I hit “Here” but got nothing.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-16-2022, 09:45 AM
rmp rmp is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 6,897
Default

long story short, it's a nylon strung guitar with a smaller/thinner neck than what traditional classicals have.
__________________
Ray

Gibson SJ200
Taylor Grand Symphony
Taylor 514CE-NY
Taylor 814CE Deluxe V-Class
Guild F1512
Alvarez DY74 Snowflake ('78)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-16-2022, 12:20 PM
Picking Dick Picking Dick is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Somewhere in Southern California
Posts: 50
Default

Thanks, rmp.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-16-2022, 03:33 PM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 8,794
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Picking Dick View Post
What is a crossover guitar? I hit “Here” but got nothing.
The link should give you this, and more:

Crossover Guitar

The sweet and complex tone of a traditionally constructed classical guitar combined with the “soft velvet feel” of nylon are the main factors that attract those who are more familiar with steel to consider "crossover guitar", loosely defined as being constructed in a similar fashion to a standard classical guitar but incorporating a few unique defining characteristics borrowed from it's steel-strung brethren:

1. Narrower fret board... The most-often cited nut width is 48mm, or 1-7/8".

2. Radiused fret board... Crossover fretboards commonly use a 16" radius.

3. Adjustable truss rod...

Crossovers often sport an adjustable truss rod, not commonly found on classical guitars. With emphasis placed on ease of play the adjustable rod facilitates the slight neck relief (forward bow) that contributes greatly to low action with minimal string buzz. It IS easier to drive a string hard enough to create slight buzz on the frets, but it comes with the territory when playing nylon, and is even considered quite acceptable for styles such as flamenco. A slightly less heavy-handed technique will reward the crossover player with buzz-free complexity of tone coupled with the “soft velvet feel” of nylon.

4. Hard tension strings...

Crossovers are usually fitted with hard tension strings which may or may not have much of an effect on sound, but are used to create the string "feel" that steel string players will be more comfortable with. Excessive neck bow is a concern for nylon players when using hard tension strings, but the adjustable truss rod cited above makes the use of hard tension strings much less problematic. Most modern builders of crossovers assume players will be using hard tension strings and factor that into the design process.

Beyond the basics

Other design considerations such as a cutaway, electronics, wood types, shorter than "normal" scale length, side dots (a big YES for me...), etc. can be used to tailor the instrument for a particular desired use or personal preference.

What sparks an interest in crossover guitar

My own interest in crossover guitar as a result of playing a newly assembled tenor ukulele. There was something really appealing about the nylon tone that I liked, and after doing a bit of research I discovered the entire sub-culture of crossover guitar. For me it was all about the tone, but there are many who are playing crossover due to physical "limitations" such as onset arthritis or injury such as rotator cuff, collarbone break, bone spurs, etc. that impede playing a standard steel stung guitar.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-16-2022, 05:27 PM
CoastStrings CoastStrings is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Central Coast of California
Posts: 386
Default

We discussed the Yamaha NTX3 crossover in this topic.

There are other models from other manufacturers that can be considered.



Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-16-2022, 07:45 PM
Flgatorgirl Flgatorgirl is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 421
Default

This should check all your boxes:

https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitar...c/academy-12-n
__________________
"As usual, there is a great woman behind every idiot." - John Lennon

2022 Martin 000-17 Whiskey Sunset
2015 Taylor 214 DLX
2014 Taylor Holden Village GSmini
2013 Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster
Martin DX Woodstock 50th Anniversary*For Sale
Martin Ed Sheeran ÷ Signature Edition*For Sale
2017 Martin LXK2*For Sale
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-20-2022, 08:07 PM
Broadus Broadus is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Clinton, SC
Posts: 3,374
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hit-em View Post
I'm looking at picking up a classical guitar mainly for finger picking, this would be my first classical guitar.

I want to get something that has good volume & depth.
I want spend somewhere in the range of $500 to a $1,000 since this is going to be a new venture for me

Anyone have any suggestions of make & models I should consider ?

I appreciate any input that you could give

Thanks
Are you okay with used?

As an "old" guy, I made this transition and went "full" classical with a 2" neck, which I really enjoy immensely for the roominess along the fretboard and the bridge. I purchased a used Cordoba Solista in excellent condition from Guitar Center for $100 over the top end of your budget.

Within your budget would lie a new or used Cordoba C7 or C9 or a used C10. My teacher, who plays a couple of luthier-built classicals, was impressed by Cordoba in general as a dependable factory guitar.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-20-2022, 09:59 PM
Carey Carey is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Osos, CA
Posts: 840
Default

It all depends on what feels comfortable to the OP, but there have been many good sounding and easy playing Japanese guitars made with comfortable necks (around 50mm) over the years, often cedar-topped, like Takamine C132S, Hirade 5 or 7, and Alvarez Yairi models CY115-140. Horabe is another one-
model 20 or 30, maybe? All worth a look, anyway.
__________________
bonzer5
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-27-2022, 09:01 AM
curtw curtw is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 2
Default

When I started classical guitar lessons with a teacher, he encouraged me to have a "regular" classical guitar, not the crossover Cordoba that I had. The radiused fingerboard being a major issue. I followed his advice. Note: This teacher also gigs on electric guitar, so for him it is obviously no big deal to adjust.
Standard at nut is 52 mm for classical but some, like my Alvarez-Yairi are 51mm. I also have a Cordoba at 52 mm.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-30-2022, 11:10 PM
guitargyro guitargyro is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 2
Default

To me it’s a simple question of do you want to play “classical” repertoire or “crossover”?

The main difference between classical and steel string playing is all in the right hand. And by using a crossover with a significantly thinner radius I would think you’d be making things harder, not easier.

The mere thought of trying to do rest strokes on a 47-48mm radius gives me anxiety. I’ve actually wondered if I shouldn’t ask a luthier to build me an old school guitar with a 54mm nut like all the 60s guitars had. Give me some breathing room. Im fine with the 650mm scale length though. But those 660s have some beefy bass.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Classical

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=