Cheap yet good classical guitar

Subject: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Charcloth
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 10:49 PM

OK I do a sizeable number of historical type festivals and I am considering getting a classical guitar that would look more period correct than my Jumbo Guild does. I need a guitar that sounds good, plays well & yet if it gets destroyed at an encampment I ain't out any serious money. I have sorta been looking at the Squire Classical guitars for about $150. I am not a classical musician so this is sorta out of my norm. So do any of you have any suggestions. Thanks Charcloth

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 11:07 PM

About 20 years ago I was in the market for an inexpensive classical guitar (under $300). I went into Elderlys and picked out several guitars in that price range and had a friend hand them to me one at a time while I had my eye's tightly closed. The outcome, much to my surprise, was that I picked the lease expensive, a Hondo classical for $50. Still have that guitar and it still gets a lot of playing.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Apr 02 - 11:11 PM

You know a lot about guitars in general and there are a ton of classicals in pawn shops nowadays.................just a thought.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 12:46 AM

Good thought, Catspaw. I picked up one at a goodwill shop for $20 that looked pretty good but lacked a couple of strings. My daughter says it is worth about $300.

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Escamillo
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 01:02 AM

If you can wait for an air freight, it may be convenient for you to order an Argentine-made classical guitar, now that our full country is on sale (or better expressed, willing to export). You may well get a professional luthier-made guitar at a bargain cost. On monday or tuesday I'll get some prices, and freight estimates. You should investigate which are the costs for customs clearance.

Un abrazo - Andrés in Buenos Aires

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: C-flat
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 03:48 AM

Pretty much the same "rules" apply for buying a classical guitar as any other. The quality of cheap production-line guitars is blurring the lines between top and bottom end products. As you're wanting something to use at festivals, would the guitar you choose need to have built in pickups? Nylon strings don't project anywhere near as well as steel and you would need a top quality microphone to get the sound out. Easiest choice is a guitar pickup but that's where buying cheap WILL let you down. There are some good electro-accoustics that include a nylon string in their range, Yamaha APX for example, which have all the electronics included and are designed (neck-wise) for the non-classical player. Not exactly "period-correct" I know, but it's wired up discreetly. If all you're needing is a box and amplification isn't an issue, then there's tons of good, cheap guitars around. Just one tip... use good strings!

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: bflat
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 05:41 PM

Look at the Aria classical guitars. They have a beautiful sound and it is big; plus they are inexpensive. They are hand made in Spain. I play one and the sound is bigger than my Larrivee; steel string acoustic. Great guitars.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 05:53 PM

Aria sells a nice clasical acoustic guitar for $3900. They have a basement special for $395 with cedar top and sapello sides (cheaper at some dealers).

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 05:55 PM

The $395 model is the AC-25. Anyone have any experience with it? Need a decent starter for a beginner.

Subject: RE: Cheap yet good classical guitar
From: Charcloth
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 09:21 PM

I won't be needing amplification. So that isn't a problem. But I wouldn't know good nylon strings from bad. What's the difference?