Murray, You seem to be having quite a time pondering over steel verses classical. There is an excellent section in OLGA that explains how to buy your first guitar and the question might best be answered there since it will assist you in what to look for in guitars. Generally, the taste of music you listen to should lean your interest to a direction. Who is your favorite artist? Thats a good start, If its Willie Nelson and you like his guitar style then it's a classical guitar you need. My first guitar was a classical wide neck and I just could not live with it. I opted for a second guitar with steel strings and have continually upgraded the quality to where I'm at today. I'm down to two guitars and have no plans of changing the status unless they're broke or stolen. Go to the OLGA website, all the numbers and sizes will confuse you. If you are a beginner player, take a trip to your local music stores. Take an accomplished player who has a keen ear for sounds and let him assist you in tonal quality. Feel the guitar, is the neck to wide or narrow for the size of your hands? You don't have to buy there, stick by your guns and buy a used guitar. I really think if your a blusey kind of listener, the steel is the obvious selection. The fingers will survive the agony and you'll be hooked like the rest of us, we're too numb from the music to notice the pain. yours in music, Jack mostly folk