I need help buying a Classical guitar.

Ossyrocks

Hi chaps, I have been charged with the responsibility of buying my step son a classical guitar, but I know feck all about what to look for, brands etc. If it was an electric or an amp I would be fine. He's a superb guitarist, bassist, pianist, vocalist and composer, so we're looking for something nice. Budget is up to £500 including a quality case. Where do I start? Thanks in advance, Rob

richh

I'm really no expert, but if you can get to a retailer that stocks a good range of quality instruments in your price range and try them out, that would be the best thing I'd suggest?  Depending where you are there are some good stores in London

I've got a good classical guitar (selling it now though) and I bought from a guitar teacher about 25 years ago.  He had a range available, and I started at the lowest cost one, which was actually not bad at all, and then in turn played the more expensive ones until basically I could not find any flaw at all.  As the price went up, the improvements were perhaps incremental, but I knew that at that level I'd have no problems or irritations.

I'm sure there must be some specialist forums though for classical guitar - I don't think many people here are too into that?

Ossyrocks

Thanks, I know it's not commonly discussed here, but I thought I would give it a shot. Also open to secondhand instruments. Cheers, Rob

richh

If you Google, I think a lot of towns have 'Classical Guitar Societies', so if you make contact with a local one, that might be a good source of info

Ossyrocks

richh said:

If you Google, I think a lot of towns have 'Classical Guitar Societies', so if you make contact with a local one, that might be a good source of info

I'll do that! Cheers

earwighoney

Are you based in London? 

I'd recommend making a trip to London Guitar Studio, which is near Bond Street.  

A bit more than your budget, but I'd recommend the Camps SP-6 they have in stock. 

Ossyrocks

No, I'm in the frozen north of Lancashire. I'll check out the guitar online though. Cheers

richardhomer

Ossyrocks;1078530" said:

No, I'm in the frozen north of Lancashire.

I'll check out the guitar online though.

Cheers

Forsythes in Manchester stock a wide range of classicals - the nearest to a 'specialist' store I can think of. I know it's not particularly close - but might be worth a trip.

rossyamaha

Reidys have a really good guy, if I remember right, Richard. Nice guy and great player. Worth a trip to see him and try a few. Obviously check out the Yamaha's. ;-)

Or you could buy my old MIJ Takamine. 

Ossyrocks

Cheers. Reidy's is close so I will have a look there.

CHRISB50

Contact http://www.kentguitarclassics.com and speak to Miles.

He is a really helpful and knowledgable bloke, and will get you the best guitar to suit your step son's requirements.

TheBigDipper

+1 for Forsyths if you do decide to travel as far as Manchester. I live on the South Coast, but I bought a Stonebridge/Furch from them when in town for a long weekend a couple of years ago. I just popped in to take a look, you know how it works...  Great service, no pressure and knowledgable about the manufacturer when I had questions. Decent number of different guitars to try, too. 

BigLicks67

Try the Stafford Guitar Centre, plenty of expertise there.

Are you buying new or used?

I currently have a Yamaha CG182S which I'm looking to upgrade and the brands that have good reps are stuff like Burguet, Cordoba, Bernebe. I've played a few Burguets and I've liked them and for budget Admiras will do the job. I think £500 puts you in the in-between zone though new - between laminated and solid back and sides models, so you may want to up the budget a bit.

rolls1392

Try Ton Nugent's website. He sells soe really guitars. I think he is up your way

sev112

If you are going to choose for him then have an understanding of what he's going to play, if he picks with his nails, or he picks with his pads, or whether he is going to play more Spanish/flamenco than Pavane type classical. In the big scheme of things and with say £400 after case to spend, you will do ok, but don't try playing it with a plectrum because that is a really artificial sound and you want to hear a really resonant tone from the lower strings and a sweet ring from the higher strings.

 If the salesperson is lingering, wherever you are, before you try any of them, ask them to tell you (not show you) the tonal differences between the guitars THEN see if they know what they are talking about by playing and comparing. Take notice of whether the sales room is air conditioned and what the outside temp is. A classical guitar REALLY responds to heat and humidity. Mine is well over 30 years old and really wakes up when it is warm and slightly humid. It is much deader on cold days, and hence in air conditioned salesrooms you will often not hear a guitar resonate naturally. If you go to a good shop they should have this sorted but don't count on it.