Great Beginner Classical Guitars Under $1000
If you’re beginning your journey into the world of classical guitar, selecting the right instrument is vital. A quality beginner classical guitar should offer excellent playability, a pleasant tone, and reliable construction, all while staying within a reasonable budget. Here, we explore some of the best classical guitars for beginners under $1000, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and price ranges to help you make an informed decision.
What to Look for in a Beginner Classical Guitar
Before diving into our top picks, it’s important to understand what makes a classical guitar suitable for beginners. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Tone: A rich, balanced sound is important, even for beginners. In fact, while price may be a factor, tone should be your highest priority.
- Playability: The guitar should be easy to play, with a comfortable neck and action that isn’t too high.
- Build Quality: Build quality and craftsmanship are not high on the priority list, especially if the price is low. However, a well-built instrument will last longer if you are committed to sticking with it.
- Price: Affordability is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of quality.
Top Picks for Beginner Classical Guitars Under $1000
1.Yamaha C40II
Features
- Top: Laminated Spruce
- Back and Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $160-200
Pros
- Excellent quality for such a low price.
- Great sound, better than most other instruments at this price.
- Easier to maintain because of the laminate construction.
Cons
- Laminate top reduces the quality of the tone compared to higher cost instruments.
- Moreover, the laminate top and back and sides adds slightly to the weight of the instrument.
If you are just starting out and are on a budget, there is no better instrument than the Yamaha C40II for the price.
2. Cordoba C3M
Features
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $200 – $300
Pros
- Warm, rich sound thanks to the solid cedar top.
- High-quality construction.
- Satin finish for a smooth feel.
Cons
- Slightly higher price point than entry-level laminate-top models.
- You can spend only just a little more for a step up in sound, playability, and quality of materials.
The Cordoba C3M is a step up in quality, with a solid cedar top that produces a warm, resonant tone. It’s a bit more expensive but offers excellent value for those serious about learning.
3. Yamaha CG122MS/MC
Features
- Top: Solid Spruce (MS) or Solid Cedar (MC)
- Back and Sides: Nato
- Neck: Nato
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $200 – $300
Pros
- Affordable with good sound quality.
- Solid top for better resonance.
- Option to choose between spruce or cedar top is not common with other competitors at this price point.
Cons
- Basic features and aesthetics.
- Less resonance compared to higher-end models.
The Yamaha CG122MS/MC offers great value with a solid spruce or cedar top, providing good sound quality and durability at an affordable price. It’s an excellent entry-level choice for beginners.
4. Altamira Basico
Features
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Back and Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $300 – $400
Pros
- Bright, clear sound.
- Good build quality for the price.
- Comfortable playability.
Cons
- Less warmth compared to cedar tops.
- Some will see the matte finish as a con, others a pro.
The Altamira Basico is a solid choice for beginners looking for a bright, clear sound. Its solid spruce top offers good resonance and projection, making it a reliable entry-level instrument.
Hear the guitar for yourself in our review of the Altamira Basico and N300 classical guitars.
5. Cordoba C5
Features
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $300 – $400
Pros
- Rich, warm sound.
- Good build quality.
- Comfortable to play.
Cons
- Slightly higher price point for entry-level.
- Similar to the Cordoba C3M, the price is just high enough that spending a bit more can result in an all-around better instrument.
The Cordoba C5 is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a rich, warm sound with its solid cedar top. Its build quality and playability make it a popular option for new players.
6. Cordoba C7
Features
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $500 – $700
Pros
- Rich, warm sound with great projection. Surprising jump in tone quality from the C5.
- High-quality materials and construction.
Cons
- Slightly higher price point. But in this case you get what you pay for.
The Cordoba C7 offers a step up in both sound quality and craftsmanship. With a solid cedar top and rosewood back and sides, it provides a rich, warm tone that captures the Spanish traditional sound.
7. Yamaha CG182C
Features
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Rosewood
- Neck: Nato
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Price Range: $500 – $700
Pros
- Excellent build quality.
- Clear, resonant sound.
- Beautiful aesthetics with an ebony fingerboard.
Cons
- Higher price range for beginners.
- Slightly heavier than some other models.
The Yamaha CG182C is a high-quality instrument with a solid cedar top and rosewood back and sides. It offers a clear, resonant sound and excellent build quality, making it a great choice for serious beginners.
8. Altamira N300
Features
- Top: Solid Cedar
- Back and Sides: Rosewood
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Price Range: $500 – $600
Pros
- Warm, sustaining tone.
- High-quality materials and construction. The design and craftsmanship are on another level compared to other instruments at this price point.
Cons
- Higher price point for some beginners.
The Altamira N300 offers a warm, resonant tone with its solid cedar top and rosewood back and sides. It’s a great option for beginners who are willing to invest in a higher-quality instrument.
Hear the guitar for yourself in our review of the Altamira Basico and N300 classical guitars.
What about other brands?
Are these all of the best beginner classical guitars? No, this list certainly does not represent all of the options out there! You could easily find a great guitar with a different brand name. These are all instruments we have experience with as teachers. Either we have students who play these guitars or we have tried them extensively. It’s hard to recommend an instrument without trying it, so we have left some out here intentionally. Let us know in the comments below if you feel we left something out!
How to Buy a Classical Guitar
We’ll walk you through some tips for how to buy a classical guitar below. But go here for a more in-depth look into how to buy your first classical guitar.
What to look for
To start out, you should do some thinking about how committed you are to playing this instrument. If you’re a complete beginner and just looking to try things out to get started, it’s okay to buy a cheaper instrument knowing you can always upgrade later. A laminate top will serve you just fine. They’re easy to care for and while the tone is not as good as a solid-top instrument, it will give you a nice starting place.
However, if you really want to make a commitment to stick with it for a while, buying a solid-top guitar will improve your initial experience. And this is important because if you are pleased with your instrument starting out, you’re more likely to stick with it. There are of course downsides to a better instrument, including cost. For instance, a guitar with a solid top may need a bit more care and maintenance than a similar instrument with a laminate top. But sound is perhaps the most important quality you should be looking for in an instrument, so we really recommend a solid top.
Now let’s look at some other elements to consider.
Difference between woods
Spruce, cedar, maple, cocobolo, rosewood, mahogany, ebony, pao ferro… There are so many different kinds of woods to take into consideration! What’s the difference and how much do the wood types on the guitar matter?
The top
The top, or soundboard, of the guitar contributes the most to its overall sound/tone.
Most classical guitars come with one of two kinds of woods on the top: cedar or spruce. Both are soft woods and they can sound quite different from one another. A common generalization is that cedar has a “warm” or “dark” sound while cedar is “bright” and “clear.” But before you go picking up a cedar, just because you want a darker sound, be sure to try out different kinds of tops first. What is more important is that spruce takes longer for its sound to “bloom,” where cedar guitars sound much more like what they will always sound like out of the gate.
The back and sides
While the woods on the back and sides can play a role, they are not nearly as important. Typical woods are rosewood (Indian and Brazilian), Mahogany, Maple, Pao Ferro, Cocobolo, and more.
Necks and fretboards
Necks are almost universally made with mahogany, though you will see some exceptions. Fingerboards tend to be made with a hardwoods like rosewood or ebony. Ebony does seem to be more durable than rosewood and for that reason, a guitar with an ebony fingerboard will cost a bit more.
Difference between bracing
Traditional Spanish classical guitars have been built with different kinds of fan bracing to support a relatively thick top. This combination of a thicker top with a fan bracing produces that traditional sound we’ve come to know and love. However, many modern luthiers have experimented with different types of bracings that produce different, more modern kinds of sound.
- A lattice bracing on the underside of the top adds a lot of weight, which can help produce more volume, and as a result the top has to be very thin…like paper thin.
- Likewise, double tops combine two very thin tops with a sandwich bracing, like a honeycomb, again amplifying the guitar’s volume.
Sound
In general you are looking for a nice balance of sound across all strings and across the neck of the guitar, with a singing first string. Sound is very subjective and only you will know what you like and what you’re looking for. But when you’re first starting out, you may want to bring a friend or ask someone at the shop to play the instruments for you. If you feel comfortable playing them yourself, play each note across all strings across the neck. Most importantly: listen.
Playability
Classical guitars tend to be setup a little higher than acoustic or electric guitars. But that shouldn’t mean it needs to be uncomfortable! And the good news is, the setup of an instrument can always be adjusted later. So don’t get too bogged down with worrying about playability. However, a guitar that feels like the neck is too bulky or where the neck profile is too wide for your hands could be a red flag. Again, try out different instruments to find a good fit.
Guitars for those with small hands
Speaking of which, you can indeed find guitars for those with small hands. Most companies make smaller-scale guitars so the fret spacing is not too wide. And others will also have thinner neck profiles. Be sure to ask.
***
Choosing the right classical guitar as a beginner can set the tone for your musical journey. The Cordoba C3M, Cordoba C5, CG122MS/MC, and Altamira Basico are excellent starting points, offering great value and quality. For those willing to invest a bit more, the Cordoba C7, Altamira N300, and Yamaha CG182C provide superior craftsmanship and sound. Whatever your choice, the best beginner classical guitar is the one that will inspire you to practice and improve, making your learning experience enjoyable and rewarding. Happy playing!
What if my budget is more than $1,000?
Have more than $1,000 to spend? While it can be tempting, we recommend for beginners especially to choose an instrument at the above prices to make sure you will stick with it. If you find down the road you have a strong commitment to sticking with classical guitar, and especially once you reach a more intermediate territory of music, you may want to consider upgrading.
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