Acoustic and classical guitars have similar looks, but they are very different instruments. Here are a few key differences between the two.
Body Shape: Acoustics have round, wide bodies while classicals typically have a narrower waist and shorter scale length.
Neck: Classicals have wider necks than acoustic guitars, which can make it harder for beginners with small hands to play. However, this is not always the case because people with larger hands can find acoustics difficult to play too. It’s all about personal preference and finding the best guitar for you!
Tuning: Classical guitars are tuned lower than acoustic guitars. They use nylon strings which produce a softer sound when compared to acoustic steel strings.
Sound: Classical guitars produce a warmer, more mellow sound. Acoustic guitars are louder because their soundboard is thinner than that of classicals. The thinner soundboard allows shorter sustain and higher frequencies to be heard more easily (hence its louder sound).
Pickguards: Most acoustic guitars come equipped with pickguards while very few classicals do.
Strings: Classicals use nylon strings while acoustics use steel strings.
When people think of the guitar, they often envision a traditional acoustic guitar. But what’s the difference between acoustic and classical guitars? The answer is more in-depth than you might imagine. So let’s take a look at what makes each of these instruments unique.
Construction
There are a few key differences between an acoustic and classical guitar. The first is the construction of the body. Acoustic guitars have a rounder back, while classical guitars offer a flatter back. Another difference is that classical guitars feature a wider neck, which helps to make chords easier to play as well as provide more space for your fingers to move along the fretboard.
The strings on each instrument also differ from one another. Classical guitars use nylon strings, whereas acoustic guitars use steel strings. Because of this, the tension on each instrument is different from one another. This means that classical guitars require less pressure in order to hold down strings and play notes compared to acoustics, which can be helpful for beginner players with smaller hands or those with wrist issues
Sound
You would assume that because of these differences in construction that each type of instrument would sound different from one another. That’s true, but not necessarily in the way you might expect. When
If you’re looking to pick up a guitar, you may be wondering what the difference is between an acoustic and a classical guitar. The classical guitar is in fact considered a sub-category of acoustic guitars, but there are some very specific differences that set them apart from each other.
If you’re looking for a new guitar, here are some key differences between these two types of guitars to help you decide which one is right for you.
Body Shape and Size
The most obvious difference between classical and acoustic guitars is the shape and size of their bodies. As the name suggests, classical guitars have a more traditional design that originated many years ago in Spain. They have wide necks (called “classical” necks) and they are typically smaller than other acoustic guitars. Acoustic guitars come with a wider variety of body shapes and sizes, including parlor shapes or jumbo shapes.
A major benefit of classical guitars is that they are easier to play due to their smaller size and wider neck. If you’re looking for a starter guitar, then this might be the best choice for beginners who have smaller hands or shorter fingers because it will be easier to reach the frets on the neck of the guitar. If this isn’t
Are you looking to buy a new guitar? You may have noticed that there are classical guitars and acoustic guitars. What’s the difference between them?
The first thing to note is that there is some overlap between the two. In general, an acoustic guitar is any guitar that needs no external amplification in order to be heard at concert volume. A classical guitar is a type of acoustic guitar, but it has its own unique features.
In this guide, we are going to take a look at what makes acoustic and classical guitars different—and when you might want to choose one or the other.
Before we get started, if you are looking for top-quality guitars at great prices, check out our guide to the best online guitar stores!
Acoustics and classical guitars are both stringed instruments that share many similarities, but also have some key differences.
Acoustic guitars — whether a steel-string or nylon-string (classical) — are hollow-bodied instruments. The sound is produced by the vibration of the strings, which are then amplified by the guitar’s hollow body and resonant soundboard.
The difference between acoustic and classical guitars lies in their strings. A steel-string acoustic has metal strings that produce a brighter, louder sound than nylon strings. Classical guitars use nylon strings, which produce a softer, mellower sound.
Classical guitars have wider necks than steel-strings, and nylon strings are slightly thicker than steel-strings, which can be easier on beginner’s fingers when learning to play. Steel-strings usually have a pickguard on the body of the guitar to protect the top from being scratched by picks or fingernails.
The first difference between the two is the type of strings. Classical guitars use nylon strings, whereas acoustic guitars use steel strings. While both can be used for strumming chords, nylon strings are better suited to fingerpicking and playing solo parts.
Another difference is the neck width. A classical guitar has a thinner neck than an acoustic guitar, which is particularly useful for beginners or players with smaller hands. It’s also easier on your fingertips when you’re first beginning to learn how to play guitar.
The final difference is the action of the strings. The action refers to how high the strings are from the top of the fretboard. Classical guitars have a higher action compared to acoustic guitars, which makes them slightly harder to play at first and more challenging for beginners. However, this means that they are much less likely to buzz and sound out of tune while you’re playing them and they’re generally more reliable as a result.
The first thing most people notice about the classical guitar is that it has six nylon strings rather than the usual six metal strings. These string types produce a mellow, warm sound that is characteristic of the classical guitar’s unique voice.
The second big difference is the width and shape of the neck. Classical guitars are usually wider than other acoustic guitars, which allows for a more comfortable grip and easier fingering when playing chords and scales. The wider neck also means that classical guitars have wider string spacing, which makes them feel more comfortable for some players.
The third major difference is the sound hole. Classical guitars generally have smaller rosettes with a different shape than standard acoustic guitars. These design details don’t impact tone or playability; however, they can make classical guitars much louder than standard acoustic guitars when there is no amplification involved.