Many guitar players will dismiss nylon-string instruments as only for beginners. The truth is that the best classical guitars will give you the same nuance and dynamic response as any quality acoustic, whether you want to play classical standards, flamenco, jazz, or anything else.
Classical guitars will typically have a flat fretboard and strings that are spaced further apart than those of a regular acoustic, which is necessary to allow you to play complex parts from the classical repertoire. Classical and flamenco are typically for solo performers, so you’ll need this flat fretboard to play both the bass and treble parts simultaneously. If you’ve never played this kind of fretboard before, it can be a little intimidating at first, but perseverance will reward you with a serious upgrade in your guitar skills.
If this is your first classical guitar purchase, make sure you have a look at our FAQ section before you make a decision, as it features loads of common questions around the subject answered by the expert writing team here at Guitar World. If you already know your rasgueado from your tirando, then keep scrolling for our top picks…
Best classical guitars: Quick list
Designed to straddle the line between the full-fat Taylor experience at a relatively affordable cost, the Taylor Academy 12e-N is an incredible quality classical guitar with the playability of a regular steel string acoustic instrument.
If you're planning on playing your classical guitar live, the Godin MultiAc Nylon Encore combines an under-saddle piezo with two transducer pickups attached to the underside of the body top, giving you a huge range of plugged-in tones.
Named for the flamenco legend Paco de Lucia and based upon some of his own collection, the Cordoba F7 Paco is perfect for the guitarist looking to play flamenco styles. It's comprised of excellent materials and is competitively priced too.
Found in music rooms all over the globe, the Yamaha C40II is the perfect classical guitar for beginner players, and those on a budget. Don't let the price fool you, this is a fantastic-sounding and playing instrument that will get you off on the front foot.
If you want the very best of the best from a classical guitar, it's hard to look past the elite-tier Cordoba GK Pro Negra. Premium tonewoods combine with a thinner-than-usual body depth to give you an ultra-playable, excellent-sounding classical guitar.
If you’re heavily into steel-string acoustics and electrics then you simply must consider adding some nylon, because it can bring an extra dimension – a contrasting texture – to your compositions.
Best classical overall
✅ Buy if you want the best combination of quality and affordability: Giving you the experience of a more expensive Taylor guitar at a lower price point, this nylon-strung acoustic is an excellent value option for a new classical guitar.
❌ Avoid if you prefer a wide neck: To aid playability this guitar has a narrower neck and a slightly radiused fretboard, which may put off those who prefer more traditional, classical guitar necks.
Taylor is seeing some great successes from its Academy line, which promises the full-fat Taylor experience at a cost that makes them – at least relatively – affordable for the many. The Taylor Academy 12e-N is a superb nylon-strung option that provides the benefits of classical and flamenco styling with the ergonomic familiarity of a more standard steel-strung guitar.
We particularly liked the beveled armrest which made for a nicely comfortable playing experience, while we were impressed with how the onboard electronics retained the guitar’s natural resonance even at higher volumes.
"Its price makes it better suited for the more committed learner, but you’ll struggle to find a beginner’s classical guitar with this much quality anywhere else."
Read our full Taylor Academy 12e-N review
Best for gigging
✅ Buy if you want to play live: With its combination of piezo under-saddle pickup and transducer pickups, you can get a massive selection of sounds through a PA or acoustic amp.
❌ Avoid if you prefer to play unplugged: Due to the construction of the guitar, it's not the loudest unplugged so not for those who prefer the traditional sound of a classical instrument.
If you’re looking for a classical guitar to play exclusively amplified, the Godin MultiAc Nylon Encore gives you a huge selection of quality tones to pick from. The unusual design won’t please any classical guitar purists out there, but we couldn’t think of many better choices for the gigging player.
When unplugged the sound is of course a little muted. It’s perfectly usable for practicing by yourself, and the projection is surprising considering the narrow depth of the body. The neck profile is a ‘D’ shape which will suit players coming from an electric guitar-playing background.
Plugged-in is where this guitar really works its best though, with a combination of piezo and transducer pickups underneath the top working together with the sliders on the upper bout to give you a huge range of different tones. From flamenco, jazz, and more percussive sounds it’s a super versatile instrument, perfect for the guitarist who likes to play lots of different styles on stage.
Best flamenco guitar
✅ Buy if you want to play flamenco: Based on the guitars of legendary flamenco player Paco de Lucia, this guitar combines awesome build quality with value for money making it a brilliant flamenco guitar.
❌ Avoid if you prefer traditional instruments: It's lighter and narrower than a traditional classical and features a dual-action truss rod, which might put off some purists.
The Cordoba F7 Paco Flamenco is a tribute to legendary player Paco De Lucia, inspired by some of his favorite instruments from his own collection. It’s incredibly value for money and if you’re looking for a flamenco guitar, we can think of no better place to start.
The solid cedar top and rosewood combination deliver a lively sound and fast response that’s perfect for tremolo, picado, golpe, and any of the other flamenco techniques. The low action and flat neck make barre chords and fast single-note playing much easier too.
It’s not just a one-trick pony either. It’s more than comfortable enough dealing with classical standards and jazz, giving you fantastic note separation when playing complex chords. Sitting around the $500/£500 mark, the price is the perfect blend of excellent build quality and materials with relative affordability.
Best beginner
✅ Buy if you want a beginner classical guitar: Perfect for beginners or those on a lower budget, the Yamaha C40II is excellent value for money.
❌ Avoid if you're an advanced player: If you already have a few classical guitars, this is unlikely to add anything to your existing collection.
While the transition from ¾ scale nylon-strung acoustic to either steel-strung acoustic or electric is a tale as old as time, there are some who prefer a path less trodden. Graduating from a ¾ scale up to a full-size nylon-stringer makes for the ideal next step in the playing career of plenty of players, and in the Yamaha C40II, there is the perfect guitar with which you can make that leap.
In keeping with Yamaha’s generally excellent reputation for quality levels which exceed their price tags, the C40II classical guitar delivers a superb playing experience, great sound, and solid construction which should see most players through the next few years of their musical journey.
"If you’re after a beginner classical guitar, there truly is no better option than the C40II. With its excellent setup, durability, affordability, and consistent tone, the C40II has been the starting point for many guitarists over the past 30 years and shows no signs of losing its appeal. While there are minor overlooked touches such as scratchy frets and slightly sharp fret ends, these issues are not unexpected at this price point."
Read our full Yamaha C40II review
Best high-end options
✅ Buy if you want a top-of-the-range classical: This is a premium instrument made from the finest tonewoods and specifically crafted for professional players.
❌ Avoid if you're on a budget: This level of build quality and materials doesn't come cheap, so this guitar comes with a hefty price tag.
Often when you’re looking for a particular type of guitar, it pays to see what the pros are using. When you’re looking for something that can handle the rigours of full-blooded flamenco, there are few better places to look than with the Gipsy Kings.
The Cordoba GK Pro is a top-of-the-line model, endorsed by the Kings themselves, and brings with it a number of elite-tier fittings and features. This guitar positively urges you to play at high-tempo, with all the percussive flourishes that accompany it.
The premium tone-woods ensure it sounds as good as it looks, while the slightly thinner body makes it comfortable to play whatever stance you prefer. It’s not cheap, but the GK Pro has authenticity and vibe in spades.
Best for steel players
✅ Buy if you value playability: With its beautifully fast playing neck and comfortable body dimensions, this guitar is great for those who value playability the most.
❌ Avoid if you prefer playing unplugged: Although the sound unplugged is fine, it doesn't quite compete with others on this list.
If you’re heavily into steel-string acoustics and electrics then you simply must consider adding some nylon, because it can bring an extra dimension – a contrasting texture – to your compositions.
Don’t fancy those huge necks and flat-as-a-board, ahem, boards? No worries, the NTX5 is just the ticket for performance or the studio. Its slim, soft-C shaped neck is easier to get your hand around than a bottle of Bud, and the narrow nut, 24-fret ebony board and Venetian cut-away make this one accessible guitar to play.
It’s a thinline, so it doesn’t sound all that unplugged, but hook it up to an amp or PA and you’ll find that Yamaha’s state-of-the-art Atmosfeel pickup and preamp system is simply incredible.
Like most Yamahas, especially those at this price point, the build is impeccable. Other than its unplugged sound, it’s hard to fault.
"These new NXes throw down another gauntlet: if you’re in the market for an electro nylon-string, this is the place to start your search."
Read the full Yamaha NTX5 review
Also tested
How to choose
Finding the best classical guitar starts with understanding your needs and budget. Whether you’re a complete beginner or advancing your skills, the right instrument can make all the difference in your playing journey.
Consider your budget: Classical guitars range from under $100 to several thousand dollars. Beginners should aim for the $150-$400 range, where you’ll find quality construction and decent tone without overspending. Student models from reputable brands offer excellent value and playability.
Size matters: Full-size guitars suit most adults, but younger players or those with smaller hands should consider 3/4 or 1/2 size instruments. A properly sized guitar prevents strain and makes learning more enjoyable.
Solid top or laminate: Solid wood tops produce richer, more resonant sound and improve with age. Laminate tops are more affordable and durable but offer less tonal complexity. For your first serious instrument, a solid cedar or spruce top would be a worthwhile investment.
Playability: If you can, visit a music store to test different models. Check the action. The strings shouldn’t sit too high above the fretboard. The neck width should feel comfortable in your hand, and the body size should balance well when you play.
Brand reputation: Research established manufacturers known for quality classical guitars. Read reviews from other players and consider models that consistently receive positive feedback.
Ultimately, the best classical guitar is one that inspires you to pick it up and play every day. Trust your ears, hands, and budget to guide your decision.
Glossary of terms
- Action: How high the strings sit above the fretboard. Lower action makes playing easier on your fingers.
- Bridge: The piece on the guitar body where strings attach. It transfers vibrations to create sound.
- Cutaway: The scooped-out part of the body that lets you reach higher frets more easily.
- Fingerboard: Another name for the fretboard where you press down strings to make different notes.
- Fret: The metal strips on the neck. Pressing strings behind them changes the pitch you hear.
- Headstock: The top part of the guitar where the tuning pegs live and strings wrap around.
- Intonation: How in-tune your guitar stays as you play up the neck. Good intonation sounds right.
- Neck: The long part you hold while playing. Your fretting hand moves up and down here.
- Nut: The small piece at the top of the neck that keeps strings spaced and elevated properly.
- Saddle: The white strip in the bridge that the strings rest on. Affects action and tone quality.
- Soundboard: The top face of the guitar body. Vibrates to project sound into the air around you.
- Soundhole: The round opening that lets sound escape from inside the hollow body of the guitar.
- Truss Rod: A metal rod inside the neck that adjusts its curve. Usually needs a tech to adjust.
- Tuners: The pegs on the headstock you turn to tighten or loosen strings for proper pitch.
- Waist: The curved-in middle section of the guitar body. Helps the guitar sit comfortably on your lap.
- X-Bracing: Internal wooden supports under the soundboard. Strengthens the body and shapes the tone.
FAQs
What is the difference between a nylon-string classical guitar and a steel-strung acoustic guitar?
To the untrained eye, some of the best classical guitars look quite similar to steel-string acoustic guitars, however it’s worth highlighting some of the key differences. Firstly, classical guitars are strung with nylon strings giving them a softer, warmer and more mellow sound. Whilst you can use a pick with a classical guitar, most tend to play fingerstyle – the string spacing has been designed so that you can get your fingers in a little easier.
Because nylon strings exert less tension than steel strings, classical guitars will be braced lighter than most acoustics. That means they don’t need as many pieces of wood on the underside of the body’s top, making them physically lighter and also a little easier for players with a soft touch to get some volume out of.
Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re already experienced on a steel string or electric, one thing to keep an eye on is the neck width. Most classical guitars will have a wider neck width than a steel string or electric, so if you’re making the jump, then you’ll certainly notice the difference.
Classical guitars are usually wider body than steel-strung acoustics too. The difference isn’t huge, but for players of a smaller stature, or those who struggle to get their arm over the body, then this might be something to consider. However, don’t fret – some manufacturers have built classical guitars to appeal especially to those crossing over that feature things like a more manageable neck width and a slimmer body.
What is a crossover classical guitar?
As we’ve just mentioned, a nylon-strung neck can be a real handful, more than some steel-string players are willing to stretch their hands or their heads around. Still, if you’re really sold on adding some rich, warm nylon acoustic tones to your compositions there is a solution.
In recent decades many brands have introduced nylon crossover guitars to their catalogs. These often look a lot like steel-string guitars, yet they’re strung with nylon. The headstock and tuners are a giveaway, but the necks are comfortably thin, the fingerboards are radiused and the bodies often feature cutaways and electric pickup systems for amplified performance. Many are designed as thinlines to guard against feedback when amplified.
Frankly, most serious classical players won’t touch them with a bargepole, but they’re fantastic for crossover artists, as well as players into jazz and Latin styles.
Are flamenco and classical guitars the same?
Nylon string guitars are used for flamenco and classical music. Some players like to use them to play jazz, pop and soul too – it’s really up to you. Some features found on these guitars do make them more suitable than others for certain styles of music, for example, a lot of classical players like a warm tone that sustains nicely, whereas flamenco players are often playing faster passages and so like a bright, snappy tone. They may also use the guitar in a more percussive way. Different wood combinations can help you achieve the tone you’re after, so bear that in mind when shopping for the best classical guitar for you.
What wood is best for classical guitars?
The wood that classical guitars are made from has a big impact on what they sound like. Spruce tops are quite commonplace. They usually help lend quite a bright tone – nice and crisp, allowing for lots of detail in the sound. Cedar tops are also quite popular in classical guitars, and tend to sound a little warmer and darker.
The wood used for the back and sides also affects the sound you get out of the guitar. This can vary quite a bit, though rosewood and its derivatives are used a lot. Rosewood is a balanced tonewood, with a strong top end, punchy mids and a nice bass response too. You might see woods like cypress being used on flamenco guitars, as this can be quite bright and percussive sounding, making it ideal for the style of music.
Are classical guitars good for beginners?
While the technique of playing a nylon-strung guitar is slightly different from a steel-strung one, the skills are most definitely transferable. Nylon-string guitars are readily available in smaller sizes that can be easier for young kids to hold, and the softer strings are unquestionably kinder on their fingers.
That said, there can be a few issues – the main one being the wider neck and string spacing. While it's not impossible for little ones to play, a nylon-string guitar can be more challenging, so the potential neck width awkwardness is worth bearing in mind.
It's also worth noting the differences in tone, which can result in a rather uninspiring experience for beginners trying to emulate their pop and rock heroes. So, if you are planning on strumming your way through a bunch of cowboy chords, best to stick to a steel-string acoustic guitar.
How much should I spend on a classical guitar?
Like ‘regular’ acoustics, classical guitars come in various styles and cover a wide range of price points, from beginner classical guitars to hand-made artisan models and everything in between – but how much you choose to spend really boils down to what you want from your new guitar.
For absolute beginners and young kids, a $100 entry-level instrument will more than do the job, and will certainly allow you to see if this is the guitar style for you. Intermediates, or established players looking for a classical to use on recordings, may want to look around the $500 mark. This will get you an instrument of a certain quality, and with so many options out there you won't be short of choice.
For professional players, you'll be looking at $600-plus, and if you can stretch to it, you'll want to go for an all-solid option. This will get you the richest and most complex tone possible.
Find out more about how we make our recommendations and how we test each of the products in our buyer's guides.
- Follow our guide on how to restring a classical guitar
How we selected the products for this guide
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best classical guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best classical guitars on the market right now.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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