Classical vs acoustic guitar. What is the difference?

The main difference is the use of nylon strings instead of steel strings. This changes the sound and feel. It also means that classical guitars do not require a truss rod within the neck for strength. Classical guitars tend to have flatter fingerboards and can have slightly thicker necks.

Can you play a classical guitar like an acoustic?

There is certainly no rule to say that you can't! Since they both have 6 strings and are traditionally in the same standard tuning, you can play acoustic songs on a classical guitar. It will sound a bit different due to the nylon strings but some may actually prefer that sound.

Can you use acoustic strings on a classical guitar?

No, we would strongly advise against the use of steel strings on a classical / nylon string guitar. Since classical guitars do not have a truss rod inside their necks like steel string guitars do, steel strings are not suitable. The added tension could easily damage the guitar's neck permanently and beyond repair.

Are all nylon string guitars classical?

The use of nylon strings is a defining feature of the classical guitar. These strings gives it a distinctive sound and feel that sets it apart from the modern acoustic guitar. You can get nylon string guitars with electric capabilities but these are still generally considered to be a form of classical guitar.

What is the most popular classical guitar?

The Yamaha CS40 and C40 are two of our bestselling classical guitars. They both offer excellent value for money and are a great choice for beginners.

Are nylon string guitars good?

Yes, nylon string guitars are very good thanks to their distinctive sound and comfortable body size.

What is the difference between classical and nylon string guitars?

The use of nylon strings is a defining feature of the classical guitar.

Are expensive classical guitars worth it?

Absolutely. Special wood choices, premium craft and excellent playability are all part of what makes expensive classical guitars worth it.

Classical / Nylon String Guitars

Spring Sale

Alvarez Yairi CYM75CE Masterworks Classical Natural Gloss (Ex-Demo) #75487

£1,699.00 £2,199.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Cordoba F10

£999.00 £1,239.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Cordoba C1M-CE Full Size Matt Finish Cutaway Electro

£249.00 £295.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Cordoba GK Studio Edge Burst

£449.00 £679.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Taylor 314ce-N Nylon Grand Auditorium #1209255006

£1,999.00 £2,554.80

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Yamaha NCX1200R (Pre-Owned)

£799.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Yamaha NCX1FMNT Flame Maple (Pre-Owned)

£299.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Ibanez 2022 FRH10N Brown Sunburst Flat (Pre-Owned)

£289.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Taylor 112ce-N Nylon (Pre-Owned) #2206275390

£599.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

0% Finance Available

Martin 000C12-16E #M3008428

£2,350.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Taylor 2024 800 Series 814ce-N Nylon Grand Auditorium Rosewood (Pre-Owned) #1208074033

£2,499.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ex-Demo

Cordoba Fusion 12 Natural Cedar Cutaway with Fishman Presys (Ex-Demo) #92501868

£609.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Taylor 814ce-N Nylon Grand Auditorium #1210215033

£3,699.00 £4,618.80

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Yamaha SLG110N Natural (Pre-Owned)

£309.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New Arrival

Cordoba C5 SP

£389.00

Out of Stock

New Arrival

Cordoba GK Studio Limited Cutaway with Fishman

£815.00

FREE Delivery

Pre-Order

New Arrival

Alvarez 2019 Masterworks MC75WE Classical (Pre-Owned) #E19113499

£399.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ex-Demo

Cordoba C10 Spruce (Ex-Demo) #72500764

£1,199.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Fender CN-30WN Nylon Walnut Fingerboard Natural

£145.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

In Stock

Fender CN-30 Nylon 3/4 Walnut Fingerboard Natural

£135.00

Awaiting Stock

Fender CN-30 Nylon Walnut Fingerboard Natural

£145.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

In Stock

Yamaha GC22S Grand Concert Classical Guitar (Pre-Owned) #IJL040214

£869.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez GA621 Classical Black Out

£329.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Jose Ferrer Estudiante 3/4 Classical 5209B

(8)

£69.00 £75.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

In Stock

Ibanez GA35TCE Classical Sapphire Red High Gloss

£339.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez GA35TCE Classical Natural High Gloss

£339.00

Out of Stock

Alvarez Artist Series AC65HCE Hybrid Classical

(2)

£449.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Alvarez Artist Series AC70Hce Armrest

£659.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Cordoba C9 Crossover Cedar Slim Neck

(9)

£799.00 £959.00

Out of Stock

EastCoast C1S-44 Full Size Classical Solid Top Satin Natural

£149.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

In Stock

0% Finance Available

Yamaha NCX5NT Natural

£1,599.00 £1,699.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

EastCoast C1SE-44 Full Size Classical Solid Top With Pickup Satin Natural

(1)

£179.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

In Stock

Furch GNc 2-CW with CNR Active

£1,339.00

Out of Stock

Furch GNc 2-SW with CNR Active

£1,299.00 £1,399.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Takamine GC1NAT

£229.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez AEG74N Mahogany Sunburst High Gloss

£409.00

Out of Stock

Ibanez FRH20SMN Tobacco Burst

£529.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Furch GNc 4-CR with CNR Active

£2,099.00

Out of Stock

Ibanez FRH20QMN Wine Red Limited Edition

£529.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez FRH20QMN Cosmic Blue Starburst

£529.00

Get it Saturday, Mar 21

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

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Expert Advice

Classical / Nylon String Guitars

Filter

Alvarez Yairi CYM75CE Masterworks Classical Natural Gloss (Ex-Demo) #75487

Cordoba F10

Cordoba C1M-CE Full Size Matt Finish Cutaway Electro

Cordoba GK Studio Edge Burst

Taylor 314ce-N Nylon Grand Auditorium #1209255006

Yamaha NCX1200R (Pre-Owned)

Yamaha NCX1FMNT Flame Maple (Pre-Owned)

Ibanez 2022 FRH10N Brown Sunburst Flat (Pre-Owned)

Taylor 112ce-N Nylon (Pre-Owned) #2206275390

Martin 000C12-16E #M3008428

Taylor 2024 800 Series 814ce-N Nylon Grand Auditorium Rosewood (Pre-Owned) #1208074033

Cordoba Fusion 12 Natural Cedar Cutaway with Fishman Presys (Ex-Demo) #92501868

Taylor 814ce-N Nylon Grand Auditorium #1210215033

Yamaha SLG110N Natural (Pre-Owned)

Cordoba C5 SP

Cordoba GK Studio Limited Cutaway with Fishman

Alvarez 2019 Masterworks MC75WE Classical (Pre-Owned) #E19113499

Cordoba C10 Spruce (Ex-Demo) #72500764

Fender CN-30WN Nylon Walnut Fingerboard Natural

Fender CN-30 Nylon 3/4 Walnut Fingerboard Natural

Fender CN-30 Nylon Walnut Fingerboard Natural

Yamaha GC22S Grand Concert Classical Guitar (Pre-Owned) #IJL040214

Ibanez GA621 Classical Black Out

Jose Ferrer Estudiante 3/4 Classical 5209B

Ibanez GA35TCE Classical Sapphire Red High Gloss

Ibanez GA35TCE Classical Natural High Gloss

Alvarez Artist Series AC65HCE Hybrid Classical

Alvarez Artist Series AC70Hce Armrest

Cordoba C9 Crossover Cedar Slim Neck

EastCoast C1S-44 Full Size Classical Solid Top Satin Natural

Yamaha NCX5NT Natural

EastCoast C1SE-44 Full Size Classical Solid Top With Pickup Satin Natural

Furch GNc 2-CW with CNR Active

Furch GNc 2-SW with CNR Active

Takamine GC1NAT

Ibanez AEG74N Mahogany Sunburst High Gloss

Ibanez FRH20SMN Tobacco Burst

Furch GNc 4-CR with CNR Active

Ibanez FRH20QMN Wine Red Limited Edition

Ibanez FRH20QMN Cosmic Blue Starburst

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