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.

Classical / Nylon String Guitars | guitarguitar

Yamaha SLG200NII Silent Guitar Nylon Natural

£699.00 £849.00

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Breedlove Discovery S Concert Nylon CE Red Cedar/African Mahogany

£499.00 £629.00

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Ibanez GA35TCE Dark Violin Sunburst

(1)

£299.00 £349.00

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Yamaha NTX3 Brown Sunburst

(1)

£899.00 £1,049.00

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Yamaha CG142S Classical Spruce

£329.00 £399.00

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Valencia 1/2 Size Classical VC202NA

(6)

£79.00 £85.00

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Yamaha CG182SF Flamenco

(3)

£599.00 £673.00

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Cordoba C7-CE with Fishman

(2)

£639.00 £685.00

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Godin Multiac Nylon Encore SG

(3)

£1,699.00 £1,929.00

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Fender CN60S Nylon Black Walnut Fingerboard

£179.00 £199.99

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Cordoba C10 Spruce

(2)

£1,149.00 £1,212.00

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Cordoba Stage

(2)

£599.00 £624.00

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Yamaha GC12C Cedar Grand Concert Classical

(1)

£999.00 £1,149.00

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Yamaha NCX3NT Natural

(1)

£899.00 £1,049.00

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Yamaha NCX1FM Flame Maple

(1)

£469.00 £599.00

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Yamaha CG162C Cedar

(3)

£399.00 £479.00

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Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Concert Nylon CE Red Cedar/Myrtlewood

(1)

£699.00 £799.00

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Ibanez AEG50N Black High Gloss

£279.00 £329.00

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Yamaha CG192C Solid Cedar

£549.00 £679.00

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Yamaha CG142SBL Black

(1)

£329.00 £399.00

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Yamaha CG182S Spruce

£519.00 £599.00

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Ibanez GA6CE Amber

(5)

£219.00 £259.00

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Yamaha C70 Classical Guitar

£189.00 £229.00

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Yamaha CG102 Classical

£199.00 £249.00

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Yamaha NCX1NT Natural

(1)

£399.00 £499.00

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Ibanez AEWC300N Natural Browned Burst High Gloss

£499.00 £539.00

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Almansa 403 Classical

£599.00

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Almansa 434 Classical-Solid Cedar Top

(2)

£799.00

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Fender ESC110 Classical Wide Neck

(2)

£119.00 £129.99

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Furch GNc 2-CW Grand Nylon Cedar/Walnut

£1,369.00 £1,499.00

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Autumn Sale

Yamaha GC22S Grand Concert Classical Guitar

(1)

£999.00 £1,399.00

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Yamaha GC32S Grand Concert Classical Guitar Spruce

(1)

£1,999.00 £2,945.00

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Yamaha CGS104AII Natural

£139.00 £169.00

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Yamaha CGS103A Classic Guitar

£129.00 £159.00

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Yamaha SLG200NII Silent Guitar Nylon Crimson Red Burst

£699.00 £849.00

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Yamaha SLG200NII Silent Guitar Nylon Tobacco Brown Sunburst

£699.00 £849.00

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Yamaha CG192S Solid Spruce

(2)

£549.00 £679.00

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Yamaha CGX102 Classical Guitar

(2)

£299.00 £379.00

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Yamaha C80II

(2)

£199.00 £249.00

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Yamaha C40 Standard Pack Classical Guitar Set

£149.00 £189.00

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Classical / Nylon String Guitars

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Yamaha SLG200NII Silent Guitar Nylon Natural

Breedlove Discovery S Concert Nylon CE Red Cedar/African Mahogany

Ibanez GA35TCE Dark Violin Sunburst

Yamaha NTX3 Brown Sunburst

Yamaha CG142S Classical Spruce

Valencia 1/2 Size Classical VC202NA

Yamaha CG182SF Flamenco

Cordoba C7-CE with Fishman

Godin Multiac Nylon Encore SG

Fender CN60S Nylon Black Walnut Fingerboard

Cordoba C10 Spruce

Cordoba Stage

Yamaha GC12C Cedar Grand Concert Classical

Yamaha NCX3NT Natural

Yamaha NCX1FM Flame Maple

Yamaha CG162C Cedar

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Concert Nylon CE Red Cedar/Myrtlewood

Ibanez AEG50N Black High Gloss

Yamaha CG192C Solid Cedar

Yamaha CG142SBL Black

Yamaha CG182S Spruce

Ibanez GA6CE Amber

Yamaha C70 Classical Guitar

Yamaha CG102 Classical

Yamaha NCX1NT Natural

Ibanez AEWC300N Natural Browned Burst High Gloss

Almansa 403 Classical

Almansa 434 Classical-Solid Cedar Top

Fender ESC110 Classical Wide Neck

Furch GNc 2-CW Grand Nylon Cedar/Walnut

Yamaha GC22S Grand Concert Classical Guitar

Yamaha GC32S Grand Concert Classical Guitar Spruce

Yamaha CGS104AII Natural

Yamaha CGS103A Classic Guitar

Yamaha SLG200NII Silent Guitar Nylon Crimson Red Burst

Yamaha SLG200NII Silent Guitar Nylon Tobacco Brown Sunburst

Yamaha CG192S Solid Spruce

Yamaha CGX102 Classical Guitar

Yamaha C80II

Yamaha C40 Standard Pack Classical Guitar Set

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