Finding the best classical guitar for you can be difficult – let us help you narrow your options!
Over 100,000 guitar-learners get our world-class guitar tips & tutorials sent straight to their inbox: Click here to join them
In this free lesson you will learn…
- Our picks for the best classical guitar
- What makes these guitars so great
- Why play a classical guitar over an acoustic?
- Why reviews are important to read
Let’s Get You Equipped With The Best Classical Guitar For You
Classical guitars aren’t just an easier substitute for acoustic guitars – they’re their own instruments with their own voice and style, and every guitarist should own one.
The classical guitar helped to pioneer the sound of Spanish flamenco, as well as many other incredible genres of music.
Not all instruments are created equally however, as you may know.
With that, we’ve done some research to find the best classical guitar for you.
In the process, we found five notable guitars that will elevate and inspire your guitar playing.
Not only are these guitars immensely playable and comfortable, but they’re also highly well-reviewed by other players.
Pro Tip: Guitarists are ruthless in their reviews of products. If you’re shopping for something like the best classical guitar for example, make sure to heed the reviews.
Your community of fellow musicians know what’s up, and they will never steer you wrong.
Let’s have a look at our best picks.
Best Classical Guitar #1 – Yamaha C40II
Price: $149.99
What You’ll Love: Authentic classical guitar neck with a spruce-top body that sounds and plays beautifully.
Yamaha are known for their quality all across the board, and their best classical guitar offering is no exception to that rule.
This guitar delivers a classical feel, experience and design to help you develop proper classical finger technique (or just strum along if that’s what you like).
If you’re a newcomer to the guitar or classical music in general, this is the best classical guitar for you.
Links:
Amazon UK
Best Classical Guitar #2 – Ibanez GA6CE
Price: $240.00
What You’ll Love: The best classical guitar with built-in electronics. This guitar punches way above its weight in quality.
Ibanez are known for their shred-worthy electric guitars, but did you know they make classical guitars as well?
This little wonder of an instrument is highly playable and great for nimble fingers especially.
The built-in electronics produce a wonderful sound when plugged in, so if you want to play through an amplifier this is the best classical guitar for you!
Links:
Amazon UK
Sweetwater
Best Classical Guitar #3 – Taylor Academy 12-N
Price: $549.00
What You’ll Love: Built-in armrest carved to the side of the body makes this the best classical guitar on this list for comfort & playability.
Taylor make some of the best acoustic guitars around (in our opinion), but their offerings in the classical department are nothing to scoff at either.
The Academy 12-N is an impressively detailed guitar. The carved armrest is a huge high point for us, as is the overall definition of the guitar’s sound in general.
It also features an ebony fingerboard which, for the price, is quite the steal.
You can find the 12-N over at Sweetwater, and its electrified counterpart – the 12e-N at GAK.co.uk.
Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Best Classical Guitar #4 – Cordoba C7
Price: $549.00
What You’ll Love: A classical guitar that spares no expense in its construction or sound. An absolute beauty of an instrument to play.
Cordoba makes an array of classical guitars that we personally love, and the C7 is one of our favourites.
This guitar is just plain well-built, in a traditional handmade design.
Available in either Canadian Cedar or European Spruce varieties, this is the best classical guitar for the player with a bit more experience that wants a lush brightness and definition from their ax.
Links:
Amazon UK
Best Classical Guitar #5 – Yamaha SLG200N
Price: $699.99
What You’ll Love: A collapsible & portable guitar that makes practicing in any environment a breeze, and makes playing through an amp absolutely joyful.
This last addition to our picks for the best classical guitar is a bit different.
This nylon-stringed wonder by Yamaha comes apart for easy portability, and functions incredibly well through an amp.
Though it has no natural amplification or sound hole like a regular classical or acoustic, this guitar gives you the benefit of near-silent practice in any environment, and a lush array of tones when plugged in.
The on-board effects are a beautiful added bonus to this already near-perfect guitar. This is the best classical guitar for players on the go who want tone in their headphones and don’t want to attract attention to themselves.
Links:
The Best Classical Guitar For You Will Elevate Your Playing
Whether you go the traditional route of no electronics or buy a future-age classical guitar with a pickup, any of these picks for the best classical guitar will serve you well.
Remember that guitars are all about feel – if it doesn’t feel right, it may not be the right fit.
Try out your options and find the best classical guitar for you!
Recommended Resources
If you loved this free guide to the best classical guitar, you’ll probably enjoy these other gear recommendations as well!
- Article 1
- Article 2
- Article 3
- Article 4
- Article 5
What Type of Guitarist Are You?
Take our 60-second quiz & get your results: Take The Quiz
Join the world's best online guitar school 🌎
- Get your own personalised guitar learning plan (customised just for YOU).
- World-class online guitar courses. Learn at your own pace.
- Community Campus & Learning Forum - A friendly community! Connect with our team & students. 😊
- Beginner Song library with chordsheets, tabs and tips. (Songs suitable for all levels!)
- Regular live streams, seminars and Q&A sessions - Learn from world-class guitar educators. Get all your questions answered!
Click here to learn more about National Guitar Academy membership
Cool Guitar T-shirts 😎
Look cooler! Check out our merch: Click here to see our merch store
Want free guitar tips and video lessons delivered to your inbox?
Join over 100,000 guitar-learners and subscribe to our guitar-tips-by-email service. (It's free.)
We'll send you a series of lessons that will move you to the next level of your guitar journey.
Learn how everything fits together quickly, easily and effectively. We share ninja tips (for instant fun!) but also timeless fundamentals that will deepen your understanding.
Popular Lessons
How To Learn Guitar: An 11-Step Programme For Beginners
How To Choose The Perfect Beginner Guitar
More Cool Guitar Stuff
Learn about National Guitar Academy: About Us
Join us on Facebook for daily guitar tips.
Listen to our Learn Guitar Podcast for rapid guitar progress.
Check out our free chord lessons.
Get our best guitar tips & videos
Get our best guitar tips & videos