Extras | Music: CLASSICAL GUITAR VS. ACOUSTIC GUITAR: WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU PICK?

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by Connor McCormick on August 1, 2024

in Extras,Music

When you first start looking for guitars, the main dilemma begins when you are introduced to classical and acoustic guitars. The reason is they all look similar at first sight. 

So, if you are eager to know which is the best classical guitar for beginners and the acoustic guitar as well? 

Keep your worry aside because we will take you on a trip to find the core differences between classical and acoustic guitar.

Classical Guitar VS Acoustic Guitar: Key Takeaways

What Is a Classical Guitar?

Before we get down to all the detailed details, let’s find out what exactly is classical guitar.

The classical guitar started its journey in the early 16th century in Spain. They are known for their delicate nylon string and warm sound. Classical guitar has such a bright history that it may often seem like a fairytale. But throughout the century, classical guitar has gone through many changes. And it still evolving.

Classical guitar has been vastly mentioned for its finger-placing techniques.

The reason it gets so many credits is because of the way it feels on the fingertips. And all thanks go to the nylon strings.

What Is an Acoustic Guitar?

Moving to our next opponent, acoustic guitar.

In the early 19s, the acoustic guitar got its big break. The creator, C.F. Martin, and company brought significant changes in the guitar history. Many will say acoustic guitars are for the modern world. And there is no doubt about it.

Acoustic guitars are actually the modern version of the classical guitar. All the materials that are used in classical guitar and acoustic guitar are the same. But there is a major difference.

Acoustic guitar belongs to the strings family. They are known for their vibrating steel strings that produce louder sounds. People love to hear that bold sound in rock and folk music. You can witness the vibration through the air without any electric amplification.

Classical Guitar VS Acoustic Guitar

In the world of rich music and melodies, two titans stand against each other.

Classical guitar vs acoustic? Yes, these two instruments are from the same music family. But they have a separate fan base. One loves classical guitar and the other half like an acoustic guitar. But as a beginner, how can you choose which one is going to be your style?

To ease your confusion, I will break down all the differences between classical and acoustic guitar. Maybe on a surface level, it might seem only the strings are different than each other. However, there are significant factors that can help you make your purchasing decision. Without stretching it too much, let’s get straight to it!

Strings 

The differences in the strings are the ultimate reason why classical guitar and acoustic stand against each other. Where classical guitar uses nylon strings, its opponent, the acoustic guitar, has steel strings.

The nylon strings provide more of a silky smooth feel in your hand. It lowers the tension between the counterparts. Nylon string is the ideal deal because of the sound it makes. You will see the G, B, and E strings use nylon monofilament and the bass strings have a metal coating. 

On the other hand, the acoustic guitar has steel strings. These steel strings produce a more substantial, brighter, and more intense sound. You will instantly fall in love with its rich tone. The sharp feeling in your fingers lingers throughout the play. 

Neck

Another main difference that stands between classical and acoustic guitars, it will be the neck design of both guitars.

Classical guitars typically have thicker necks which means the distance between one string to another is greater. That goes without saying when you press your finger on one string, you won’t mess up with other strings.

Whereas, acoustic guitar has a smaller neck. Usually, when your guitar has a narrower neck, it pushes down all the strings together. It makes it so much easier to switch between the cords.  Remember one thing, acoustic guitars are meant for strumming to get the most out of it.

Bridge

Here are another significant differences. The bridges on both classical and acoustic guitars are very different than each other.

If you look closely, the bridge of the classical guitar is a flat wooden strip under the sound hole. All the strings are tied to that bridge. With acoustic guitars, the strings mainly pass through the hole and are fastened in knots. Since the bridge structures are different from each other, the process of changing strings will be different for acoustic guitar and classical guitar. 

Sound

When you go out to buy any kind of instrument, the sound could be the deciding factor. Your genres of liking the music can help you to find what type of sounds you are looking for.

Classical guitars typically have a softer tone and a lower volume. Guitarists often try to play closely towards the bridge to produce a brighter tone. But the cozy tone of the nylon string still comes through. This is one of the reasons that you can’t play a classical guitar in a band setting.

On the contrary, acoustic guitars can create brighter, more robust tones than nylon string guitars because of their broader body structure. Pop and country musicians use acoustic guitars most for the metallic tones. They have a significant impact on modern music for their intense sound

Genres

The classical guitar is known for its softer, more melodic tone. This type of tone works well with genres that have deeper meanings. You will find them in classical music and Spanish-style picking. The nylon string tone made its mark on Western art music during the Baroque, Renaissance, and Romantic periods.

Even after ruling the classical music genres, the guitar found its way to modern music as well. And it was the acoustic guitar that made it happen. The acoustic guitar is a highly flexible piece of equipment. 

It plays a major role in many different musical genres, giving many songs more rhythm and harmony. Acoustic guitars either set the mood for laid-back unplugged performances or offer a lovely melodic touch.

Tuning Pegs

Tuning pegs are usually different on the headstocks for classical and acoustic guitars. The pegs on a classical guitar are more prominent and made of plastic, while acoustic guitar pegs are smaller and made of metal. You can use acoustic guitar tuners on classical guitars, but it may take longer to find the correct tension when changing strings.

You might run into some difficulty when trying to wind a nylon string on a steel-string tuner. The thick diameter will not wind around the peg or fit the hole.

Which One Is A Good Pick For You?

Just a quick reminder that when choosing a guitar, it’s all about what you like and what you need. Your favorite music style can make a difference here. If you’re into folk, country, or singer-songwriter music, you might want to go for an acoustic guitar. On the other hand, if you dream of playing classical music, starting with a classical guitar is super important to capture that classical vibe.

Whereas nylon strings can impart a timeless elegance, steel strings can help you become proficient in all scales and chords. And Zager offers the best in both cases.

Which Is Harder To Learn, Classical or Acoustic Guitar? 

Learning to play the classical guitar requires developing accurate fingerpicking and hand technique. To unlock the rich melodies of classical music, you will need to read from the sheets. It will connect you with the historical tunes.

Conversely, with an acoustic guitar, it is all about playing with rhythm, strumming, and jamming. You can be creative with your style. To succeed, all you need to do is maintain a firm grasp on the chord charts and experiment with various styles. What thrills you more will determine the challenges you face!

FAQ

1. Which guitar is best for beginners, Acoustic or Classical?

An acoustic guitar is the best choice for beginners because it allows them to quickly learn the basics of sound, playability, and fingerstyle.

Time To Choose Your Favourite!

Are you ready to embark on a musical journey with classical and acoustic guitar? Then Zager has the best collection for you.

Their classical guitar is like the heartbeat of ancient music, with its warm nylon strings plucking the softest tones that can genuinely move you. Meanwhile, the acoustic guitar is about versatility, diving deep into various music genres.

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