CLASSICAL GUITARS

A classical guitar, sometimes also called a Spanish guitar (referring to its origin, not repertoire) or nylon guitar, is a musical instrument from the family of musical instruments called chordophones. The classical guitar is characterized by nylon strings (the bass strings usually being of nylon wound with a thin metallic "thread") which are plucked by the guitarists fingers. The name classical guitar does not mean that only classical repertoire is performed on it (although classical music is a part of the instrument's core repertoire) - instead all kinds of music (classical, jazz, folk, etc.) can be and are performed on it.
The classical guitar is distinguished by a number of characteristics:

It is an acoustic instrument. The sound of the plucked string is amplified by the soundboard of the guitar which acts as a resonator.

It has six strings; however, a few classical guitars have eight or more strings to expand the bass range, and to expand the repertoire of the guitar.

The three treble strings are made from nylon, as opposed to the metal strings found on other acoustic guitars. Nylon strings also have a much lower tension than steel strings, as do the predecessors to nylon strings, gut strings (made from ox gut). The lower three strings ('bass strings') are wound with metal, commonly silver plated copper.

Because of the low tension of the strings the neck can be made entirely of wood, not requiring a steel truss rod.

The interior bracing of the sound board can be lighter, due to the low tension of the strings. This can allow for more complex tonal qualities. A common classical guitar bracing pattern is the fan bracing. A center spruce brace is glued on the inside of the soundboard along the center line of the guitar to just before the bridge. Additional braces fan out on ether side of the first brace.

A typical modern six-string classical guitar has a width of 48-54 mm at the nut, compared to around 42 mm for a modern electric guitar design. The classical fingerboard is normally flat and without inlays (Some have dot inlays on the side of the neck at the 5th and 7th frets), whereas the steel string fingerboard has a slight radius and inlays.

Classical guitarists use their dominant hand fingers to pluck the strings. Players shape their fingernails, much the way a clarinetist will shape their reed to achieve a desired tone.

Strumming is a less common technique in classical guitar, and is often referred to by the Spanish term "rasgueo", or for strumming patterns "rasgueado", and utilises the backs of the fingernails. Rasgueado is integral to Flamenco guitar.

Tuning pegs (or "keys") at the head the fingerboard of a classical guitar point backwards (towards the player when the guitar is in playing position; perpendicular to the plane of the fretboard). This is in contrast to a traditional steel-string guitar design, in which the tuning pegs point outward (up and down from playing position; parallel to the plane of the fretboard).

The overall design of a Classical Guitar is very similar to the slightly lighter and smaller Flamenco guitar.

Ibanez AEG10NE Review:

Features : 9 This is a hybrid nylon classical guitar with a narrow neck and cut-away bout on the body. Mine is transparent Tangerine but they also come in black. The body is gloss Mahogany as is the neck and the top of the guitar is spruce. Some say it's a laminant but I can discern no layers from looking at the sound hole edge. This model comes with a very capable Ibanez SST pre-amp and a Fishman Piezo and man made bone nut and saddle. It also has two inputs, one 1/4" and an XLR and an on-board tuner. Nice!
Sound : 10 When I got this beauty it had been played quite a lot at the store so the strings were worn and in need of replacing. I did some research and saw that Taylor's nylon guitars came with D'Addario's Pro Arte' extra hard strings so I installed a set on the Ibanez. What a difference! I highly recommend anyone who has this guitar to use these. They make the guitar resonate like crazy and display greater percussiveness and seem to be about 25% louder. No way am I saying this guitar sounds as good as a Taylor or a Martin nylon but for the money and features anyone would be stoked.
Action, Fit, & Finish : 8 My guitar shows a bit of carelessness in finish around the sound hole (barely noticable) but the rest of the guitar's finish is excellent. The action was just about perfect from the factory but the edges of the sloped fret ends are sharp and in need of dressing. Also, the saddle ends are sharp and squared. These issues are easily addressed and do not effect the playability. One more thing. The neck finish is gloss like the rest of the guitar and is sticky. A light massaging with 600 grit sandpaper remedied that situation.
Reliability/Durability : 8 This is my first nylon guitar. Seems stout enough.
Overall Rating : 10 IMO this is the ideal couch guitar. The body is smaller and thin, it plays great and it sounds excellent. It also would fit in nicely for those who gig to do covers of Bob Schneider or Willie Nelson with. This is my seventh acoustic I purchased over a thirty year span as I usually play electric and bass guitar. I'm tickled with this new addition to my collection. I can't put it down. I'd rate the AEG10NE as a perfect first guitar. It's inexpensive, it is easy to play, it sounds great and it looks fabulous. For the more experienced I doubt you'd outgrow this instrument. What more could you want?


Alvarez AC60SC Review:

Features : 10 This 2003 Alvarez concert cut-away classical has some of the best features of the high-tech world. it includes 600-T Equalizer pick up, mahogany back/sides, solid cedar top, natural gloss finish, wood mosaic rosette, black multi-layer body binding, indian rosewood fingerboard, gold plated tuning machines, and a rosewood bridge.
Sound : 10 This is my favorite guitar of my collection! The sound and tone sound heavenly and looks as good as it sounds. I have a Marshall 100 watt amplifier and a hundred watt Marshall head that give the guitar more life volume and depth. This guitar is great for classical, blues, and jazz (great varity!)
Action, Fit, & Finish : 9 This guitar I bought on December 26, 2003 from BenJacks in SpringDale Ar. the guitar is overwhelming, the pickup have the best preamp set up there is, the bridge mounted nicely and the action is low but not too low and not too high. The only thing about the guitar I did not not like was the glossy finish which can scratch easily or smudge easily.
Reliability/Durability : 10 The good thing about this guitar is it's an Alvarez which it will stand the test of time and still go on sounding great. If you clean the guitar often and take good care of, then you won't have any problems with the finish. This guitar sounds so great you can play at a gig without a backup.

Overall Rating : 10 This guitar is amzing and worth every penny. It's beauty is as great as it's sound, and I have never really come anything close to it. I love the sound and any one who plays classical, jazz, or blues should get it!