Finding the best classical guitar for a beginner guitar player isn’t always easy. Whether you are an adult looking to learn guitar or want to find a smaller nylon string guitar for your child, there are a bunch of different things you should know when looking at guitars.
Classical guitars are great for beginners because they nylon strings are easier on your fingers than regular steel strings. Typically, classical guitars don’t have tons of confusing extras like steel-string acoustic guitars do. There are no electronics, pickups, or weird controls. It’s just a basic guitar that you can learn pretty much any style on.
I learned how to play guitar on a classical guitar and now I play everything from fingerstyle acoustic guitar to metal electric guitar. A nylon string guitar is the perfect starting point.
Let’s look at some guitars!
Click Below to Compare the Top Classical Guitars for Beginner Players and Kids
Contents
- 1 Click Below to Compare the Top Classical Guitars for Beginner Players and Kids
- 1.1 Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 Size Kids Classical Guitar
- 1.2 Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size Children’s Classical Guitar
- 1.3 Ibanez AEG10NII Nylon String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- 1.4 Yamaha NTX700 Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar
- 1.5 Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar
- 1.6 Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar Bundle
- 1.7 Stagg C547 Nylon String Classical Guitar
- 1.8 Protégé by Cordoba C1 Classical Guitar
- 1.9 Fender Beginner Acoustic Guitar MC-1
- 1.10 Luna Aurora Borealis 3/4 Acoustic Guitar
- 2 What We Recommend and Why
Here is a list of the best classical nylon string guitars for beginners who want to play acoustic guitar.
- Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 Size Kids Classical Guitar
- Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size Children’s Classical Guitar
- Ibanez AEG10NII Nylon String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
- Yamaha NTX700 Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar
- Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar
- Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar Bundle
- Stagg C547 Nylon String Classical Guitar
- Protégé by Cordoba C1 Classical Guitar
- Fender Beginner Acoustic Guitar MC-1
- Luna Aurora Borealis 3/4 Acoustic Guitar
Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 Size Kids Classical Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
Yamaha is an international brand that delivers top quality products which include musical instruments. One of the musical instruments it has on offer is the Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 Size Classical Guitar.
The CGS102A is a half-size classical guitar designed for the beginner as well as younger players. It features a Spruce top with Meranti back and sides and a Nato neck. The fingerboard is made of Sonokeling and is generally quite easy to play.
As a beginner guitar, tuning it is very easy and once the nylon strings have fully stretched, the tuning machines keep them in tune for an appreciable length of time.
Aside from its looks and how easy it is to play, it also has a good sound. In fact, for its size, you may be slightly surprised at the volume it can generate.
This is one guitar that is just right for the beginner as well as a young player. The nylon strings are a lot easier on the fingers and the action on this guitar doesn’t make it any harder.
Pros and Highlights
- Sound – It has a loud and clear sound for its size.
- Playability – It’s easy to tune and to play.
- Cost – It‘s very affordable.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Size – It may be too small for a full grown adult.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a classical guitar on which a beginner and even a child can comfortably learn, then this comfortable half-size guitar will serve just right. Better still it’s very affordable.
Cordoba Cadete 3/4 Size Children’s Classical Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
Cordoba Guitars takes the task of building guitars very seriously. In pursuit of product excellence, it relies on the expertise of traditional luthiers and combines this experience with the technologies available today. The result is guitars that are lightweight and highly responsive.
The Cordoba Cadete is a solidly built guitar very well suited for beginners. Its top is made of solid cedar while the back and sides are made of mahogany. As with all Cordoba guitars, this one is also lightweight and very easy to play.
The hardware that come with this are also of good quality. It includes gold tuning machines with pearl tuning pegs and an adjustable truss rod. These tuning machines make tuning much easier while the truss rod comes in handy when some neck adjustment is required.
With its smaller body as well easy playability, beginners and younger (or smaller) players will find it a lot easier to play.
Pros and Highlights
- Lightweight – It is lightweight and therefore easy to play.
- Sound – It has a good sound quality that projects quite well.
- Playability – It offers smooth and easy fingering.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Quality – You may find a few sharp frets or other blemishes.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a beginner classical guitar that offers more than the everyday beginner guitar while also not costing so much more, then you will certainly love this. It offers a lot more than regular beginner guitars but is still very moderately priced.
Ibanez AEG10NII Nylon String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
Ibanez is one of the more popular names in the world of guitars. If you therefore see a product from this brand, you expect a minimum quality even if the product is designed for beginners.
The Ibanez AEG10NII Nylon String Acoustic-Electric Guitar is one such product. One of the first things you will acknowledge about this guitar is that it is really lovely. The top is made of Spruce while the back, sides and neck are made of Mahogany. The fingerboard is made of Rosewood as is the bridge. Its lovely black finish is highlighted by the Ivory binding to complete its elegance.
Other than the looks, it also offers a lovely tone which you have the added advantage of amplifying with the added preamp which by the way also includes a tuner.
Pros and Highlights
- Well-built – It is well constructed and finished.
- Sound – It has a good sound both plugged and unplugged.
- Playability – Playing this is smooth and easy.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Cost – This may cost more than most beginner guitars.
Bottom Line
This guitar offers a little more than most beginner guitars. Actually, more experienced guitarists also love it. It offers the option to play acoustically or have your acoustic sound amplified through the included preamp. You can therefore play it in a small room or in a performance hall. You should go for this if you are willing to spend a little more than usual for a beginner guitar. It’s worth it though.
Yamaha NTX700 Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
Yamaha steps up the game with this guitar. The Yamaha NTX700 is not regarded by many experts as a traditional classical guitar though it possesses a lot of classical features.
That said, this is a guitar that offers great value. It’s made with good quality tonewoods. It has a solid Spruce top, Nato back, sides and neck and a Rosewood fingerboard.
The solid Spruce top features the legendary Yamaha acoustic treatment – Acoustic Resonance Enhancement – which makes it sound like a vintage guitar.
The electronics that come with it are top quality. These are the A.R.T. 2-way pickup and Yamaha’s system61. With the included 3-band EQ and individual volume controls for each side of the pickup, you have a good amount of control over the amplified sound.
The fact that it also includes a tuner is an added convenience that all levels of players will appreciate.
Pros and Highlights
- Tonewood – It is made with good quality tonewood.
- Electronics – The included electronics are top quality.
- Sound – It sounds good both plugged and unplugged.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Batteries – You may want to remove the pickup batteries after play to reduce how quickly they drain.
Bottom Line
This is the right guitar for anyone making the transition from electric to classical guitar. This is because the body is very slim, making it somewhat closer to the size of the electric guitar. There’s also the added advantage of having it amplified.
Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
It’s Cordoba again! The brand understands that not all beginners require smaller sized guitars. Some actually require full-size guitars because of their size. It has therefore designed this full-size guitar for the adult classical guitar beginner.
The Cordoba C5 offers all the quality that the brand has been known for over the years. It features a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides. These tonewoods help mold the full, warm tone that it delivers.
Sticking to the brand’s traditional process, it is handmade and its quality is clear in the hand-carved headstock, inlaid rosette, fan bracing, rosewood binding and more.
Though this is a full-size guitar, it is still lightweight and therefore very easy to play. You can also adjust how much relief there is in the neck using the two-way truss rod.
This is a guitar you will love to own. It is nicely built and has a reasonably good tone.
Pros and Highlights
- Lightweight – Its lightweight design promotes easy play.
- Tone – With its fan bracing system that offers a wider vibrating surface, it achieves a full warm sound.
- Quality – It is handmade and so offers good quality.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Strings – You may need to replace the stock strings.
Bottom Line
If you saw the Cordoba we reviewed previously and wished you could get it in full-size, then this is a full-size Cordoba that offers even more without costing a lot more. With this you will enjoy good quality and a warm rich tone.
Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar Bundle
Specs, features, and benefits
This is another offer from Yamaha for the beginner. This particular offer comes with more than just an acoustic classical guitar. It’s a complete bundle that offers the beginner everything they need to get started. But first, let’s look at the guitar itself.
The guitar that comes with this bundle is the Yamaha C40 Nylon String Acoustic Guitar. As you will expect from a brand committed to quality, this guitar offers a very balanced tone. This is the result of the combination of the nylon strings, the tonewoods and of course the build quality.
The body is made of Spruce and Mahogany while the neck is made of Nato with Rosewood fretboard.
Included in the bundle are: a gig bag for easy storage and transportation, a clip-on tuner for easy tuning, a string winder to make stringing the guitar much easier, an instructional DVD from Austin Bazaar to provide learning tips for accelerated progress and a cleaning cloth for easy cleaning of the guitar.
Pros and Highlights
- Sound – It offers a well-balanced sound.
- Accessories – it comes with extras to help the beginner get started.
- Cost – It is very affordable.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Gig bag – The included gig bag may not offer much by way of quality.
Bottom Line
This bundle offers great value. The guitar on its own is a great buy for a beginner but the extras make the purchase even more valuable. This is a great choice if you’re on a tight budget.
Stagg C547 Nylon String Classical Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
Stagg Music has a simple mission and that is to empower and inspire musicians at whatever level they may be. It therefore seeks to provide them with quality instruments from beginner to professional level.
The Stagg C547 is one of its beginner level products. This is a full-size classical acoustic guitar that is designed to make learning easy for the beginner.
Its top is made of laminated Spruce, its back, sides, neck and headstock are all made of Mahogany while the fingerboard is made of Rosewood.
The tuning machine heads are Lyre gold and this combines nicely with the high gloss finish to give it its lovely appearance.
This guitar gives a warm, balanced sound. It does help that it comes fully setup with quality D’Addario strings. You are sure to appreciate the intonation and action on this. Remember that it was built and setup to make life easier for beginners and it sure does.
If you’ve never tried a classical guitar, this will be a good and affordable introduction.
Pros and Highlights
- Well-built – This guitar is well put together and it shows.
- Tone – It has a warm and balanced tone.
- Setup – It comes pre-setup with good quality strings.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Hardware – The hardware could be better but for the price, they are good.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for the best value at the lowest possible cost, then go for this guitar. It is well built, delivers a lovely sound and is very affordable.
Protégé by Cordoba C1 Classical Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
It’s Cordoba again, but this time the brand is offering something for beginners on a very tight budget. Despite its lower price point, it’s still a Cordoba product and so maintains the brand’s quality.
The Protégé by Cordoba is a full-size classical guitar that offers an easy entry into the world of classical guitars. It features a Spruce top with Mahogany back and sides. For easy neck adjustment, a truss rod is included in its neck.
These are well put together and nicely finished for a reassuring and lovely look. Much more than its build and appearance, it also offers a good sound and is quite playable too.
Though you will be spending a lot less on this, you will be gifted with a gig bag for easy transportation and storage. There is no doubt that this guitar will offer anyone on a very tight budget great value.
Pros and Highlights
- Cost – It is very affordable and offers good value.
- Sound – It has a good clear sound.
- Extra – It comes with a soft gig bag.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Quality – You may not get the same quality you find on higher end Cordoba guitars.
Bottom Line
This is a very affordable guitar that is ideal for the beginner and anyone on a very tight budget. You get a classical acoustic guitar from a brand known for the quality of its guitars with a gig bag thrown in for good measure. That’s further savings for you.
Fender Beginner Acoustic Guitar MC-1
Specs, features, and benefits
Fender is a top dog when it comes to guitars and all that is related to guitars. Any Fender guitar – be it for beginners or professional players – is expected to perform better than its peers.
Fender MC-1 is an acoustic guitar designed for beginners. It is a 3/4 sized guitar which makes it ideal for younger players as well as small sized adults. It can also be used by experienced guitarists as a travel guitar.
The top is made of Agathis while the back and sides are made of Sapele wood. A combination of these tone woods and the fan bracing under the top gives it its rich classical tone.
It is also easier to play, thanks to its shorter scale length and the smoothly finished, C-shaped neck. You will find its intonation to be solid and its tone quite good.
With this guitar, you can enjoy a playing experience that can be compared to much more expensive guitars.
Pros and Highlights
- Playability – This guitar is easy to play, making it ideal for beginners.
- Sound – It’s got a good tone.
- Value – It offers a good balance between cost and quality.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Gig bag – The included gig bag is not padded and will not offer any protection.
Bottom Line
If you are a lover of Fender guitars and you are looking for a classical guitar that is comfortable to play, has a great tone and will not break your bank, then consider this.
Luna Aurora Borealis 3/4 Acoustic Guitar
Specs, features, and benefits
Luna Guitars is a brand known for its high quality and visually pleasing guitar designs. Its focus is creating guitars that fully engage the senses. Whether for professional or beginner level play, the brand always ensures that its products offer the best possible value.
The Aurora Borealis is a 3/4 Acoustic Guitar designed to help make the learning process easier for beginners. It features a basswood body and a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard.
Giving it its brand-specific look is the crescent moon sound hole. This and its black pearl finish gives it a lovely shiny look.
It’s not all looks, it’s also got good intonation and tone. This further makes it an ideal instrument for the learner as the lovely tone encourages continuous play while its high playability makes it easier to play without discomfort.
It can also be used as more than just a beginner guitar. Because of its size and tone quality, you can also use it as a travel guitar.
Pros and Highlights
- Build – It has a solid feel.
- Tone – It has a good tone and good intonation.
- Cost – It is very affordable.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Appearance – Though it is nicely finished, some may not like that it is very glittery.
Bottom Line
Not all learners need a tiny guitar to learn on. This ¾-size guitar is ideal for any beginner who needs something between a full-size guitar and a ½-size guitar. As a plus, it’s affordable and also has good tone and intonation.
What We Recommend and Why
As usual, having to pick from a list of instruments that each offer specific value can be quite difficult. However, after consider the 10 acoustic guitars on this list and the value they offer beginners, we chose the Ibanez AEG10NII Acoustic-Electric Guitar. This guitar has a good tone, is easy to play and also offers an electric option. We therefore feel it offers the best balance between value and cost.
