Classical Guitar: Info On Buy Your First Nylon String Guitar

Subject: classical guitars
Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 21:55:25 -0400

Hi Mickey! I have one guitar, a Taylor, which I love. I'm now playing more classical music and am looking for a classical guitar but have no idea which manufacturers are most highly regarded. I figured I would spend between $1000 and $2000. Also, what do you think about a cutaway? I haven't needed one yet but don't want to feel confined in the future...
Thanks!
Kitti

There are lots of fine classical guitars to choose from these days...you might start by checking with Pimentel in Albuquerque, New Mexico...they offer a great value...

We carry some very nice handmade classicals too...you're welcome to call our in-house classical guitarist, Tradd for further info on these @ 888-209-8434...Tradd uses cutaways..and he has a penchent for the new Breedlove Bossa Nova...which is the most versatile classical guitar we've seen to date...it even has a preinstalled pick-up system...and, it really sounds sweet acoustically.

Mickey

Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 21:28:04 EST
Subject: would like to buy guitar

Greetings Rick,

I'm glad to assist if I can:

Hello, I found your website a couple of days ago and after doing some research of your site and prices, and comparing against others, I have decided to cancel my order of the Burswood Esteban guitar I had ordered last week, and would like to order the Lucida Solid Spruce Top Model LG-525 Classical guitar from you today. I am only able to do this if the sale price shown in the web site of $129 still stands. Could you please email me back today, and let me know if this guitar is still on sale?

Yes...what you see on our site would be the current discount price; however, you'll want to call Cheryl at 888-209-8434 to ensure that the LG-525 is still available...or if it's even in stock...

I have been debating back and forth between the LG 525 and the LG540. I am only choosing to spend as much as the 525 costs because I am thinking that the solid spruce top of the 525 will make a big difference in sound compared to the select spruce top of the 540. Am I right in assuming this?

Yes...a solid top is worth the difference...mainly, they season with time as compared to laminate woods...and can have a mellower tone as they age.

If there is only a marginal difference I would rather purchase the 540 and use the other odd $30 or so to purchase an electronic tuner. I have never played guitar before, and have recently been put on So. Security Disability due to a bad back, and neck, and will have a lot of time on my hands to learn guitar. So money is kind of tight, and I obviously know little of what I am doing concerning guitars, so I hope I am making a wise choice.
I have looked at your site extensively and found the information on making a choice between folk and classical guitar. I am sure glad you put that info in there. I am sure the nylong strings of the classical guitar will be much easier for me to learn on, and thus, I won't get discouraged real quickly.

Yes...this is true...you're going to find that the Nylon strings are soft to the touch...steel strings require that each fretting finger develops a callous...the first 30 days or so can be tortuous on a steel string guitar...additionally, nylon string guitars have a wider fretboard...making it easier to fret single notes and chords without touching adjacent strings.

I would like to put in my order for one of these guitars yet today, so could you please reply and let me know which is the wiser choice, the 525 or 540 Lucida, and if they are still on sale?

I would definitely opt for the 525...

Thanks so much. I am kind of excited about this. I have wanted to play guitar since I was about 18 years old, and now I am 45 and finally getting to it.

That's inspiring to hear...you're going to find that playing guitar is rewarding in many ways...if you ever have questions on the learning process, be sure to get back with us...we'd be glad to assist...Mickey

Thanks a lot for your help and time.
Rick

Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 23:25:14 -0400

Hello Mickey, I have a question for you. I am a new person in guitar.

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:

I have researched via chain stores, music stores, internet, etc. My aim is to purchase an acoustic guitar. I would love to own and play both classical guitar and as well, steel string acoustic. SO, I am shopping for an classical acoustic for now, to begin my journey as a guitar player. I love the sound of Ottman Leibert. He is into classical/flamenco/new hybrid of classical and spanish and "new age" sounds of drums, synthesizers, etc. Ottman is breaking out of the traditional methods, creating a new sound. So, I am interested in the guitar playing arena. I cannot afford to buy TWO guitars... let alone I need to learn to play both of them. So, classical acoustic guitar for starters...

Right now, I cannot afford the wonderful Breedlove and Taylor guitars. But... I plan to purchase a good acoustic classical guitar that is not too "low - end" or the cliche "beginner's " and sounding not all that great. Cheap and tinnney. I feel that may be the reason so many people do not stick with their guitar learning phase. The thing does not sound sweet and lovely...

Well, the nice aspect of buying a classical guitar with nylon strings, is that they very seldom sound tinny....they usually always have a mellower sound with more roundness to tone than a steel string guitar...additionally, when first starting out, a classical guitar is far easier to learn on...as exemplified in the following:

1. A nylon string guitar is far easier to fret in an effort to gain a clear tone. Calloused fingers are not as necessary to minimize the pain of fretting as they're on steel string guitars. Steel strings have far more tension making them more difficult to fret on average...however, some steel string guitars can be set up to have a tremendously low action making it easier to fret; even with this low of an action, a nylon string guitar would beat it for ease of playability.

2. The string spacing on a classical is far wider than a steel string guitar. As a beginner, this makes it easier to play without inadvertently deadening adjacent strings.

3. If you're learning to fingerpick, a nylon string guitar is far easier on the nails of the right hand. The nylon strings have far more play and feel softer to the touch...

So, I would like to see your offer and suggestions. I will buy a good mid range level of guitar from you, and later, when I am more skilled in about a year or less, (whenever)... I will trade into a higher end one... hopefully to work up to a Breedlove or Taylor guitar down the road.....

My suggestion would be to try out one of our higher end Lucida models...these are superb workhorse guitars that offer a tremendous value within our classical guitar selections.

Any help from you would be great... I am not in the mood to be swindled... or to be taken advantaged of because of my ignorance in how to shop for a guitar. I cannot afford the high end, and do not want the low end.... the models and brands get a little fuzzy in the mid range levels... slight diffferences, etc. You can see the obvious differences between the hign end and the low end.... but the middle ones have slight variations and is a big deal tot he more "educated ears" and knows a thing or two about "reading guitars"... I am new... so... let me know what you have to share with me...
Thank you for your time! MB

The ultimate classical guitars are made in Spain...Everything we sell comes with a Lifetime Warranty...and all new instruments also come with our 100% trade-up value...Hope this helps, Mickey

LG-777 List Price: $695.00 Current Sale Price: $475.00
Concerto The Concerto model represents the most traditional of our Lucida Artista guitars. The solid spruce top gives it a brighter and cleaner sound than the cedar top guitars. The Concerto also has a traditional ebony fretboard and solid rosewood sides. In addition, we've added a gold color trim to the wood body binding, and bone inlays to the rosewood bridge adding to the classic elegance of these guitars.
Solid Rosewood Sides
Select Rosewood Back
Ebony Fretboard
Mahogany Neck
Deluxe Gold Lyre Tuners
Inlaid Rosette
Wood Bindings with Golden Trim
Ivoroid Nut & Saddle Concerto Handmade in Spain

LG-755 List Price: $595.00 Current Sale Price: $395.00 Virtuoso The Virtuoso guitar is a bit more traditional than the Malaga because it is constructed with rosewood back and sides. In addition we added a rosewood headstock overlay and wood body binding to make the cosmetics match the warm timbre of the sound. Solid Cedar Top
Rosewood Back & Sides
Rosewood Headstock Overlay
Rosewood Fretboard
Mahogany Neck
Gold Lyre-end Tuners
Inlaid Rosette
Wood Body Binding
Ivoroid Nut & Saddle
Handmade in Spain