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10 Best Guitar Classical 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Martin Guitar 000C12-16E Nylon with Gig Bag, Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Mahogany and Sitka Spruce Construction, Gloss-Top Finish, 000C-12 Fret, and Low-Profile Neck Shape Natural

The Martin Guitar 000C12-16E Nylon is a high-quality acoustic-electric classical guitar, designed with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a hardwood neck. This combination of tonewoods ensures a warm, rich sound, ideal for classical music. The guitar features a low-profile neck shape, which can make playing more comfortable, especially for those with smaller hands or beginners. The ebony fingerboard is smooth and durable, contributing to a pleasant playing experience. The fixed bridge system helps maintain tuning stability, which is crucial for consistent performance. The scale length ranges from 24.75 to 25.5 inches, providing a good balance between playability and tonal quality.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,103
Neck Width

Most important from
6 reviews

Neck Width
The neck is much easier to play than a standard classical neck and it sounds great.
#2
10.0 score

Cordoba C10 CD Classical, All-Solid Woods, Acoustic Nylon String Guitar, Luthier Series, with Polyfoam Case

The Cordoba C10 CD Classical guitar is a well-crafted instrument suited for those looking for a quality nylon-string guitar. Its solid Canadian cedar top contributes to a warm, rich tone, making it ideal for classical music enthusiasts. The solid Indian rosewood back and sides enhance the guitar's sound projection and resonance, adding depth to your playing experience.

Rating
10.0
String Type
Action

Most important from
125 reviews

String Type
The guitar's sound is warm, balanced, and full, particularly with the right strings.
Action
The action is set just right, making it easy to fret and play without any buzz.
#3
9.7 score

Yamaha C40II Classical Guitar, Full Size With Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge, Natural

The Yamaha C40II is a full-size classical guitar designed with beginners in mind, making it a solid option for those just starting their music journey. Its spruce top provides a bright and resonant tone, which is perfect for classical music. The meranti back and sides contribute to the guitar's warmth and richness in sound. The rosewood fingerboard and bridge add both aesthetic appeal and playability, ensuring a comfortable experience for novice players.

Rating
9.7
Neck Width
Action

Most important from
1503 reviews

Neck Width
It accommodates most hand sizes, allowing even small hands to hit all notes without difficulty.
Action
The action is nicely set up, the sound is excellent, and the tuners are smooth.

Top 10 Best Guitar Classical 2026 in the United States

Yamaha C40II Classical Guitar, Full Size With Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge, Natural

Tonewood: Spruce top, Meranti back and sides
Scale Length: 25.0
String Type: plastic
Body Size and Shape: full-size classical
Action: reasonable height

Taylor 312ce-N Nylon String Grand Concert, Sapele

Tonewood: Sapele, Mahogany, Spruce woods
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
String Type: Nylon
Body Size and Shape: Grand concert

Cordoba GK Studio Negra Cutaway Flamenco Acoustic-Electric Nylon String Guitar, Iberia Series

Tonewood: Spruce top, rosewood back and sides
Neck Width: Standard neck width
Scale Length: 650 mm
String Type: Nylon
Body Size and Shape: Full size, cutaway design

Godin 012817 Grand Concert SA Multiac Guitar (Natural HG)

Tonewood: Cedar Wood, Mahogany
Scale Length: 25.5
String Type: Nylon
Body Size and Shape: Two-Chambered

Cordoba C5-CE SP Classical Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Nylon String Guitar, Iberia Series

Tonewood: Solid Engelmann Spruce top, mahogany sides
Scale Length: 648 mm
String Type: Nylon
Body Size and Shape: Cutaway Electric
Action: Comfortable, adjustable for beginners
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Buying Guide for the Best Guitar Classical

Choosing the right classical guitar can be a rewarding experience, especially if you know what to look for. Classical guitars are known for their nylon strings and warm, mellow sound, making them ideal for classical music, flamenco, and other fingerstyle genres. When selecting a classical guitar, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you find the best fit for your playing style and needs.
TonewoodTonewood refers to the type of wood used in the construction of the guitar, particularly the top, back, and sides. This is important because different woods produce different sounds. For example, spruce tops are known for their bright and clear tone, while cedar tops offer a warmer, more mellow sound. If you prefer a brighter sound, go for spruce. If you like a warmer tone, cedar might be the better choice. The back and sides can be made from woods like rosewood, mahogany, or maple, each contributing to the overall sound and resonance of the guitar.
Neck WidthThe neck width of a classical guitar is typically wider than that of a steel-string acoustic guitar. This is important because it affects playability, especially for fingerstyle playing. A standard classical guitar neck is about 2 inches wide at the nut. If you have smaller hands, you might find a slightly narrower neck more comfortable. Conversely, if you have larger hands or prefer more space between the strings, a standard or even wider neck might be better for you.
Scale LengthScale length is the distance from the nut to the saddle and affects the tension and playability of the strings. Classical guitars usually have a scale length of around 650mm (25.6 inches). A longer scale length can provide more tension and a brighter tone, while a shorter scale length offers less tension and a warmer sound. If you prefer a brighter, more projecting sound, a longer scale length might be ideal. If you want a warmer, more relaxed tone, consider a shorter scale length.
String TypeClassical guitars use nylon strings, which are softer on the fingers and produce a warm, mellow tone. There are different types of nylon strings, such as normal tension, high tension, and extra high tension. Normal tension strings are easier to play and produce a softer sound, making them suitable for beginners. High tension strings offer more volume and a brighter tone, which might be preferred by more advanced players. Extra high tension strings provide even more volume and brightness but require more finger strength to play.
Body Size and ShapeThe body size and shape of a classical guitar can affect both the sound and comfort of the instrument. Standard classical guitars have a full-size body, which provides a rich, full sound. However, there are also smaller-bodied classical guitars, such as 3/4 or 1/2 size, which are more comfortable for younger players or those with smaller frames. If you are an adult or have a larger frame, a full-size guitar will likely be the best choice. If you are buying for a child or have a smaller frame, consider a smaller-bodied guitar for better comfort and playability.
ActionAction refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. This is important because it affects playability and comfort. Lower action makes the guitar easier to play, especially for beginners, as it requires less finger pressure to press down the strings. Higher action can produce a louder, clearer sound but may be more challenging to play. If you are a beginner or prefer easier playability, look for a guitar with lower action. If you are an advanced player seeking better sound projection, you might prefer higher action.

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