Entry Level Classical Guitar

FatBoy

Hi okes

A friend of mine wants to start learning to play guitar. I suggested he start on a classical. Firstly because that's what I started on, and secondly I think its the easier variation to start on, softer strings, wider neck etc.

He has about R1000 to spend on this beginner guitar.

So do you guys think I am right on suggesting classical to start on, and what would you recommend in that price range?

AlanRatcliffe

I'm a firm believer in getting whatever is best suited to the style of music they want to learn to play. Getting the sound they want to hear out of an instrument is more inspirational and any guitar is going to hurt until the beginner builds up some calluses.

Electrics are by far the easiest to learn on thanks to the skinny neck and relatively low tension strings. Classics are lower tension, but the big neck makes them more difficult to wrap your fretting hand around and reach notes. Acoustic steels have the highest tension strings, but relatively small necks compared to classics.

glug

Alan Ratcliffe wrote I'm a firm believer in getting whatever is best suited to the style of music they want to learn to play. Getting the sound they want to hear out of an instrument is more inspirational and any guitar is going to hurt until the beginner builds up some calluses.

Electrics are by far the easiest to learn on thanks to the skinny neck and relatively low tension strings. Classics are lower tension, but the big neck makes them more difficult to wrap your fretting hand around and reach notes. Acoustic steels have the highest tension strings, but relatively small necks compared to classics.

yeah but what electric can you get for R1000. my first electric was a santafe and it was the most sh**est guitar i've heard and played on had this for a few months because i couldn't afford to buy a new guitar.. Only costs R900. a couple of months later i bought the J&d brothers(les paul custom) which is an awesome sounding guitar for R4000. a month later i was given a epihone Gibson special. sound is ok but the neck is by way far better than my j&d brothers. If he wants to play electric try get another R600 together and get the epiphone gibson speical 2. it will be worth the money.

FatBoy

He says he'd like to play R&B & "slow jams" and latin / santana like stuff. Sounds like a classical to me?

AlanRatcliffe

Santana is anything but nylon - humbucker electric into a high gain amp. Traditional Latin styles are nylon though. R&B could be anything, but more commonly electric.

Mr-M

Fritz Brand wrote He says he'd like to play R&B & "slow jams" and latin / santana like stuff. Sounds like a classical to me?

Yup. If he wants to do the Santana thing he's going to have to go electric at some point though, but the classical will probably be the best thing to learn Latin-style music on initially.
I'd say take him through to a store and see what makes him excited. Even if a classical is really what he should have, if an electric is what inspires him, then that's what he should get. Music is art after all, so you kinda have to go with what feels right.

FatBoy

Thanks for the advice guys!