| Buying a new guitar is always an exciting process for | | | | upper frequencies. Play single notes throughout the |
| the beginner or experienced guitarist. A basic | | | | guitar's range and listen to how they sustain. Listen to |
| knowledge of the instrument and an assessment of | | | | the relationship of the bass notes to the treble. The |
| your musical goals will help you make a wise purchase, | | | | bass should be firm with a long sustain. However, the |
| a purchase you can enjoy for years, perhaps even a | | | | treble notes must be able to stand out in relation to the |
| lifetime All guitars produce sound through the vibration | | | | bass so you can project the melody. Finally, have |
| of the strings. Classical guitars transmit the vibration of | | | | someone play the instrument so you can judge the |
| the string to the soundboard via the saddle and bridge. | | | | projection. What's the difference in sound between a |
| The combined resonance of the strings, saddle, bridge | | | | $300 guitar and a $3000 one? Budget guitars are less |
| and soundboard are, in turn, amplified in the sound-box | | | | resonate and have a smaller tonal and dynamic range |
| or body of the guitar. The design and quality of the, | | | | than expensive guitars. |
| saddle, bridge and soundboard have a major impact | | | | Workmanship |
| on the guitar's sound. | | | | Whether you are a beginning or advanced player, a |
| Have in mind before buying... | | | | quality guitar is crucial to your success and enjoyment. |
| Nylon produces a round, mellow sound and is the | | | | A fine instrument is easy to play, exudes workmanship, |
| preferred sound for classical, Low, medium, normal and | | | | and sounds resonant and responsive. A quality |
| hard tension strings create a tension up 75-90 pounds. | | | | instrument inspires you to practice and excel as a |
| Less string tension makes a classic guitar easier to | | | | musician. Buy the best guitar you can afford and it will |
| play. The fingerboard, 50-52 mm at the nut, provides | | | | greatly enhance your learning and enjoyment. Note the |
| room for intricate finger picking. The longer string, | | | | quality of workmanship in the seating and polish of the |
| 650-655mm length from saddle to nut enhances the | | | | frets, the binding between the top and sides, and in the |
| bass response and sustain. The classical guitar body | | | | finish. However, in all fairness, you normally get what |
| style is smaller than most other acoustic designs which | | | | you pay for. Budget guitars cost less because cheap |
| make the instrument easy to handle and feel. Always | | | | materials and lesser workmanship are used to trim |
| remember, when buying a handmade guitar, you are | | | | costs. Budget guitars should be playable but will have |
| buying a live instrument. Temperature and humidity are | | | | numerous finish defects, unpolished frets, messy glue |
| the main factors to ruptures and instrument | | | | joints, unsanded bracing and poorly adjusted action (a |
| deterioration if not cared according to the maker's | | | | good dealer will adjust the action if needed). Premium |
| instructions. See" taking care of your guitar" below. | | | | quality guitars will have a near perfect fit and finish of |
| Setting Goals | | | | all components. Even the interior bracing will be neatly |
| What are your goals? Are you anticipating a serious | | | | glued and sanded smooth! Before purchasing a guitar, |
| hobby or majoring in music? If so, buy the best solid | | | | confirm that the tuning heads turn smoothly and allow |
| top guitar you can afford. An inexpensive guitar is a | | | | reasonable pitch control. Fortunately, cheap or broken |
| good choice if your goal is merely casual enjoyment | | | | turning heads are relatively easy and inexpensive to |
| for a semester or so (or if you're really poor!). Do you | | | | replace. |
| need to be amplified for church or stage? If so, an | | | | Price Ranges |
| acoustic-electric classical will afford maximize | | | | Professional classical guitarists play instruments |
| versatility. Before shopping, decide on a budget so the | | | | handcrafted by individual makers, e.g., Fleta, Hauser or |
| dealer can show you guitars in your price range. | | | | Gilbert. Depending on the maker's reputation, these |
| Trying Out a Guitar - Action | | | | guitars cost $3,000 to $20,000. Guitars made by a |
| Each guitar is unique in feel due to variations in neck | | | | specialized group of builders in a small shop cost from |
| thickness and shape. If the neck is comfortable, the | | | | $1000 to $10,000 e.g., RamÃrez, Hirade or Asturias. |
| guitar will be easier to play. The string height above the | | | | For most people these instruments are out of each. |
| fingerboard--the action--also influences playing ease. | | | | Most beginners are looking for an inexpensive guitar. |
| The action may vary according to personal taste and | | | | Buyer beware: most guitars retailing for under $100 are |
| playing style. High action is difficult to play but allows | | | | disappointing junk. Don't throw your money away on a |
| buzz-free high volume playing. Low action is easy to | | | | cheap toy, pay a little more and get a real guitar. Really |
| play but buzzes during aggressive playing. A | | | | cheap guitars have unacceptable compromises in |
| compromise between the two is best for most | | | | design, materials and construction quality. Fortunately, |
| players. Fortunately, the action can be adjusted to suit | | | | there are many factory-made guitars costing from |
| your needs. If you are a steel-string player, remember | | | | $150 to $300 that make fine beginning instruments. |
| that classical action is higher than steel-string action | | | | Recommended Classic Guitars |
| due to nylon's lower tension. Listen carefully to the | | | | These models are excellent values in their respective |
| timbre (tone color) of the guitar. A balance between | | | | price ranges. Granada guitars from Sevilla- Spain |
| dark and bright is the most versatile. However, timbre | | | | range form $299- $499, Prudencio Saez - guitars form |
| preference is subject to taste and playing style. If your | | | | Torrent - Spain. range from $380 -$1,800. Amalio |
| right hand technique is on the bright side, a dark | | | | Burguet guitars- Catarroja- Spain, range from $999- |
| sounding guitar will help balance your tone. If you play | | | | $4,500. |
| without nails, a brighter guitar will help bring out the | | | | |