I have received many questions about how to choose the guitar properly, from students that are buying the nylon strings guitar for the first time. Let me first say that a properly handcrafted instrument, from high-quality wood, just can’t even compare to any factory-made guitar, produced in series. Of course, the price is according, the good quality hand made guitar always costs in exes of 5000 $, but through time, it’s price will go up, not down. Almost any guitar you can get for under 1500 $, is going to be made of plywood, (the handcrafted guitar will be made from massive wood pieces, of course). And in a few years, the plywood guitar’s price will go down. Even if you find one with a solid wood front board, that guitar wood is never dried properly, (Guitar Wood post) and it will still have the three-ply on the sides and the back. First, the glue that holds the wood sheets in the three-ply – kills the resonance, and then the perpendicular wood grain among the layers – further prevents it from resonating. That’s why all guitars made in factories are all very much alike – there is very little difference among them. In music shops all around the world today, you can often find an 800$ nylon strings guitar that sounds no better than a 150$ one! The “flamenco models” of many factory brands are more expensive than classical guitar models, and it’s for no reason – they both sound like ____ anyway. That fact made me produce this small guide on how to choose the guitar, and then make a flamenco guitar out of a classical guitar, with a little know-how. And with a little bit of luck, you can possibly get a good one for even less than 200$…
First and foremost, do not hurry! To choose the guitar – cannot be done in one day. I advise you to tell the salesman what you need – a cheap classical guitar that sounds strong and sharp. Then perhaps wait a while if necessary, so it arrives at that shop. Check how it sounds in higher position first, precisely while playing scales – forte on the 9th fret. It should sound sharp, but also as lyrical and colorful as it can, enabling you to play melodies well. You also must “like” the bass frequencies on it – when you play the 6th open string, that 82,41 Hz should “feel good to your body” (having the guitar pressed on your chest). You should check it’s neck too. It should be straight, but it should be slightly bent inwards. If it’s too flat, you won’t be able to lower the saddle, since the strings would be hitting the frets, and buzz while vibrating. You should be able to feel that this instrument will get better and better in your hands through time… It is a “one of a kind feeling” and it can not be described with words, it is a feeling that simply – must be felt. If the guitar is sharp and responsive, and it has the warm and colorful basses, you have found your instrument..! A second thing is – chill out man, you are not getting married! You can always sell that guitar and get another one. The guitar is an expandable thing, and even the best guitars can be replaced, so no reason to get excited at all…
