Classical Guitars

The Classical or Spanish Guitar has a wide flat fingerboard with 12 frets from nut to the body, a flat top and a round shouldered body. The strings are gut or nylon, with the top three bare nylon and the lower three wound with wire over the nylon core. The tension of the strings is lower than on a metal strung guitar making it easier to fret and therefore suitable for beginners. There is also more room on the wide fingerboard which may suit players with larger fingers. Beginners classical guitars are sold in several sizes, usually 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4 or full size. The flamenco guitar is quite similar but usually has two clear scratchplates on either side of the soundhole.