You can see prime examples of great classical guitar construction by reading about the best classical guitar brands. Without this sturdy internal bracing system, classical guitars are generally significantly lighter than acoustics of around the same size. Steel string acoustics need a lot more support inside the body to keep it from collapsing under the pull of its strings, whereas classical guitars need very little. Finally, also contributable to the differences in string tension, is the fact of internal bracing.Make sure you know how to change strings on your classical guitar so you’re not tempted to use steel strings which can seriously damage your neck. The truss rod in other acoustics adds support to the neck, keeping it straight while under pressure from the tightly wound steel strings.Since the strings aren’t pulling so hard on the neck, classical guitar necks are usually solid wood, without the truss rod found in steel string guitars. Nylon strings are under much less tension than steel strings, which enables the final two differences in build.Classical guitars are strung with nylon, with the bass strings sometimes made of nylon wound with copper. Obviously steel string guitars have, you guessed it, steel strings. Typically thought of as the main difference between the two types of guitars is the string material.Sizing aside, there are a few more construction differences worth noting. This serves two purposes: it adds strength and stability to the guitar’s neck, and the greater string spacing accommodates fingerstyle playing used on classicals. The next obvious difference between classical and acoustic guitars is that the fretboard of classical guitars is anywhere from six to twelve millimeters wider than the width found on steel string instruments. Generally the most common classical guitar body will roughly compare with the parlor size in steel string acoustics. These are further categorized from largest to smallest, notated 4/4 (full-size), 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4. Most commonly, you’ll find the Prime, or Concert style body in classical guitars. Looking at the two from a distance, the first and most obvious difference you’ll notice is that steel string guitars usually have larger bodies than classical guitars.Īlthough steel string acoustics come in a range of sizes including mini instruments for children and medium-sized parlor guitars, they are most commonly found with dreadnought bodies, smaller only than the “jumbo” style body of some uncommon larger acoustics.Ĭlassical guitars also come in a variety of sizes, ranging from the smallest Piccolo style body to the largest Contra bass styles. So, with that out of the way, let’s talk about their physical differences: namely, how they differ in build and construction. This makes classicals soft, warm, and mellow sounding compared to the big, brassy, bold tone of their steel string cousins. Nylon strings, as you might imagine, don’t have a lot of oomph either. With acoustics, body size determines volume, and classicals have a lot less space for the sound to be internally amplified. Take one to a busy intersection and jam out on the sidewalk and you’ll see you can be heard fairly well over the sound of traffic.Ĭlassical guitars, on the other hand, are much quieter. Steel string acoustics, especially the large-bodied dreadnoughts, can be played quite loudly without losing any sonic clarity. With different body sizes and different string types comes a big difference in the way steel string guitars and classical guitars sound. This is probably due to the prominence of steel string guitars over classical guitars in popular music, and most people will assume you’re talking about a steel string guitar if you mention an acoustic, but it’s important to know that classicals are themselves acoustic instruments. The first thing you should know is that when you ask “what’s the difference between a classical and an acoustic guitar?” is that what you really want to know is “what’s the difference between a classical and a steel string guitar.Ĭlassicals are, by definition, acoustic guitars, but the term acoustic is frequently used to refer only to those that are strung with steel strings. First Things First: They’re Both Acoustics! It’s pretty straightforward, and I’m happy to detail for you exactly what sets these two types of guitars apart. The difference between a classical and an acoustic guitar is just one of many things you want to know about as you start your musical journey. Like with any new hobby, learning to play guitar comes with a slew of new terms and qualifiers that you’re probably puzzling over.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |