Can anyone recommend a brand or model of classical guitar that would be a great choice for a beginner? Especially someone who is not sure they will continue playing, but is just trying it out? Maybe around $100-$150?

Hey Dave,

It sounds like you just wanna check things out in the classical department, so I'm gonna go ahead and say that something like a student model Yamaha would be just fine for you. You may wind up spending about $200 for it, but I'd rather see you do that than buy a piece of junk that won't feel like the instrument should (or last remotely as long).

Here's just the thing:

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-YAM-CG101A

Thanks Shack! I'll look into that. $200 is only a little more than I was going to spend and if it's good quality, it's probably worth it. May even make it more enjoyable to play so I keep with it longer. Not that I have any expectations either way.

The Yamaha C40 is a full-size classical guitar that is great quality and sound for the beginner. You can get the guitar and case for around $150. You can check it out at the following link: http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--YAMC40PK

Hey, thanks Jillian. I'll have to check that one out. Do you know anything about them? Yamaha is a pretty good brand name, not sure what others think about their classical guitar products, but definitely worth looking into. There's a local Guitar Center here in my area, maybe I'll see if they have it, then go online to try and find the best prices..

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-YAM-GM-STD-LIST
I like this package. You get multiple accessories with the guitar. Never needed a tuner though, I have good hearing but I like the strap and the bag.

Why don't you watch out for a sale of classical guitars in your locality? There is a great chance of picking a good guitar there; and you can get it for a bargain too. A friend of mine got a good classical guitar for half the price at one such sale. It was just fine for learning purposes.

I agree that Yamaha has great quality in acoustic as well as electronic instruments.

Speaking of classical guitars, I got one from my father-in-law that he picked up for $80 at a garage sale. It was a great deal - It has nylon strings and is playable, although I have had a bit of an issue with buzzing high on the neck from time to time.

I still haven't upgraded it.

same goes with here too..when it comes to guitars yamaha is a good brand

great!.. i will check that link and to know more on this yamaha thing..do you have one?

I own a concert classical, a good China built New Masters and lately bought a Ibanez GA6CE for $250, available used for $150, but make sure it is returnable.

This guitar is worth $250 if you have a decent one in the local store. Get the nut and saddle replaced with unbleached bone and use Hannabach or Luthier brand hard tension strings. The upgrade will cost you maybe 50-70 of luthier work. These guitars can be made to play great and have a truss rod. They are good sounding and the electronics are good, but no tuner.

For a starter or a regular gig for a guy who can already play rather well, this will do the job. Cheap to buy, but a decent little guitar.

Blackdog, do you have a lot of experience with different classical guitars? We could really use some help here building that section up...

The "brand" names mentioned in this forum will fit the needs of almost every new classical guitar player. The one problem that I have observe by watching many new players in CG is that they buy an instrument that often is not suitable to fit their physical needs in terms of handling the fretboard.
The size of the scale-length(string distance from the Nut/Neck to the Saddle-white piece inserted into the Bridge of the instrument)is a most critical issue when picking a guitar for a new player.
People with small hands and/or short fingers - regardless of age-could benefit from selecting a guitar with a shorter scale than the standard 25.6" (650mm) used in 90% of all guitars.
It is important to check this issue when buying a guitar for this two main reasons:
1:A shorter scale length also brings the frets closer to each other and will be much easier for players with short fingers to reach the notes - particularly in classical guitar music that requires a lot of arppegio playing.
2:The standard width of the CG Neck is approx.2.1" (50mm)Some players will have difficuty reaching accross to the 6th string unless they choose a guitar with a slighly norrower width at the neck.
There are CG available with a 1-14/16"neck. My first classical was a 7/8 overall size guitar by the Strunal Co. that fitted me just right until my finger dexterity and skill in playing let me do jsutice to the music with a standard sizeinstrument. Remember-Classical Guitar is not just chord playing you need to do a lot of finger spread arobicts as you progress.
Picking a guitar is like picking a pair of shoes- Not One Size Fits All. Good Luck to all the new players and enjoy your guitar music.

I think this last post is very important for all beginning guitarists. It isn't so much a problem for older beginners but for children it is really something to think about. This goes for any acoustic instrument. Putting a six year old behind the wheel of a full size cello isn't going to work. The same goes for guitar. The instrument must fit the player. This tends to be a catch 22 because parents think, "They are going to grow out of this so why bother getting a decent instrument at first." Ultimately what happens, is kids wind up with a guitar that fits but doesn't play. They also have to have an instrument that sounds and plays well. Music stores with rental policies is nice solution to this problem.

Although quality on them is hit and miss, Washburn and Oscar Schmidt each have decent classical guitars that won't bust the budget. The Oscar Schmidt OC9 runs under $100, and they have the 3/4 size OC1 that's even less and may be good for smaller beginners.Yamaha has a few that are better made but slightly more expensive.

I think it is harder to spot the subtle differences that come between entry level and high end classical guitars. You can get a very professional instrument for under a thousand dollars. A $100 dollar classical is very acceptable.

I've got this awesome classical guitar. It has no strings and sits on a stand as a tip-collector for gigs. Best classical guitar I've ever used.

That is one heck of a classical. It cost a fortune didn't it? Wasn't it like 3,000 Real? Or $17 U.S. dollars?

Hahaha no it was like 125 Real which at the time was worth about 40 bucks! A classical dump!

$17 for a classical? What a gas! Hahahahaha, get it? Classical gas?

Sorry...

I still recommend Yamaha guitars for beginners as being pretty top notch if you've got the bread to afford it.

Also, Alex...if you can find a guitar that grows money inside it, you let me know.

I will ship you my classical guitar. It has magical powers.