Classical Guitars PLUS

fine classical & acoustic guitars
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Classical Guitars and Flamenco Guitars

Classical guitars and flamenco guitars are different instruments both in terms of construction and materials. These differences lead to the differences in sound quality and playing characteristics of the 2 types of instrument.

The main differences are:

  1. Different bracing patterns under the soundboard.
  2. Flamenco guitars tend to be narrower.
  3. Strings action is set much lower in flamenco models. This is done by lowering the bridge, nut and the saddle, and also by using a different angle to join the neck with the the body making the strings run more parallel to the neck and soundboard than they do in a typical classical guitar.
  4. Because the action is lower, string buzzing is normal to a certain extent with a flamenco guitar. This would be totally unwanted with a classical model.
  5. In a flamenco guitar Spanish solid cypress is traditionally used for back and sides and German spruce for the soundboard. In a classical guitar Indian rosewood is the wood of choice for back and sides and German spruce or cedar is used for the soundboard.
  6. The Flamenco guitar has a large "tap plate" or "golpeador" to protect the soundboard from the characterisic percussive hitting (tapping???) of the soundboard with the player's nails

In recent years, the "flamenca Negra" (with its Indian rosewood back and sides) has become increasingly popular . This type of flamenco guitar has been adopted by a number of famous Spanish flamenco players. There is also the practical reason that that cypress wood has become more difficult to obtain and as a consequence more expensive.

After :Guitarras Alhambra Date: 30/07/2003
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Classical Guitars PLUS is a part of a family-run business which has been doing business on the internet for nearly a decade. If there is more you want to know or more you think we could do, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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"It's a lovely guitar ... well balanced ... fret board very true ... action is lovely and low and easy to play..."
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"The guitar arrived safe and well. Looks great sounds great. Thanks for all your help."
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Reduced Delivery Charges

Delivery throughout the UK is free as usual. But we have managed to come up with much reduced delivery charges to almost all other countries. Find out more at Delivery Costs for Classical Guitars or call +44 (0)1363 881174 for more information.

20 November 2008