Which instrument should a Classical Guitar Student Chose?
I was asked by a man who had become a classical guitar student as an adult what his choice of guitar should be.
Obviously it is difficult to generalise - people have different musical experience and talents as well as greatly differing budgets. As I did not know him well, I wanted to provide an answer that would suit a range of different possible circumstances.
"The fact is it is best to play an instrument that is a bit too good for you rather than one that is "just right". The better instrument stretches you, rewards you, and inspires you. But even if you have an unlimited budget, I still wouldn't suggest buying a £2500 concert instrument in your first 3 years.
"I am not absolutely clear from your email how many years you have been playing so I will make a number of suggestions depending on the number of years and your budget -
| Years playing | ||||
Budget up to |
Up to 1 | Up to 2 | Up to 3 | 3 or more |
£200 |
Alhambra 2C | Alhambra 2C | There is now a very wide choice of instruments available at a very wide range of prices | |
£300 |
Liikanen Kantare LO300CW | Liikanen Kantare LO300CW | Alhambra 4P | |
£400 |
Liikanen Kantare L 300C | Liikanen Kantare L 300C | Alhambra 5P
|
|
£500 |
|
Liikanen Kantare K400C Alhambra 6P |
Liikanen Kantare K400C
Alhambra 6P |
|
£600 |
Liikanen Kantare I500C | Liikanen Kantare I500C | ||
£700 |
Alhambra 7P | Alhambra 7P | ||
£900 |
Alhambra 9P | |||
"The better you play, the greater your choice of instruments. A good player with 3 or more years experience but with a limited budget will get great pleasure from a Liikanen I500C for example. However if their budget will stretch there are advanced/intermediate student instruments that would suit going on up through the £1000 mark. And, the fact is, many adult students like to treat themselves to a really good quality semi-performance instrument and pay much more than this. However much money you have I still don't think that you will really get the most out of the more expensive instruments until you have had at least 3 years playing under your belt."
