Classical vs Acoustic Guitar: What Are The Differences?

Both classical and acoustic guitars are adored by different sects of music enthusiasts for different reasons. While classical guitars are popular amongst those who are the followers of classical music, the ones who are more into jazz and country music, soft rock ‘n roll and other lighter varieties of music have a liking towards the Acoustic guitars. Both the two varieties have their own uniqueness that one has to appreciate. Now the billion dollar question is, if you are a beginner, which one should you pick? Will it be justified for you to opt for a classical guitar, or it will be more apt if you vouch for the acoustic variety. Here, the classical vs acoustic guitar debate comes very much into the foreground. Let us discuss the chapter for a better understanding of yours.

While getting into the thick of the classical vs acoustic guitar debate, you need to keep in mind that while you are about to embark on your musical odyssey, you need to opt for the one that will suite your purpose not only in the best you, but will support your expertise in the most promising way. Plus, you need to keep into consideration the aspect of price, for you cannot expect to be billionaire the moment you start fiddling with the strings.

So let us get into the basics. Your journey starts with deciding upon the variety of guitar you are looking forward to start with. Surely, there is no hard and fast rule that you need to start with this type of guitar and that. However, there are certain points that you need to consider so that it becomes trifle easier for you to make the final call.

If you look for statistics to find out the type of guitar most of the guitarists opt for to start with, you will find that most of them vouch for the acoustic variety. This is because these guitars are a bit less harsh so far as effects upon the finger tips are concerned, more so for the beginners. Moreover, they are pretty simple and are ideal for pick-up-an-play option.

Moreover, unlike the electric guitars, there is no need of an amplifier to listen to the sound in a proper way. Moreover, they are cheaper than the other varieties of guitars. Hence, they are economical as well. Hence, when it comes to debating on the classical vs acoustic guitar issue, the acoustic variety wins the first round, because of its cheaper price and its easier-to-play getup that satisfies the beginners.

Here you can see our recommended top acoustic guitars under $200

However, there is one sect of beginners, who would prefer the classical variety, much due to the fact that the anatomy of this variety is more helpful for the beginners. For instance, if you look at the fret board of the classical variety, it is quite wider than an acoustic guitar, which helps the beginners a bit more. However, on the other hand the classical guitars are often devoid of the fret markers or inlays or dots along the length of the fingerboard, which is again a negative aspect so far as the beginners are concerned.

The shape also plays a major role in the selection as well. While the acoustic variety predominantly comes in a somehow dreadnought shape, they are noticeably larger than the classical variety. Higher frets are more common in acoustic guitar, while in case of the classical variety, the presence of higher frets is somewhat rare if not anything else.

Tip: Here's our step by step guide on playing classical guitar. 

As already mentioned, another very important aspect of acoustic guitar vs classical guitar debate is the price, and the classical varieties are somewhat cheaper than their acoustic counterparts. That is one of the main reasons why the beginners would tend to vouch for the classical variety to start with.

Now let us get further into the debate. Let us start with the strings. You need to keep one thing in mind. The classical variety uses nylon strings while the acoustic variety comes with strings made up of steel, and that makes a world of difference.

The ‘feel factor’ of these two varieties is totally different. The nylon strings of the classical guitars are a quite thicker as well as mellower and hence, the feel is totally different. The steel strings come up with quite a bit of twang factor, which makes the sound a lot sharper and brighter than the classical variety, where the sound is a bit on the dimmer or subdued and softer side. The sound of the steel strings has greater resonance and hence, reverberates a bit more than the sound generated by the nylon strings.

The nylon strings are thicker and this is applicable in case of the treble strings like B, G and high E. And the bass strings come up with nylon core, which are surrounded by a metal winding and hence are more comfortable to play. Hence, from this aspect one should opt for a classical guitar.

The steel strings of the acoustic guitars come up with a variety of metals, like nickel and bronze. They are more like the strings of the electric guitars and hence, are much thinner and hence sharper on fingers of the beginners. Hence, if you are to start with the acoustic guitars, the finger tips will hurt and can even cut, though after subsequent practice, they will not hurt any more. Hence, if you are to save your fingers from cuts and bruises the classical guitar is the best option for you.
Tip: Here is our Top 10 Classical Guitars Reviews and Buying Guides. You can check this.

Hence, ideally speaking there should never be a classical vs acoustic guitar debate, as both these varieties have their own plus points and the negatives. Hence, when it comes to deciding upon the type of guitar you need to opt for, you need to consider all the points simultaneously and then take the final decision accordingly. The bottom line is that whichever guitar you opt for, you are going to benefit in one way or the other, and after a certain period of time you converge into the same route. Only the starting point may differ depending upon a certain points, though that hardly matters. However, whether you are going to excel in acoustic or in classical is a totally different issue altogether and is another chapter. The starting point has to be a sound one and should be as per your liking. So choose between the two varieties of instruments wisely.