When looking into different guitars to purchase or play, three categories come to mind: acoustic, classical, and electric. There are of course other stringed instruments like a bass that come in thought, but for the most part those three dominate the scene. Looking at an electric guitar and one of the others makes for an easy comparison, but finding out the difference between a classical guitar and a regular one can be quite difficult, especially for a novice player. Let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of each of these guitars that set them into their designated areas.
Classical guitars, otherwise known as Spanish guitars, are equipped with a wider neck than their acoustic counterparts. This may not be apparent at first glance, but under a trained eye you can clearly see a distinction between the two. A classical guitar will also have a different bridge than an acoustic one, giving it a slightly different sound. There are less frets on classical guitars than there are on regular ones because the neck of a classical instrument is attached at the twelfth fret. That allots for less notes to be played, thought they aren’t notes that are commonly used to begin with.
The easiest to recognize difference between classical and acoustic guitars is in the position of the tuning pegs. Most guitars have these pieces on the top of the neck, but classical instruments have them pointed down. This doesn’t affect the way that the instrument is played much, but it does show a noticeable change in appearance that is easy to spot. The fret board of a classical guitar is usually flat without a radius, and the tuning pegs on a classical instrument all face toward the guitar. Nylon strings remain the most common used on these instruments, creating a different sound than the steel ones used on acoustic guitars.
Overall, there are many more differences between a classical guitar and a regular one than most people realize. The two terms are often used to replace one another, but the truth is that playing a classical guitar is quite different than playing a regular guitar. Subtle changes in body and tone lead to subtle changes in musical style and flair, creating new music along the way. Both instruments have made a great impact on the music industry, and their value cannot be measured by a mere comparison of features.
