Top 10 Considerations that Professional Classical Guitarists Look For in Their New Classical Guitar
What Do Professional Classical Guitarists Look for in their Guitars?
At Guitarsonline we asked many of the world’s top of guitar players...
“As a professional classical guitar concert performer, what are your top considerations when researching and buying a new concert quality classical guitar?”
We’ve created a summary of their answers:
Tone woods: The choice of tone woods can significantly impact the guitar's sound and projection. Research different combinations of woods, such as spruce or cedar for the top and rosewood, maple, or mahogany for the back and sides, to find the sound that best suits your preferences and performance needs.
Craftsmanship: A concert-quality classical guitar should be well-built, with attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship. Look for guitars made by reputable luthiers or manufacturers with a proven track record of producing exceptional instruments.
Scale length and neck dimensions: The scale length and neck dimensions can affect both playability and tone. Consider your hand size and playing style when researching the ideal scale length and neck profile for your new guitar.
Projection and volume: A concert-level instrument should have excellent projection and volume to carry your sound across a performance hall. Test various guitars in different settings to determine which instrument can best meet the demands of your performances.
Tone and resonance: Listen carefully to the tonal qualities of each guitar, paying attention to its balance, sustain, and resonance. A concert-quality guitar should have a rich, warm tone with a wide dynamic range.
Playability and comfort: The guitar should be comfortable to play, with a smooth, well-finished neck and well-dressed frets. The action should be appropriately set, allowing for easy playability without compromising tone or intonation.
Aesthetics: While the sound and playability should be your primary considerations, the appearance of your concert guitar is also important. Look for an instrument with a visually appealing design that reflects your personal taste and stage presence.
Customization options: Some luthiers and manufacturers offer customization options that can enhance the guitar's performance or aesthetics. Research which features, such as different bracing patterns or tuners, may be available to create a tailored instrument that suits your needs.
Budget: Determine your budget before researching concert-quality guitars, as prices can vary widely. Keep in mind that investing in a high-quality instrument can be beneficial for your professional career, but it's essential to find a guitar that offers the best value for your investment.
Personal connection: Ultimately, your concert guitar should feel like an extension of yourself as a performer. Take the time to play and test several guitars to find the one that resonates with you on a personal level and allows you to express yourself musically. Trust your instincts and choose the instrument that best aligns with your playing style and artistic vision.
How Can I Help?
If You Have Questions?
Please give me a call at any time if you have questions about any of our guitars, or if you would like me to offer you some suggestions.
Pierre Herrero
m: 0410 708 338
e: pierre@guitarsonline.com.au
Expert Playing Style Assessment and Guitar Fitting
Don't let the wrong guitar hold you back and limit your ability to progress and enjoy your practice and playing.
My system for playing style assessment and guitar fitting has been developed from more than 50 years of acquired knowledge, playing and testing more than 3,000 uniquely different guitars from more than 70 different luthiers and helping match almost 18,000 people with their dream guitar.
So, unless you are an experienced, expert player, who has spent decades travelling the world, testing guitars, how do you know what specific guitar, is best for you, the individual player?
You don't have to - that is what we do. It's this service that helps make GuitarsOnline so unique.
Our Expert Guitar and Playing Style Consultation Service is a unique offering, whereby we do a complete analysis of you and your playing style - your physical characteristics and objectives.
You then have the opportunity to play a range of guitars, all perfectly suited to your specific playing requriements.
Our GuitarsOnline showroom is located just over the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne
If you would like to book a style assessment and guitar fitting, please contact me on:
pierre@guitarsonline.com.au
m: 0410 708 338
Or you can contact me through the following form:
https://www.guitarsonline.com.au/product-enquiry