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  #1  
Old 07-10-2009, 12:58 PM
bshpmark bshpmark is offline
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Default Inexpensive classical guitar

(sorry, I meant "inexpensive" in the header)

I want to get an inexpensive classical guitar just to have one to experiment with. By inexpensive I mean less than three George Washingtons. Yes, I know I am not getting a great guitar but I am not a classical player. I simply want one to have on hand to experiment with and try my hand at learning some fingerstyle and some light strumming on.

I have been looking at the Yamaha CG11S and Cordoba Dolce 7/8. What are some opinions on these two and any other recommendations. I think I might prefer a solid cedar top just to have something besides spruce.
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Old 07-10-2009, 01:32 PM
Tony Burns Tony Burns is offline
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300 might be stretching it -Yamahas are decent (i know from past experiences ) throw in another 3 hundred and for about 6 hundred youll get a great guitar -I bought a Lucida concerto 666 a couple of years ago and its a phenominal guitar for a non-classical player
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Old 07-10-2009, 02:15 PM
jayhawk jayhawk is offline
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I had a Yamaha for years that I thought was a good inexpensive classical. I would second the Lucida. If you can come up with extra money, they are well worth it.

Jack
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Old 07-10-2009, 02:26 PM
gary0319 gary0319 is offline
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Vote #3 for Lucida, I have a Lucida Picada Flamenco that is great. However, if the 3 clams is your budget, you can find a pretty decent Yamaha for that, especially on the used market.

Gary
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Old 07-10-2009, 03:22 PM
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I bought a classical to learn as well, a Lucero LC-100. GC carries them. Google it and you'll see the very low price. I spent another $5 the other day and put a bone saddle in it. Go to my website below and listen to "Winter's Death" to get a good idea of what it sounds like. It does not sound like a toy nor does it have that "boxy" sound that inexpensive guitars sometimes have. There's no reason to spend at the top of your budget as you can use the leftover cash to buy some instructional books and dvds.

BTW this guitar is not cedar, I don't even think the top is solid spruce, nor did I care when I bought it. Technique on a classical is more important in many ways than the guitar itself.
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Old 07-10-2009, 07:59 PM
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Kitchen Guitars Kitchen Guitars is offline
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A great cheapie is the Yamaha CG60. It is a student, no frills, tank. They are dirt cheap and I have found nothing in the sub 1k I have liked more enough to be bothered upgrading.
This is the guitar everone gets at Christmas, strums it once then sells it on craigslist CHEAP CHEAP
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Old 07-11-2009, 12:01 AM
dawalsh dawalsh is offline
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I'm going to buy one tomorrow too (a cheapie Yamaha) . I've never played it before until today, lots of fun.
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Old 07-11-2009, 12:41 AM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bshpmark View Post
(sorry, I meant "inexpensive" in the header)

I want to get an inexpensive classical guitar just to have one to experiment with. By inexpensive I mean less than three George Washingtons.
Less than $3? A well-worn Esteban in unplayable condition?
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Old 07-11-2009, 06:56 AM
jimmy bookout jimmy bookout is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard Klepper View Post
Less than $3? A well-worn Esteban in unplayable condition?
There you go. Everything's going along nicely, everyone's playing well with each other, and then Howard has to bring up the Hatted One. Howard, Howard, Howard...

Jimmy
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Old 07-11-2009, 09:37 AM
BigRed51 BigRed51 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard Klepper View Post
Less than $3? A well-worn Esteban in unplayable condition?
You are obviously a high roller ... I was trying to think of something for less than $0.75 .....
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Old 07-11-2009, 03:26 PM
bshpmark bshpmark is offline
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Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will check into them all ESPECIALLY the high end Esteban!
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  #12  
Old 07-12-2009, 10:07 AM
Frankp Frankp is offline
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Default Short scale cheapie

I am also looking for a decent and cheap classical... However I need a short scale (1/2 or 3/4). I had a mtn biking accident a week ago and broke 4 ribs, fractured my shoulder blade and tore up my rotator cuff. So I won't be playing my full size classical for a while. I would suspect that many of the "children's" classicals are just toys that won't stay in tune and have extremely narrow necks. Any opinions on short scaled lucidas, cordobas, yamahas, etc ? Anyone have a used one gAthering dust that they would like to sell? Thanks. Frankp
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Old 07-12-2009, 05:29 PM
bshpmark bshpmark is offline
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Wow, Frank. Hope you heal up and recover soon! Sounds like you took a nasty spill. Get well soon. I've dealt with the rotator cuff bit and also the broken ribs. Not a fun situation to be in whatsoever. Keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
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  #14  
Old 07-12-2009, 08:49 PM
dodadedadude dodadedadude is offline
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Default Inexpensive Classical

Hi,
I actually have a Cordoba 40R for sale... I am getting rid of a lot of stuff because I need to move. It is a surprising good sounding guitar with solid ceder top and laminated rosewood back and side. I will sell it for $300 if you want it. Very good condition.
Thank you.
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  #15  
Old 07-13-2009, 06:38 AM
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Yamaha + bone saddle + good medium tension strings = great value and decent guitar!

My little CG111C is a sleeper that serious classical playing friends are mildly impressed with. It won't blow away any real expensive classical, but it works well, sounds good and is very playable with the saddle cut down to lower action for me, who is MUCH more attuned to electrics and steel string guitars.
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