Student Guitars
Everything You Need to Know About Student Level Classical Guitars
If you’re considering buying your first classical guitar, you may want to do a little research into which guitar may be right for you. The wide range of student guitars available on the market is ever growing, however the quality and features can vary hugely. It’s best to know exactly what a student guitar is, and which instrument might be best for you before making your decision.
This article covers all of the frequently asked questions regarding student level classical guitars. However, if there’s something I’ve missed, please feel free to leave a comment and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
What is a Student Guitar?
A student guitar is an instrument that is suitable for a musician who is in the early to intermediate days of learning to play the guitar. While there is no official graduation from being a “student” of the guitar, when a musician reaches Grade 8 standard, they often require a concert grade instrument to help them to continue growing as a musician.
If you’re just starting off as a classical guitar student, it’s recommended that you buy a student level guitar to begin with. This is the most cost effective way to begin playing the guitar. Your ears will most likely need more time before they can fully appreciate the musical potential of a concert grade guitar too.
What Woods are Used for Student Classical Guitars?
Student classical guitars may be constructed using various different woods and materials. One of the classic decisions is whether to choose a guitar with “solid wood” or “laminate”.
At the lower end of the market, you’ll find student guitars are built with “laminate” versions of premium tonewoods (such as Indian Rosewood) for the back and sides, or cheaper solid woods (such as Mahongany or Sapele). If you spend a little more, you’re likely to find student classical guitars with solid wood back and sides using more premium tonewoods.
What is “Laminate” Wood?
Laminate is the process of slicing thin layers of wood and layering them on top of one another. A classical guitar with laminate back and sides is likely to have a layer of premium tonewood (usually Indian Rosewood) layered on top of a cheaper wood. This gives the aesthetic appeal of premium tonewood but keeps the cost low in comparison to using a solid piece of the same premium tonewood. While laminate back and sides are generally not considered to be as desirable as solid wood back and sides, they do have their advantages. Because the layers of the laminate will have different grain patterns, layering can actually help to create a stronger, more durable material that is less affected by changes in humidity.
The very cheapest student guitars might use laminate for the tops too. However this can makes for a poor sounding instrument. We’ve tried many laminate top budget guitars and we’ve been left largely underwhelmed.
What’s the Difference Between a Student Guitar and a Concert Guitar?
If you’ve done any research on classical guitars, you may be familiar with the term “concert guitar”. Concert guitars are premium quality instruments usually made by a single guitar luthier or a very small team of luthiers. These guitars use premium quality woods and materials throughout their construction. A great deal of care is given at every stage of the construction to ensure the very best quality instrument is created.
Concert classical guitars are musically responsive, offer a wide tonal palette, and often project louder than student guitars. A musician who has reached a high level will benefit from the increased range of attributes available on a concert guitar compared to a student level guitar.
Do I Need a Student Guitar or Can I Use a Concert Guitar?
The reason most people start out with a student guitar is simply because they are more affordable than a concert instrument. That being said, there’s no reason why you can’t begin studying on a concert guitar instead of a student guitar.
Think of each instrument as having a maximum potential. A student level classical guitar will have less musical potential than a concert guitar. If you continue to develop your skill as a musician, you will eventually hit the maximum potential for a student guitar, and you will then require a better instrument that will allow you to grow further.
How Much Does a Student Guitar Cost?
Student guitars vary widely in price. At the bottom end of the market, you can expect to pay around £200-£250 for an instrument with basic specification. This might include a solid top matched with laminate back/sides. Great examples in this price range would be the Altamira N90 and Altamira N100.
If you’re willing to pay around £250-500, you’ll find student guitars with Indian Rosewood laminate back/sides matched with a solid top, such as the Altamira N300 and Antonio Sanchez 1015. You will also find guitars with solid Mahogany, Sapele or similar, like the Altamira N200 and Antonio Sanchez 1005. These are less expensive tonewoods for the back/sides, but can still produce a good sounding instrument in the hands of the right luthier.
Stretch the budget a little further to around £500-£750 and you’ll start to get a little more quality in the materials. At this price point, luthiers may begin to use a mixture of solid/laminate for the back sides. For example, Antonio Sanchez offer their 1020 and 1025 models that includes solid top and sides, with a laminate back.
At the top of the student level market for classical guitars, you’ll find solid wood instruments. These are the most sought after by guitar students, as they often produce a more musical and focused sound than those instruments made with laminate materials. Being made with solid wood, these guitars can range anywhere from around £750 to £1,500. The most popular student level guitars we stock are the Amalio Burguet 2M Spruce and 2M Cedar.
Which is the Best Student Level Guitar for me?
The answer to this question depends entirely on your circumstances. I.e. how much progress you have made as a musician and what your budget may be. However, if you plan to study the guitar for any length of time, it’s worth pushing your budget as much as you comfortably can. You’ll be rewarded with a guitar that will help you to grow as a musician for many years to come.
