Classical and acoustic guitars are non-electric instruments that often look similar. However, there is a vast difference between both types.
Many of them often stumble upon which guitar type to choose, especially the beginners.
Today, we take up this classical guitar vs. acoustic guitar debate to clarify the differences between the duo. Also, we will emphasize certain characteristic features that will help the readers and the guitarists analyze which guitar is best for them.
Here is everything you need to know about classical and acoustic guitars.
First, let us try to understand about each type and its similarities.
Table of Contents
What Is a Classical Guitar?
A classical guitar is a type of guitar that uses nylon strings for playing music.
What Is an Acoustic Guitar?
An acoustic guitar is one that has steel strings. Hence, it is also called a steel-string guitar.
Are there any similarities between these instruments? Let us try to find them below.
What Are The Similarities Between Classical and Acoustic Guitars?
Before we discuss the differences between classical and acoustic guitars, let us learn about their similarities.
| Features | Classical guitar | Acoustic guitar |
|---|---|---|
| Strings | A classical guitar has six strings. | An acoustic guitar also has six strings. |
| Soundhole | A classical guitar has a soundhole. | An acoustic guitar also has a soundhole. |
| Frets | A classical guitar has frets. | An acoustic guitar also has frets. |
| Tuning Pegs | A classical guitar has tuning pegs. | An acoustic guitar also has tuning pegs. |
| Body | A classical guitar has a round body. | An acoustic guitar also has a round body. |
What Are The Differences Between Classical and Acoustic Guitars?
Here is a table depicting the distinguishing characteristics between a classical guitar and an acoustic guitar.
Feature Classic Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Strings Material A classical guitar has nylon strings. The strings of an acoustic guitar are of steel material.
Sound From The Strings A classical guitar produces a softer or mellower sound. An acoustic guitar produces bright and resonating sound.
Neck Size Classical guitars have wider necks than the acoustic models Acoustic guitars have a smaller neck
Truss Rod In Neck A classical guitar does not have a truss rod. An acoustic guitar has a truss rod through its neck.
Fretboard Wider Fretboard than the acoustic guitars The fretboards of acoustic guitars are less wide.
Body Shape Smaller than acoustic guitars Larger than classical guitars
Bridge Classical guitar has a wrap-around bridge An acoustic guitar has pegs to securely hold the strings in place
Tuning Pegs A classical guitar has tuning pegs made of plastic and metal materials. An acoustic model has the entire tuning peg made of metal only.
Cutaways Less classical models come with cutaways. Most acoustic guitars come with cutaways.
Bracing The classical guitars have lighter bracing in comparison to the acoustic. The acoustic models have solid bracing.
Styles Of Music Played The classical models are most suitable for playing many styles like Latin music, Brazilian music, pop, folk, etc. The Acoustic guitar is ideal for playing the music of almost all genres. It could be rock, soft rock, metal, blues, etc.
Price Classical guitars are less cheaper than the acoustic models Acoustic guitars are comparatively a little pricier than the classical guitars
Let us discuss in detail about each distinguishing feature and also have a look at other significant features.
Material Of Strings
Let us start with the strings. The materials used for strings in both classical and acoustic guitars are different.
While classical guitars have strings made of nylon material, the acoustic models have steel strings.
If we consider the treble strings in the classical guitars, i.e., the G, B, and high E strings, they consist of nylon monofilament core material. Whereas the bass strings, i.e., E, A, and D, are usually made of nylon multifilament core material.
Coming to the acoustic guitars, you can find the strings in different materials like nickel, bronze, etc.
When compared to the steel strings, the nylon strings give a softer feel when you touch them.
The acoustic guitar strings may feel sharper on the fingers of the player.
Sound From The Strings
Because the nylon strings are very thicker, the classical guitars produce a softer or mellower sounding.
In contrast to the above, the steel strings of the acoustic guitars are thinner. Hence, they produce bright and resonating sounds.
Neck Size
The next distinguishing feature is the neck size of the guitars. The classical guitars have a wider neck than their acoustic cousins. They also have a large spacing between each string on the neck. These guitars usually come with a neck width of two inches and above, i.e., approximately 50mm.
When it comes to the acoustic models, they have a smaller neck. And hence, they have smaller spacing, as well, between each string. The neck width of acoustic guitars comes in 1.69 or 1.72 inches. It would come to about 43 or 44 mm.
We all know that acoustic guitar is exclusively for strumming. Hence, a neck with a smaller width and short string spacing makes it easier for guitarists to play.
Acoustic guitars with 12 strings are also available. However, these models have wider necks for accommodating extra strings on them.
Common Styles Played
Let us talk about the styles of music played on these guitars. The classical models are most suitable for playing many styles like Latin music, Brazilian music, pop, folk, etc.
The Acoustic guitar is ideal for playing the music of almost all genres. It could be rock, soft rock, metal, blues, etc.
Fretboard
The fretboard is yet another distinguishing feature between classical and acoustic guitars. A classical guitar has a wider fretboard when compared to an acoustic model. Also, it has wider spacing between the strings. Because of this, the guitarists may find it easier and comfortable to play. However, when it comes to playing larger cords, it can be harder because of these larger gaps. Similarly, people with smaller fingers will also find it difficult. Most classical guitars do not have fret markers along the fingerboard as an acoustic does.
The fretboard of an acoustic guitar is less wide in comparison to the acoustic guitar.
Truss Rod
A truss rod is something that an acoustic guitar has, and a classical model does not. This truss rod is nothing but a steel rod that runs through the neck. This is necessary for acoustic guitars because the steel strings place some additional tension on the neck. You can adjust this rod as and when needed.
However, a classical guitar does not need any truss rod because the nylon strings do not add any tension.
Where the neck Joins at the body
You should also consider the point where the neck of the guitar joins the body. If we take the classical guitars, most of the necks join the bodies at the 12th fret.
Whereas in the acoustic guitars, the body and the neck join at the 14th fret. However, there are models from acoustic whose neck joins at the 12th fret of the body. The 12-fret acoustic guitars are the traditional variants.
Attaching the Strings to the Bridge
Let us consider the bridge and how they attach the strings to them. In classical guitars, they use a classic wrap-around bridge to tie the strings around it in a knot. This helps in securing the strings on the bridge and is similar to the ukulele.
Coming to the acoustic guitars, they have pegs on the bridge to securely hold the strings in place.
Tuning Pegs
The mechanism of tuning pegs is entirely different for both types.
A classical guitar has tuning pegs made of plastic and metal materials.
An acoustic model has the entire tuning peg made of metal only.
Size/Shape
Comparatively, classical guitars are smaller than their acoustic cousins.
The acoustic guitars are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are smaller than the classical models. However, if you consider an average acoustic guitar, it is larger than the classical one.
Body Shape
The body shape of both guitars is very different.
Comparatively, the acoustic guitars have a dreadnought shape, which is larger than the classical guitars. These have cutaways that allow you to access the higher frets. This is something you rarely find in classical models.
Bracing
The bracing is yet another crucial factor one needs to consider when analyzing the significant features between acoustic and classical guitars.
Let us start with the classical variants. These guitars have lighter bracing in comparison to the acoustic.
Whereas, the acoustic models have solid bracing. This helps in keeping the device sturdy with the tension of the strings. Additionally, it also allows better projection and resonance when playing the music on the strings.
Machine Heads
Let us talk about the machine heads in the classical guitars. It is an open mechanism where you can slot the headstock.
Even the acoustic guitars have a similar open mechanism for their machine heads. The only difference is that the machinery lies hidden, and you can seldom slot the headstock.
Cutaway
Coming to the cutaways, you find very few classical guitars with cutaways. However, it is a very uncommon scenario.
Most acoustic guitars come with cutaways in comparison to the classical models.
Timbre (Sound)
The timbre or sound you get from the guitars is entirely dependent on the strings and shape of the guitar. Hence, it is a crucial factor to consider before choosing between these guitars.
You cannot play all styles of music on a classical guitar alone. There are specific genres like the Gypsy Kings-style music, Flamenco or Spanish guitar, Bossa Nova, etc. Classical guitars are ideal for such genres.
When it comes to acoustic guitars, we all know that they are the best for strumming and chordal work. You can use acoustic guitars for genres like folk, pop music, and country music.
Different Types Of Tonewoods Used
Let us move on to the tonewoods used in both classical and acoustic guitars. They use different types of tonewoods for building the guitars. These different woods not only make the instruments look different but also sound different. The most common type of wood you find in both guitars is crossover tone wood.
Below are the mos