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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2   |
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| classic or acoustic guitar? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 06:30 am |
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1st Post |
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ronpres2 Approved
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Please tell me just what is the difference between a "classic" and an "acoustic"guitars? in the sales department they have them separated by kind. Thanks muchly! r.presley
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 12:03 pm |
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2nd Post |
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richardstaines Approved 
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Classical guitars have wider necks. The strings are nylon. The way the neck attaches to the body of the guitar is different. The sound is generally more soft and sweet. Think of Cavatina the theme from the deer hunter movie. They are obviously used for classical pieces, Bach, Sor, Torrega etc. And often by latin popular musicians - the guitar solo on La Isola Bonita by Madonna. (The guitar in the photo of my profile is a classical guitar - I use it on "Waiting") Acoustic guitars have steel strings and narrow necks and are used by folk and popular musicians more. (Used on DayDreaming). Last edited on Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 12:05 pm by richardstaines ____________________ rich. mp3 page: http://www.richardstaines.co.uk |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 01:41 pm |
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3rd Post |
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Philj200 Approved 
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Mildy disagree: A classic guitar is nylon strung, wide-neck as you describe. It is also 12-frets from the nut to the body of the guitar. Spanish Guitars: Are usually 14-frets from nut to body, metal strung and narrower neck. Why they are called "Spanish" is lost to me. They are both acoustic instruments. "Acoustic" simple connotes an instrument that is not amplified electronically. The store is wrong. When I play my Martin steel string guitar, it is an acoustic instrument. When I play my Ozoco nylon guitar it's acoustic too. When I plug the Martin into an amp, it is an electric guitar. When I put a sound-hole pick up in the nylon instrument it sounds like crap.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 02:24 pm |
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4th Post |
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StigD Approved
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Richard has explained the difference between "classical" and "acoustic" guitars very well as befits the fine gutarist that he is. As a singer-songwriter I prefer the classical as it produces a softer sound and is certainly easier on the fingers when plucking. I sometimes adopt a strumming style and it still sounds good. I suppose it's a question of horses for courses. Stig 
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 03:00 pm |
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5th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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• acoustic guitar n. A guitar whose sound is not amplified by electrical means. Cd: http://www.ultralingua.com/onlinedictionary/?service=ee&text=acoustic+guitar Accepting a comfortable explanation, does not make it correct.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 05:36 pm |
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6th Post |
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ronpres2 Approved
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Gentlemen..... Thank you all for your kind help and explanations. I have it all to learn. I love all stringed instruments, but can play none as yet, even though I own a mandolin and a banjo. The parlour guitar sounds the best to me, but at age 67, I may not learn it either. Thanks very much to all again for your help. Ron presley
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 06:04 pm |
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7th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Ron, At age 65, I can attest that learning a new instrument is not only possible, it's more fun. And that's because you're are doing exactly what you choose to do. Pick up an instrument and play! (Please)
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 09:02 pm |
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8th Post |
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richardstaines Approved
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At 65 and learning an instrument. Go for it. You have my utmost respect. I remember my Grand mother taking horse riding lessons at age 60. That was cool too. I'm not convinced by the 14 fret spanish guitars. I have never heard of or seen them. In the UK they sell flamenco guitars which have less tension in the strings and tap plates to protect the body of the guitar from finger nail tapping - which has left lots of little indents in my classical guitar...oops. As far as I am aware they have 12 frets to the body too. Electric guitars - never heard of them. Though I have promised myself a fender strat for Xmas...dont tell anyone at my local folk club!
____________________ rich. mp3 page: http://www.richardstaines.co.uk |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 09:57 pm |
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9th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Two great nations separated by a common language. I was taught that a 14 fret flat top guitar strung with metal is a "spanish" guitar. I'd as soon called it a flattop. Or Fred. The fate of the world hangs not by the outcome of this thread.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 2nd, 2006 10:26 pm |
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10th Post |
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richardstaines Approved
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Here's an interesting article...the phrase acoustic guitar is a 'retronym'. I have just learnt a new word! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel-string_guitar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_guitar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco_guitar ok, 3 articles for any pedants out there. Dont worry we're not at war. So no change since 1756. You colonists are quite safe for now. Though I think Stainesville, Tennessee sounds quite good! :-) rich.
____________________ rich. mp3 page: http://www.richardstaines.co.uk |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 3rd, 2006 12:44 am |
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11th Post |
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Greg Nelson Approved 
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Hey folks, Just to throw a bit of a nut in the wrench, "Spanish" guitar is a bit of a misnomer. A "Spanish" guitar is basically the same as any other nylon strung classical guitar with twelve frets to the neck, constructed of much lighter woods than your typical American steel string guitar. The reason folks call them "Spanish" guitars is due to the fact that the first modern guitar was built by the famous luthier Antonio De Torres, who designed the fairly common internal fan bracing pattern that is evident in most classical guitars still today. Having been born "in the village of La Canada, near Almeria in the the far South of Spain," many guitarists consider all classical guitars to be Spanish guitars, at least in appearance, if not in origin. With this in mind, even a guitar built by the greatly esteemed luthier Herman Hauser, who was born of German origins is still considered by many to be a "Spanish" Guitar. Both of my classical guitars were manufactured by apprentices in semi automated workshops in China, and yet I still consider them to be fine "Spanish" guitars of the Torres tradition. They were almost completely built by hand, manufactured by ten or twelve skilled artisans, in the Spanish tradition of guitar making. They are all solid wood construction, and very easy to play, though I am by no means a virtuoso, just a happy aficionado of the guitar. For less than a thousand dollars I have yet to find a better constructed "Spanish" guitar in the traditional Torres style.  The construction of the Flamenco guitar is fairly similar to a standard classical guitar, the difference being the choice of tone woods. They are lighter and more percussive in nature. For an excellent reference on these "types" of guitars, I would recommend "The Classical Guitar Book, a complete history." (Available at Borders Books) It's an overall excellent guide to the history and design of most nylon strung instruments, with beautifully detailed photos for comparison and examination. I used this book almost exclusively in learning how to differentiate between good guitars and really fine "Spanish" ones. Even to a beginner, the differences are quite obvious, once you know what to look for. Besides, it's fun to give the guys at Guitar Center fits, by knowing way more than they do about their crappy products (though I'm quick to admit when my facts aren't right). Don't be fooled by those second hand Ramirez guitars, selling for over $3000 bucks. One built correctly, by the master himself would cost you four times that price. There are several well made, less expensive brands that are built equally as well and play far better. In fact both of my classical guitars I purchased sight unseen, and couldn't have been more pleased when they arrived. I find the challenge of finding an inexpensive guitar, built to traditional spec, a really rewarding experience. It's almost as fun as finally playing a great Spanish guitar, built centuries ago by Torres himself! Greg. http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/Greg_Nelson
____________________ The Barefoot Bard |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 3rd, 2006 01:47 am |
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12th Post |
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Will Approved 
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The term "Spanish guitar" was used somewhat loosely during the early 20th century in America. At one time, during the Hawaiian music craze after the 1915 Pan American show in San Franscisco, the steel guitar (originally an acoustic guitar with a hollow neck, played in open tuning with a steel bar, which popularized the Hawaiian sound) was so popular with the public that "Spanish guitar" was used to distinguish any kind of acoustic guitar from the steel guitar. The later development of the resonator guitar (some with chrome plated brass bodies), the amplified steel guitar, and later, the pedal steel guitar only added to the confusion as to what was a "steel guitar." The steel guitar almost died out, but the resonator guitar (dobro) got a lease on life as a bluegrass instrument.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 3rd, 2006 06:42 pm |
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13th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I put a motion on the floor: from now until Mabel Carter sings rap... 1.Spanish guitars are guitars made in Spain. 2. Everything else is a flat-top steel string, an archtop steel string, a nylon-strung classic and etc. So when, if Dame Fortune smiles on me, I get a resonator guitar I'll be playing an ecetera. And when I play a 12-string, it's an etcetera too. I'm pretty okay on the tenor etcetera. So so on the Hawaian etcetera.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 3rd, 2006 08:15 pm |
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14th Post |
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richardstaines Approved
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Sorry but my nylon strung classical is made in Spain so would it be a spanish classical? I look forward to playing my fender etcetera at Xmas.
____________________ rich. mp3 page: http://www.richardstaines.co.uk |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 3rd, 2006 09:11 pm |
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15th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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Okay...there are electric guitars. And they are solid -body and hollow body. So a Fender Ecetera may or may not come with humbucking pickups and double cutaway.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Sat Nov 4th, 2006 03:56 am |
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16th Post |
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ronpres2 Approved
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I hope you guys will keep this conversation up, and draw in others, because I'm learning something here. A dumb question for someone, though.....does the baratone uke sound similar to the tenor guitar? and would it be easier to learn to play, if you had no experience? Thanks again for your patience with me. I can't afford to buy both, and I don't want to make another mistake. Ron
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| Posted: Sat Nov 4th, 2006 12:12 pm |
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17th Post |
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Philj200 Approved
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I don't play either instrument. But I believe they are both tuned the same way, matching the high four strings of a guitar. There are other tunings. But it's not my instrument. But if they look so much alike and are tuned the same way, I thing that the offspring of a male baritone uke and female tenor guitar (can you have a female tenor anything?) would probably be inbred to the point of having webbed tuning machines and play Dueling Banjos. (Translation: I've heard they are the same instrument.)
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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| Posted: Sat Nov 4th, 2006 01:18 pm |
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18th Post |
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richardstaines Approved
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ukes...not sure either. I have a soprano uke, its fun to play. My kids love it, my wife hates it. If I compare that to the guitar. I think the guitar is easier to make sound good. It has greater flexibility due to tone and more strings. But I am primarily a guitarist so my opinion is probably biased and I dont wish to be shot down in flame by the uke loving majority on this website. You should start another thred with that question, so the uke masters will answer it. I will passively read and learn too.
____________________ rich. mp3 page: http://www.richardstaines.co.uk |
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| Posted: Sat Nov 4th, 2006 05:51 pm |
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19th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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OK- To my way of thinking, a Spanish guitar is defined by it's shape and the number of strings (6 - 6 - six - seis). The origins, according to one folkstory, come from the Pampas in Argentina, where the Gauchos came up with the instrument during their long, lonly nights tending the cattle. The body of the guitar was shaped like the female form, so the gaucho could hold it lovingly in his arms in the chill of the night and warm himself. The neck gave him the area to stroke with his left hand while his fingers caressed the strings and drew forth the achingly lovely sounds of a passionate woman being courted by her handsome cowboy. Or something along those lines - I wish I could remember the original I heard, it was much better told. Anyway, the Spanish guitar to me, is classic in shape, flattop, round soundhole and acoustic only (don't you dare add on-board pickups or electronics (end rant ). Archtops, resonator, lapsteels, solidbody electrics, 7-string. 4-string. et al., are variations and adaptations, and, to my way of thinking, are not "Spanish" guitars. I consider my Goya G-10, made in Sweden, to be a Spanish guitar.I'll retreat to my Curmudgeon Den now and weather the firestorm to ensue!  Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sat Nov 4th, 2006 08:31 pm |
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20th Post |
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davebough Approved 
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Ron, Tenor guitars were originally made to attract tenor banjo players. They were usually tuned in fifths and strung with metal strings. Baritone ukes were bigger size ukes that are usually tuned like the smallest 4 strings on a guitar. They normally have nylon strings. Because of the higher tension strings Tenor guitars are built heavier than baritone ukes. You can tune either any way you want. I have a friend that tunes his tenor banjo like a uke with a low G. Baritone ukes are often played by people like me who like the wider spacing and softer action of the nylon strings and only have 4 fingers instead of the 6 required by a guitar. dave
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