Beginner classical guitars — under $250, $250–600, and crossovers
A classical guitar needs no amp, so of the four instruments it's the cheapest to start (the cheapest complete kit is $151–294). There are three things to check: whether it's standard size, whether the top is solid, and whether a full-size or a crossover suits you.
Sizing first — 650mm and 52mm
The standard adult classical guitar has a 650mm scale and a 52mm nut width, give or take. Start on standard dimensions and your hands won't need much readjusting if you switch to another classical guitar later.
There's also a 3/4 size (about 580mm scale) for kids or people with very small hands. Its nut is narrower, so moving up to full size later takes some getting used to. How to choose is covered in Classical guitar 3/4 vs 4/4.
Under $250
- Yamaha C40 ($199) — often treated as the benchmark beginner classical. Standard size: 650mm · 52mm. The official spec sheet doesn't say whether the top is solid or laminate.
- Yamaha CS40 ($119) — 3/4 size (580mm · 48mm). For kids and younger students.
$250–600 — where solid tops start
From this range up, you'll find models whose spec sheets state a solid top. Most don't say whether the back and sides are solid.
- Yamaha CG122 / CG142 ($319–359) — the solid top is stated, and you can choose a spruce or a cedar top. The CG122 (matte) and CG142 (gloss) differ only in finish; materials and dimensions are the same.
- Cordoba C5 / Alhambra 1C ($449–599) — both state a solid cedar top and are standard size. The Cordoba C5 also comes with a spruce top (C5 SP).
Crossover — if you've played acoustic or electric
A crossover has nylon strings but a narrower neck (about 48mm), a cutaway and a pickup. Acoustic or electric players choose one when they want a nylon sound.
If you plan to learn classical pieces in lessons, starting on a standard neck (52mm) makes things easier later.
- Ibanez GA5TCE ($299) — 46mm nut, thin body, and a tuner built into the preamp.
- Yamaha CX40 ($139) — it has a pickup, but no cutaway and a standard 52mm nut, so it's hard to call it a slim-neck guitar. It suits you if you want a standard neck and just need a pickup.
- One step up: Yamaha NTX1 ($579, solid top · 48mm · often treated as the benchmark crossover).
The Cordoba C5-CE ($549) has a 50mm nut and a standard-depth body, so it's hard to call it slim-neck.
Total budget
| Kit | What's included | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | Guitar (C40 · CS40 for kids) $119–199 + folding footstool $16–23 + clip-on tuner $16–22 + gig bag $0–50 (often included) | 151–294 |
| Solid top | Guitar (CG122/CG142 · Cordoba C5) $319–449 + footstool $16–23 + setup $50–110 + gig bag and humidifier $58–78 | 443–660 |
- Don't skip: a footstool and good posture. In classical guitar, posture is half the sound. Buy a footstool or a thigh rest (guitar support) along with the guitar.
- Setup. Because nylon hurts less, it's easy to ignore the action. Have the string height checked once.
- A tuner app works too. First Guitar's browser tuner also works with nothing to install.
Answer questions on budget, music, where you'll play and hand size to see whether full size or a crossover suits you, plus models and a total budget.