Classical Guitars Australia

Buy Classical Guitars Online in Australia

Shop classical guitars online in Australia or visit Colemans Music South Melbourne to compare different nylon-string guitars in person. We stock instruments for beginners, school students, experienced classical players, performers and musicians looking for a softer, warmer alternative to a steel-string acoustic.

Explore classical guitars from Yamaha, Esteve and Valencia, including beginner guitar packs, smaller student sizes, traditional full-size instruments, solid-top guitars, classical-electric models, left-handed guitars and occasional preloved finds. Whether you are buying your first classical guitar or looking for a more responsive instrument, our team can help you choose the right size, feel and sound.

What Makes a Classical Guitar Different?

A classical guitar is an acoustic guitar designed specifically for nylon strings. Compared with a steel-string acoustic guitar, it generally has a wider neck, flatter fingerboard and more space between the strings.

These design differences provide extra room for fingerstyle technique and contribute to the warm, rounded sound associated with classical guitars.

Common characteristics include:

• Nylon treble strings with wound bass strings

• A wider neck and string spacing

• A flatter fingerboard

• A warm, balanced acoustic sound

• A body designed for fingerstyle playing

• Lower string tension than most steel-string guitars

Classical guitars are used for classical, flamenco, Latin, bossa nova, folk and contemporary fingerstyle music. They are also popular with beginners because nylon strings can feel softer beneath the fingers, although the wider neck means choosing the correct size remains important.

If you prefer the brighter sound and narrower neck of a steel-string instrument, explore our acoustic guitar collection.

Classical Guitars for Beginners, Students and Performers

Beginner Classical Guitars

A beginner classical guitar should be comfortable to hold, easy to tune and appropriately sized for the player.

Valencia and Yamaha offer practical starting points for students, with traditional guitars and starter packs available in several sizes. A guitar pack can be convenient for a first-time player because useful accessories are bundled with the instrument. Pack contents vary, so check the individual product listing before purchasing.

Comfort and setup matter just as much as the brand name. A well-sized guitar with suitable string height will make it easier to develop correct fretting and fingerstyle technique.

Solid-Top Classical Guitars

As players progress, a solid-top classical guitar can provide greater sensitivity, projection and tonal detail.

The top is the part of an acoustic guitar that has the greatest influence on its sound. Solid cedar and solid spruce tops respond differently, so the best choice depends on the sound and playing feel you prefer.

Spanish-Built and Concert Classical Guitars

Experienced students and serious players may prefer a traditionally constructed instrument with greater dynamic range and projection.

Esteve classical guitars are built in Spain and offer a step into traditional Spanish guitar construction. Our range can also include premium and preloved Yamaha classical guitars for players seeking a more refined instrument.

Because preloved and higher-end guitars are often individual pieces, availability changes regularly.

Classical-Electric Guitars

A classical-electric guitar includes a pickup system that allows it to connect to an acoustic amplifier, PA system or recording interface.

These models are useful for performers, worship musicians, recording artists and players who need more volume. Many also have a cutaway body, providing easier access to the upper frets.

A classical-electric guitar can still be played unplugged like a regular classical guitar. The electronics are there when amplification is required.

Silent Nylon-String Guitars

A silent guitar is designed for low-volume practice through headphones or an amplifier. Its minimal body makes it easy to store and transport, while the nylon strings retain a familiar classical-guitar feel.

This style can be particularly useful for apartment practice, travelling or playing at times when a full acoustic sound would be disruptive.

Choosing the Right Classical Guitar Size

Classical guitars are available in different sizes to accommodate children, teenagers and adults.

Common sizes include:

• 1/4 size: A compact instrument intended for smaller children

• 1/2 size: Suitable for young players who need a shorter reach

• 3/4 size: Often chosen for older children, smaller players or anyone wanting a more compact guitar

• 4/4 size: The standard full-size classical guitar used by most teenagers and adults

Age recommendations are only a starting point. Height, hand size, arm length and advice from the player’s teacher should also be considered.

The player should be able to reach the first fret comfortably, hold the neck without excessive strain and sit with the guitar in a stable position. Choosing the right size can make practising more comfortable and help prevent poor playing habits.

Cedar or Spruce Top?

Cedar and spruce are two of the most common soundboard woods used for classical guitars.

Cedar-Top Classical Guitars

Cedar generally produces a warm, open sound with a quick response. It can suit players who prefer a rounded tone and an instrument that responds easily to a lighter touch.

Spruce-Top Classical Guitars

Spruce commonly provides greater clarity, definition and dynamic range. It can respond particularly well when played with a firmer technique and may continue developing in character as the guitar is played.

Neither wood is automatically better. The right choice depends on the response and tonal balance you prefer.

Layered-top guitars remain practical choices for beginners because they can offer good stability and value. A solid top becomes more worthwhile when tonal sensitivity and projection are greater priorities.

Classical Guitar Brands at Colemans Music

Yamaha Classical Guitars

Yamaha makes nylon-string guitars for a broad range of players, from student packages and dependable entry-level instruments to premium concert and silent guitars.

They are popular with teachers and students because of their consistent construction and familiar classical feel.

Valencia Classical Guitars

Valencia focuses strongly on affordable student guitars. Its range includes full-size and fractional-size instruments, beginner packs, left-handed guitars and classical-electric models.

This variety makes Valencia a practical starting point for younger players, school programs and adults learning classical guitar.

Esteve Classical Guitars

Esteve guitars combine traditional Spanish construction with cedar or spruce soundboards and carefully selected back and side materials.

These instruments are suited to advancing students and experienced players seeking greater projection, tonal detail and a more traditional classical-guitar response.

What to Consider Before Buying

When comparing classical guitars, consider:

• Guitar size: Make sure the instrument suits the player’s height and reach.

• Neck feel: Classical necks are wider than most steel-string and electric guitar necks.

• Top construction: Decide whether a layered or solid top suits your budget and playing level.

• Cedar or spruce: Compare the warmer response of cedar with the clarity and headroom of spruce.

• Electronics: Choose a classical-electric guitar if you need to connect to an amplifier or PA.

• Cutaway access: A cutaway can make higher notes easier to reach.

• Right or left-handed: Choose an instrument designed for the player rather than simply reversing the strings.

• Setup: Comfortable string height and correct neck adjustment can make a noticeable difference.

Specifications are useful, but the guitar should ultimately feel comfortable and make you want to keep playing.

Classical Guitar Strings, Setups and Maintenance

Classical guitars must be fitted with nylon classical-guitar strings. Steel strings create substantially more tension and should never be fitted to an instrument designed only for nylon strings.

Different string tensions can change the feel and response of the guitar. Normal-tension strings provide a balanced starting point, while hard-tension strings can offer a firmer feel and stronger projection.

Browse our classical guitar strings.

We also provide restringing, setups and guitar repairs in Melbourne. A proper setup can improve comfort, tuning and playability, particularly on a beginner instrument.

Try Classical Guitars in South Melbourne

Choosing a classical guitar is easier when you can compare different necks, sizes and soundboard woods side by side.

Visit Colemans Music South Melbourne to try different instruments and speak with our team. We can help you compare student guitars, solid-top models, Spanish-built instruments and amplified nylon-string guitars without making the process unnecessarily complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good classical guitar for a beginner?

A good beginner classical guitar should be comfortable, appropriately sized and able to stay in tune reliably. Yamaha and Valencia both make practical student instruments and beginner packs. Setup and correct sizing are more important than choosing the most expensive model.

What is the difference between a classical guitar and an acoustic guitar?

A classical guitar uses nylon strings and generally has a wider neck and flatter fingerboard. A steel-string acoustic has a narrower neck, higher string tension and a brighter, more projecting sound.

Both are acoustic guitars, but they feel and sound noticeably different.

What size classical guitar should I buy?

Most teenagers and adults use a full-size or 4/4 classical guitar. Younger or smaller players may need a 3/4, 1/2 or 1/4 size. Player height, reach and teacher recommendations should be considered alongside age.

Can I put steel strings on a classical guitar?

No. A classical guitar designed for nylon strings is not built to handle normal steel-string tension. Fitting steel strings can damage the bridge, neck or soundboard.

Can a classical guitar be plugged into an amplifier?

A classical-electric guitar can connect to an acoustic amplifier, PA system or audio interface through its built-in pickup. A standard classical guitar without electronics will require an external microphone or suitable aftermarket pickup.

Are nylon strings easier for beginners?

Nylon strings generally have lower tension and can feel softer beneath the fingertips than steel strings. However, classical guitars also have wider necks, so the most comfortable choice depends on the player’s hand size and musical goals.

How often should classical guitar strings be changed?

Change the strings when they become difficult to tune, lose clarity, develop visible wear or begin to feel rough. Players who practise or perform regularly will generally need to replace them more often.

Shop classical guitars online with Free Shipping Aus Wide on eligible orders, or visit Colemans Music South Melbourne to compare nylon-string guitars in person.

We are an independent, family-owned Australian music store offering practical advice, professional setups and ongoing support for players at every stage.

Colemans Music: a place for players in South Melbourne

A place for players. New, used, traded, upgraded.

Colemans Music is an independent, family owned and operated guitar and musical instrument store in South Melbourne. We're a place for musicians to buy, sell, trade and consign quality instruments and equipment.

Whether you are choosing your first instrument or refining an established rig, our team can offer practical advice and help you plan your next upgrade. We combine the experience, service and trust of an established music retailer with the constantly changing inventory of a specialist preloved guitar store.

Looking to sell, trade or consign your gear? Find out about selling, trading and consigning with Colemans Music, and speak with our team about whether your instrument or equipment is suitable. Visit us at 266 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205, or shop online from anywhere in Australia.