The Spanish guitar is considered the most representative musical instrument in the world. It is believed that she appeared in Malaga. Over the centuries, the modern guitar (with six strings) has developed mainly from three sources: the Arabic lute, the vihuela, and the five-string guitar.
The three most prominent personalities involved in the development of the Spanish guitar, in chronological order: Fernando Sor (from the 18th century), Francisco Tárrega (19th century), and Andrés Segovia (20th century).
At the end of the 19th century, the Spanish guitar was not as popular as it is today, but was revived Francisco Tarregui. His best work, and now fairly well known, is Receurdos de la Alhambra. Tarregui gave several public concerts and developed a method for learning to play the Spanish guitar. Andres Segovia was one of many guitarists who were influenced by him. Tarrega is the father of playing the Spanish guitar with nails.
The classical period saw the emergence of many publications, composers and performers. Fernando Sor, Mauro Guilini, Matteo Carcassi, Fernando Carulli and many others wrote music, published techniques for playing the Spanish guitar, and gave concerts. The guitar became very popular and guitar concerts were common.
Sor played the guitar as a solo instrument at the London Philharmonic in 1817. In the memoirs of George Hogarth, you can read: "he surprised the audience with his unsurpassed performance of Paganinni"
Up until this point, the instrument itself was small and narrow. Antonio de Torres (1817 - 1892) created the new Spanish guitar. He increased the size and experimented with anything that could improve the sound. He was the father of the modern guitar.
Some famous composers played guitar such as: Carl von Weber, Rossini and his wife, Verdi. For many years, Franz Schubert composed his works on the guitar that hung above his bed. At that time he did not have a piano. Berlioz also composed his works with the help of the guitar.
Andres Segovia encouraged many composers to write for the guitar. He became the first guitarist to perform in concert hall... Before Segovia, people thought that the guitar was not a concert instrument.
Traveling and giving concerts around the world, he attracted attention and instilled respect for this amazing instrument.
Nylon strings were a big improvement over gut strings. They replaced them in 1946.
Today, there are many guitar music concerts around the world. There are a huge number of societies and magazines dedicated to the Spanish guitar.
Photo: wikipedia.org
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1. Ferdinando Carulli(Ferdinando Carulli), 1770-1841. Italian classical guitarist, composer and teacher. Initially, he learned to play the cello. Having learned to play the guitar on his own, he became one of the first professional performers on this instrument. The beautiful sound of the guitar, the purity and speed of the guitar passages ensured his success first in Naples, and then in Paris, where he became a favorite of the salons. The creative heritage of Carulli is great, special meaning has his "Complete School of Guitar Playing" considered the first study guide for this tool. Special attention deserves his work "Harmony in relation to the guitar", dedicated to the correct arrangement of music for the guitar.
2. Matteo Carcassi(Matteo Carcassi) 1792-1853. Italian classical guitarist and composer. Carcassi learned to play the piano and then the guitar. By the age of 20, he earned the fame of a first-class guitarist, successfully gave concerts in Paris, London and some German cities, although he did not reach the level of Carulli in popularity. Numerous of his works (sonatas, rondos, waltzes, etc.) are included in the repertoire contemporary performers. Great importance have his educational and pedagogical works, including etudes (No. 26 and No. 60) and the three-part “Guitar School”
3. Mauro Giuliani(Mauro Giuliani) 1781-1829. Italian classical guitarist, composer and teacher. As a child, he learned to play the violin and flute, at the same time he mastered the guitar. Since it was difficult to make a career as a concert guitarist in Italy due to the low public interest in this instrument and due to the presence of a large number of first-class guitarists (including Ferdinando Carulli), Giuliani moved to Vienna in 1806, where he quickly gained a reputation as one of the best European guitarists. In Vienna, he begins to publish his compositions, actively perform, playing in ensembles and even in an orchestra. Concerts with his participation were listened to greatest composers centuries. There is evidence that Beethoven was struck by his performance, calling the guitar a "little orchestra". Giuliani's legacy as a composer is very large - these are plays, etudes, sonatas, concertos for guitar with a chamber orchestra.
4. Fernando Sor(Fernando Sor) 1778-1839. Spanish classical virtuoso guitarist and composer, one of the greatest performers of this instrument in the 19th century. From childhood, he studied playing the guitar, violin and cello, received his musical education at a choir school at a Catholic monastery, and showed early composing abilities. In 1799 he moved to Madrid, holding various administrative positions in Barcelona and Malaga. With the invasion of French troops in Spain, Sor takes a patriotic position, but then the composer, like most of the Spanish intelligentsia, is forced to give in and take an administrative post under the French. In 1813 Sor left for Paris, and then to London, where his guitar playing made a real sensation. In the autumn of 1823 Sor with his wife, a French ballerina, went to Russia, where his performances were also a great success. Three years later, the composer returns to Paris, where he publishes a number of his new compositions, including Memories of Russia. In France, Sor meets his compatriot guitarist Dionisio Aguado, with whom he often performs in a duet. Sor's guitar pieces are not designed for external effect, unlike the works of Giuliani and Cacassi, they are written in the manner of the Viennese classics - Mozart, Beethoven. Sor treats the guitar as a polyphonic instrument, not limited to the presentation of melody and accompaniment. Sor is also the author of a treatise on the guitar known as "Sor's Guitar School" and many studies.
5. Francisco Tarrega(Francisco Tárrega) 1852-1909. Spanish classical guitarist and composer, one of the founders of modern performance on this instrument. He has been playing the guitar since early childhood. One wealthy family drew attention to his musical abilities, with the support of which he entered the Madrid Conservatory in piano and composition (the guitar was not taught at the conservatory). Despite successes in the piano, Tarrega preferred the guitar and, after hard work, gave a concert at the Alhambra Theater in Madrid, which was a huge success. After his marriage, Tarrega settled in Barcelona, where he was engaged in pedagogical and composing activities. There, Tarrega formed creative alliances with Enrique Granados and Isaac Albéniz, many of whose compositions he transcribed for the guitar. Tarrega has only 78 of his own compositions and about 120 arrangements, the most famous are "Memories of the Alhambra" and "Arabic Capriccio". Tarrega brought up many students, the most prominent of which is Emilio Pujol. Andres Segovia highly appreciated Tarrega's skill and often performed his works.
6. Emilio Pujol(Emili Pujol) 1886-1980. Spanish (Catalan) classical guitarist, vihuela player, composer and teacher. He became interested in classical guitar after hearing the performance of Francisco Tarrega, and took lessons from him for seven years. The Tarrega school made Pujol a brilliant guitarist, and in 1912 he performed with great success in London and Madrid. In contrast to Andres Segovia, who played with his nails, Pujol followed the technique of Tarrega, who preferred to extract sound with the pads of his fingers, achieving a softer, but more limited sound in timbre. At the age of 60 he became a professor of guitar and vihuela at the conservatories of Barcelona and Lisbon. Pujol's legacy includes more than a hundred original compositions for guitar and more than three hundred arrangements for guitar of lute and vihuel music. Pujol is the author of the four-volume "School of Guitar Playing", in the first two parts of which Tarrega's principles are set forth, and in the third and fourth - his own pedagogical considerations.
7. Agustin Barrios Mangore(Agustin Barrios Mangoré) 1885-1944. Paraguayan classical guitarist and composer. Barrios is the first major Latin American guitarist to reach European audiences. He was born into a family with 8 children. Already at the age of seven he played chords and small pieces in the family ensemble. At the age of 13, he was noticed by a music teacher from the music institute in Asunción, where he later arranged for him. At the age of 23, Barrios became a well-known performer and author of works for the guitar. He leaves Paraguay and travels. In Uruguay, he meets a lawyer, a guitar fan who hosts Barrios in his house. During this period, he writes his most famous works, incl. suite "La Cathedral". In 1921, in Argentina, Barrios meets Segovia, and friendly relations are immediately established between them. They perform their works to each other, exchange notes. Then Barrios moved to Brazil, where he met the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. In Brazil, he has been giving concerts in every state for 15 years, playing not only in big cities but also in small villages that had never seen a guitar concert before his arrival. He died in El Salvador at the age of 59. Barrios' legacy as a composer includes more than 300 compositions for guitar, many of which have not been published to this day. The most famous work is the suite "La Cathedral" (Cathedral) in 3 parts, the repertoire of almost every guitarist is included. Other works - waltzes, preludes, variations on classical themes.
8. Andres Segovia(Andres Segovia) 1893-1987. Spanish guitarist, considered the father of the modern academic guitar. Like many guitarists, Segovia studied piano and violin from childhood, but inspired by flamenco music, he began to learn the guitar on his own. At the age of 16 he gave his first concert in Madrid. Segovia's style differed from the guitar playing style of the time by the use of fingernails, which made the sound louder and sharper. At first, the audience was cool about his playing, but, starting from the mid-1910s, Segovia's performing skills gained more and more recognition in Spain, and after a concert in Paris, he became famous. In 1919 and 1921 his first tour took place in South America where he met Agustín Barrios Mangore and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Villa-Lobos subsequently wrote a number of works for him, including the famous "Twelve Studies". Segovia transcribed a great deal of classical music for the guitar, including such outstanding and complex works as "Asturia" (Legend) by Isaac Albéniz and Chacon Bach. He actively contributed to the popularization of the guitar, among his students are many outstanding modern guitarists D. Williams, D. Brim (England), A. Diaz (Venezuela), K. Parkening (USA). In 1958, Segovia won the Grammy Award for the best recording of solo academic music, and in 1981 the King of Spain granted him the title of Marquis for Services to the Fatherland. Andres Segovia continued the concert and pedagogical activity to a ripe old age. He died in Madrid at the age of 94.
9. John Williams(John Williams) b. in 1941. British classical guitarist (not to be confused with Mason Williams - American guitarist and composer). Born in Australia, he began learning to play the guitar at the age of 4 under the guidance of his father, who was also a guitarist. In 1955, Andres Segovia heard Williams perform and invited him to attend a summer school in Siena. Subsequently, Williams entered the Royal College of Music in London in piano and music theory (there was no guitar class then). Soon his first performance took place, which was a huge success, and then toured in France, Spain, the USSR, Japan and the USA. Williams' performance was notable for its high professionalism (his playing is almost unmistakable), virtuosity, and a good sense of rhythm. In 1973, the album, recorded together with Julian Bream, received a Grammy Award, and in 1978 he gained worldwide fame as a performer of the music of Stanley Myers in the film The Deer Hunter. Currently, Williams continues touring, recording discs (the total number of which is approaching 100). Williams is the winner of many competitions and awards, including the Order of the British Empire.
10. Roland Diens(Roland Dyens) b. in 1955. French musician, composer, arranger and classical guitarist. Started playing the guitar at the age of 9. In 1976 he graduated from the private conservatory in Paris. Diens is the winner of the highest awards of many prestigious music competitions. In 1988, he entered the top 100 living guitarists of all styles and directions. Diens' compositions are popular with many contemporary guitarists. The most famous works are "Tango en skaï" and "Valse en skaï"
1. Introduction
We bring to your attention a review dedicated to the choice of a guitar setup. To date, the range of guitars and guitar amplifiers on the market is very wide. Accordingly, the palette of sounds that can be obtained is practically unlimited. However, you can look at this situation from the other side - in order to find the right sound, you need to know what exactly to choose, what equipment will cope with the task in the best way.
2. Blues setup
Although you can play the blues on almost any guitar, there are still obvious favorites when choosing. First of all, this applies to semi-acoustic guitars with a solid central block. This type of body was first used in the construction of the Gibson ES-335 guitar, which is still considered by many to be the best option possible. These guitars are usually equipped with humbucker pickups with a warm and fat sound (neck pickup) or with a biting lead sound (bridge). However, the blues and its various sub-styles are a kind of quintessence of the history of the electric guitar, so different performers can see a variety of instruments: the Fender Stratocaster ( , ), and the Telecaster ( ), and the Gibson Les Paul ( , ).
Amplifier
Most blues players prefer amps that faithfully reproduce the subtle details of a natural guitar sound. Many classic types of blues sound belong to what musicians call "crunch" - that is, the sound is no longer clean, but also not overdriven. Full overdrive has the property of narrowing the guitar's dynamic range due to natural compression. Crunch, on the other hand, is dynamically very rich, as quiet notes sound almost pure, while notes played "forte" are overdriven quite a lot.
Among blues players, tube amps are very popular, with soft tube overdrive, usually not requiring high volume and tight bottoms. A good tube combo amplifier with a single 12-inch speaker at maximum volume has both a very wide dynamic range and rich tonal capabilities.
Blues is not a style in which effects play a decisive role. When processing the sound with chorus or delay effects, which are so popular among rock musicians, the subtle details of the sound and the depth of the dynamics are “blurred”. Most of the world's famous blues guitarists use nothing at all but a guitar, amp, and cable.
You can get bluesy overdrive directly on the amp, you can use a separate pedal, or you can use both. In the latter case, the pedal works as a so-called "booster" or "heater" - it does not create the actual overload, but raises the signal level so that it is easier to overload on the amplifier.
However, certain types of effects are quite common in the blues, especially if the band performs a "crossover" with a psychedelic rock twist. The "wah" pedal, introduced into the arsenal of guitarists in the late 60s through the efforts of and, is especially popular. The essential point for understanding the operation of a wah pedal is that there is always a rise in the mid-frequency region with a variable quality factor in its sound. Therefore, when you connect a wah pedal before the overdrive pedal, the overall signal level is boosted, and the overall overdrive level is also boosted. In this case, there is a kind of "grunt" in the sound, which will not happen if we connect the pedal to the effects loop - in the latter case, the sound will be more "smooth", since the depth of the distortion will be determined only on the preamp.
The boom of psychedelic rock at the very end of the 60s made another characteristic effect popular - Leslie's cabinet. In the Leslie effect, the speakers are not fixed, but are mounted on rotating axles, which allows you to create an easily recognizable "gurgling" pulsing timbre. In addition to their unique sound, Leslie cabinets are heavy, bulky and have a large number of moving parts, which means frequent breakdowns and the need for regular maintenance. Luckily, there are a lot of pedals these days that create similar effects like tremolo or vibrate, as well as mimic (and quite faithfully) real Leslie cabinets.
3. Classic rock setup
There are a lot of similarities between blues and rock, both in terms of style and sound, so the blues and rock setups are very similar in many ways. The classic rock sound we know and love well was created not only by the skill of the guitarists, but also by the efforts of the creators of the first electric guitars and amplifiers. So it's no surprise that names like Fender, Gibson and Marshall will dominate here.
Very often the choice of a guitar for such a diverse style as rock is determined by a simple question - what kind of musician do you want to imitate, who do you want to be like? The "monsters of rock" of the seventies are very easily recognizable by the choice of instrument. Say, and Kossoff preferred Les Paul, and and - Strat. Prior to the invention of the hybrid electric guitar designs popular among metal players today, the output level of the pickup played a key role - Gibson guitars equipped with humbuckers had a more powerful, heavy and easily overdriven sound compared to Fender guitars, especially until the master volume control on amplifiers was invented. To some extent, this trend has continued to our time, despite modern preamplifiers and effects pedals that can greatly “warm up” even a relatively weak signal from single-coil pickups. In classic rock music, there was a place for almost any successful designs of electric guitars created in the 50s and 70s of the last century, including the Telecaster (), Rickenbacker, ES-335 and SG. Tuned guitars with powerful humbuckers are best left to play in heavier styles.
Amplifier
The main task of most guitar amplifiers is to achieve one or another, necessary for playing in a certain musical style, the type of sound. Again, the problem of choice is, first of all, solved according to the principle "choose to taste", taking into account the inclination of the performer to one or another "school of rock". If there is an archetype of a guitar amplifier for rock music in nature, then most likely it is a 100-watt tube head with a cabinet for 4 speakers of 12 inches. However, even with this approach, you can get different sound options. Classic rock is characterized by a warm organic tube overdrive that has nothing to do with the brutal face-burning distortion that is characteristic of the heavy metal style. Be careful, many amplifiers are designed specifically for "metal" styles!
You can opt for both combo and head stack and single/multiple cabinets. Stacks usually have a tighter low end, which is vital when playing rhythm parts. The next note is that both musicians and critics distinguish well between "British" and "American" types of sound; virtually all of the world's leading guitar amplifier manufacturers are located in either the UK or the US, and different sides Atlantic practiced a different approach to the "rock" guitar sound. For most guitarists, the main brands in this context are Marshall, Fender and Mesa-Boogie, but in fact there are many lesser-known but still great amp manufacturers out there.
In most cases, classic rock is not inclined to use effects, except for the overdrive pedal. If songs like Free's "All Right Now" are your sound standard, then all you need is a Les Paul-type guitar and a Marshall stack. However, many performers use one or more effects-based sounds, with the effect usually used as a "seasoning" rather than transforming the sound in a drastic way. For example, a very practical solution is the Boss guitar pedals, the choice is very wide, most often in rock guitar setups you can find phaser, chorus and flanger, and, of course, the wah pedal.
4. "Metal" setup
Although "metal" now means a very motley selection of styles that are not very similar to each other, from the point of view of the basic equipment, everything is clear here - the highest possible levels of gain and volume are needed!
There really is no exact dividing line between "heavy rock" and "metal" - certainly not in terms of sound. The early metal bands just took it one step further than the heavy rock bands of the 70s - they turned up the volume, used more overdrive and played harder and faster. As for the equipment, at this stage it was almost the same for some and for others.
Both Strat and Les Paul - each of the classic types of electric guitar had certain advantages, so both were used very widely in early heavy rock / metal. However, this came to an end as soon as musicians and sound producers thought of crossing the powerful signal of humbuckers with the expressive capabilities of the Floyd Rose tremolo. First came the so-called "Superstrat", that is, a Stratocaster-style guitar with at least one humbucker. However, the usual "Fender's" tremolo, at first perceived by everyone as very radical, by the end of the 70s - the beginning of the 80s had already ceased to satisfy the performing needs of musicians. The Floyd Rose tremolo system, which appeared at this time, provided much higher tuning stability, as well as the ability to "pull" notes both up and down. As a result, the choice of "metal" guitarists, their "main caliber", was precisely Superstrat with Floyd Rose tremolo - and several guitar companies worked in this field at once, previously completely invisible against the background of Gibson and Fender, for example, Charvel / Jackson, ESP and, of course, BC Rich. Their guitar designs are perhaps the most iconic among "metal" guitarists, not least because of their big names and bizarre shapes. Instruments produced by Ibanez have come to the taste of the most demanding and experienced musicians. This brand is often associated with such virtuosos as and.
Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitars combine the best features of Gibson and Fender guitars with groundbreaking new standards in build quality, flexibility and tonal diversity. Despite the high price tag and the original focus on guitarists of different styles, PRS guitars are very popular among American nu metal players.
Amplifier
The case when the combo amplifier decisively "does not work" in terms of characteristics. Musicians playing "metal" need to look decent against the backdrop of frenzied vocal pressure and crushing drums with large diameter cymbals, gimbal, etc. Audiences need a real "wall" of sound that needs to be seen as well as hear. From this point of view, the ideal choice for a small gig would be a 100-watt stack with two 4x12" cabinets.
To this day, the "venerable" Marshall stack remains very popular, but many other companies produce stacks specially tailored for the metal scene. The most significant of all these brands is without a doubt Mesa-Boogie, whose "Dual Rectifier" tube heads have the traditional "Marshallian" sound, but are more aggressive and at the same time clean, very heavy distortion without grit. It is this sound that is most loved by nu metal performers.
While a well-chosen base sound is actually sufficient for most heavy metal playing, there are a few effects that are specific to heavy music and often found in solos and instrumentals. Flanger and phaser are good for embellishing clean sounds in intros and verses, without these effects the contrast between clean and overdriven sounds is too radical.
An octave is often associated with heavy metal music, that is, an effect that, instead of one note, makes two notes sound at once in an octave. In combination with distortion, it provides a very big and "fat" sound. For the "doubled" solo sound characteristic of bands or Iron Maiden, a frequency shift effect (Pitch Shifter) is often applied. More advanced and "smarter" pitch shifters even know how to play the harmonically correct part in the desired key.
When working on a very heavy sound, it is extremely important to connect the effects correctly. Some effects when connected to a distortion pedal, especially chorus or flanger, sound just disgusting. They should always be connected either after the distortion pedal or in the amp's effects loop. Any pitch-shifters, including octavers, must be connected before the distortion, otherwise the harmonics produced by overdrive will also shift in pitch, resulting in a very unpleasant sounding setup.
5. Universal setup
Many guitarists, especially those who play in cover bands or orchestras, need the widest range of styles and sounds to choose from, from rock and jazz to blues and reggae. That is why they need an extremely "flexible" setup.
AT this case the most correct option is to bet on a guitar that is good, but by no means "outstanding". As such, semi-acoustic guitars or custom-made Rickenbackers are excluded. A decent option is the classic "Superstrat", usually with an H-S-H pickup configuration (i.e. two humbuckers, in neck and bridge positions, and one single coil in the middle). Guitars of this type are suitable for playing in the most different styles, from heavy metal to fusion and jazz. Particular attention should be paid to the modern designs of timbre blocks by PRS and Parker. Often very interesting functions are implemented in them, for example, switching pickups of the "humbucker" type to the "single" mode of operation.
A new invention is the so-called modeling guitars; they deserve the closest attention. The built-in microcomputer uses physical modeling technology, which allows the same guitar to sound like a Strat, a Les Paul, a semi-acoustic or even an acoustic guitar, a banjo, etc. Line6 is a pioneer in this field with the "Variax" family of guitars. ", however, there are other manufacturers on the market, such as Alesis or Roland with "V-Guitar" systems (in the latter case, a slightly different approach to the concept of guitar modeling is used). Some supporters of the "purity of the genre" consider the results of digital modeling not worthy of attention, however, in our opinion, such tools are worthy of it, and even close attention.
Amplifier
For all-around players, a three-channel amp is ideal, capable of delivering both clean and crunchy sounds, as well as solo high-gain sounds. For performances in compact venues, it is best to look at a small but powerful combo amplifier. Let's pay attention to its next advantage - it is quite easy to transport it without involving a team of loaders! A very attractive alternative is the so-called "modeling" digital amplifiers, which are able to simulate almost any hardware amplifier, plus often also equipped with a programmable effects unit and are able to switch by pressing the pedal from one tone to another - say, from an overloaded Marshall stack with a delay and chorus to a small clean amp with a phaser.
In this case, we emphasize again, the main thing is flexibility, so the wider the choice of effects, the better. Instead of carrying around two dozen pedals and a heavy pedalboard, it's better to get a digital multi-effects processor with the ability to save and quickly recall presets. Many multi-effects processors contain all the effects you need to process the sound of a guitar - chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, phaser, octaver, pitch shifter, as well as a variety of overdrive and distortion options. Many floor processors also often have an expression pedal that can be used as a volume or wah pedal.
6. Jazz setup
Most modern jazz musicians play either jazz-rock or jazz-rock fusion. In addition, of course, they also need a "classic" jazz sound. Thus, our setup should "close" the needs of all three styles listed above.
Almost all modern jazz players opt for semi-acoustic guitars with a large body and a humbucker pickup in the neck position (many of these instruments are equipped with two pickups, but in practice the bridge is rarely used). The classic Gibson ES-175 - played by almost everyone from and to - is considered by most jazz players as the standard for warm and rich sound. Semi-acoustic instruments with a "floating pickup" mounted on the fretboard have a slightly different timbre, also very responsive - such guitars are characterized by an accurate and legible "virtuoso" sound with good dynamics in the spirit of .
Amplifier
Jazz players have a very negative view of "grit" and tend to opt for solid-state amps, which have a more pleasing clean sound. They usually want a warm sound with "big" low-mids and dampened highs. Polytone has dominated the field of almost perfectly tuned jazz amps for many years now.
Less is more in this style of music - most players just plug their guitar into an amp and start playing. A real jazz sound is the sound of a guitar and an amplifier, nothing else. Slightly embellished variations are sometimes popular, such as Pat Matheny's trick in which two amplifiers are connected with a slight delay to produce a stereo "pseudo-chorus". In the case when jazz guitarists use elements of other styles in their music, the use of certain characteristic effects is also acceptable. However, jazz-rock performers always prefer soft warm overdrive, rather even crunch, rather than overdrive, which carefully preserves the natural sound of the guitar and has a large headroom over the "noisy" solo sound.
7. Conclusion
The vast amount of information available on the Internet today makes it easy to find out what equipment your favorite performer is using. There is nothing wrong with copying, so you can get a very good result in a short time.
Thank you for taking the time to read our review! Whatever style you play, we hope our tips will help you make the right decision! Creative success to you!
The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments, which is not surprising: it is simple in basic training, and a whole layer of culture is tied to this particular instrument. Even having mastered only three chords, you will no longer experience difficulties in the question “what to sing?”. As skill grows, many techniques and styles of performance will open up, revealing more and more new possibilities of a seemingly simple guitar.
But for this, you need to choose the appropriate tool. The term "bobrovka" has long been reserved for low-quality acoustics among guitarists - alas, the products of the furniture and musical instruments factory (yes, that's right!) from the city of Bobrov have already become so famous for their disgusting workmanship and sound quality that they have become a household name. So you should immediately find out which company's guitars are the best, whose guitar production you can buy with confidence, and only then choose the instrument you like and affordable from the model range.
Which guitar is better - acoustic or classical?
A brand is a brand, but you choose a specific tool for yourself. First, let's define the structure:
- classical guitars is the best choice for beginners. Wide and thin necks are convenient for working out fingerings, on narrower necks of acoustic and especially electric guitars, the fingers will interfere with each other and the strings for much longer. The soft nylon strings that are used on the "classic" do not cause pain in the fingers until calluses develop, they are easily clamped and pulled up with bends. But later it will not work to switch to steel - the strength is low for strings with high tension, not every classical guitar can withstand steel strings, so it's better not to experiment.
- Acoustic guitars due to rigid springs (a set of wooden racks-amplifiers) under the top deck and the presence of an anchor in the neck, steel strings can be used, therefore richer in sound and louder, especially dreadnoughts (western guitars). Steel strings make it easy to use pickups, so many models of acoustic guitars are initially equipped with them, possibly complete with a built-in preamp equalizer, which is more convenient for performances than picking up sound with a microphone.
The best manufacturers of acoustic and classical guitars
Compiling a rating of the best manufacturers of acoustic and classical guitars, we are faced with an understandable difficulty: many companies produce a wide range of tools of various classes. Therefore, we specifically had to create a category for "generalists" - these are brands that have instruments for musicians of any level in their assortment, and at the same time, all these instruments can be bought in our country. The rest of the categories were also filled based on those guitars of these companies that are most common in our sale.
Acoustic guitars are in demand in any genre of music, they can give each composition intimacy and melody. This instrument is self-sufficient, it is not necessary to buy amplifiers and other expensive additions to it. The sound is loud due to the hole (resonator). Distinguish different types guitars, depending on the shape of the body and neck:
- Dreadnought (western) - the most popular model, it has a loud sound, most often it is played with a pick;
- Classical - quiet and soft sound, nylon strings, ideal for performances in small rooms;
- Jumbo - now rare, has a large body and amazing volume, best suited for accompaniment;
- Electro-acoustic - equipped with a timbre block that can be connected to an amplifier; some models have a built-in tuner and equalizer.
Choosing a good acoustic guitar can seem like an incredibly difficult task for beginners. The market is full of companies that copy the products of well-known and established brands, creating low-quality duplicates. That is why it often happens that two guitars, almost identical in appearance, radically differ in price and sound. When buying a tool in an online store, you should pay attention to the rating of the seller and his product, the number of detailed reviews.
Best Inexpensive Acoustic Guitars
5 FLIGHT C-250NA
The best learning tool
Country: China
Average price: 9500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Flight made its name in the 1980s when there was a growing need for quality acoustic guitars suitable for beginners. teachers music schools and schools unanimously preferred the products of this brand. One of the most popular models was the C-250 NA, developed on the basis of the famous Flight C-100, which was once recognized as the best guitar for learning. She adopted almost all the basic elements from the prototype, with the exception of the body material - here this element is made of solid mahogany, which gives the guitar a more voluminous sound.
The tool has only one significant drawback: the glossy finish tends to wear out quickly, especially with frequent use and lack of proper care. It is necessary to regularly wipe the body of the guitar with a napkin, sometimes you can lubricate the neck with vegetable oil. Do not forget about the timely replacement of strings.
4 Cort AC250
Ideal for long exercises or performances
The country: USA (Made in Indonesia)
Average price: 13773 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
Cort AC250 is the brainchild of an American company that produces budget acoustic guitars for every taste. All of them have a stylish design, excellent quality materials and decent sound. The AC250 also draws attention with its chrome-plated tuning pegs. Three types of wood were used to make the guitar. The cedar top provides a soft and warm sound with rounded top notes and an emphasis on the mids. Rosewood and mahogany add depth and volume.
Many beginners agreed that it was with this instrument that they found it easiest to learn to play. It has a thin paintwork, so the sound is more responsive. The curve of the headstock has been chosen so that the fingers do not get tired even after long exercises. Some buyers have doubts about the durability of the deck, but with careful use, the Cort AC250 lasts a very long time.
3 Martinez C-95
The most pleasant price
Country: China
Average price: 6760 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Martinez C-95 - perhaps the best way for those who want to get good sound quality and long term operation at the lowest cost. This model has a traditional structure: six strings and 19 frets, placed in a classical manner. Mahogany and a small amount of rosewood (for the fretboard) were used to make the acoustic guitar. All Martinez brand instruments are assembled in China, but this does not affect the quality at all. If properly cared for, your guitar will last a very long time.
Professional musicians often criticize this model because of its rather flat sound. There is no depth and velvet in it, if you compare the sound with expensive options from well-known companies. But beginners may well get by with such a budget tool, it is perfect for learning.
2 YAMAHA C-70
Rich velvety sound
Country: Japan
Average price: 9990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The C-70 is an excellent instrument for both beginners and experienced guitarists, created by the leading Japanese brand Yamaha. This model is made in the best traditions of the Spanish instrumental classics. The material used for the sides and back is solid meranti wood, known for its high performance and damping of extraneous overtones. The bridge and neck are made of rosewood - not only wear-resistant, but also beautiful material. It provides excellent sound quality.
Yamaha C-70 belongs to the budget line of products of the Japanese company. She has a clean, timbre tone, top notes are sonorous, basses are rich, some users call the sound velvety. The instrument also has disadvantages: according to users, it is quite difficult to master for beginner guitarists. After prolonged use, the tuning pegs may become dull and some screws loosen, but this is easy to fix.
Top Acoustic Guitar Manufacturers
Yamaha. The products of the Japanese giant are known not only for their versatility, but also for their ideal price-quality ratio. It doesn’t matter at all: whether it’s a budget guitar for beginners or an expensive professional instrument, the manufacturer guarantees excellent sound quality.
crafter. Korean company that develops acoustic guitars for professional playing and performance. In the assortment of this manufacturer there are tools for every taste and budget. Therefore, even the most picky musicians will be able to find a guitar model that is ideally suited for price and performance.
Martinez. A Chinese company with a name that does not correspond to the country at all makes money by releasing exact copies of acoustic guitars from well-known manufacturers. Covers all market segments - from the simplest models for beginners to professional tools.
Ibanez. Another Japanese brand, which became famous mainly due to the release of electric and bass guitars, produces quite high-quality and competitive acoustics. A kind of hallmark of the company was the widespread use of mahogany and rosewood as the main material for the manufacture of tools.
Gibson. Main Feature These acoustic guitars have always been relatively light weight as well as easy to manufacture. The most popular Les Paul model came in many variations, including the sensational case with two cutouts. In May 2018, Gibson representatives declared bankruptcy of the company, but connoisseurs and collectors still buy old guitars.
Fender. This American manufacturer, unlike Gibson, continues to exist to this day. It was Leo Fender who created the first Precision Bass electric bass. A few years later, the legendary Stratocaster of an unusual shape appeared. Acoustic guitars from this brand are not as popular as electric models, but many musicians prefer them because of the high quality materials and good sound.
Ovation. The first guitar of this brand was created by Charles Kaman. By profession, he was an expert in aerodynamics, and it was knowledge in this area that helped the American come up with an original back deck. Another feature is the tool material - initially the body was made of ordinary plastic, which is also used for the production of helicopter blades.
1 Fender ESC80
The best guitar for beginners
Country: USA
Average price: 9500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The Fender ESC80 is a classic six-string guitar without a mounted pickup. The model looks very neat due to the reduced size (3/4). The manufacturer has selected exceptionally reliable materials for the manufacture of the tool (solids of spruce, nato, agatis), which are famous for their high wear resistance. The strings here are nylon, they are soft enough that even children can play without a pick. The entire body is covered with a matte varnish, it will not leave fingerprints.
This acoustic guitar has a pleasantly rich tone thanks to its good balance and quality build. It is in great demand among novice musicians, and is included in the Educational Series line of serial educational equipment. The low price makes the guitar accessible to a wide range of consumers. Thanks to its soft and loud sound, the instrument is suitable for performing the most diverse compositions.
Best Premium Acoustic Guitars
3 Gibson J-45
The best finish. Maximum service life
Country: USA
Average price: 216,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The J-45 is a six-string electric acoustic guitar, one of Gibson's finest models. Unique technologies were used to create it, providing a particularly soft, bright and deep sound. The top deck is made of solid spruce, the sides, neck and bottom deck are made of mahogany wood. The neck has an original rounded profile with a rosewood fingerboard, the frets are inlaid with mother-of-pearl in the form of parallelograms.
Fine sandpaper and polishing paste were used to finish the instrument, and the bridge and fretboard were oiled by hand. Due to the processing, the natural vibration of wood increases, this affects the sound quality and service life. The guitar is connected to the amplifier thanks to the pickup from L.R. Bagg VTC. The main drawback of the model, of course, is the price. Gibson has always been an elite brand, so it's rare for up-and-coming musicians to get their hands on their products.
2 Yamaha NTX700
Vintage sound with good resonance
Country: Japan
Average price: 42900 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The NTX700 is an electric acoustic guitar from a Japanese brand that is ideal for performances. It has a fairly thin body (its depth is 80–90 mm), a narrow neck, and a built-in pickup. This model can replace a dreadnought or an electric guitar, regardless of the genre of music in which the performer works. Thanks to the special system of links on the top deck, the full potential of nylon strings is revealed. Used to make an acoustic guitar best materials: solid spruce, nato (mora) and rosewood.
The sound of the instrument is often called vintage: allegedly it turns out to be moderately sharp, with excellent resonance, dissonance in high frequencies is perfectly controlled. Thanks to the oval resonator and the shallow cabinet depth, the sound is also very clear and soft. Last but not least is Yamaha's A.R.E. wood resonant enhancement technology.
1 Antonio Sanchez S-1005
High sound quality. Handmade
Country: Spain
Average price: 37751 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0
S-1005 is a high quality instrument from Spanish workshop Antonio Sanchez. The main feature of this company is that each acoustic guitar is made by hand. The virtuosos of the craft follow ancient techniques that were patented many years ago. Of course, serial models are inferior in quality to single copies, but their price is quite modest. In production, elite wood species are used. This particular model consists of a solid massif of Oregon spruce (top), magohani (back, neck, sides) and rosewood (fingerboard and bridge).
It makes no sense to buy such a guitar for beginners who are not aware of all the intricacies of sound and are not even sure that they plan to seriously engage in music. But professionals will appreciate the S-1005. She has great debugging, balancing and sound. Thanks to the reinforced body design, the tool will last as long as possible.
Best Western Acoustic Guitars
4 Yamaha F310
The most beautiful tone
Country: Japan
Average price: 9990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The F310 is one of Yamaha's most affordable dreadnoughts for beginner guitarists. The sound is bright, deep and rich, the timbre is incredibly beautiful, compared to other brands of acoustic guitars. The Yamaha F310 stays in tune very well, you can not adjust it for about a week, even if you play the guitar every day. The frets are well polished, so the instrument is suitable for fast and complex transitions in different positions, the fingers will not get tired.
The strings here are metal, the body is made of spruce laminate. The production used thin three-layer wood technology, which provided good resonance. Users attribute too thin a layer of varnish to the disadvantages of the model, as well as bad original strings. For many buyers, they broke or began to buzz in the very first days after purchase. Such strings do not reveal the fullness of the sound, so it is better to change them for better ones, but not nylon ones.
3 Fender Squier SA-150
The most durable construction
Country: USA
Average price: 8500 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7
This guitar is most often said to be ideal for regular, intense practice. Of course, the model is also bought by professionals, but it is usually preferred by beginners because of the low price and presentable appearance. It is convenient to play the instrument, the strings here are quite soft, although they are steel (D’Addario). Scalloped springs were used in the design for greater dynamics and resonance of the soundboard.
The neck is made of mahogany, the fretboard is made of painted maple. All fittings are chrome plated. The top deck is made of linden (laminate): this material is considered the most budgetary, it is used in the production of cheap guitars. Because of this, many users criticize the Squier SA-150, although its sound quality is quite decent, it is rich and even “mature”. The reviews also advise replacing the strings with a more expensive set, but it is not necessary to do this immediately after purchase.
2 Crafter MD-40/N
The optimum ratio of price and quality
Country: South Korea
Average price: 27900 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The Crafter company is a true old-timer of the musical instrument market and has managed to release a lot of successful acoustic guitars throughout its history. Among them is the Crafter MD-40/N, a classic dreadnought with an elegant design and high performance. The soundboards are made of spruce and mahogany, the bridge and fretboard are made of Indian rosewood. The hull finish is glossy, the lacquer perfectly emphasizes the beauty of the wood. The kit includes a branded case, as well as an anchor key for adjustment.
The model has one rather controversial feature. In order not to drive up the price of an expensive guitar even more, the developers decided to change the original manufacturing plan and make the top deck not from solid wood, but from spruce veneer. Of course, because of this, the life of the instrument slightly decreased, but the sound remained the same. In addition, veneer is more resistant to moisture and temperature than solid wood.
1 IBANEZ PF15
Best Finger Glide
Country: Japan
Average price: 16,000 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
PF15 is a worthy representative of the budget PF series from the Japanese company Ibanez. Despite the relatively low price, the model is considered one of the best Western guitars for folk. Thanks to the solid spruce top, the upper frequencies are particularly bright. The remaining elements are made of mahogany nyato, it is this material that provides a warm and velvety, enveloping sound. The texture of the wood is very soft and pleasant to the touch, which makes it easier for your fingers to glide over the fretboard.
The model has another important advantage: it is available in the PF15ECE electro-acoustic version. Of course, the price and characteristics of the tool will be slightly different, but high quality Ibanez brand guaranteed. The initial tuning of the guitar may seem inconvenient, but the instrument can be easily adjusted to suit yourself with the help of a truss wrench. Some users also note protruding frets as a drawback.
Best Electric Acoustic Guitars
3 Ibanez TCY10E
Original body shape. Quick Setup
Country: Japan
Average price: 18600 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8
This model immediately attracts attention with its unusual appearance. The glossy finish ensures durability even after years of use. The top deck is made of solid spruce, the rest of the elements are made of mahogany and rosewood. The electro-acoustic guitar has 19 frets, chrome-plated pegs are varnished. There is a proprietary piezo pickup and preamplifier Ibanez AEQ-2T. Thanks to the equalizer and built-in tuner, you can quickly tune your guitar even while performing in front of a noisy audience.
Judging by the reviews, the Ibanez TCY10E is more suitable for professionals than beginner guitarists. In the hands of an experienced musician, this instrument will be able to reveal itself to the maximum. The sound is balanced: bright overtones, rich mids and solid highs. The only drawback of the model is that it has a rather small size, it may not be very convenient to play if you are not used to it.
2 Ovation CS24
Popular model with round carbon fiber deck
Country: USA
Average price: 37991 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Ovation manufactures primarily electric acoustic guitars middle price range. Users deservedly consider CS24 (Celebrity) one of the most successful models. The top is made from solid spruce, with Ovation Lyrachord carbon fiber for the back and sides. All elements are fastened using the X-bracing system. An Ovation Slimline piezo pickup with an OP-4BT preamp is used for a clear and rich sound. There is a three-band EQ, volume and gain controls, a built-in tuner and a low battery alert.
The reviews note the high quality of American strings, but the tuning of the guitar raised questions from users. Some of them had to straighten the neck, adjust the height of the nut height and polish the frets after the purchase, either on their own or with the help of a master. Not all buyers faced this problem, but still it has a place to be.
1 Fender CD-60SCE
Best quality tuner
Country: USA
Average price: 28200 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0
The Fender CD-60SCE belongs to Fender's budget range. This is one of the models that sell at a discounted price due to inexpensive materials and assembly in China or Indonesia. Many are biased towards such products, although in quality they are almost as good as expensive counterparts. The top deck is made of spruce, the neck and sides are made of mahogany. Twenty inlaid frets, made in the form of dots, are located on a rosewood lining.
The case is covered with a glossy varnish that shines even in the twilight. In order for an acoustic guitar to retain its marketable appearance for a long time, it is necessary to polish it regularly. Users praise the set of signature D'Addario strings, they also note a good tuner that is suitable for beginners and experienced musicians. The CD-60SCE is equipped with an active dynamic preamp and a Fishman piezo pickup. The disadvantages include the inconvenient fastening of the guitar on the belt.