How to choose the first classical guitar?

by Pritesh
(Bangalore, India)

Hi,

First of all let me thank you for the website and recommending the book "Pumping Nylon". You are quite right about it.

I am from India and am interested in learning the Classical Guitar.

We really have limited choice here, I am not sure if you have heard of a brand called J&D, but thats the most easily available guitars out here. I am looking for something within $200 (if its possible to get something in that range).

What are the things that I should look for? Usual things like looking for too much scratches etc is ok, but is there anything else that I should look for also?

Sometimes an instrument sounds too good in the shop and then sounds that way for a few days, but later it just kinda sounds flat. Anyway I can know that beforehand? Any way to prejudge that?

I did visit the questions site and found an interesting tip about the height of the guitar. You said that the guitar headstock should reach the waist and that way one can know that its right. Any more such tips? Please let me know. I would be extremely thankful.

Once again my heartfelt thanks for the amazing website and the recommendation of books.

Regards,
pmu

Hi Pritesh,

Firstly, thanks for the kind words. They are much appreciated.

I have written a page some time ago on buying a guitar that has quite a few tips. You can see that page here...

I hope this is of help.

Kind regards,
Trevor M.