The difference between classical guitar and flamenco guitar basically lie in their materials, construction, and sound:
Materials: Classical guitars are generally made with spruce or cedar tops and rosewood or mahogany backs and sides to enhance sustain. Flamenco guitars are generally made with spruce tops and cypress or sycamore for the backs and sides to enhance volume and emphasize the attack of the note.
Construction: The body of a classical guitar is generally deeper and the woods are slightly thicker. Flamenco guitars have a flat or negative (before string tension) neck relief, making the action very fast at the cost of some buzzing. The strings are also closer to the body on flamenco guitars to facilitate tapping. Flamenco guitars often bear a “golpeador”, which is a sheet of plastic mounted to the face of the guitar to protect its finish.
Sound: The classical guitar is designed to give the soloist the tools to perform poly-timbral music: “An orchestra in a box”. The attack is soft with a longer and gradual decay. The flamenco guitar is designed to cut through the sound of dancers stomping their feet. The sound is a bit more percussive, a loud sonic burst followed by a swift decay
Our guitar store features both flamenco guitars and classical guitars.
What kind of guitars will I find in the GSI guitar store?
In our guitar store, you’ll find classical and flamenco guitars – also known collectively as "nylon string" guitars. For nearly 4 decades our mission has been to offer the widest selection possible of the best instruments made by the world’s finest luthiers – we have collaborated with such elite makers as Daniel Friederich, Edmund Blochinger, Dominique Field, Andrea Tacchi, and many others, but also regularly seek out younger, "up and coming" talent - many of whom are quickly becoming recognized as the leading luthiers of their generation. We also specialize in offering the rarest and most exciting vintage guitars made by history’s most renown makers such as Antonio de Torres, Hermann Hauser Sr., Robert Bouchet and many, many others. You'll also find a variety of high-quality student instruments made by the industries leading manufacturers. Since opening our doors in 1983, we have become established and recognized as the largest international dealer of fine classical and flamenco guitars. Enjoy browsing our current selection as well as visiting our museum where we continue to show many of the great guitars that have passed through our doors.
What kind of guitar is used to play flamenco?
Even though it’s recommended to use a flamenco guitar for flamenco music,it’s still also possible to play flamenco music on classical guitars, as well as classical music on flamenco guitars. Flamenco guitars have lower action and a punchier, more percussive sound which makes them better for very rhythmic flamenco music .
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