Classical Guitar Reviews and Recommendations

Below are some reviews and recommendations for classical guitars and brands. These are mainly reviews of factory and small boutique brands of guitars for beginner to intermediate students looking for an affordable and quality recommendations. But I also have reviewed a few guitars that will interest advanced players as well. For a list of luthiers making professional grade guitars in the $8k and up range please see my luthier list.

Submit Guitar for Review: I only review instruments I’ve played and owned. If you would like your guitar reviewed here please contact me: bradford@thisisclassicalguitar.com

In-Person, Online, My Pick, Something Local?

Although it’s best to play a factory guitar in-person but I know that is not always a possibility for many students outside of large cities. That said, if you can make it to a major classical guitar dealer that is the ideal. Otherwise I recommend buying from a store that knows how to setup and ship instruments.

If you find a guitar in your local shop that isn’t listed here, you might still want to buy it. I’ve tried lots of guitars but not all of them so if you fall in love with a classical guitar at a local store, go for it. Just make sure it’s a standard full size nylon string classical guitar and that it’s set up correctly. Play every fret on every string.

Recommended Student Level Guitars 

I understand not everyone is ready for the leap to a expensive single-luthier built guitar. Therefore, here are some recommendations based on guitars I’ve review for the site. Keep in mind that there are other great brands out there that I have not had the chance to review and that may or may not be great. The better the instrument you get, the more you’ll likely enjoy the experience of learning music (within reason). However, everything I’ve listed here is a good value in relation to the price.

• Brands I’ve Review
• Cordoba – Widely available and generally a solid guitar. Pick a price and buy.
• Saers Guitars – Great value and creating a more modern classical guitar.
• JoLuck Guitars – Great value, specializing in small scale guitars.
• Siccas Luthiers (Review Coming Soon)
• D Cascia Guitars – Excellent value and quality, amazing prices, Canadian company.

I’m in talks with more guitar builders and companies about potential reviews so watch for that in the future where I’ll verify the quality and playability of new brands and models.

I only recommend or review guitars I’ve played and have solid experience with. So if something isn’t listed below it doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t endorse it, I simply haven’t owned or experienced them enough to recommend.

Entry Level Guitars on a Budget

If you can spend more you really should, but if you’re on a super budget the Yamaha will make some sound and be playable. You might quickly outgrow it musically though so if you can make it to the Cordoba C5 that would be better.

Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar (Amazon Link) – Approximate Price Range $150 USD
A good value if you’re on a thin budget but it’s not a refined sound. No truss rod but their quality control is pretty good. Essentially, if financial limitations force this price I’ll recommend it but otherwise upgrade to the Cordoba at the bare minimum.

Cordoba C5 (My Review) – Approximate Price: $450 USD – Recommended Beginner Budget Guitar
If you can afford to start here that would be better. With a solid top this one has some nice touches and a decent sound for the price.

Mid-Entry Level Classical Guitars

Cordoba C7 Classical Guitar (Amazon Link) – Approximate Price Range: $649 USD
This is great because you get a solid cedar top and laminate Indian rosewood back and sides. In general, this is going to be a louder and more refined sound but the price is a jump up. If you can afford this one you might even stretch your budget and buy the C9 or 10 which is a real improvement.

JoLuck E02 Amoroso Classical Guitar (Small Scale Guitar, Aprrox. $439 USD) – This is a lattice brace guitar offering much more volume than most of the above instruments and is available in a four different sizes for those looking for a slightly smaller guitar.

Mid-Range Classical Guitars

I’m happy to recommend any of the guitars listed in this section. However, when you get to the price of the Cordoba C10 you should definitely consider the De Cascia guitar in the next section.

JoLuck E04 Dolce Small Scale – Approximate Price Range: $650 USD –
A solid cedar top and Indian rosewood back and side along with a lattice design creates a responsive and warm guitar.

Cordoba C9 Classical Guitar (Amazon Link) – Approximate Price Range: $1100 USD
Solid Canadian cedar top with solid mahogany back and sides. I would love to see my students with a guitar that could last them into their intermediate years.

Saers Guitar A50 (review link) – Approximate Price Range: $1400 USD
Good value for the price. A bit more of a modern guitar compared to the Cordobas with better response to touch and volume but the Cordoba has a more traditional sound so it depends on your priorities.

Cordoba C10 Guitar (review link)
Approximate Price Range: $1600 USD.
Solid cedar top & solid Indian rosewood back and sides. A very decent guitar with a traditional tone and good balance across the strings. A bit overbuilt in terms of responsiveness but still good. However, at this price, you should consider going to the De Cascia Sylvia guitar in the next section as it is a clear winner over the C10.

Upper Mid-Range

De Cascia ‘Sylvia’ (Spruce) Review – Highly Recommended
Approximate Price Range: $2,295.00 CAD ($1650 USD) – Nov.2026
For an incredibly affordable price you get a well-balanced and sustaining all-wood lattice braced guitar. Additional design work includes a 12 hole bridge, fully raised fingerboard, armrest, portal, 20th fret, solid spruce/cedar top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides. A range of scale lengths from 650mm, 640mm, or 630mm with variable nut widths. 

Cordoba C12 (Cedar) Review – Approximate Price Range: $2500 USD
Modern design elements include a lattice braced top and raised fingerboard, although I will say that it’s not very raised. It’s fairly loud and well balanced but maybe a bit overbuilt in terms of responsiveness. I really like the C12 but the price of the De Cascia is so much more affordable for a possibly equal or better instrument.

Saers Guitar A90 (Cedar) Review – Approximate Price Range: $3000 USD
The solid woods, lattice bracing, raised fingerboard, 12 hole bridge, French polish top, high C, tuners, and responsiveness all contribute to an excellent value at this price. Not as balanced or traditional a tone as the Cordoba or De Cascia and a touch dark in the bass but still good. Again, I’d still likely recommend the De Cascia as my top pick. However, if you want a big sounding guitar this is the strength of the A90 cedar.

Professional Single-Luthier Made Guitars

Three luthiers I’ve had lots of experience with are Douglass Scott, Marcus Dominelli, and Erez Perelman. Their guitars are played by some of the biggest names around the world and they all make instruments that I personally guarantee are amazing. You can talk to me first about a choice or tell them I sent you. I visit their shops regularly and know them personally so trust them completely.

For a list of luthiers making high end guitars please see my luthier list.