Before looking at the options available to you with the classical Yamaha guitar it is important to understand the significance of the “classical” label.  How does the “classical” guitar differ from other guitars…or is there actually any difference at all?

The classical guitar is a 6-stringed (8 and 10 string models are also available) plucked string instrument and is constructed to accommodate intricate right hand technique which allows the soloist extreme flexibility for performing intricate melodic and polyphonic musical structures.  It is also sometimes called a Spanish guitar or a nylon string guitar.

Most significant is that it is a highly versatile instrument and not confined just to classical performance literature.  It can actually be used for playing multiple genres including rock and pop.

Yamaha manufactures an impressive line of classical guitars covering a wide price range and geared to all levels of performance capabilities.  Although Yamaha guitars are not handcrafted their guitars are meticulously modeled via computer technology.  The end result is a high quality instrument at a substantially lower price.

The beginner classical Yamaha guitar starts at just over $100 and prices climb based on the quality of the instrument peaking at near $1000.

Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar Package

A good starter bundle for the beginner is the Yamaha C40 Classical Guitar Package.  In addition to the guitar the package includes a digital tuner, padded gig bag, instructional book and DVD.  The guitar is constructed of Indonesian mahogany on the back and sides and spruce on the top.  The fingerboard features 19 frets and is made of Javanese rosewood.

Yamaha CGS103A 3/4 Size Classical Guitar

For a child who is just learning the instrument a good choice is the Yamaha CGS103A 3/4 Size Classical Guitar.  Since this guitar is scaled down in size it is substantially more suitable for a child (ages 7 to 12) to handle comfortably.  The good news is that this guitar still provides a beautiful sound despite its smaller size.  Although numerous beginner books and DVDs are available a child will do better when under the guidance of an instructor.

Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar

An excellent choice for the experienced player is the Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar.  The list price for this instrument is $370 but you can pick it up for around $300 or less.  It comes highly rated and praised by those who have purchased this guitar.

Remarkably, many advanced players swear by the quality of this instrument and prefer it’s performance over much more expensive models.

This classical Yamaha guitar is both…easy to tune…and to keep in tune.  The tonal quality is magnificent and the action is particularly fluid.  Moreover, not only does it sound beautiful…it also looks beautiful.  It is indeed a quality instrument.

Yamaha NCX900R Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar, Natural

If you are looking for a superior classical guitar that also has amplification capabilities then check out the Yamaha NCX900R Acoustic Electric Classical Guitar, Natural.  The list price on this guitar is $1160 but you can get it for about half that price.

If you are serious about owning a quality instrument that produces superior sound but at an affordable price then a classical Yamaha guitar is the right choice for you.

If you are looking for a quality acoustic guitar at an affordable price then the Yamaha F 310 guitar is an excellent choice.  Good condition used models can be found for about $120.  New models are next to impossible to find since Yamaha has discontinued production of the F 310 in the United States.  But because so many were sold there are still many in circulation and can be found through online retailers such as Amazon and eBay or even from local vendors who carry used instruments.  And remember, age and use improves the sound quality of a guitar.  So a used instrument is a good investment.

The Yamaha F 310 is a full-sized guitar with a surprisingly rich sound.  Actually, the more accurate name of the F 310 is the Yamaha F-310 Steel String Acoustic Folk Guitar, Semi Jumbo.  Semi Jumbo means that it’s less cumbersome than a full jumbo and particularly helpful if you’re on the small side yourself.  Fortunately, it’s reduced size doesn’t take anything away from the guitar’s rich sound.

The F 310 is well-suited for both beginner and intermediate players.  In fact, many people like the Yamaha F 310 guitarso much that they’re in no hurry to upgrade once they gain some experience.  It is probably not the best choice for a performance guitar.  If you have reached the point where people are willing to pay you for your musical services then you will probably want to upgrade.  But if playing for yourself is your only desire then the F 310 is perfectly adequate to suit your needs.  Your spouse is also less likely to give you grief over the price.

Most important, it doesn’t look or sound like a cheap guitar.  It is easily fretted, looks good, and produces a rich, deep, and mellow sound.  The fingerboard is slightly narrower than average, which makes it especially easy to play for those with smaller hands.

There are, however, some concerns about the quality of the materials used in constructing the guitar, which is why it is not an instrument preferred by advanced players.  Probably, of greatest concerned to the advanced player is that the quality of the frets is less than desirable.  The neck however, is better than expected for an inexpensive guitar.

Some complain that it isn’t as rugged as they would like and that it picks up dents and nicks easily.  However, as a personal note, after having owned many musical instruments over the years, all instruments will suffer damage when they are not cared for properly.  Musical instruments require TLC.

This instrument features a spruce top, Indonesian mahogany back and sides, and nato neck.  The fretboard is constructed with Javanese rosewood and a Sonokeling bridge.  It comes with chrome hardware and 20 frets.  The top has a pleasant natural finish, and the overall styling of the guitar is classic and understated.

The Yamaha F 310 guitar is versatile enough for playing multiple music styles including rock, pop, folk and more. It has gained overwhelmingly positive reviews from those who have made the investment.  It remains a good choice for anyone who is serious about learning to play the guitar.

A dilemma faced by every serious musician is…where to practice?  That challenge is magnified when traveling or when living in a space where practice sounds are undesirable by other inhabitants or neighbors.  Apartments, dorm rooms, and hotel rooms can be particularly troublesome for finding places to rehearse.  Then there are more than just a few guitarists who prefer to practice late at night when others are sleeping.  Fortunately practice instruments have been developed to solve the problem.  For the guitarist the answer is a silent Yamaha guitar.

Admittedly, for the beginner, silent guitars may not be desirable because they look different than a regular guitar.  To the untrained eye they may look more like a toy than a valuable tool for learning.  In reality, even a beginner can benefit from a silent guitar but it may take a little more convincing for parents to persuade their would-be rock star to take ownership of a practice instrument.

Silent guitars are pricier than you might expect.  In fact, in some cases the practice instrument can cost as much or more than the regular guitar.  But if practicing without annoying others is a concern then the silent Yamaha guitar is the way to go.

Yamaha SLG110N Nylon String Silent Guitar Natural

A popular choice that consistently receives high ratings is the Yamaha SLG110N Nylon String Silent Guitar Natural.  The list price on this instrument is $920 but you can get it for about $560.

With the guitars sound running through headphones, you can play and experience the realistic sounds of an acoustic nylon-stringed instrument. The Yamaha silent guitar features a lightweight maple body, with a detachable upper frame for portability. The neck is constructed from mahogany, and features a rosewood fingerboard. The Silent Guitar “acoustically” produces only 1 1/10th the amount of sound volume; which makes the SLG110N great for playing anytime or anywhere.

Electronics include piezo in-bridge B-Band (EMF) pickups and an internal DSP. The digital effects taken from the class-leading SPX studio effects and industry-standard digital mixing consoles developed by Yamaha Commercial Audio, audiophile quality and the ambience of a warm, small room or luxurious large hall are with you wherever you are.   4 effects are available; Reverb1, Reverb2, Chorus and Echo. AUX IN lets you play along with your favorite recordings.  The silent acoustic-electric guitar has mini-stereo inputs for plugging in a MP3 or CD player for play-along. The Yamaha acoustic-electric guitar interfaces well with acoustic-effects processors, P.A.s and amps. Silent design makes it perfect for home use or practice. Also includes a durable gig bag, power supply, and ear buds.

For about the same money you can bundle some important accessories with the silent Yamaha guitar.  Check out the Yamaha SLG110N Silent Guitar w/Gig Bag, Headphones, and Stand bundle.

Also, keep in mind that battery life on these instruments is limited.  A better choice is to use the power adapter that comes with the guitar which eliminates the need to frequently change batteries.  Of course, there are times when conventional power supplies are not available and then the battery configuration makes perfect sense.

Yamaha has an impressive line of silent guitars and there is sure to be a silent Yamaha guitar that will be the right fit for your practice needs.