Can anyone give me any advice on buying a classical guitar? I`ve been playing the electric and acoustic guitars for about 4 years now, but want to learn music and get a classical guitar and be more `serious` in my playing.

I don`t really want to get a basic model because I think it would quickly outdated for my needs, and am prepared to pay upto 600 - 700 sterling if necessary. Also, does anyone know any internet or shops that are UK-based (preferably North-West area) as all the shops I`ve been to have a very limited selection. The only guitar that seemed suitable was a Luis Romero I saw on the `net, does anyone know about/have this make?

Thanks for any help anyone can give me!

Maize

Maize, Good decision. I had been playing R&R for about 30+ years and decided to take the same road you`re looking at. Best musical decision I made. I have played by ear all my life with about a nickels worth of tab. Decided it was time to learn read music before I was 50 (as you can see I`m an old man). Any ways I initially bought an Esteve student model (~$450) and moved up to the Esteve Paco Malaga model (~$1200). The Paco does make a different! Learning to play classical will break you of your bad habits! Don`t get discourage! Practice, practice, practice. It will pay off. Three cord progressions are nice but classical will take you down roads and make you appreciate what playing guitar is really about. One more thought, Christopher Parkening said it best, learn to play a piece correctly before moving on. Remember, quality over quanity everytime. Welcome to a new experience...

Cheers for the reply, I`ve just bought a Rodriguez guitar for £600 from a store I found selling classical instruments near where I live, it`s great! Can`t wait to get started!

I also bought a book to learn from, and the first page basically outlines what you say - practice the basics first - so I`m now trying to get my seating and holding position spot on before I do anything else!

For what it`s worth a couple of lessons my give you a little more motivation. Intial learning on your own may produce `speed bumps` due to not being able to ask questions or have someone evaluate your hand position, fingering, etc. However don`t get discourage! The only thing stopping you is you. We got enough guitar players. We now have another musician on the horizon...

Suggest you actually try the guitar you buy. Play it first. You`re on to some good equipment and gracious advice already. I suggest Yamaha, which come in many quality levels and price ranges. Spend as much as you can spare, because it`s worth it to get the one YOU like and will keep. We like Yamaha very much, and it has helped my son Andrew Listmayer succeed and be awarded. Strat Man Dwight - strategies for the guitarist

how about a site called Gak.co.uk and regentguitars.co.uk

I see you`ve found your instrument and made a very good choice. I just found another brand La Patrie at www.godinguitars.com and recommend to all. I`ve checked their qaulity & sound, together with price. One of the best buys I have seen in 4 decades of playing. Canada`s Strat Man Dwight