Best Classical Shape Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Classical shape guitars.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Martin 000C12-16E Nylon

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Martin 000C12-16E Nylon
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Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 86
Value for money 72
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Martin's 2020 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 18" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Low Profile Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Side Mount tuners
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  • From Martin's 2020 16-17 series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 18" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT1 (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Low Profile Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold Side Mount tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin 000C12-16E Nylon
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Alvarez CYM75CE

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Alvarez CYM75CE
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Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 90
Value for money 71
Overall Score 81
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Western Red Cedar top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany one piece. Spanish Heel neck joint neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold with Pearloid Buttons tuners
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Western Red Cedar top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany one piece. Spanish Heel neck joint neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold with Pearloid Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez CYM75CE
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

3. Takamine TC135SC

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Takamine TC135SC
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Playability 70
Sound 88
Build quality 85
Value for money 71
Overall Score 81

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
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  • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TC135SC
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Yamaha NCX5

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Yamaha NCX5
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Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 82
Value for money 75
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (13 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (14 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce top
  • Solid Walnut back
  • Solid Walnut sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony + Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
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  • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce top
  • Solid Walnut back
  • Solid Walnut sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony + Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha NCX5
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Cort Jade Classic

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Cort Jade Classic
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Playability 82
Sound 79
Build quality 64
Value for money 85
Overall Score 75
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  • From Cort's 2020 Jade series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Merbau fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Cort CE304T (Preamp/Active)
  • Merbau bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Vintage Machineheads tuners
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  • From Cort's 2020 Jade series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Merbau fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Cort CE304T (Preamp/Active)
  • Merbau bridge
  • Acoustic Cort Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Vintage Machineheads tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Cort Jade Classic
  • Expensive Wood
  • Electronics
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • Laminated Top Wood
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

6. Washburn C64SCE

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Washburn C64SCE
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Playability 70
Sound 81
Build quality 70
Value for money 84
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Washburn's 2023 Classical series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Engineered Wood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Classica II (Preamp/Active)
  • Alternative bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Classical Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Classical Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Washburn's 2023 Classical series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Engineered Wood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Classica II (Preamp/Active)
  • Alternative bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Classical Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Classical Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn C64SCE
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • NuBone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Fender CN-140SCE

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Fender CN-140SCE
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Playability 70
Sound 79
Build quality 74
Value for money 84
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (4 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Slightly chunky (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Fender's 2017 Classic Design series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Laminated Ovangkol back
  • Laminated Ovangkol sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman CD Preamp (Preamp/Passive)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges Set neck
  • 18 Vintage frets
  • 3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons tuners
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  • From Fender's 2017 Classic Design series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Laminated Ovangkol back
  • Laminated Ovangkol sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman CD Preamp (Preamp/Passive)
  • Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges Set neck
  • 18 Vintage frets
  • 3-In-Line with Amber Pearloid Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender CN-140SCE
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • NuBone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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8. Takamine TH90

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Takamine TH90
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Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 87
Value for money 70
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Takamine's 2018 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2018 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TH90
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

9. Takamine TH5C

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Takamine TH5C
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Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 85
Value for money 75
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TH5C
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

10. Takamine TH8SS

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Takamine TH8SS
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Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 87
Value for money 70
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Takamine's 2013 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2013 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TH8SS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
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