Best Classical Guitars With C Neck Profile in 2024

Here are the top Classical style guitars with C neck profile. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big. Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck.

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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  • 4 Prices - New from $2,199 >
  • 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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  • 4 Prices - New from $2,199 >
  • 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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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. 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 (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 4 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
  • 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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  • 4 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
  • 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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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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3. 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
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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

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    4. 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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    • 3 Prices - New from $399 >
    • 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
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    • 3 Prices - New from $399 >
    • 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
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    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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    5. 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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    • 3 Prices - New from $429.99 >
    • 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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    • 3 Prices - New from $429.99 >
    • 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    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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    6. Ibanez GA34STCE

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    Ibanez GA34STCE
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 70
    Sound 84
    Build quality 64
    Value for money 83
    Overall Score 73
    FIND IT ON:
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    • 3 Prices - New from $349.99 >
    • From Ibanez's 2021 CLASSICAL series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Ovangkol back
    • Ovangkol sides
    • Okoume neck
    • Purpleheart fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
    • Purpleheart bridge
    • Acoustic GA Set neck
    • 21 Medium frets
    • Ibanez tuners
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    • 3 Prices - New from $349.99 >
    • From Ibanez's 2021 CLASSICAL series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Spruce top
    • Ovangkol back
    • Ovangkol sides
    • Okoume neck
    • Purpleheart fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Ibanez Undersaddle (Preamp/Active)
    • Purpleheart bridge
    • Acoustic GA Set neck
    • 21 Medium frets
    • Ibanez tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Ibanez GA34STCE
    • Electronics
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • Low-Quality Material Saddle
    • Laminated Side Wood
    • Laminated Back Wood
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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    7. Harley Benton CG-300CE NT

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    Harley Benton CG-300CE NT
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 78
    Sound 76
    Build quality 60
    Value for money 91
    Overall Score 71
    FIND IT ON:
    Thomann logo
    • 1 Prices - New from €89 >
    • From Harley Benton's 2018 Standard series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 14.016"'' scale
    • 15.827" Fretboard Radius
    • Spruce top
    • Agathis back
    • Agathis sides
    • Agathis neck
    • Roseacer fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Built-in system (Preamp/Active)
    • Roseacer bridge
    • Acoustic Modern C Set neck
    • 19 Medium frets
    • Classical Machine heads tuners
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    Show all Specs
    • 1 Prices - New from €89 >
    • From Harley Benton's 2018 Standard series
    • Made in China
    • 6 strings
    • 14.016"'' scale
    • 15.827" Fretboard Radius
    • Spruce top
    • Agathis back
    • Agathis sides
    • Agathis neck
    • Roseacer fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Built-in system (Preamp/Active)
    • Roseacer bridge
    • Acoustic Modern C Set neck
    • 19 Medium frets
    • Classical Machine heads tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Harley Benton CG-300CE NT
    • Electronics
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in China
    • No Expensive Woods
    • 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

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    8. Yamaha NTX5

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    Yamaha NTX5
    FIND IT ON:
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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 (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 5 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • 23.622" 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 5 Prices - New from $1,999.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • 23.622" 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha NTX5
    • 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

    All Prices

    9. Yamaha GC42C

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    Yamaha GC42C
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 73
    Sound 84
    Build quality 82
    Value for money 65
    Overall Score 80

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
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    • 4 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Western Redcedar top
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
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    Show all Specs
    • 4 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid Western Redcedar top
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha GC42C
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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    10. Yamaha GC42S

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    Yamaha GC42S
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 73
    Sound 84
    Build quality 82
    Value for money 65
    Overall Score 80

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
    • 3 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid European Spruce or Solid Hokkaido Spruce top
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 3 Prices - New from $4,299.99 >
    • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • Flat Fretboard Radius
    • Solid European Spruce or Solid Hokkaido Spruce top
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
    • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
    • African Mahogany neck
    • Ebony fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: (/)
    • Indian Rosewood bridge
    • Acoustic C Set neck
    • 20 Medium frets
    • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Yamaha GC42S
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Bone Saddle
    • Solid Top Wood
    • Solid Side Wood
    • Solid Back Wood
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Electronics
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

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