Best Classical Guitars With Gold Hardware in 2024

Here are the top Classical style guitars with Gold hardware.

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
  • See all specs and compare >
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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

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    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 (3 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
    • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
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    • 3 Prices - New from $2,399 >
    • 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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    • 3 Prices - New from $2,399 >
    • 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    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 (14 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
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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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    Show all Specs
    • 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    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. Washburn C64SCE

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    Washburn C64SCE
    FIND IT ON:
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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
    FIND IT ON:
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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
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 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
    • See all specs and compare >
    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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    6. Cort AC160CF

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    Cort AC160CF
    FIND IT ON:
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    Playability 70
    Sound 79
    Build quality 70
    Value for money 83
    Overall Score 73
    FIND IT ON:
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    • From Cort's 2020 Classic series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Spruce top
    • Macassar Ebony back
    • Macassar Ebony sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Merbau fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II (Preamp/Active)
    • Merbau bridge
    • Acoustic Cort Set neck
    • 19 Medium frets
    • Classical Style tuners
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    Show all Specs
    • From Cort's 2020 Classic series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 25.6"'' scale
    • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
    • Spruce top
    • Macassar Ebony back
    • Macassar Ebony sides
    • Mahogany neck
    • Merbau fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II (Preamp/Active)
    • Merbau bridge
    • Acoustic Cort Set neck
    • 19 Medium frets
    • Classical Style tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Cort AC160CF
    • Expensive Wood
    • Bone Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Electronics
    • Bone Saddle
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • Laminated Top Wood
    • Laminated Side Wood
    • Laminated Back Wood
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

      7. 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:
      Amazon logoSweetwater logo
      • 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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      Show all Specs
      • 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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      8. Takamine P3FCN

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      Takamine P3FCN
      FIND IT ON:
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      Playability 73
      Sound 85
      Build quality 84
      Value for money 76
      Overall Score 81

      What our users think

      • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
      Own it? Share your opinion
      FIND IT ON:
      Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
      • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Show all Specs
      • 2 Prices - New from $1,799 >
      • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
      • Made in Japan
      • 6 strings
      • 25.6"'' scale
      • 12" Fretboard Radius
      • Solid Cedar top
      • Solid Sapele back
      • Sapele sides
      • Mahogany neck
      • Rosewood fretboard
      • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
      • Fixed bridge
      • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
      • 20 Medium frets
      • Takamine Gold tuners
      • See all specs and compare >
      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Takamine P3FCN
      • 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

      All Prices

      9. Takamine TH90

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      Takamine TH90
      FIND IT ON:
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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 (3 votes)
      • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
      • 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
      • See all specs and compare >
      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
      • See all specs and compare >
      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

      All Prices

        10. Takamine TH5C

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        Takamine TH5C
        FIND IT ON:
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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 (3 votes)
        • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
        • 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
        • See all specs and compare >
        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
        • See all specs and compare >
        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

        All Prices

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