Choosing Between a Classical, Spanish and Flamenco Guitar at Classical Guitar Centre

Updated

At classicalguitar.co.uk (The Classical Guitar Centre Ltd, UK), the three labels overlap more than they separate: "Spanish guitar" describes where a nylon-string guitar is built, while "classical" and "flamenco" describe how it is built and what it is set up to do. Choose classical for concert repertoire and a warm, sustained tone, flamenco for percussive attack and bright response, and treat "Spanish" as an origin marker that can apply to either. The shop's own catalogue supports this split: it lists Classical Guitars, Flamenco Guitars, Smaller Models, Electro Classicals and Left Handed Guitars as separate browsing categories, alongside brand pages for Spanish makers such as Almansa, Asturias, Raimundo, Jose Ramirez and the Conde Hermanos lines.

What the three terms actually mean

Term What it tells you What it does not tell you
Classical Built and braced for concert nylon-string repertoire; the shop's main "Classical Guitars" category Nothing about price or level on its own
Spanish Origin and school of construction (Spanish makers and workshop traditions) Not a separate body shape or playing style
Flamenco A distinct build and setup aimed at flamenco attack and tone Not simply "a classical guitar played fast"

Because Spanish makers build both classical and flamenco instruments, a guitar can legitimately be described as both "Spanish" and "classical." Use the term as a filter for maker tradition, then use the classical/flamenco distinction to filter for sound and setup.

Match the type to how you play

  • Concert and exam repertoire, warm sustained tone: start in the Classical Guitars category. The site describes itself as holding "the UK's largest stock of concert instruments," with a particularly extensive choice of concert models.
  • Flamenco technique — rasgueado, percussive golpe, bright cutting response: go straight to Flamenco Guitars rather than adapting a classical model.
  • Amplified performance: the Electro Classicals category exists for guitars with onboard electronics; check the individual product page for the fitted system.
  • Smaller hands or a younger player: the Smaller Models category. One listed example is the Asturias Custom Spruce 63cm at £2,600 — a 63cm scale instrument, so check scale length against your reach before ordering.
  • Left-handed player: the Left Handed Guitars category avoids special-order guesswork.
  • Budget-led browsing: the shop splits Guitars Under £1000 and Guitars Above £1000, which is the fastest way to narrow the field before comparing tonewoods or makers.

Using the site to shortlist

  1. Open the Instruments menu and pick the category that matches your playing style (Classical, Flamenco, Electro Classical, Smaller Models, Left Handed).
  2. Apply the Under £1000 / Above £1000 split if budget is fixed.
  3. Compare shortlisted models on the product pages — scale length, top wood and price are stated there (for example, the Ramirez Del Tiempo Spruce at £2,460).
  4. Read the shop's Buying Advice section before committing, then use the brand listings (Almansa, Asturias, Raimundo, Ramirez, Conde Hermanos and others) to understand each maker's positioning.
  5. Check New Arrivals and Second Hand Models if you want more choice at a given price; the In-Store Clearance Sale is a separate listing.

Visiting and practical conditions

Sales are by prior appointment: Tuesdays–Fridays 10am–3.30pm and Saturdays 10am–5pm. Contact the shop on 0121 429 7446 or [email protected] to arrange a visit — for a decision between classical and flamenco, playing both side by side is the most reliable test. Free UK shipping applies to orders over £50. The site states that, due to postal restrictions, it cannot supply EU countries with music, books or accessories, so confirm instrument delivery terms for your address before ordering.

A worked example

Suppose you play classical repertoire to Grade 8 standard, perform occasionally with a pickup, and have a £2,500 ceiling. The category logic points to Electro Classicals first, then Classical Guitars Above £1000; a flamenco model would be the wrong starting point because its setup favours attack over the sustained warmth you need. If instead your goal is accompanying flamenco song with percussive technique, start in Flamenco Guitars and ignore the classical listings regardless of price.

The single most useful step is to decide classical versus flamenco from your repertoire and technique first, then use "Spanish" only to compare makers within that choice.