Classical guitar
The classical guitar uses nylon strings. The feel is softer under the fingers, the sound is round and warm, and the neck is generally wider. It's a very comfortable solution for learning the basics.
Which acoustic guitar should I choose to start with?
Buyer's Guide
Choosing an acoustic guitar for beginners can quickly become complicated: classical or folk, nylon or steel strings, small size or larger body, entry-level or more advanced guitar. This guide helps you understand the differences and choose a model that suits your comfort, budget, and musical style.
Which acoustic guitar should a beginner choose?
When starting guitar, the most important thing is not to choose the most expensive model, but a comfortable, accurate, pleasant-to-play guitar that suits the style you want to learn.
The first big question is simple: should you start with a classical guitar with nylon strings or a folk guitar with steel strings? Both solutions are good, but they don't offer the same feel or sound.
In short:
Choose a classical guitar if you're looking for a softer touch and comfortable learning. Choose a folk guitar if you like pop, rock, folk, variety, vocal accompaniment, or modern fingerstyle sounds.
Classical or folk: what's the difference?
Folk guitar
The folk guitar uses steel strings. The sound is brighter, more powerful, and better suited for accompaniment, pop, acoustic rock, country, folk, and vocal-guitar playing.
Comfort
A classical guitar is often gentler on the fingers at first, but its wide neck can be awkward for some smaller hands. A folk guitar requires a bit more adaptation for the fingers, but its neck is often closer to an electric guitar.
Musical style
For classical, flamenco, bossa nova, or very traditional learning, a classical guitar is logical. For accompanying songs, playing open chords, and getting a modern sound, a folk guitar is often more suitable.
Quick comparison: classical or folk?
| Guitar type | Strengths | Things to know | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical nylon | Soft touch, round sound, very comfortable for beginners | Wider neck, less brilliant sound than a folk guitar | Beginners, music school, classical, bossa nova, flamenco, gentle learning |
| Folk steel | Clear, powerful, modern sound, ideal for vocal accompaniment | Strings firmer under the fingers at first | Pop, acoustic rock, folk, variety, country, modern fingerstyle |
| Folk solid top | Better resonance, livelier sound, more progressive guitar | Generally higher budget | Motivated beginner, guitarist who wants to keep their guitar longer |
| Small size / Concert | Easier to handle, less bulky body | Projection sometimes softer than a large dreadnought | Beginners, smaller builds, home playing, fingerstyle |
Our selection for starting acoustic guitar
Here are four suitable models for beginners: a comfortable classical guitar, an accessible first folk guitar, and two more advanced folk guitars with solid tops.
Classical nylon
Ortega R131
A 4/4 classical guitar ideal for learning with nylon strings, a softer touch, and a warm sound. A great choice for a gentle start.
- Solid red cedar top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Mahogany neck
- 52 mm nut
- Gig bag included
First folk
Cort 510MOP
An accessible Concert-sized folk guitar, comfortable and easy to handle. It's well-suited for accompanying songs and discovering the folk sound.
- Comfortable Concert size
- Mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Merbau fretboard and bridge
- 43 mm nut
Warm sound
Cort Earth60M
A more advanced folk guitar with a solid mahogany top. It offers a warm and balanced sound, interesting for a motivated beginner who wants to progress.
- Solid mahogany top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Mahogany neck
- Merbau fretboard
- 43 mm nut
Progressive Folk
Cort Earth E70OP
A folk guitar with a solid spruce top, clearer and more precise. An excellent choice for a beginner who wants a durable and versatile guitar.
- Solid spruce top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Mahogany neck
- Ovangkol fretboard and bridge
- D'Addario EXP16 strings
Is the guitar size important?
Yes. For beginners, comfort is essential. A guitar that's too big can hinder posture, tire the right arm, and make learning less enjoyable. Conversely, a comfortable guitar encourages playing more often.
A Concert-sized folk guitar, like the Cort 510MOP, can be easier to handle than a very large body. A 4/4 classical guitar like the Ortega R131 also remains a very logical choice for traditional learning.
Key takeaway:
For a beginner, a comfortable and pleasant-to-play guitar is better than an overly imposing one. Playing enjoyment is very important in the first few months.
Solid top or laminated top: is it important for beginners?
The top is one of the most important parts of an acoustic guitar. A solid top can offer a livelier, richer, and more evolving sound over time. This is interesting if you want to keep your guitar for several years.
For a very first purchase, a more accessible guitar can already be perfectly suitable. But if the budget allows, a Cort Earth60M with a solid mahogany top or a Cort Earth E70OP with a solid spruce top can be a better long-term investment.
Which model to choose based on your profile?
| Profile | Recommended model | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner seeking maximum comfort | Ortega R131 | Nylon strings, soft touch, warm sound, and gig bag included. |
| Beginner wanting to play pop / folk / variety | Cort 510MOP | Comfortable Concert size, folk sound, accessible budget. |
| Motivated beginner wanting a warm sound | Cort Earth60M | Solid mahogany top, warm sound, good guitar for progressing. |
| Beginner wanting a more durable guitar | Cort Earth E70OP | Solid spruce top, clear sound, good versatility. |
| Adult planning vocal-guitar accompaniment | Cort 510MOP or Cort Earth E70OP | Folk guitars are very suitable for accompaniment and open chords. |
Budget: should you buy the cheapest possible?
Not necessarily. A too low-end guitar can be difficult to play, poorly set up, out of tune, or unpleasant. Result: the beginner gets discouraged, even though the problem sometimes comes from the instrument.
It's better to choose a simple but well-made guitar, with good tuning stability, a comfortable neck, and a pleasing sound. A guitar like the Cort 510MOP can be sufficient to start, while an Earth60M or an Earth E70OP will be more interesting if you want to progress longer with the same instrument.
Our advice:
If the budget is tight, go for a good, reliable first guitar. If you are already motivated, choose a slightly more progressive guitar with a solid top directly.
Which acoustic guitar to start with: frequently asked questions
Here are simple answers to common questions asked before buying a first acoustic guitar.
Should I start with a classical or folk guitar?
If you're looking for comfort and a soft touch, start with a classical. If you want to play pop, acoustic rock, folk, or accompany vocals, a folk guitar will often be more suitable.
Do steel strings hurt fingers?
At first, yes, they can be a bit firmer than nylon strings. But your fingers gradually get used to them. A well-set-up guitar also makes learning much more comfortable.
Which guitar to choose for an adult beginner?
For an adult, a 4/4 classical or a comfortable folk guitar is generally suitable. The Ortega R131 is good for a classical and comfortable approach, while the Cort 510MOP is more folk-oriented and for accompaniment.
View Ortega R131Is a solid top useful for beginners?
It's not mandatory, but it's a real plus if you want a more lively and durable guitar. The Cort Earth60M and Cort Earth E70OP are interesting for this reason.
View Cort Earth60MWhich guitar for vocal accompaniment?
A folk guitar is often the best choice for vocal accompaniment, thanks to its clearer and more projected sound. The Cort 510MOP is a good first option, while the Cort Earth E70OP will be more progressive.
View Cort Earth E70OPWhich guitar to choose for a child?
For a child, you mainly need to check the size: 1/2, 3/4, or 4/4 depending on age and build. For an adult or teenager, a 4/4 is generally suitable.
Our final advice
If you want to start with maximum comfort, the Ortega R131 is a very reassuring choice thanks to its nylon strings and classical approach. If you want to play songs, accompany vocals, and get a modern folk sound, the Cort 510MOP is an excellent first guitar.
If you are already motivated and want a more advanced guitar, the Cort Earth60M is ideal for a warm solid mahogany sound, while the Cort Earth E70OP offers a clearer and more versatile sound thanks to its solid spruce top.
Related Guides
To complete your choice, you can also consult our guides on electric guitars, guitar shapes, and equipment for playing at home.
Compare acoustic guitars for beginners
Find our selection of classical and folk guitars to start in good conditions.
