10 Classical Guitars We Recommend for Conservatory Students

At Mat Guitars, we know that choosing a classical guitar capable of accompanying you throughout your conservatory years is not an easy task. That is why we wanted to help by putting together a small selection of the classical guitars most highly rated by our specialists and by conservatory teachers who have been our customers in recent years.

As you probably already know, the quality of a classical guitar and the combination of materials used in its construction have a direct impact on its tone and overall performance.

For that reason, if you are looking for a classical guitar for elementary, intermediate or higher conservatory studies, you should realistically expect to invest somewhere between around €300 and €1,000 or more, as sound quality is a crucial factor when it comes to performing your recital repertoire effectively.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CLASSICAL GUITAR FOR CONSERVATORY

SOUND QUALITY

The guitar should offer a rich, balanced sound, along with enough projection and resonance to support you properly in recitals and exams.

BODY SIZE AND SHAPE

Comfort is essential when playing. Choose a body size and shape that feels natural and comfortable in your hands.

NECK SHAPE AND SIZE

Every player’s hands are different, so it is important to find a neck shape that feels comfortable. You should also pay attention to the neck construction and joint, as this can influence string feel and playability in that area.

MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION

We recommend looking for high-quality materials such as spruce, cedar, ebony, rosewood or mahogany. These will have a major influence on the quality of the sound.

A TRUSTED BRAND

A brand’s experience and reputation can make a real difference in terms of reliability, durability and peace of mind when choosing your instrument.

TRY DIFFERENT GUITARS BEFORE MAKING A DECISION

Take your time, play them and see how they feel in terms of comfort and sound. At Mat Guitars, we have an excellent testing room where you can explore and try out the guitars in our catalogue properly.

MAT GUITARS’ RECOMMENDATIONS

To finish, here is our selection of 10 classical guitars, listed from lower to higher level in terms of price-to-quality ratio and based on the feedback we have received from our specialists and from conservatory teachers who have been customers over the last few years.

We hope it helps you make the right decision:

• 1. Jose Torres JTC-20
• 2. Admira A6 Artesanía Series
• 3. Admira A40 Artesanía Series
• 4. Manuel Rodríguez ES Magistral Spruce
• 5. Manuel Rodríguez EC Magistral Cedar
• 6. Admira A20 Artesanía Series
• 7. Paco Castillo 203
• 8. Paco Castillo 240
• 9. Alhambra 11P
• 10. Camps GL18C

1. JOSE TORRES JTC-20

Built with traditional tonewoods, this guitar features a solid cedar top with mahogany back and sides. The neck is also mahogany, paired with an Indian rosewood fingerboard. This is an excellent option for Elementary Grade and part of Intermediate Grade studies, offering the sound and response needed to handle recital repertoire and the technical demands of early conservatory work. Take a closer look here.

2. ADMIRA A6 ARTESANÍA SERIES

Like the Jose Torres JTC-20, this is a beginner-friendly guitar that works very well for Elementary Grade repertoire and part of Intermediate Grade studies. However, in this case, what stands out about Admira is its excellent value for money and its solid construction, especially the use of the traditional Spanish heel system, which helps provide good sustain and strong volume for recital playing. Take a look here.

3. ADMIRA A40 ARTESANÍA SERIES

Here we already find a noticeable step up in quality compared to the previous model, especially in terms of materials: solid cedar top, a mahogany neck with ebony reinforcement, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, and gold-plated tuners. It also uses the Spanish heel construction system, making it a comfortable and reliable guitar for study. A very good option for players working through Elementary and Intermediate Grade levels. Take a closer look here.

4. MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ ES MAGISTRAL SPRUCE

The Manuel Rodríguez Magistral series represents a clear step forward in both materials and finish. This model is built entirely with solid woods: solid spruce top, solid walnut back and sides, and a cedar neck with mahogany reinforcement. The saddle and bridge inlay are hand-shaped and made from oiled vintage-style bone. Thanks to the varnish and lacquer used on the top and back, this instrument offers lasting tone and sustain, making it well suited to the more demanding techniques and repertoire found towards the end of Intermediate Grade and in Higher Conservatory studies. Take a look here.

5. MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ EC MAGISTRAL CEDAR

Like the previous model, this guitar is built with high-quality traditional solid woods, but with an improved eco-friendly high-gloss, water-based open-pore finish. This Manuel Rodríguez series also includes a rounded armrest edge that makes contact with the right arm more comfortable, which can noticeably improve playing comfort. A strong option for the later stages of Intermediate Grade and for Higher Conservatory studies. Take a closer look here.

6. ADMIRA A20 ARTESANÍA SERIES

The woods used in this model are of a higher level, with the back and sides standing out for being made entirely of rosewood. It also features an ebony neck, mahogany fingerboard, cedar top and gold tuners. This is a high-quality guitar with the sound and volume needed for Higher Conservatory studies. Take a closer look here.

7. PACO CASTILLO 203

Made in Spain and built using the traditional Spanish construction system, this guitar has laminated sapele back and sides, which is a more affordable mahogany-type wood that does not produce as much low end as rosewood, along with a solid Canadian cedar top. That is still a very sound choice, as spruce and cedar remain the preferred tonewoods for classical guitar tops. The neck is African mahogany and the fingerboard is Indian rosewood. This is an ideal guitar for Elementary and Intermediate Grade studies. Take a look here.

8. PACO CASTILLO 240

Compared to the previous model, this guitar features laminated rosewood back and sides, a solid Canadian cedar top, a Honduran cedar neck with ebony reinforcement, an ebony fingerboard and gold tuners. Overall, these are high-quality tonewoods that provide a richer sound, together with dependable Spanish construction. This makes it a very strong choice for Intermediate and Higher Conservatory studies. Take a closer look here.

9. ALHAMBRA 11P

This handcrafted guitar, built with solid woods, sits at the top end of Alhambra’s concert guitar range. Its fingerboard is especially distinctive, as it extends over the soundhole area to include an additional fret, something required for the performance of certain advanced classical works. A solid red cedar top, Indian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck with ebony reinforcement, an ebony fingerboard and deluxe gold-plated tuners make this an outstanding instrument for Higher Conservatory studies. Take a closer look here.

10. CAMPS GL18C

Camps is a highly respected brand in conservatory environments thanks to its sound, build quality and reliability. This is a guitar designed for Higher Conservatory study as well as concert performance. It uses high-quality solid woods and is hand-finished with nitro lacquer. It features a Canadian cedar top, a cedar neck with a dual-action truss rod, and Indian rosewood back and sides. It is the perfect option if you are looking for a truly professional instrument that can stay with you for life. Take a closer look here.

NEED ADVICE?

If after all this you still have questions or need help choosing the right classical guitar, our team will be happy to advise you. Feel free to get in touch with our specialists or visit our store in person.

Tel: 954 902 550
Whatsapp: 647 639 532
E-mail: info@matguitars.com
And of course at our store in Mairena del Aljarafe, Seville

See you next time!

Alberto Gonzalez
Product Specialist