Stagg C542 Linden Classic Guitar in trans blue.

Stagg's 4/4 full size classical acoustic guitar is the perfect guitar for anyone interested in learning classical stylings of playing guitar. It features a basswood top, back, and sides with a solid maple fingerboard and bridge that are painted black to provide a classic look. The high gloss blue finish gives this beautiful sounding guitar a striking look as well. Makes an excellent gift idea!

Features

• Top, Back & Sides: Linden Basswood
• Neck: Mora Nato
• Fingerboard: Solid Maple (black painted)
• Bridge: Solid Maple
• Machine heads: Standard nickel
• Strings: Factory Standard Nylon
• Finish: High Gloss
• Size: 4/4 (full-size)
• Scale Length: 646mm / 25.4"

The Stagg Linden Classical Guitar is a great instrument to start out on thanks to it's light weight, soft nylon strings, pleasantly warm sound and affordability.

Click here to view all colour options for this model.

User Review

"…The guitar retailed for next to nothing, and so I really wasn't expecting much, but the Stagg did a bunch of things that the buyer in this price range really has no right to expect:

you can get it in tune and it stays in tune, right up to the twelfth fret. This sounds odd, but it is a technical business getting a guitar correctly intoned: the frets have to all be in exactly the right place, both in relation to each other and in relation to the bridge. Generations of young learners have had to battle with guitars that a permanently out of tune: they might sound okay for root five chords, but out of whack for root six chords, or might go progressively out of whack the further up the fretboard you go. The Stagg I played was absolutely spot on.

It has a low, clean, playable action: again, cheap guitars routinely (used to) have warped necks, bowed soundboards and strings which sat half an inch above the fingerboard and still buzzed like crazy when you tried to fret them. The Stagg's fretboard is dead straight, low, fast and clean as a whistle.

It sounds nice. Sure, it ain't AAA grade solid cedar (the spec says basswood, and I suspect it's ply) but if you're a beginner you simply won't be able to tell the difference. The treble strings ring crisply, the bass strings have a pleasing baritone bark to them, and chords are nicely balanced with plenty of sustain.

If you are starting out on the classical guitar (or, really, any other guitar) you simply cannot go wrong with the C542. ..in terms of playing dynamics it'll be a long while before you outgrow its capabilities. I've been playing enthusiastically for 24 years – admittedly not much on nylon string – but this little fellow absolutely hit the spot for a week of unwinding in the french countryside. Thoroughly recommended." Olly Buxton

What are the differences between classical and acoustic guitars?
Classical guitars have nylon strings with wider necks that allow the strings to be farther apart to facilitate fingerpicking. They usually do not have a strap button on the bottom and often have decorative artwork around the sound hole. Classical guitars are traditionally used to play classical, Flamenco, and folk music. They have a mellow sound. Note that it is not recommended to put steel strings on a classical guitar, since the neck is not reinforced to hold the stronger pull of the steel strings.

Acoustic guitars have steel strings with a narrower neck than a classical guitar. They generally have a strap button on the bottom and a pick guard under the sound hole. Acoustic guitars have a brighter sound than the classical guitar and are used to play popular music, country and many other styles. Acoustic guitars may be amplified using an added pick-up; acoustic-electric guitars have the pick-up designed as an integral part of the guitar.

Should a beginner learn on a classical, acoustic or electric guitar?
A beginner may start on either a classical, acoustic or electric guitar.Some things to consider:

Classical – Nylon strings are easier on the fingers. The neck is wider, so the beginner with small hands may have difficulty fingering some chords. The mellow sound is likely to be less familiar to student than acoustic as classical guitars are rarely used in popular music. No amplifier is required.

Acoustic – The neck is narrower than the classical guitar, making it easier for small hands to play. The sound of the acoustic guitar is familiar as it is used in popular music. Steel strings are harder on the fingers until calluses develop, although it is possible to replace the steel strings on an acoustic guitar with nylon strings with ball ends. No amplifier is required.

Electric – Contrary to popular opinion, there is no reason a beginner cannot start on an electric guitar. Playing the electric guitar can be motivating for the student whose goal is to play rock music. The strings on an electric guitar are closer to the fret board making it a little easier on the fingers than an acoustic guitar. If the student uses an amplifier that has a headphone jack, they can practice without disturbing others. Electric guitars and the required amplifiers are more expensive than beginner classical and acoustic guitars. An amplifier is required, making the guitar less portable.