Best
Overall
Flamenco
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Overall: Superior Sound Quality and Flamenco Tones
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Best Feature: Handmade Build Quality and Premium Finish
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Budget-Option Flamenco
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Overall: Classic sound with the warmth of nylon strings
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Best Feature: Gold hardware, including RM-1388G-7F tuning machines that keep your strings in tune
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Flamenco for Beginner Players
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Overall: Authentic flamenco sound with traditional tonewood combination
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Best Feature: Spanish fan bracing for a traditional flamenco build
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TedScore™: 9/10
Finding the best guitar for flamenco can really improve your playing. Trust me, your fingers will thank you!
Regarding flamenco, being easy to play, good quality, and comfortable are essential. Brands like Cordoba and Yamaha have great options, mixing modern technology with traditional craftsmanship.
Let’s look at the top choices that will make your flamenco journey unforgettable. Don’t miss out – keep reading to find the perfect guitar for your flamenco passion!
Why is It Called Flamenco Guitar?
The term “flamenco guitar” refers to the specific Spanish guitar used in the traditional art form. It is characterized by a unique playing style and sound from its construction.
Flamenco guitars are generally made in Spain and feature a particular body shape and sound hole placement. This gives it its authentic flamenco sound, often characterized as bright, reverberating, and percussive.
Our Top 7 Recommended Flamenco Guitars
BEST BEGINNER FLAMENCO GUITAR
The Cordoba Iberia F7 is an exquisite flamenco-style classical acoustic guitar crafted with expertise to deliver an engaging tone. Its solid European spruce top and cypress back and sides create a traditional tonewood combination that produces a lively, bright sound with superb articulation and dynamic range.
The guitar’s slim body depth and flat neck angle ensure comfortable playability, while the built-in truss rod allows easy neck angle adjustments. With its solid Indian rosewood binding, natural wood mosaic rosette, and mother-of-pearl fret markers, this guitar is a stunning piece of craftsmanship that any flamenco player would love to have in their collection.
Cordoba Iberia F7 Flamenco Style Classical Acoustic Guitar
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner
FEATURES: Spanish fan bracing for a traditional flamenco build
OTHER INFO: Savarez Cristal Corum strings for added clarity and brightness
Cordoba Iberia F7 Flamenco Style Classical Acoustic Guitar
- Authentic flamenco sound with traditional tonewood combination
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended playing sessions
- Easy to adjust neck angle for optimal playability
- Beautifully crafted with attention to detail
- High-quality components for enhanced tone and sustain
- Comes with Cordoba Black & Gold Floral tuning machines
- Higher price point compared to entry-level classical guitars
- Not ideal for players seeking a more mellow or subdued sound
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The Cordoba C1M 1/4 Classic Guitar in Natural finish is an excellent choice for kids learning to play the guitar. Its compact body and 1/4 scale make it perfect for smaller hands and offer comfortable playability that won’t disappoint.
The guitar has a layered construction, a spruce top, and mahogany back and sides that produce a warm, distinctive, recognizable tone. The neck has a comfortable C-shaped profile, making it easy for little hands to form chords and transition between notes. The fingerboard is composite/pau ferro and features 19 frets, providing ample room for kids to explore various playing techniques. The guitar also comes equipped with Cordoba Gold tuning machines with pearl buttons, ensuring accurate tuning every time.
Cordoba C1M 1/4 Classic Guitar, Natural
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner to intermediate-level players, especially children
FEATURES: Dual-action truss rod for easy adjustments
OTHER INFO: Scale Length: 480 mm
Cordoba C1M 1/4 Classic Guitar, Natural
- Comfortable playability
- Accurate tuning with Cordoba Gold tuning machines
- Nice sound with good string tension
- Moderate sustain
- Convenient to pick up and play at any time
- Superior finish compared to other guitars in its size range
- Better sound quality than some other 1/2-size guitars
- Durable and suitable for classroom use
- Nylon strings may take some getting used to for players used to steel strings
- Matte finish may show scratches more easily
- Not suitable for advanced players looking for more complex sound options
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best High-End Option
Looking for the ultimate classical crossover guitar that delivers superior sound quality and flawless performance? Look no further than the Cordoba Luthier GK Pro Negra. This top-of-the-range nylon-string guitar is perfectly handmade and produces the most mesmerizing Flamenco tones, making it a top choice for musicians everywhere.
The thin body cutaway design and a narrower nut width of the GK Pro Negra make it the perfect choice for classical crossover, while its premium finish featuring Cordoba’s arches icon on the Rosewood headstock and mother-of-pearl weave rosette make it a true masterpiece.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Cordoba GK Studio Negra boasts exceptional functionality. Its Fishman Prefix Problend electronics provide unparalleled versatility with controls for EQ, pickup/mic blend, and a notch filter and phase switch that suppresses feedback. Additionally, the Fishman preamp features a novel pivot design that simplifies access to the 9-volt battery.
Cordoba GK Pro Negra Electro Acoustic Classical Guitar
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to Professional Level Players
FEATURES: 12 to Body, 19 Total Frets
OTHER INFO: Savarez Cristal Corum High Tension Strings
Cordoba GK Pro Negra Electro Acoustic Classical Guitar
- Savarez Cristal Corum High Tension Strings
- Handmade Build Quality and Premium Finish
- Versatile Electronics with Feedback-Fighting Features
- Perfect Classical Crossover Design
- Easy Battery Access with Pivot Design
- Designed for Long-Lasting Performance
- High-End Price Point
- May Not be Ideal for Beginners or Casual Players
- Cutaway Design May Not be Suitable for Traditional Classical Music Styles
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best Thinline Guitar
The Cordoba Iberia C5-CET is a top-quality thinline classical guitar with a solid Canadian cedar top and mahogany back and sides, delivering a smooth, articulate sound with superb dynamics and resonance. But the sound doesn’t stop there. The C5-CET also features a sleek, thinline body design that perfectly blends comfort and performance.
The slightly thinner neck and thinline shape make it effortless to play for hours, whether strumming with passion or indulging in intricate fingerstyle techniques.
And for gigging and recording musicians, the Cordoba Iberia C5-CET is equipped with Fishman Isys+ electronics that allow you to sculpt your sound using the 2-band EQ controls meticulously. The built-in tuner ensures that every single note sounds perfect, while the electronic system only serves to amplify your glorious tone with sparkling definition.
Cordoba Iberia C5-CET Classical Electro Thinbody Guitar
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner to advance
FEATURES: Scale length of 650mm and a nut width of 50mm
OTHER INFO: Mother-of-pearl fret markers at 5, 7, and 9 positions
Cordoba Iberia C5-CET Classical Electro Thinbody Guitar
- Beautiful, articulate sound with excellent dynamics
- Comfortable thinline body design
- High-quality materials and craftsmanship
- Two-way adjustable truss rod for customized action
- Elegant design with all-natural inlaid wood mosaic rosette
- Playing flamenco can benefit from the use of fan bracing and high-tension strings.
- May require some periodic maintenance or restringing depending on how often it's used
- Can be challenging to amplify without professional help properly
- Some players may prefer a fuller, more resonant sound typically associated with larger-bodied classical guitars.
- The audio appears to be deficient in its bass output.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Most Comfortable to Play
The Ortega R270F Flamenco is a quality instrument crafted from the finest materials with various features to enhance your playing experience. It features a solid North American Spruce top that can produce warm, rich tones and a Maple body for even more dynamic sound.
This finest flamenco guitar also has an innovative 12-hole bridge and a bone nut, which helps to provide excellent resonance and sustain for even more tonal depth. Additionally, this model comes with its deluxe gig bag for easy transportation and protection against dirt and grime. With all these features in one instrument, you can trust the Ortega R270F Flamenco to deliver an impressive sound that improves with age.
Ortega R270F Flamenco, Solid Spruce Top
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to Advance
FEATURES: Nut Width: 52 mm
OTHER INFO: Frets: 19
Ortega R270F Flamenco, Solid Spruce Top
- Responsive design that allows players to create their sound
- 6-string design is ideal for playing many styles of music, such as pop, rock, country, classical, flamenco, solo, and folk
- 650 scale length provides optimal tension and string response
- Medium string gauge produces charming sound and maximum sustain.
- Fixed guitar bridge system locks in sound quality and precision intonation
- Not as lightweight as some other models
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best for Travel
The Yamaha CG182SF Classical Acoustic Guitar is the perfect traveling companion. Its solid spruce top and cypress body deliver a classic acoustic sound with a nylon-string attitude.
One of the best budget flamenco guitar brands, it has an authentic classical body for the mellow charm and a traditional neck for easy playability. It’s great for those wanting to explore different genres and styles and those looking to experiment with fingerpicking techniques. The natural gloss finish adds an extra touch of elegance to this already beautiful instrument.
Yamaha CG182SF Classical Acoustic Guitar, Natural Gloss
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner To Advance
FEATURES: Gold hardware, including RM-1388G-7F tuning machines that keep your strings in tune
OTHER INFO: Yamaha S10 strings
Yamaha CG182SF Classical Acoustic Guitar, Natural Gloss
- Classic sound with the warmth of nylon strings
- Traditional neck & nut width offers comfortable playability in all styles
- Gold hardware provides a timeless look and keeps strings securely in tune
- Responsive dynamics and rumbling richness provide a platform for sonic experimentation
- Suitable for travel and comfortable body size
- Text
- May not have the same dynamic range as full-size classical guitars
- Lacks upper register clarity and detail.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best Crossover
The Cordoba C10 Luthier Series Classical Guitar is one of the best crossovers. Its traditional design and modern features make it an excellent choice for any music enthusiast. Crafted with a solid cedar top, solid Indian rosewood back and sides, an Indian rosewood bridge and a high gloss PU finish, the C10 has beautiful visual appeal.
The fan bracing system allows for improved resonance, while the mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and mother-of-pearl inlays give it a classic look. The guitar has a two-way adjustable truss rod, gold tuners, and Savarez Cristal Corum high-tension strings to ensure optimum playability.
Cordoba C10 Luthier Series Classical, Natural Cedar
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to advanced guitarists
FEATURES: Overall Length: 39"
OTHER INFO: 6-ply colored wood top binding for superior strength and rich resonance
Cordoba C10 Luthier Series Classical, Natural Cedar
- Solid build quality and luxurious finish
- Narrow neck allows for fast, responsive playability
- Traditional/classical neck profile with 19 frets
- Bone nut and saddle material provide added resonance
- Handcrafted with premium materials for a superior sound
- Comes with a hardshell case for maximum protection
- Price tag can be out of reach for some budget players.
- Requires more maintenance than other models.
- No onboard electronics.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Soundboard Bracings and Which is the Best?
Guitar bracing does much more than just hold the instrument together. It’s the maestro behind the scenes, controlling the strings’ vibrations and shaping the soundboard’s resonance.
Without bracing, the soundboard vibrates chaotically, creating an uncontrolled and undesirable sound. Luthiers employ various bracing patterns to produce a specific tone and sustain to overcome this. Many experts consider bracing the key determinant of a guitar’s unique sound.
3 Common Styles of Bracings
There are three common styles of bracing that you will typically find in a soundboard, and each has its unique characteristics:
Ladder Bracing
If you’re looking for a traditional, time-tested bracing style, ladder bracing is a perfect choice. It consists of two parallel braces running down the length of the guitar, joined by smaller braces, creating a “ladder” shape.
This bracing style produces a warm, balanced tone, perfect for fingerstyle playing and vintage-inspired music.
Torres Fan Bracing
Named after the legendary Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres, this bracing style is a staple in classical and flamenco guitars.
It features a fan-like pattern of braces radiating from the soundhole, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness in the soundboard. Torres fan bracing produces a powerful sound perfect for intricate fingerpicking and percussive playing.
Lattice Bracing
Lattice bracing is a modern and innovative approach to guitar building that has taken the acoustic world by storm. It involves a network of thin, crisscrossed braces that create a lattice pattern across the soundboard, providing exceptional strength and stability.
This bracing style produces a bright, dynamic sound with incredible sustain, perfect for solo performances and contemporary music styles.
Scalloped vs. Straight Bracing
If you’re a guitar enthusiast, you may have come across the terms “scalloped” and “straight” bracing. But what do these terms mean?
Scalloped Strut
If you look closely at a scalloped brace, you’ll notice that some material has been removed from the strut. This creates a scalloped effect, with small divots or notches in the brace. This shaping aims to allow the guitar’s soundboard to resonate more freely, resulting in increased volume and projection.
The scalloped bracing style is trendy among flamenco guitarists, who require maximum volume and projection without amplification.
When a flamenco guitarist plays, they need their instrument heard over the dancers’ footwork and the audience clapping. The scalloped bracing allows the guitar to cut through this noise and create a powerful, clear sound.
Non-Scalloped Strut
Straight bracing is typically found in guitars designed for a mellow, rounded tone. The straight braces provide more structural support for the soundboard, resulting in a more even and balanced sound.
These guitars are often favored by fingerstyle guitarists who want to achieve a warm and expressive sound without sacrificing clarity.
The Difference Between Flamenco and Classical Guitar
Ribs
Flamenco guitars typically have thinner and lighter ribs compared to classical guitars. This allows for a brighter, more percussive sound and makes the guitar easier to play for extended periods.
Type of Wood & Thickness
Flamenco guitars are traditionally made from cypress or sycamore wood for the back and sides, while classical guitars are typically made from rosewood or mahogany. Additionally, flamenco guitars tend to have thinner tops than classical guitars, resulting in a more responsive, lively sound.
Strings
Flamenco guitar strings are typically made from nylon or fluorocarbon, while classical guitar strings are usually made from nylon or gut. Flamenco strings are thinner and more pliable, which allows for faster playing and a more percussive sound.
Playability Feature
Flamenco guitars have a lower action (the distance between the strings and the fretboard) than classical guitars, allowing for faster, more intricate playing. Additionally, flamenco guitars often have a cutaway design, which provides easier access to the higher frets.
Sound
The sound of a good flamenco guitar is characterized by its brightness, sharpness, and percussiveness. The guitar is often played with a technique called rasgueado, which involves strumming the strings with the fingers in a percussive manner.
Classical guitars, conversely, have a more balanced, refined sound, with a greater emphasis on sustain and clarity of individual notes.
Basic Tips for Learning to Play the Flamenco Guitar
Learn Techniques and practice
When first learning the Flamenco guitar, it is essential to understand basic techniques clearly. Practicing fundamental exercises and scales to build strength and accuracy is also beneficial. Techniques such as arpeggios, tremolo picking, rasgueado strumming and picado will help you improve your finger dexterity and better understand the instrument.
Listen and Follow the Example of Great Chamber Guitarists
Flamenco guitarists often look to influential players for inspiration. Listening and learning from these greats can help you to develop your unique style. Examples of some best, highly respected Flamenco guitarists include Paco de Lucia, Vicente Amigo, Tomatito, and Gerardo Nunez.
Invest in Good, Sturdy Strings
Investing in good strings will ensure that your instrument sounds its best and allows you to practice efficiently. Quality strings also last longer than lower-quality strings, saving you money in the long run. If you’re looking for the best strings for flamenco guitar, some popular brands include D’Addario and Augustine.
Augustine Concert Black String
DESIGNED FOR: Perfect for Flamenco/ Acoustic guitars
FEATURES: One set comes with six strings
OTHER INFO: Low tension design to reduce stress on the guitar neck and provide more effortless playability.
Augustine Concert Black String
- Provides a warm and rich tone
- Superb articulation
- Balanced and clear treble strings
- Allows you to play with more control
- Perfect balance between tension and clarity
- Could be too light for advanced players.
- Can take some time to break in.
- Pricing may be higher than standard strings.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
D'Addario EJ27N Student Nylon
DESIGNED FOR: Beginning to intermediate players
FEATURES: Nylon strings, ideal for classical and flamenco music styles.
OTHER INFO: Normal Tension
D'Addario EJ27N Student Nylon
- Good sound quality and warm tones.
- Durable strings that are resistant to stretching and breaking.
- Smooth playing experience with minimal finger fatigue.
- Easy to install
- Not suitable for advanced players who require higher tension strings.
- Some users report difficulty distinguishing between the color markings on the strings.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Dunlop Nylon Classical Concert Guitar Strings Hard Tension
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to professional players
FEATURES: Made of durable nylon and Dupont Tynex material
OTHER INFO: Hard Tension
Dunlop Nylon Classical Concert Guitar Strings Hard Tension
- Superior tuning stability and response.
- Handcrafted for a classic feel and sound.
- Hard tension provides great clarity and projection.
- Durable construction for long-lasting performance.
- Not suitable for beginners as the strings are too hard.
- Can be uncomfortable to play.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Best Guitar for Flamenco
Summary
Choosing the best flamenco guitar is truly a personal journey. It’s all about finding the one that resonates with your style and playing level. From beginners to seasoned performers, there’s a perfect guitar for everyone.
In our journey, we have explored the factors that make a guitar suitable for Flamenco, including its tonal qualities, construction, and playability. We have also examined some of the best flamenco guitar brands and models in the market, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.
But at the end of the day, the best guitar for Flamenco is the one that speaks to you personally, the one that resonates with your style, your technique, and your musical expression.
What do you think? Have you tried any guitars on this list and had a different experience?
Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
And remember, if you are wondering what else you’ll need to buy, take a look at our comprehensive article on the 21 Best Guitar Accessories.
Best for travel, huh? So you’re telling me lug around a flamenco guitar while backpacking across Europe is practical? Guess I’ll add ‘flamenco guitarist’ to my travel blogger resume. Wonder if there’s a ‘Best for surviving a mosh pit’ version too.
so torres fan bracing is the best? cool.
I’ve played on both lattice and fan-braced guitars, and I must say, the detail in explaining the sound differences here is spot on. Each bracing style indeed offers a unique character to the flamenco sound. Great job outlining those nuances, Lewis.
Definitely interested in the differences between flamenco and classical guitars highlighted. I was wondering if the thinness of the flamenco guitar compared to classical one makes it easier for beginners to handle? And does the type of wood really make that big of a difference in sound for someone just starting out? Cheers, Lewis Turner for the insights!
Does the string type matter a lot too?
Absolutely, the lighter build of flamenco guitars can be more forgiving for new players. The wood type does affect the sound, but as a beginner, focus on your technique first.