The Nylon String Guitar
Every Valencia guitar is designed to ensure excellent playability, providing beginner through to experienced players their ultimate musical experience.
The Nylon String Guitar
It is an acoustic, wooden guitar with six nylon guitar strings that relies on its hollow body and sound hole to produce and project the vibrations of its strings when plucked or strummed.
How to Tune Your Guitar
It’s important to ensure your guitar is “in-tune” every time you play . This way your playing will sound “right” and pleasing to the ear.
Maintenance & Care
Your guitar is a delicate musical instrument requiring ongoing care and maintenance. Here are a few tips to help you look after your guitar.
Headstock
Machine Heads
or Tuners
Nut
Neck
Fingerboard
or Fretboard
Frets
Strings
Heel
Body
Waist
Soundhole
Rosette
Bridge
Saddle
What is a Nylon string or Classical guitar?
The shape, construction, and materials used in nylon string guitars vary, but typically they have a modern classical guitar shape based on the designs of 19th-century Spanish guitar maker, Antonio Torres Jurado.
Generally smaller than a steel string acoustic guitar, the nylon string guitar is more often favoured by beginners as it is easier to hold and the strings are more comfortable to play. More experienced players who play classical, Spanish or flamenco music will choose a nylon string guitar because of the specific sound qualities it produces.
Classical guitar strings were once made of gut and nowadays are made of polymers such as nylon, with a fine silver wire wrap around the bass strings.
It is an acoustic, wooden guitar with six nylon guitar strings that relies on its hollow body and sound hole to produce and project the vibrations of its strings when plucked or strummed.
The nylon string or classical guitar (sometimes known as the Spanish Guitar) is a member of the acoustic guitar family.
- 4/4
- 3/4
- 2/4
- 1/4
Guitar Sizing
Smaller-scale guitars are produced to assist children in learning the instrument as the narrower neck and shorter scale length makes it easier for smaller hands. Valencia guitars are available in ¼, ½, ¾ and 4/4 or full size.
The guitar size you choose for your child is an essential determining factor affecting the child’s ability to play the guitar. A guitar that is too large may be very difficult to play, whilst a child playing a guitar that is too small may develop poor technique.
There are no hard and fast rules but in general:
4 to 6 year old children, ranging in height from 3’3″ to 3’9″ (99 cm to 114 cm), should choose a ¼ size guitar.
5 to 8 year old children, ranging in height from 3’10” to 4’5″ (117 cm to 135 cm), a ½ size.
Children between 8 and 11 years old, ranging in height from 4’6″ to 4’11” (137 cm to 150 cm) a ¾ size guitar.
Children ages 11 and up who are at least 5′ (152 cm) tall can have a standard, 4/4 or full-size guitar.
Information
Overview
It’s important to ensure your guitar is “in-tune” every time you play . This way your playing will sound “right” and pleasing to the ear.
The tuning of your strings may change due to stretching or slackening of new strings. This often occurs until the strings are “played-in” – this can generally take a week or two after new strings have been fitted or when your guitar is very new. Changes in temperature and humidity and even the act of playing may cause string to go out-of-tune.
It is a good idea to first check your guitar’s tuning every time you begin to play or practice and check the tuning frequently while you are playing.
Names of the Strings
Before you start tuning you should know the names of the strings.
The names of the open strings on the guitar from low (thickest string) to high (thinnest string) are:
E, A, D, G, B and E.
Tuning Aids
Pitch Pipes
Electronic Tuner
Information
Condition your fingerboard.
A guitar’s fingerboard is often unfinished so it should be cleaned with a cleaner specifically for the purpose. To maintain the condition of your fingerboard, apply a dab of lemon oil to a soft cloth and rub it into the wood.
Apply a quality Guitar String cleaner before and after playing.
This will ensure maximum string life and consistent quality of tone.
Change your strings regularly.
Depending on how often you play. Remove, replace, and tune up one string at a time—constantly keeping the guitar in tune as you go.
Wipe your instrument down after playing.
Only use cleaners or polishes specifically formulated for guitars.
Play your guitar often.
A fine quality instrument made from quality woods will improve with age and the more it is played. It’s a win-win for both you and your guitar—the more you play the better the sound—and the more you’ll enjoy it in the future.
Keep your guitar away from extreme heat, cold, or humidity.
Protect your instrument.
After playing, always return your guitar to its stand, bag or case. It’s also very important to never leave it close to heating or air conditioning vents, windows, doors, outside, or leaving it in your car for long periods of time.
Always store your guitar in tune.
Don’t leave it de-tuned for long periods as this may lead to neck problems.
Talk to staff at your local music store.
For more advice on guitar maintenance and accessory products – you will find their experience and advice invaluable.
TIP:
Return your instrument to your local music store within six months of purchase for a maintenance inspection. The staff will advise you on how to best maintain your instrument or if any technical maintenance may be required.
Important Note
Your guitar is a delicate musical instrument requiring ongoing care and maintenance. Never attempt technical maintenance if you are not qualified to do so. Take it to your local music store or to a qualified guitar repairer to evaluate what maintenance may be required.