I've only played one Classic guitar and that's my Prudencio Saez 34 (non electric), which I loved so much i stopped playing electric for a while. I'm sorry I don't totally understand tones and sounds so much, and I cant provide a sample of my own.

Acoustic Electrics- Originally I wanted to buy a Kremona Orpheus Valley R65cw, bout $500-600, since its the little brother of the famed F65CW.

You had me at "classical guitar". You lost me at "electric acoustic".

[edit] As a general principle, when you're making a decision you're going to have to live with for quite a while (months or probably years), make the right decision.

If you love something instantly, keep trying it out. If you still love it, don't let a 100 or 200 dollar difference deter you. It would be much better to spend 600 and love your guitar, than to spend 400 and regret it.

Obviously there's a line to be drawn somewhere for price, but you said your range was 400 to 700 dollars. I'm curious, did you decide on that exact range before or after you tried the Cordoba cutaway? :-)

Hahahahha I'm so sorry for disappointing you, but I really like the option of being able to plug into an amp.

I decided the 700 max, because I've got 400$ in the bank, but I always like to have 200 left for an emergency. Basically i'm willing to throw in 200 extra bucks alongside the funds that I get from selling my ovation. If I did find a magical perfect guitar for around 800, I would be able to dip into those emergency funds or ask my dad to help me out until the next pay check comes in, but I really don't want to spend more than 200 extra bucks.

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I don't really know much about classical guitars, but have you checked out a Godin like Vic has? They make hybrid guitars, more like a modern steel-string design with a pickup and a radiused fretboard, but with nylon strings and wider nut/string spacing like a classical.

http://www.lapatrieguitars.com/guitarshybridlightburst.html

I kind of want one xD But I've never played one, so I don't really know how they are.

i've never played a godin, but i've seen them arround! i'll keep my eyes peeled next time i'm at guitar center or buffalo brothers.

A Godin doesnt sound as good if not plugged in though~ And you need time to get used to it, but its the guitar with the best playability.

i love my godin duet Nylon, but it took me 3 months to convince myself buying it~

to your above guitars, i cant say much, did not see these models here in germany~

edit: ah saw vics godin now, well, doesnt seem to be much different from other hybrid guitars

Yo lemon, have you ever checked out this site? I highly recommend it:

http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/

I imagine there would be even more people there who would be able to help.

But, it is with guitars, as it is with wine, and it is with classicals as it is with electrics--the most important thing is to try out as many different kinds as you can, to figure out what you like. Even try out the $3000 guitars at Guitar Center, just for the experience of playing them and gaining knowledge.

A bit more additional info about classicals:

I once read that the most important thing for a good sound is a solid top, but I went to a luthier in Chicago and he said that is not true--the bracing/structure on the inside affects the sound (ie vibration qualities) a lot more. But I think it's safe to say that a solid top is better than a non-solid top.

You shouldn't worry about getting a solid back/sides, because that's just way, way more expensive, plus, laminate back and sides can actually be more "weather durable", from what I've heard.

Some more info: Spruce and Indian Rosewood, as far as I know, is considered a pretty standard/good combination of top/side woods for a guitar. So when I looked at the Cordoba you're considering, I took note of that--and of the fact that it has a solid top. The fact that you "fell in love" with it right away would almost lock the decision for me if I was buying, but you probably still have lots of guitars out there you could try, so definitely do that. :-)

though i would try a full solid guitar as well, i think in your price range you could get one~

i myself own a full solid spruce/rosewood Hanika, and there is a clear distinction imo.

And people told me as well to get a spruce instead of a cedar guitar, but thats well, i kinda like cedar tops more though, and am a bit sad i didnt buy a hanika with a cedar top at that time.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/hanika_50pf_konzertgitarre.htm

Thanks for the link dude i'll be lurking hard for the next couple of days.

The most expensive classical guitar I ever played was a 2.8k rodriguez at buffalo brothers. I think I was 16 at the time, and the people who worked their kept eyeballing me like "you're going to drop that fucking guitar I can feel it aughhh put it back and play something less pricey."

It sure played nice though, never heard such a beautiful guitar in my life.

I'll keep the solid top bit in mind and yeah, I'm going to try to play another one of those cordobas before I make any decisions.

also wow, i've never heard of a Hanika, but the sound sample that site offers sounded pretty damn good. I'll look for one of those too.

well like TrangOuls Höfner, Hanika is a german guitar, i dont think you will find it overseas, i just wanted to say you should try to sample a solid body guitar as well if you have the chance~

My advice is to not listen to suggestions.

For guitars I'd strongly suggest not getting one that you haven't played (e.g. buying one off the internet).

You cant be sure how said guitar will play like, if you like the feel of it, it's tone, acoustics etc. .It's like buying clothes off the internet, you cant be sure how well it fits you, or if it will suit you because you can't try it on. The right guitar for you can easily be a bad one for someone else because of your playstyle or simply taste.

Hence I advise you to lay siege to your nearby guitar shops and just play a load of guitars. Probability is that you'll find more than a couple you like, and if they're a tad pricey in the shop, get that model off the interwebz.

Might have a tad bit of trouble with the "electro-classical" criterion, they're relatively rare, so it may narrow your choice a bit.

I definately won't be buying a guitar that I haven't tried playing, i'm just taking suggestions for what guitars I should be keeping my eyes peeled on next time I go to a shop (which should be next week)

I wish you would have read amz181's first line and proceeded to ignore the rest of his post.

the sass starts again

edit: I mean it with love musenji I really do

Meet me in the back alley. I've got just what you need.