Looking for a nylon string guitar but not sure which type is right for you? At first glance, classical, flamenco and crossover guitars look a lot alike. Same soft strings, same warm character. But underneath, each one is designed with a different playing style and a different player in mind. In this video we take a closer look at the three main types of nylon string guitars, explain what makes each one unique and, of course, let you hear how they sound. Prefer to read? Below we've summed up the most important differences for you. What defines a classical guitar? The classical guitar is where it all started. It's built for fingerstyle playing, from Bach and Tárrega to bossa nova and fingerpicked pop songs, and everything about it is designed to make the guitar sing. A wide, flat neck. There's plenty of room between the strings, which gives your fingers the space they need for complex chords and clean fingerpicking. Twelve frets to the body. The neck joins the body at the 12th fret, which places the bridge in the sweet spot of the top and gives that full, round tone. A light, resonant top. Usually spruce or cedar. Spruce tends to sound clear and articulated, cedar warmer and more immediate response. Long sustain. Notes bloom and ring out, giving you room to shape every phrase. The result is a warm, round and rich voice that rewards a delicate touch. Demo: Manuel Adalid Cathedral For the classical demo we picked up a guitar by Manuel Adalid, a Spanish luthier who builds his instruments by hand in the traditional way. Listen to how the notes bloom and how much depth there is in the bass. That's the classical sound at its best. See the Manuel Adalid Cathedral here What defines a flamenco guitar? A flamenco guitar may look like a classical guitar, but it's built for a completely different job. In flamenco, the guitar has to cut through hand claps, footwork and a singer, and it's played with a lot of rhythm and attack. A lighter build. Flamenco guitars are built thinner and lighter, which makes them quick to respond and very direct. Traditionally cypress. The classic 'blanca' has cypress back and sides for a bright, dry sound. The 'negra' uses rosewood for a bit more depth and sustain. Low action. The strings sit close to the fretboard, which makes fast runs and rasgueados easier and gives that typical slight buzz. A golpeador. The tap plate on the top protects the guitar from the percussive taps that are part of the style. The result is a bright, punchy and percussive sound with a short, snappy decay. Demo: Bautista Iranzo Model 25 Flamenco Bautista Iranzo builds his guitars in Valencia, and his Model 25 Flamenco is a great example of what this style is all about. Hear how quickly the notes speak and how much bite there is in every strum. See the Bautista Iranzo Model 25 Flamenco here What defines a crossover guitar? Do you mostly play steel-string guitar, but love the warm sound of nylon? Then a crossover guitar might be exactly what you're looking for. It combines the sound of a nylon string guitar with the feel of a steel-string acoustic. A slimmer neck. The neck is narrower than on a classical guitar, often with a slightly rounded fretboard. It feels instantly familiar if you're used to steel strings. Fourteen frets to the body and a cutaway. Easy access to the higher frets for solos and melodies. Usually with a pickup. Most crossovers come with electronics, so they're ready for the stage. Often a steel-string body shape. Which also makes it more comfortable for many steel-string players. The result is the warm nylon voice in a package that's perfect for jazz, pop, singer-songwriters and anyone switching between steel and nylon. Demo: Taylor 214ce-N Nylon Taylor is known for playability, and the 214ce-N brings that to the nylon world. It has a Grand Auditorium body with a cutaway, Taylor's onboard electronics and a neck that feels close to a steel-string. A guitar you can pick up and play right away, whether at home or on stage. See the Taylor 214ce-N Nylon here So which one is right for you? Want to play classical repertoire or fingerstyle? Go for a classical guitar. Drawn to rhythm, attack and Spanish music? A flamenco guitar is your instrument. Coming from steel strings or playing on stage? A crossover guitar makes the switch easy. Find your nylon string guitar The search for your dream guitar simply starts from your couch. Click on one of our categories and start browsing through our collection. Our Fellows are ready to answer all your questions and help you find the guitar that fits you best. Or come by our store in Dedemsvaart and hear the differences for yourself. Classical Flamenco Crossover