A Guide to Aston Classical

The Aston Classical guitar sits in a tradition that stretches back centuries, built on the principles of gut and nylon strings, cedar or spruce soundboards and the particular acoustic geometry that produces the instrument's characteristic warmth and clarity. Catherine Allen's guide covers what defines the Aston Classical and what prospective players should understand before choosing one.

What Is a Classical Guitar?

A classical guitar is a nylon-string acoustic instrument designed primarily for fingerstyle playing — using the right-hand fingers rather than a plectrum. The nylon strings, which replaced the original gut strings in the twentieth century, produce a rounder, warmer tone than the steel strings of folk and acoustic guitars. The body is typically slightly smaller than a dreadnought acoustic, with a flat top and fan bracing on the underside.

The neck of a classical guitar is wider and flatter than a steel-string acoustic, designed to allow the right hand to move freely and the left hand to hold clear chord positions without accidentally muting adjacent strings. This wider neck is the primary physical distinction that sets the Aston Classical apart from steel-string acoustic instruments.

The Soundboard and Bracing

The top (soundboard) of an Aston Classical guitar is typically made from solid cedar or solid spruce. Cedar tops respond more quickly to the player's touch and produce a warmer, darker tone; spruce tops take longer to open up but reward the player with a broader dynamic range and clearer highs over time. Entry-level instruments often use laminate (plywood) tops, which are more resistant to humidity changes but tonally less responsive than solid wood.

Fan bracing — a pattern of braces beneath the soundboard radiating outward from the centre — is the structural system that allows classical tops to vibrate freely across their full surface area. The number, position and height of the fan braces significantly affect the tone, which is why hand-built instruments (where the luthier adjusts each brace individually) can sound dramatically better than mass-produced equivalents.

Playing Technique and the Classical Guitar

The Aston Classical is played in a specific seated position: the instrument rests on the left thigh (for a right-handed player), angled upward, often supported by a footstool under the left foot or a support cushion on the left leg. This position gives the right hand access to the full length of string between the soundhole and bridge.

Right-hand technique involves playing with the pads and nails of the fingers, alternating index (i), middle (m) and ring (a) fingers. The angle of attack, nail shape and the point at which the string is plucked all affect the tone — much of the expressive range of the classical guitar comes from these right-hand variables.

Who Is the Aston Classical For?

The Aston Classical is suited to:

• Students learning formal classical guitar technique
• Players who perform or study fingerstyle repertoire from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods
• Musicians who want the warmth and sustain of nylon strings for contemporary or world music styles
• Players transitioning from steel-string fingerstyle who want a warmer sound without pick pressure

It is not the appropriate choice for players who use a plectrum for strumming and picking — the nylon strings and wide neck do not suit that technique, and the instrument's dynamic range is not designed for that kind of attack.

Construction Levels and What They Mean

Classical guitars are typically categorised by construction level:

• Student: laminate top, back and sides; suitable for complete beginners and early learners
• Intermediate: solid cedar or spruce top with laminate back and sides; a significant tonal improvement over student instruments
• Performance: all-solid construction; significantly more responsive, dynamic and resonant; the appropriate choice for serious students and performing musicians
• Luthier: hand-built by a specialist maker; individually voiced and adjusted, the highest level of response and tone

For more on choosing the right level for your budget and playing goals, see the buyer's guide. And for practical guidance on starting out, the beginner's guide covers the essentials.

Bottom Line

The Aston Classical represents an instrument built for a specific musical tradition: fingerstyle technique, nylon strings, a wide neck and a warm tonal palette. Understanding these fundamentals — the role of the soundboard material, the construction level, the playing position and technique — gives the player the context to make the right choice and get the most from what they buy.

Frequently Asked Questions