The Spanish guitar, also known as classical guitar, a close relative to the Flamenco guitar, is an acoustic guitar with six nylon or gut strings. The back and sides are usually constructed of hard wood, like rosewood, while the top is usually made of either spruce or cedar. The modern spanish or classical guitar dates back to the late 18th century but it can trace its lineage back through the Renaissance and perhaps all the way back to the Greek kithara lyre. It is lighter in construction than its cousin, the acoustic steel string guitar (folk guitar) and has a softer, warmer sound. The classical guitar has found its way into almost every style of popular music including country, rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk, and pop (let us just mention here that we have an entire curriculum based on learning spanish and classical guitar, to learn more, visit Spanish and Classical Guitar Lessons).

Spanish or classical guitar manufacturers are literally spread all over the world, but Spain remains the center of classical guitar tradition and culture. Ramirez is one of the more famous manufacturers, but classical guitars are also manufactured by large companies better known for their electric guitars, like Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, and Ibanez. Yamaha, Ovation, Taylor, and a host of other acoustic and electric guitar manufacturers also produce nylon string models.

Spanish or classical Guitar is traditionally played by plucking the nylon strings with a combination of the finger tips and the nails (finger style guitar), but it is also plucked and/or strummed with a pick, especially by more pop oriented guitarists like Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen or Jimmy Page. The classical guitar is designed to be played acoustically but it is common to also have electronic pickup systems in the instrument so that it can be plugged into a PA system or amplifier for live performances. Ovation guitars have been designed and manufactured primarily with this in mind, but other companies like Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, Ibanez, Yamaha, and Taylor also design electric classical guitars.

Classical or Spanish guitarists such as Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, Elliot Fisk, Pepe Romero, John Williams, Laurindo Almeda, Odair & Sergio Assad, Liona Boyd, Sharon Isbin comprise the upper echelon of classical guitar world. However, nylon string acoustic guitar has made its way into jazz, pop, country, rock and other fingerstyle guitar genres. Players like Willie Nelson, Peter White, The Beatles, Sting, Eddie Van Halen (Spanish Fly) and Eric Clapton have had a large influence on the use of Spanish guitar in pop music.

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