I have a classical guitar. I purchased it for 300 US dollars from a charity fundraiser. It was to raise money for a local animal shelter, the one my boyfriend adopted his senior cat from (I will post about her one day).
The volunteers there said they had it appraised, and it was worth at least what I paid for it, a used 90’s model from Taiwan that was in very good condition.
Turns out that after some digging, it’s from the mid to late 70’s, all solid spruce and mahogany. It’s a Sigma CS-6, made in Japan. This was Martin & Company’s Asian manufactured line, with the promise that the guitars made under Sigma play and sound like just like a Martin. I’m not a guitar player, but the rich sound is undeniable.
I can barely play the thing. The fret board is wide for my small hands, and six strings are confusing in comparison to the four sting ukulele, which is admittedly my stringed instrument of choice. I am primarily a singer, so I just want to be able to get the chords out to be able to sing along to. Ukulele is effective for this purpose.
My boyfriend, however, does play guitar. He has a half-sized Yamaha classical, laminate. He prefers the small size, and given my affinity for the ukulele, I understand. I allow him to play my full-sized version when I have it out, so I can enjoy its resonance in a way that I am unable to, given the fact I struggle to shape an F major chord without awful buzzing.
I have considered taking up lessons, but in this mad hunt for a new job, the time and finances are just not there for weekly commitment. Also, as it is a classical, I’m unsure if I should take up classical lessons, as I am not as much interested in that form of playing. Too strict for my tastes.
However, I love the way that blues and folk guitar sound. I am contemplating purchasing a parlor guitar for this reason, and then pursuing lessons in this regard, once the resources are there to spend.
I do adore the antique nylon-string. I plan to keep her for a long time, if only to appreciate how someone must have cared so well for her, although I have yet to learn a single riff.
Do you have an instrument in your house that you can’t play well? Let me know in the comments!
Collective Cogitations 