The Applause Traditional classical guitar (model AB24CS-4S) is an affordable nylon-string acoustic guitar designed for beginner and intermediate players. This guitar features a traditional classical body shape with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and nato neck. It has 18 frets and a 25.6 inch scale length. The AB24CS-4S has 4 strings instead of 6, which makes it easier for younger players or those with smaller hands to fret notes and develop proper technique. It produces a balanced, warm tone thanks to its combination of tonewoods. With its attractive looks, playability and sound quality, the Applause Traditional offers an excellent value for anyone looking to learn classical guitar.

Construction

The Applause Traditional is constructed with an all-solid wood build. The top, back, and sides of the body are crafted from select solid spruce, while the neck is made from mahogany. This combination gives the instrument a rich, warm sound with plenty of volume and bass resonance.

The fretboard and bridge are rosewood. Rosewood is known for its natural oiliness, which helps keep the instrument in tune and enhance sustain. The fretboard has a 12" radius for comfortable playability. It has 19 frets and typical classical fan bracing underneath.

Overall, the all-solid wood construction gives the Applause Traditional the sound quality and resonance of more expensive classical guitars, making it an excellent choice for new players looking for great tone on a budget. The quality woods allow the instrument to open up and mature over time for even better sound down the road.

If you're looking for another quality, affordable classical guitar, check out the Epiphone ENJRVSCH1. This model also features an all-solid wood build with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fretboard. The slim neck profile makes it comfortable for smaller hands. It produces a balanced, warm tone with good projection. The chrome tuners help keep it in tune. Overall, it's another great classical guitar for beginners or students on a budget.

When shopping for a starter classical guitar, pay attention to the woods used. Solid wood tops like spruce or cedar will sound better than laminate tops. Mahogany or rosewood backs and sides also produce better tone. Make sure the neck is straight and allows comfortable playability up and down the fretboard. The nut width should be around 2" for a classical guitar. Look for sealed tuners that will hold their tune. Little details like binding and rosette patterns add nice visual flair too.

It's understandable to want to spend as little as possible when starting out on a new instrument. But low-end guitars often have poor intonation, bad action, and cheap tuners that won't hold tune. Spending just a little more for a quality budget model like the Applause Traditional or Epiphone ENJRVSCH1 will make learning easier and more enjoyable. The small extra investment will pay off in the long run.

Learning classical guitar technique takes time and practice. But you also need an instrument capable of producing the rich nylon-string sound essential to the genre. Beginners don't need professional-level concert guitars. But models like these Applause and Epiphone classicals offer excellent quality and playability at very affordable prices. They'll allow new players to learn on an instrument with great tone that encourages progress and inspires you to keep practicing.

Sound Quality

The Applause AB24CS-4S classical guitar produces a warm, balanced sound with good projection and sustain. The all-solid spruce and mahogany construction provides a rich, rounded tone quality that is typical of classical guitars in this price range.

The spruce top offers brightness and clarity in the treble register, while the mahogany back and sides add depth and resonance to the midrange and bass frequencies. There is good volume and projection suitable for both practicing and performing.

The guitar has an even response across the tonal spectrum. Notes are clear and defined, without muddiness. Chords ring out with good sustain. The sound is not overly bright or harsh. Lower registers have decent bass output thanks to the larger body size.

Overall, the Applause AB24CS-4S provides a very pleasant classical guitar tone. It stays balanced during dynamic playing, with a warm and full voice. The guitar projects well and would work nicely for solo or ensemble playing.

The ADM JA101-BL is another great option for beginner classical guitars with a quality sound. This model features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, producing a bright and articulate tone. The slim neck and low action facilitate easy fingering and make this guitar comfortable for new players. It has a full-bodied voice with good volume and sustain. The tone stays balanced across the registers, with defined bass, warm mids, and bright treble. This is an excellent starter classical guitar for the money, with pro-level appointments like the bone nut and saddle. Overall, the ADM JA101-BL offers amazing value in terms of sound quality and playability. You can check out the ADM JA101-BL here for more details and current pricing.

When shopping for a beginner classical guitar, it's important to look for models with all-solid wood construction like spruce and mahogany. These tonewoods help produce a balanced, nuanced sound. The body size and bracing also impact volume and sustain. Playability features like a comfortable neck profile, low action, and slim fretboard allow easy fingering for new players. Bone nut and saddle improve resonance and sustain. Ultimately, the Applause AB24CS-4S and ADM JA101-BL represent great options that deliver quality materials, construction and sound in an affordable package.

Playability

The Applause Traditional has excellent playability right out of the box. The fretwork is immaculate, with smoothly finished frets that don't cause any catching or buzzing. The string action is set at a very comfortable medium height that makes it easy to fret chords and notes cleanly without undue finger pressure.

The neck has a traditional C-shape that provides a substantial feel without being overly chunky. The width at the nut is 52mm which will accommodate most playing styles. The neck is crafted from nato wood and has a satin finish that allows for smooth shifting up and down the fretboard. Overall the neck profile and dimensions create an extremely playable classical guitar.

Between the quality fretwork, optimized action, comfortable neck profile, and appropriate width, the Applause Traditional excels when it comes to playability. Even demanding passages and complex chording are handled with ease. This is a very inviting instrument for beginners, while still satisfying the needs of advancing classical players.

Hardware

The Applause Traditional Classic has quality hardware that allows for great tuning stability and playability. The tuning machines are sealed die-cast chrome with pearloid buttons that hold tune reliably. The nut and saddle are made from synthetic bone which provides a smooth feel on the strings and allows for precise intonation adjustments.

The nut width of 48mm gives a comfortable feel for most hand sizes and allows easy fingering of chords up the neck. The saddle compensates for pitch across the strings, ensuring even intonation when playing up the fretboard. Overall the hardware components are thoughtfully designed and well-made, giving a very playable and stable platform for the guitar.

Electronics

The Applause Traditional AB24CS-4S features quality pickups and controls for producing a great classical guitar sound.

Pickups

The guitar has passive under-saddle piezo pickups that accurately capture the nuances and dynamics of your playing. Piezo pickups are known for providing excellent acoustic tone and amplifying the natural sound of the instrument.

Controls

There are simple, easy-to-use controls consisting of a volume knob and tone knob. The volume knob allows you to adjust the overall output level, while the tone knob lets you shape the EQ from bright treble to warm bass response. This gives you versatility in dialing in your ideal amplified tone.

Output Jack

The 1/4" output jack allows you to easily connect the guitar to an amp, PA system, or recording interface for live performances or studio work. The output jack is conveniently located on the side of the lower bout for quick access while playing.

Finish Options

The Applause Traditional Classical guitar comes in several beautiful finish options that let you customize the look to your taste.

The natural option features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, giving it an elegant, traditional aesthetic perfect for any guitarist. The wood grains are smooth and meticulously crafted for a premium appearance.

For a more striking look, the black finish has a dramatic black gloss top, back, and sides. The deep black color gives off a stylish, modern vibe.

There is also a vintage sunburst finish that provides a stylish two-tone aesthetic. It has a reddish-brown sunburst pattern on the top that gradually fades to black on the sides and back. This unique finish option offers the best of both worlds - traditional and contemporary styles.

No matter which finish option you select, the quality of construction and woods is uncompromising. The range of finishes available lets you pick the perfect look to inspire your musical creativity.

Price

The Applause AB24CS-4S has an MSRP of $199.99, though it's not uncommon to find it discounted 10-20% to around $160-$180 at various retailers. This puts it solidly in the budget range for a beginner classical guitar. While not the cheapest model available, the AB24CS-4S delivers very good value considering its all-solid wood construction and quality hardware. Most guitars with similar specs and materials from other brands would retail for $250 or more. So the Applause offers an attractive balance of quality and affordability that makes it an ideal first classical guitar for students and budget-conscious players.

Pros

• The Applause Traditional Classical guitar offers an excellent value for the price. For under $100 you get a solidly constructed beginner classical guitar.

• The sound quality belies the low price tag. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced and resonant tone. The strings have good sustain and projection.

• The playability is quite good for a budget classical guitar. The action is set low and comfortable right out of the box. The neck has a nice rounded C-shape that fits the hand well.

• The guitar stays relatively in tune, even during longer practice sessions. The hardware seems higher quality than expected at this price point. The tuners in particular hold tuning surprisingly well.

Cons

• The action may be too high for some players' preferences, making barre chords more difficult to play. This can be addressed by adjusting the truss rod and bridge saddle height, but it requires a guitar tech.

• The minimal finish options (just natural and black) may be limiting for players who want more visual flair.

• The strings it comes with are quite cheap and will likely need upgrading for better tuning stability and tone. This adds to the cost.

• While adequate, the factory setup is not perfect out of the box. Most players will need a professional setup, especially for optimal intonation up the neck.