Stagg SCL50-NAT Classical Guitar: Full Review

The Stagg SCL50-NAT is a nylon-string acoustic classical guitar from Belgian brand Stagg. Stagg has been manufacturing musical instruments since 1995 and is known for providing quality instruments at affordable prices.

The SCL50-NAT is an entry-level classical guitar but still offers many great features ideal for beginners or students. It has a traditional fan-braced body with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The guitar produces a bright, balanced tone expected from a classical guitar in this price range. It's comfortable to play thanks to its slim neck profile and low action. Overall, the SCL50-NAT is a solid choice for those looking to buy their first nylon-string classical guitar without breaking the bank.

Construction

The Stagg SCL50-NAT classical guitar features a solid cedar top, mahogany back and sides, and a nato neck, bridge and fingerboard. The use of all solid tonewoods helps produce a full, rich sound. The cedar top in particular provides a warm, mellow tone that is characteristic of classical guitars.

The SCL50-NAT is manufactured in China. While some may prefer guitars crafted in traditional guitar making countries like Spain, a well-constructed Chinese guitar can provide excellent quality and value. The build quality and attention to detail on the SCL50-NAT belies its budget-friendly price point. The SCL50-NAT is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate classical guitar players looking for a quality instrument that won't break the bank.

Another great classical guitar option in this price range is the Yamaha CGS102A. Like the Stagg, the Yamaha CGS102A features all solid wood construction with a spruce top, nato back and sides, and nato neck. It produces a balanced, nuanced tone that is great for classical guitar repertoire. The playability is also excellent right out of the box, with comfortable action and an adjustable truss rod to fine tune the neck relief.

The Yamaha may have a slight edge over the Stagg in terms of refinement and attention to detail. Yamaha has a long history of crafting quality musical instruments, and their expertise shows in the CGS102A model. The fit and finish is very good for the price point. However, the Stagg SCL50-NAT remains an excellent value for the money. Players looking for an affordable classical guitar will be very satisfied with either option.

When shopping for a beginner or intermediate classical guitar, it's wise to try out multiple instruments in your price range if possible. Individual pieces of the same model can vary slightly in tone and playability. Trying them out in person lets you determine which one resonates with your playing style and musical needs. That said, both the Stagg SCL50-NAT and Yamaha CGS102A are safe bets that offer quality construction and sound in their price bracket.

Body Style

The Stagg SCL50-NAT has a traditional classical guitar body shape with a rounded lower bout and two cutaways to improve access to the upper frets. The body is made of all solid tonewoods, with a solid Canadian cedar top and select linden back and sides. This combination produces a warm, balanced tone that is typical of classical guitars.

The cedar top is responsive and offers good projection, while the linden back and sides provide an articulate midrange. The body construction and bracing are designed to produce rich low end as well. Overall, the SCL50-NAT has a full, resonant voice that is ideal for classical guitar repertoire and various fingerstyle playing styles.

The body has a natural satin finish that enhances resonance. Visually, the guitar has an elegant yet understated aesthetic perfect for the stage or practice room. The Traditional body shape provides comfort and playability as well. While this model offers a great option for classical guitarists, there are many other high-quality classical guitars to consider too.

One such guitar is the Gayetana Guitars ATTO A77S. This professional-grade classical guitar is handcrafted in Spain and features a solid European spruce top with Indian rosewood back and sides. The bracing and construction produce a powerful, nuanced tone perfect for the concert hall. The ATTO A77S has a traditional fan-braced top and lightweight design for comfort during long practice or performance sessions.

The guitar’s aesthetics showcase the skill of the Gayetana luthiers, with beautiful inlays and binding. Overall, the ATTO A77S is known for its responsive playability, rich tone, and impressive craftsmanship. While it sits at a higher price point than the Stagg SCL50-NAT, the ATTO A77S delivers premium quality and sound for advanced classical guitarists. It’s an instrument built to inspire, with looks and tone to match its stellar reputation.

For guitarists seeking an affordable classical model, the Stagg SCL50-NAT is an excellent choice that still delivers solid tonewoods and playability. However, those looking for a professional-grade instrument with superb resonance and power will want to consider splurging on the Gayetana Guitars ATTO A77S. Each classical guitar has its strengths for different needs and budgets. Testing out different models is the best way to find your perfect fit.

Neck

The Stagg SCL50-NAT classical guitar has a traditional nylon string neck that is comfortable and easy to play. The neck has a standard width of 52mm at the nut which allows comfortable fretting for most hand sizes. The scale length measures 25.6 inches which is the typical scale for classical guitars. This moderate scale length contributes to the Stagg's comfortable playability and makes it accessible for beginners and experts alike. Despite its beginner friendly price point, the neck is crafted well with a C-shaped profile that contours nicely in the hand. The neck sports a satin finish which enhances speed and allows smooth runs up and down the fretboard. Overall, the Stagg has a very playable neck that provides a great feel and allows for intricate classical guitar techniques.

Fingerboard & Frets

The Stagg SCL50-NAT classical guitar has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Rosewood is a dense tropical hardwood that is known for its rich, warm tones. It is a popular fingerboard material for classical guitars as it provides a smooth playing surface and helps accentuate the clarity of each note.

The fret size on this model is medium jumbo. The slightly wider fret wire gives a comfortable space for fingers when playing. This makes it well-suited for beginners who are still building finger dexterity. The medium jumbo frets also allow for more room when bending strings, which can help with expression during solos or embellishments. Overall, the rosewood fingerboard and medium jumbo frets offer a quality playing experience on the Stagg classical guitar.

Bridge

The Stagg SCL50-NAT features a rosewood bridge. This is a common and traditional bridge material for classical guitars that provides a balanced tone.

The bridge is non-compensated, meaning the string spacing and length is consistent across all strings. This provides even tension and uncompensated intonation across the fretboard. Some higher-end classic guitars use a compensated bridge to finely adjust the string length and compensate for thicker bass strings requiring slightly more length. However, uncompensated bridges are standard for student and intermediate models like the SCL50-NAT.

The wider string spacing at the bridge and nut on a classical guitar means the bridge does not need any fine intonation compensation. The strings have enough room to vibrate freely. Overall, the rosewood bridge is well-suited for the SCL50-NAT's design and price point.

Hardware

The Stagg SCL50-NAT features quality hardware for an affordable classical guitar. The tuning machines are chrome sealed gear tuners that do a good job of holding the strings in tune. The nut and saddle are both made of synthetic bone, which helps transfer vibrations efficiently from the strings to the body and neck.

The nut width of 52mm provides comfortable room for fingerpicking techniques. The saddle compensates for string spacing and height adjustments. Overall, the hardware components on the Stagg classical guitar are quite decent considering the price point. They hold tuning stability well and allow the guitar to resonate properly.

Electronics

As an acoustic nylon-string classical guitar, the Stagg SCL50-NAT does not have any electronics or pickups. It produces sound solely through the vibration of its strings over its hollow body and soundhole.

While lacking the versatility of an electric guitar, this does allow the SCL50-NAT to deliver a rich, warm, and nuanced acoustic tone. The absence of any wiring or pickups also contributes to the instrument's traditional aesthetics and construction. Players who want amplification or electronic effects would need to install a pickup or mic the guitar separately. But for solo practice or acoustic instrumental performance, the all-acoustic design provides pristine classical guitar sound and feel.

Sound & Tone

The Classical Guitar Stagg SCL50-NAT produces a bright, warm, and well-balanced tone that is characteristic of nylon string classical guitars. The use of solid cedar for the soundboard provides a nice sense of openness and resonance. The tone is quite loud and projects well, allowing the guitar to fill a room and be used for practice, rehearsal or small performances.

The nylon strings generate a very round and mellow timbre that contrasts nicely with the bright overtones from the cedar top. There is a pleasing sweetness in the midrange, but the bass response is also full and warm. The guitar is capable of both rich and stately classical tones as well as bright strumming for flamenco or pop playing.

Overall the Stagg SCL50-NAT delivers very good volume, projection and a well-balanced tone across the frequency range. From sparkling highs to rounded lows, it captures the essence of the classical guitar sound. The guitar is versatile enough to handle both fingerstyle repertoire and energetic strumming.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classical guitar design provides rich, warm sound

• Solid spruce top offers good responsiveness and tone

• Mahogany back and sides provide balanced sound

• Nato neck offers stability

• Rosewood fingerboard facilitates smooth playability

• Chrome enclosed tuning machines keep strings in tune

• Synthetic bone nut and saddle provide bright, focused tone

• Affordable price point for a beginner classical guitar

Cons

• Laminated spruce top doesn't resonate as well as solid wood

• Overall construction is basic and aimed at students

• Limited dynamic range compared to higher-end classical guitars

• May require a professional setup out of the box

• Lacks the projection for performing classical pieces

• Electronics and preamp are lower quality and noisy

• Not a long-term instrument for advancing or serious players