YMC BCG34-AM Classical Guitar: Full Review

YMC is a well-respected brand in the classical and nylon string guitar market. Based in China, YMC has been producing quality student and beginner classical guitars since 2009. They offer an extensive range of affordable nylon and classical guitars in various sizes, making them accessible even for younger players and smaller body types.

YMC focuses on providing good quality entry-level classical guitars. While not a premier luthier brand, YMC guitars are known for their playability right out of the box. The combination of traditional designs and modern manufacturing techniques allows YMC to produce reliable, consistent guitars with good tone at student-friendly prices.

Though less recognized than iconic classical guitar brands like Cordoba and Yamaha, YMC has cultivated a following among new classical guitarists looking for a quality instrument on a budget. Their commitment to quality components like solid spruce and mahogany tops has earned YMC a reputation for guitars that sound good and play well for the price point.

Overview

The YMC BCG34-AM is an affordable 32.66-inch sized nylon string classical guitar made of spruce and mahogany. It features 6 nylon strings and comes with a number of useful accessories like extra strings, a digital tuner, picks, strap, and gig bag. The compact body size and shorter 25.59-inch scale length make this a great choice for children and beginners learning classical guitar. Despite the low price point, it produces a surprisingly full and warm classical guitar sound.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly classical guitar to start learning on, the YMC BCG34-AM is a solid option. The smaller body size and shorter scale length make it very comfortable for younger players and beginners to hold and play. The included gig bag provides protection while transporting the guitar to lessons or practice sessions. Having extra strings and a digital tuner in the accessory kit ensures you'll always be able to keep the BCG34-AM tuned up and ready to play. While it may lack some projection and volume compared to more expensive models, this YMC classical guitar still delivers a balanced and warm tone that belies its low price tag.

For those seeking an even more affordable classical guitar to begin learning on, take a look at the Donner DAG-1C. It shares a similar compact size with the YMC BCG34-AM, making it comfortable for smaller hands. The DAG-1C also comes equipped with nylon strings and basic accessories to get started playing classical guitar. While it may have a thinner sound than the YMC, the Donner DAG-1C is one of the most wallet-friendly classical guitars available today. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a balanced and mellow tone. Whether you're looking for a guitar for a child or simply want the lowest cost option, the Donner DAG-1C is worth considering alongside the already budget-friendly YMC BCG34-AM.

When shopping for a beginner classical guitar, be sure to try out the instrument in person if possible. Pay attention to the string height and overall playability to ensure it will be easy to press down the strings and form chords. While tempting due to the low prices, purchasing a guitar for a beginner sight unseen online comes with risks. Issues like high string action or poor intonation may go unnoticed until the guitar arrives, making an in-store trial an important part of the buying process. If purchasing online, read reviews carefully for any mentions of setup and playability issues out of the box. Both the YMC BCG34-AM and Donner DAG-1C offer excellent value for aspiring classical guitarists, but be sure to do your homework to find the best entry-level instrument to suit your needs.

Construction

The YMC BCG34-AM classical guitar features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a combination known for its balanced tone. The spruce top provides brightness and clarity, while the mahogany back and sides add warmth and fullness to the sound.

The materials seem to be of decent quality given the price point. The spruce top is solid wood rather than laminate, which helps project the sound. The back and sides are made of layered mahogany rather than solid wood. This helps keep costs down while still providing good tonal characteristics.

The bridge and fingerboard are rosewood, which is a common and durable choice for classical guitars. The neck is made of nato wood. While not as premium as mahogany or cedar, nato is a viable lower-cost alternative. It provides stability to support proper neck alignment.

The matte finish is smooth and protects the woods from scratches and wear. The bindings where the top joins the sides are cleanly executed for a neat appearance. Overall the materials and construction quality are quite respectable for an entry-level classical guitar.

While this guitar provides good value, more advanced players may want to consider upgrading to a model like the Yamaha A3R TBS. This professional-grade classical guitar features all solid wood construction with a Engelmann spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The woods are expertly dried and matched for superior resonance and sustain. It also utilizes a traditional fan bracing pattern optimized for classical playing dynamics.

The Yamaha A3R TBS has a hand-finished gloss lacquer for beauty and protection. Abalone and wooden marquetry accents add an elegant decorative touch. Playability is enhanced with a comfortable neck profile and low action. This guitar produces a rich, complex tone across the dynamic range that projects with power and nuance.

While beginners will be well served by the YMC model, the Yamaha A3R TBS is worth the higher investment for serious classical players. It provides the tonewood quality, construction details, and refined voicing that help maximize the potential of the instrument. Evaluating your playing level and musical goals will determine which classical guitar option makes the most sense.

Sound Quality

The YMC BCG34-AM classical guitar produces a warm, balanced tone thanks to its combination of tonewoods. The solid spruce top provides clarity in the treble and midrange, while the mahogany back and sides add depth and richness to the bass frequencies.

The guitar projects very well acoustically, filling a room with its bold and resonant voice. The spruce and mahogany work together to create a guitar that is well-rounded tonally. It has enough volume to play solo classical repertoire, but also enough sweetness and nuance for playing in ensembles or accompanying vocals.

The lightweight build and bracing pattern of this model allow the top to vibrate freely, resulting in good sustain and separation between notes. The tone remains balanced across the fretboard, making this an expressive and versatile instrument for various classical guitar techniques and pieces.

Overall, the YMC BCG34-AM has an impressive sound quality for its accessible price point, making it a great choice for new and advancing classical guitarists looking to develop their tone and technique.

Playability

The YMC Classical Acoustic guitar has a nice comfortable neck shape that is easy for smaller hands to grip and allows smooth movement up and down the neck. The action on this guitar is set up well from the factory, with the strings sitting close to the frets while still allowing room for vibration and playability. The low action makes it easy for beginners to press down the strings without too much force.

The fretwork on the YMC is quite good, with smoothly finished frets that don't have any sharp edges. The frets are leveled properly and consistently, which allows for clean fingering and chording all along the neck. There are no dead spots or buzzing issues thanks to the quality fret work. This contributes to the overall playability and enjoyment of the guitar.

Hardware

The hardware on the YMC BCG34-AM Classical guitar is high quality for the price range. The tuning machines are chrome sealed geared tuners that keep the guitar in tune well. The tuners have pearloid buttons which give them an elegant look.

The nut and saddle are both made from nubone, which is a synthetic material that aims to mimic bone. Nubone is an affordable alternative to real bone that still provides good sustain and clarity. It holds up well over time and reduces string breakage at the nut.

The bridge is made from rosewood, which is a popular choice for classical guitars. Rosewood adds resonance and projection to the tone. The pins are also made from rosewood. Overall the hardware components on this model are decent for a beginner or intermediate level classical guitar in this price range.

Accessories

The YMC Classical Guitar comes with several useful accessories to help you get started playing right away. It includes a nylon gig bag for safe storage and transport of the guitar. The bag features backpack straps, making it easy to carry the guitar hands-free.

Inside the gig bag, you'll find a clip-on tuner. This allows you to accurately tune the guitar strings before playing. No batteries are required - the tuner clips onto the headstock and senses the vibration of each string as you pluck it. This is a handy tool for any beginning or experienced classical guitar player.

The guitar also ships with an extra set of strings. Having an extra set allows you to change them out when the original strings start to sound dull or worn. The included strings match the gauge and composition of the factory strings, so you can swap them without needing to adjust the truss rod or bridge.

Finally, you get some useful accessories like a polishing cloth and a pick sampler. The polishing cloth lets you clean and shine the guitar body to keep it looking its best. And the variety of picks allows you to experiment to find just the right shape, thickness and texture you prefer for playing this classical guitar.

Pros

The YMC Classical Guitar offers several benefits that make it a great choice for beginners and students:

• Quality construction: The spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard provide a robust and resonant sound. The build quality exceeds expectations for the price.

• Easy playability: The neck has a comfortable C-shape that makes it very playable, even for smaller hands. The action is low and adjustable.

• Great sound: Reviewers praise the balanced tone that projects well. The trebles are crisp and clear while the bass offers surprising warmth.

• Includes accessories: It comes with a gig bag, picks, extra strings, digital tuner, polishing cloth, and chord chart. This is a great value for a beginner's first guitar.

Cons

• The guitar has a laminated spruce top rather than a solid wood top, which can negatively impact tone and volume. Laminate tops don't resonate as well as solid wood.

• The included gig bag is quite thin and may not provide adequate protection, especially for a beginner. An upgraded hard case may be needed to prevent damage during transport and storage.

• The factory strings are low quality and will need to be replaced soon after purchase. Beginners may struggle with frequently changing strings.

• The nut and saddle are plastic rather than bone. Bone is preferred for having a smoother feel on the strings and better transfer of vibrations. The plastic nut and saddle can impact playability.

Conclusion

The YMC BCG34-AM is a good beginner classical acoustic guitar for the money that offers balanced sound and decent playability. This simple no-frills classical guitar is ideal for a student or casual player looking for an affordable entry into the world of nylon-string guitars.

The build quality and materials are fairly basic but solid enough for new players, while the wider nut width and smooth fret ends allow for comfortable playing. The tone is bright and resonant, though as expected for a sub-$100 guitar, it lacks the complexity and projection of more expensive models. Still, the sound is pleasant and should suit most beginner needs.

Overall, for a first classical guitar to learn and practice on, the YMC BCG34-AM delivers good value. More advanced players will likely want to upgrade to a solid wood instrument with better craftsmanship and richer tone. But at this affordable price point, the YMC BCG34-AM is a decent choice that won't break the bank.