Topic: ?'s re: Classical guitars

I'm thinking about buying a classical guitar and I hope you all can steer me in the right direction.  On with the questions:

What's a good, inexpensive (~$150) model?  I know Yamaha has a good rep with beginner classicals, but what about Ibanez, Takamine or Washburn? 

Is the difference between a spruce top compared to cedar that noticeable to the average ear? 

I like medium gauge steel strings.  How does that translate to nylons?

Lastly, when guitar sizes are specified to a particular scale, what exactly is being measured?  Nut-to-bridge distance?

TIA.

Play on,
Steve
8{I

Endeavor to be different.  Everyone else does.

Re: ?'s re: Classical guitars

Can't help you on most of your questions.  But I have a Yamaha classical guitar typically used by young students (I'm a student but hardly young).  It has a decent sound. 

The difference between Spruce and Cedar is one of personal taste. 

At the $150 range, I don't expect that you'll find significant differences in production quality when sticking with the brand names that you mentioned above. 

- Zurf

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