What sort of guitar do I have and does it matter?

Hi, my name is Kate and I have just found the guitar that I used to play when I was at college 20 years ago - so I've dusted it off and found to my amazement that I can still play a few cords! I am sure that it was just bought as a basic guitar and I have no idea whether it is acoustic or classical, how can I tell - and indeed does it matter?

Anyway - I'd really like to start playing again however 20 year old strings need changing! It is strung with metal strings and is unbranded. Any idea of whether I can put nylon strings on it - the wires are shredding my fingers - and I know that they will toughen up however the pain threshold isn't what it was!

Thanks for any help

Kate

If it's steel strung, it's an acoustic. I don't think you'll be able to put nylon strings on it, but may stand corrected...

Might be worth practicing higher up the neck - the string tension is lower so less pain.... maybe start there and work down. The pain shouldn't last long, and chances are you're going to hit it again anyway!

There are steel string classical guitars... or classical body guitars that are strung with metal strings. One way you can generally tell if it's a classical guitar is that the fretboard on a truely classical acoustic guitar is generally wider than that of a conventional standard acoustic. If the neck is wide it's probably a classical... and vice-versa. It doesn't really matter either way... A guitar is a guitar is a guitar. the tone is different and you'll find that you won't be able to get the sound of some songs that you may want to learn if it is in fact a classical styled guitar. I wouldn't suggest putting nylon strings on it if it is set-up for steel strings. I suggest simply changing the strings. Strings are that old are probably rusty and may have jagged edges taht are adding to the pain. If you get a new set of strings I'm sure you'll find them much more comfortable.

Go to a guitar shop or look online and you could probably find some pictures to help you tell whether its a classical or not. One of the differences I know between an acoustic is classical is the distance between the strings is wider on a classical then a standards acoustic.
If you have a regular acoustic guitar change the strings, if you haven't already. Since you are a beginner your fingers are going to get sore until they develop callouses. You should begin to develop them after a few weeks of consistent practice.
Good luck!

another way to tell is that a classical will typically NOT have fret markings on the fretboard itself. It will have markings on the side on the the fret board

Thankyou for the responses. It is def an accoustic I reckon, I've put on some new metal strings & its sounding good!!

Kate