Recommend me a nylon string guitar

Roland · February 2020

Scenario: I’ve recently started backing a female singer, doing lounge jazz. We want an acoustic vibe, so electric guitars are out. To begin with I’ve been using my Taylor 414, with the mk1 expression system, plugged into the PA.

I’m considering changing to a nylon string for some, or all, of the songs. Something that I can still plug into the PA. What’s should I be considering?

drofluf · February 2020

I’m selling a Cort in the Classifieds...

ArchtopDave · February 2020

Godin make nylon strung instruments with either a classical width fretboard, or with a thinner more radiused electric style fretboard.

ArchtopDave · February 2020

If you’re looking for something acoustic guitar looking, rather than my my electric suggestion above, then there’s the Yamaha NX Series of nylon strung guitars.

MichaelWatts · February 2020

I use a Yamaha Silent nylon string for that kind of gig and I'm very happy with it. It goes straight into a fishman solo amp.

richardhomer · February 2020

I’ve got a Taylor NS32ce with (factory) Fishman electronics. They still make something similar - though I can’t remember the model number.

The neck is wider than a steel strung acoustic - but narrower than a classical guitar. The carve is brilliant, with lovely rolled fingerboard edges.

It isn’t the greatest sounding nylon string - but as a really playable ‘crossover’ - it’s superb.

They are rare in the used market - but if you can find one, highly recommended.

darcym · February 2020

I got inspired by a nylon stringed acoustic after seeing Iron and Wine live, who not only made the nylon string cool, but had a great tone. I did some research and it's a taylor model went to play one (found the exact model and finish) and it was an exceptional guitar, there are lower end versions too, check out this info and see if any of this grabs you, but Taylor had a fine selection of nylon guitars that sounded great acoustically, great plugged in and played lovely.
https://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/sam-beam

Whitecat · February 2020

Takamine P3FCN. Feels way more like an electric than an acoustic and sounds fabulous when electrified (as most Taks do).

octatonic · February 2020

Have you ever seriously played nylon string guitar?
If not then do yourself a massive favour and find an acoustic electric nylon with a narrow nut width.

Roland · February 2020

octatonic said:

Have you ever seriously played nylon string guitar?

Yes.

octatonic · February 2020

Roland said:

octatonic said:

Have you ever seriously played nylon string guitar?

Yes.

OK, Taylor 312CE-N if you have the budget.

If you don't then fit a piezo to a used nylon string that you like playing and use an external preamp pedal with EQ.
I've been using an API Tranzformer lately.
My nylon is a mid price Antonio Lorca that I've had for about 25 years.
I fitted a piezo back in '98 and it has been my main nylon string since then.
I mostly use it for teaching but I've done recording sessions with it, the odd bit of live.
I've never found acoustic electric nylon strings to be that great unless you are prepared to spend quite a bit.
YMMV.

maltingsaudio · February 2020

Just bought one of these https://www.woodbrass.com/en-gb/classical-guitars-acoustic-electric-martinez-guitars-performer-mscc-14rs-psy-301-p260498.html

stunning machine including the sound port highly recommended

ArchtopDave · February 2020

maltingsaudio said:

Just bought one of these https://www.woodbrass.com/en-gb/classical-guitars-acoustic-electric-martinez-guitars-performer-mscc-14rs-psy-301-p260498.html

stunning machine including the sound port highly recommended

That looks a very interesting guitar.

GTC · February 2020

I've just discovered La Patrie (Godin's classical brand) after converting a right-handed parlour-size Motif to left-handed. I've been very impressed with the tone and playability - outperforming classicals I've played costing a lot more. All La Patries have a standard 650mm scale and a 50.4mm nut width but the 24" fretboard radius makes a big difference to a steel strung player. Most models are available with Godin Q1T electronics fitted.

There's also the Art and Lutherie (again Godin) Roadhouse Nylon parlour if you want a cool vintage look. It is basically the same as the Motif but has a stained bourbon-coloured solid cedar top.

icu81b4 · March 2020

Would you be interested in a Gibson Chet Atkins CE Nylon string guitar? - Not cheap mind!

Roland · March 2020

Not at this point thank you. We’re trying out a repertoire, testing songs and styles at open mic nights. For that type of venue I just want to turn up with one guitar.

stephen.wood125 · March 2020

I've just bought this as a relatively cheap guitar that's very nicely put together. Becoming a big fan of Faith in general!
https://www.peachguitars.com/faith-lyra-nylon-string-higloss-cutaway-electro.htm

Edited to change merchant, in case you order one and it arrives covered in "QC passed swirls"

drofluf · March 2020

stephen.wood125 said:

I've just bought this as a relatively cheap guitar that's very nicely put together. Becoming a big fan of Faith in general!

https://www.andertons.co.uk/faith-lyra-nylon-string-higloss-cutaway-electro-flcehg?gclid=Cj0KCQjwu6fzBRC6ARIsAJUwa2Q5nphrx-M_e8YHyb30EAPSJeWv8urNN70uRzvC-M9PJo8yaGGTp9YaAuU5EALw_wcB

Was just about to make the same recommendation! Had mine for about a mont( now and it gets the most playing. Definitely worth considering.

stephen.wood125 · March 2020

@drofluf nice man! Happy nearly new guitar day! Enjoy!

Greatape · March 2020

richardhomer said:

I’ve got a Taylor NS32ce with (factory) Fishman electronics. They still make something similar - though I can’t remember the model number.

The neck is wider than a steel strung acoustic - but narrower than a classical guitar. The carve is brilliant, with lovely rolled fingerboard edges.

It isn’t the greatest sounding nylon string - but as a really playable ‘crossover’ - it’s superb.

They are rare in the used market - but if you can find one, highly recommended.

I have the NS42ce and I'd concur. They seem built for plugging in so they don't have the volume, brightness or dynamics of a typical classical. (Using the recommended D'addario carbon hard tension strings improved this). But it is a good guitar.

The Godins are excellent for plugging in, and there's a lot of choice. That would be my choice for a jazz setting.

Jalapeno · March 2020

I'd also go for a Yamaha Silent N.

If money no object Sadowsky do a lovely custom nylon electric.

Roland · March 2020

Jalapeno said:

If money no object ...

I do feel that it will be Coronavirus, rather than money, which limits this venture.

GTC · March 2020

I've just bought a left-handed Furch GNc2 SW Nylon crossover guitar from Budapest via Reverb. I'm still waiting for it to be delivered but, according to tracking, it has just reached the UK according to parcel tracking. It was only collected on Friday.

What makes this a particularly interesting and different crossover guitar is that the nut width (45mm) and fingerboard radius (400mm) are similar to that of a steel-strung acoustic. The right-handed version can be viewed here: https://reverb.com/item/32878284-furch-gnc2-sw-nylon-strings-crossover-acoustic-guitar-with-gigbag .

I'll try and do an update when it hopefully arrives

GTC · April 2020

Re my post above - the Furch arrived from Hungary yesterday, just three working days after it was shipped despite my fears of long delays or even getting it at all. Ernie at StageShop in Budapest was extremely helpful.

My first impressions are very positive. The neck / fingerboard profile make for very easy playing and the articulation and clarity of the individual strings are the best I've heard from any crossover guitar and all but the most expensive conventional classicals.

To say I'm delighted would be an understatement. My one has a solid sitka top and solid walnut back and sides, has a satin finish and comes with a padded gig bag. They also do a similar model with a cedar top - and two more expensive models with a gloss finish, rosewood back and sides and a Hiscox case.

A couple of photos of mine are shown below.

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Recommend me a nylon string guitar

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