Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). Nylon vs steel string - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Nylon vs steel string

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thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
edited June 2015 in Acoustics
Interested to hear thoughts on decent nylon string guitars. I see Taylor does a whole range with fret markers. I used to have a Yamaha flamenco which was good.
Interested in ones with cutaway and electrics built in. Might be a phase I'm going through..
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  • axisusaxisus Frets: 27656
    I rather enjoy playing dead cheap nylon strung guitars, as long as you can set a reasonable action if necessary. I don't think I'd ever buy an expensive one personally. I'm currently scouring local junk shops as I quite fancy one, they sometimes turn up for 30-40 quid and usually look like they could be made playable.
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Dear God... I just played two Taylornylons. 214 was OK but the 514 was VERY well put together, sounded amazing and played like butter. Problem is, it's £2070! I'm sure there are others I need to try. If I go down the flamenco route I might want to consider a proper flamenco guitar. £2k seeks expensive but wow... It was amazing. Almost religious - and MUCH easier to play than the surely string guitars.
    So tempted..
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  • mellowsunmellowsun Frets: 2422
    The Yamaha NCX1200 is very nice. Still quite pricey though. As is the wonderful Cordoba GK Negra

    Trading feedback
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  • ArchtopDaveArchtopDave Frets: 1230
    Godin are always worth considering, especially as you're looking for a cutaway and electrics. There are versions with electric style fretboards with a radius, or with a flat wider classical style fretboard.
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    edited June 2015
    Well, after trying GG Edinburgh I tried the same store in Glasgow and also Kenny's Music (I know there are other stores but I got there late and I know where those two are). 

    Yamaha NTX700 - didn't play as good as I thought it might. Action got higher as you went up the frets. Maybe a set-up would have helped but it was enough to put me off. I tried a few other "cheap" guitars and it was the same story.

    Godin ACS guitars - played well (wide fingerboard, though) and good option to plug into Roland Synth etc but think I prefer something with a soundhole. Very good though and would check out Godin again, for sure. 

    Taylor nylon series. I tried one AMAZING (no-cut) £2800 (!!) 814 series. Looked stunning and felt absolutely perfect. Very well set up and great sound. The 214 was ok but nothing to write home about. Tried the single-cut version of the 814 - similar price but didn't play as well. Goes to show just how individual guitars can be!! The 514 I tried in the Edinburgh store was inspirational. 

    Had a chat with the guys and they agree Larrivee are pretty damn good - I'm going to go to a lower string gauge because I'm not able to do the fancy stuff like I was able to on the nylon strung guitars. At the end of the day, I would love the 514 or the 814 but at over £1k (and near £3k!!) for something that might be a passing fancy, I think I'll give the whole thing a miss (for now?). 

    The Taylor ones were really good, I must say. I saw a Martin one but it didn't have fret markers (I like the look of those on the Taylor series). These nylon strung guitars that play like electrics are great, but if I wanted it for some flamenco, the bracing is different, those guitars don't have the double scratchplate, and wont have the projection like a flamenco guitar does. 

    So - it was a good experience and I'll probably follow up again at some point but I wouldn't buy unless it was one of those special ones, and they cost more than I'm willing to part with. An interesting point I made above... I tried a few versions of the same guitar and slight differences I could pick up on... another reason why I'm loathe to buy a guitar without having played it. So - off to give the Larrivee a low string gauge... Maybe I'll revisit the 514 with my Christmas bonus but I don't know if it's justifiable. You can tell I want to, though ;)
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    edited June 2015
    The Godin website really highlights just how many different types of guitars they do!! It's almost overwhelming!
    (Carvin is another of those brands I hear is good but have never tried)
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    Woooah, just checked out that pro negra guitar, looks amazing!
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  • BigMonkaBigMonka Frets: 1732
    A Godin is the only 'proper' nylon guitar I've played, and it was just beautiful - so easy to play and a really lovely tone through a decent acoustic amp or unplugged. Personally I can't think of a situation where I'd need one over a steely though, so it wouldn't be a justifiable cost.
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