Hey guys!

I'm an experienced steel string guitarist (Electric and acoustic, no lap-steel just YET) and I am interested in getting a nylon string guitar. I know a good amount about steel string guitars and know what to look for when purchasing one, but a quick search of Musician's Friend showed me that I know nothing about nylon string guitars and what to consider when purchasing.

Can anyone in the know please tell me popular conceptions about things like brand quality and other important things to know when purchasing?

I'm open to suggestions about guitars as well. I'd like to keep it under $1k, and 14 exposed frets would be preferred to 12.

Thanks in advance

They have a softer sound than steel.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

Hope you're familiar with finger picking.

Yup, I really enjoy finger picking, and that's why I'm excited to get a mellower guitar. I'm looking for things like brand reputation, and certain things to look out for when purchasing specifically nylon string guitars, like perhaps bridge styles, wood types, body shapes, and any other technical things that change from guitar to guitar, so I could narrow my search.

I hope my original post didn't give the impression that I'm hoping to buy a nylon string just to buy one. I've played many and like their sound and comfort, and now I would like to own one for my personal use.

Here's an informative article on nylon strings http://classicalguitarbuilder.com/march_news/October_Newsletter.html.

For a classical guitar new, Manuel Rodriguez guitars seems to get great reviews. Then comes the debate, cedar or spruce top...

George Harrison used a pick when he played nylon strings on "And I Love Her". Willie Nelson often uses a pick on his old nylon Martin (hence the hole he wore in the soundboard). There's no law that says you have to fingerpick nylon.

I don't know much about classical guitars. Almost all of them are based on Torres' 19th century designs and Ramirez has been top-notch for 4 generations but that's about all I know.

He's looking for something under 1k, arent Ramirez real expensive?

I 've been playing nylon string guitar (also called classical or spanish) for a few years...

First of all, I'm afraid that 12 exposed frets is the standard in classical guitars, but you can buy a cutaway model, if you don't mind losing volume... Fortunately, cutaway ones are usually the ones you can plug in an acoustic amp.

Ok, now lets go to serious things. There are two different "tastes" of spanish guitars: classical and flamenco.

Classical: sweet sound, best for fingerpicking, but good for strumming. Some players agree in a very peculiar thing: expensive ones are bad for strumming, as chords sound not defined.

Flamenco: brighter and sharpened sound, more percussive. Balanced fingerpicking/strumming sound.

Top: 2 different woods. Solid German Spruce (classical) or Solid Red Cedar (classical & flamenco). But Solid, please.

Sides and back: Again, 2 options. Indian Rosewood (classical) or Sycamore (flamenco). Laminated is cheaper, and it not means bad. Solid is more expensive and usually better...

Neck: Mahogany, please.

Fingerboard: Ebony, please.

Brands: well, there are someones that are so good if you have a lot of money to spend, and others have great stuff from few bucks (300$ aprox.).

My favourite: Alhambra- http://www.alhambrasl.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 (My current classical one is a 5P model, the best one I've ever had. Not so expensive and well balanced sound. Good for strumming & fingerpicking).

Manuel Rodríguez- http://www.guitars-m-r-sons.com/ing/home.htm (not the handmade ones, really expensive).

Camps- http://www.guitarrascamps.com/

Raimundo- http://www.guitarrasraimundo.com/

Francisco Bros- http://www.guitarrasbros.com/indexengl.php

Hope it can help you

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I'm sorry if you can't understand me, but I'm just an English student. Help acepted.

After a too long absence...

I'm back in town! (and in Fender Lounge)

Damco, thanks so much for your very informative post!

I bought one of these after trying out at GC....
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical- ... mode=model

I talked them down to $365 + tax....

Its the only chinese guitar that I have been really impressed with... beautiful guitar, very easy to play, and sounds awesome both plugged in and un-plugged...

This one has a narrower neck than your typical classical guitar... however its still a bit wider than your normal les paul/strat string spacing widths...

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In Reference to Blues Legend RL Burnside:
After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.

Will definitely check it out

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do classical guitars have truss rods?

I dont think a well built Classical guitar with a well set neck would require a truss rod.

Good to know. Thanks so much guys for all the help. Ask a question, get an answer. It's amazing here in the Fender community.

Can't add much to whats been said here, but here's a pointer or two relating to what guitar to buy:

First you should decide if you want to play it acoustically, or if you're looking for an amplifiable nylon, maybe for use on a stage. You can use the latter for playing at home, but the introduction of a cutaway and electric gubbins really will compromise the tone of the guitar played without the amplification.

Assuming you want acoustic rather than electric playing, there's some really good instruments available these days for well under £500. With the Chinese now in the game too, prices have tumbled for a good sounding and playing instrument. However, if you want the kudos of a good Spanish instrument, I heartily recommend the Model A by Manuel Rodriguez. It's not a concert guitar, but as a serious students instrument it's as good as anything for the price. I have one and play it everyday. Unbelieveably, you can even buy an aged version of the Model A! Relicing arrives in the classical guitar world!
(And can I say, spending a fortune on a serious concert guitar without having the playing technique to get the best out of it, really is a waste of money. It won't sound any better than a good student instrument unless you know how to push it, and thats a skill learned only by the feel that comes with 1000s of hours dedicated practise under your belt.)

Read the earlier comments about flamenco guitars with their brighter tighter sound. If you're going for out and out lush classical styling, don't get a flamenco. But if you're into Bossa Nova, Rodriguez Y Gabriella, Jose Feliciano etc, then do try a flamenco. Again the Manuel Rodriguez company make them too. And I think there's a link somewhere on the Fender site to the Company - there's some of connection with Fender.

Want to go electric nylon? I found an absolute bargain with a Chinese Ibanez Salvador, model no: G200ECE-NT-2Y-01. Looks fabulous, solid spruce top, cutaway and a cloned B Band pre-amp with tuner and phase reversal switch. 1/4" or XLR output. You should find it for under £200.00.. BUT.. my favourite weapon of choice for an amplified nylon/classical, is the Line 6 Variax 300 Nylon, which models both classical and flamenco style guitar, or even combines the two, with built in compression & reverb and 10 programmeable pre-sets. No way does it look anything like a traditional classical - it has a sharply sloped shoulder and is very thin. But through a good amplification system, it sounds absolutely glorious.. I bought a busy guitar shop to a standstill playing Cavatina with it at a volume Classicals aren't supposed to be able to reach! Needless to say, I bought it.

Looks like there's a few classical players here, so shout up if you need more advice..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!