acoustic/electric classical

**Stevebol** · 01-12-2015, 03:22 PM

I tried a Cordoba GK Studio again and I'm going to go with that. I was out of town when I tried it so I'll probably grab a used one off ebay.

**Max405** · 01-12-2015, 04:18 PM

Hi,
I'd like to share my experiences with Crossover Nylon string guitars.

I was totally spoiled with the Playability of a Godin Multiac. I sold it because I wanted 'some' sound unplugged. In the past 4 months, I've tried and temporarily owned 3 nylon string guitars. All went back.

Yamaha NTX900 - the string spacing at the nut was too narrow. I wasn't interested in modifying a brand new guitar.

Taylor 214ce-n - The action was too high. No room in the saddle for a shave.

Taylor NS-62n - The action was too high. Again, no room in the saddle for a shave. Pretty instrument though.

I called Taylor to talk about getting the neck shims changed. They told me they wouldn't do it because that's the way the guitar was supposed to be setup. In not so few words they told me I had unreasonable expectations. Well, that's why I don't now and never will, own a Taylor.

I tried a Cordoba Fusion in the store. It was nice and it sounded better than the Taylors. But again, the action was too high.

I tried an Ibanez AEG10N. The playability was perfect, but it was, I'm sorry, Orange... Needless to say, that one stayed in the store.

I am thinking of taking Mr. B's recommendation and checking out the Godin Duet Ambience. Maybe that will work.

JD

**rpguitar** · 01-12-2015, 04:23 PM

Even though some people certainly play and enjoy them, the Taylor NS guitars don't get much love in nylon circles. Lackluster tone is a more common complaint than setup from what I've read.

I've ordered a Carvin CL-450, which I expect to arrive about three weeks or so. Hard to get a feel for them online since there are very few people doing demos of non-cheesy music, and/or the playing is not so great. I've been curious for many years, though, and finally decided to try one. A new Carvin comes with a 10 day return policy, so I'm covered if it doesn't suit me. My main concern is the 1.875" nut and 20" radius. I'm accustomed to full size classical guitars with 2" flat fingerboards... so we'll see.

**rob taft** · 01-12-2015, 04:42 PM

I own a Yamaha NTX 1200R. It has an excellent amplified tone and a decent unamplified tone. I use D'Addario Hard Tension Composite strings. I also had a problem with the string spacing and ended up replacing the plastic nut with a bone nut which resulted in a string to string spacing of about 1 11/16" E to E. The width of the neck at the nut is 1.9" but Yamaha really cramped the E to E spacing so one has a fair amount of room to work with if one wants a wider string spacing. With the exception of finish work, I do all the work on my own guitars so swapping out the nut was minimal cost and its an easy job.
It has become one of my most played guitars. The scale on the Yamaha is 25.5 or 650MM so there wasn't any adjustment for me as nearly all of my acoustic and electrics are of this scale length. On both the NTX and the NCX series, the electronics are all the same so what you are paying for the the higher series e.g. the NTX 1200R or the NCX2000 are for the wood.

**Max405** · 01-12-2015, 05:03 PM

Rp,
The Carvin, that's a nice guitar. I hope it works out well for you.
I have to get something soon. The Springtime is coming and that makes me feel good. And when I feel good, I have to play Bossanova...

Joe D.

**Max405** · 01-12-2015, 05:12 PM

Hi Rob,
Yamaha's string spacing rationale seems kind of backwards to me. I have normal size fingers and small hands and I couldn't get used to the string spacing at all. Maybe Rodrigo has little tiny hands and skinny fingers..
How is the action on your Yamaha? I would love to have a nylon string that I reach for most often.
JD

**Max405** · 01-15-2015, 09:39 PM

I just bought ANOTHER NTX900fm today.
It went right to the luthier after the purchase for a Nut recut (to fix the string spacing issue) and a bridge shave (to lower the action).
I hope it works. I'll post my comments after I get it back and spent a sufficient amount of time with it.

JD

**Stevebol** · 01-16-2015, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

I'm VERY happy with my Cordoba GK Studio - mine is cypress - they also make a Negra version in rosewood. About $600 at GC. I tried everything they had, including Taylor, and the GK blew them all away. I had them bring out and unbox one for me - it was perfect out of the box. Has dual source pickup and built in tuner. Comes with nice gig bag.

Well, I finally got one off ebay. It was advertized as rosewood but the pics say it's a cypress. No big deal.

**Max405** · 01-21-2015, 11:54 PM

Fwiw - I picked up the ntx900 from the luthier. He recut the nut, recut the the saddle, both replaced with bone material. The string spacing is now correct and the action is great - and - this guitar is perfect! The sound is bigger than the guitar looks. It plays like my L7 and sounds like a classical. Outstanding guitar and highly recommend it.
acoustic/electric classical-image-jpg

Note the difference between old nut and new. 7/32 of an inch!!!

**rob taft** · 01-22-2015, 12:29 AM

Joe, I'm sorry that I didn't see your earlier post and question until just now but it sounds like its been answered. I agree it is really amazing that Yamaha placed the string spacing the way they did but at least its easy to adjust to individual preferences. My particular guitar has one of the nicest shaped neck for my hands. Amplified it sounds really nice. I sometimes string the guitar with Thomastik rope core if I fancy a more steel string acoustic sound.

**Max405** · 01-22-2015, 12:49 AM

Rob, no problem. It's really a nice guitar. The neck is really nice isn't it? It reminds me of my old godin multiac. And you don't have to plug in all the time. What a player for sure.
JD

**Stevebol** · 02-01-2015, 09:35 PM

I had the bridge adjusted to a normal classical height and had some Savarez strings with polished basses put on. I'm happy with it now. Nice axe for under $400.

**Max405** · 02-02-2015, 11:44 AM

Hi Steve, I am glad it worked out for you. Having a smooth playing, sweet sounding classical setup for Jazz is nice.
Even though my Yamaha is smooth and surprisingly easy to play, it makes playing my regular Jazz guitars a breeze.
Enjoy and thanks for starting up a pretty cool post.
Joe D

**Woody Sound** · 02-04-2015, 11:09 AM

Just a little side info on the Godin Neck widths. They make 3. The more "traditional" Grand Concert model (I think what Mr B plays) is the full 2". Then the standard Godin elec nylons (SA, ACS,...) are 1-7/8". And then some of those are available in a "slim" model, which is 1-11/16". Personally, I wish the slim model was 1-3/4". I think it would be much better suited for nylons.

**Greentone** · 02-04-2015, 11:32 AM

Woody Sound:

I hear you. The really narrow electro-classic necks seem weird for nylon string guitars for someone raised on a standard 2" neck. I think they are designed to pull electric players over to the "nylon side."

It would not surprise me to see neck carves on electro-classic guitars gradually migrate towards wider neck widths, but I could be wrong.