nylon guitar advice

[feral guitar]

I’m looking for advice on purchasing a gigging nylon string guitar for both classical and jazz gigs.
I can spend 1-3K.
I currently own a Alvarez Yairi CY127ce with an aftermarket B-band and I like it ok.
I come from a classical guitar background so I need as natural sound and feel as I can get, even tho the main use is thru a pickup and even tho my Yairi is a cutaway with a thin body.
I’m not really looking for a ‘crossover’ nylon (neck profile), but who knows.

I have considered and rejected:
Frameworks - these were my goal for a long time but the unconventional look is a deal breaker - FRAME WORKS GUITARS - frameworks-guitars.com
Godin - do any of them sound truly natural? - especially as you go up the neck...?
Buscarino Grand Cabaret - dream guitar but too much $!
Rick Turner - too unconventional looking

still considering:
-a higher end Cordoba (I’m uneducated here) - Cordoba Guitars - Nylon String Guitars for the Modern Guitarist.
-just buying a nice acoustic classical and putting a pickup in it - but I think pickups benefit from cutaways and thinner bodies perhaps - less resonance equals less wolf tones etc

I intend on putting a Barbara pickup in it, unless the included pickup is stellar - pickup balance is my pet peeve - Classical Guitar Transducer | Pro Guitar Pickups

thanks!

[feral guitar]

[Cavalier]

I like Ovations. Charlie Byrd played one for years. I use a vintage 1624 Country Artist but the neck is probably wrong for you. Check out their classical based models, the same great pickup.

For a more conventional guitar made in Europe checkout the Kremona line. They are a good value.Guitars, ukuleles, violas, violins and violoncellos Handcrafted European string instruments since 1924

[bohemian46]

Find a Takamine 132SC Used under $700 for a good one.

How about the YAMAHA Silent series ?

Yamaha SLG200N Silent Guitar - Nylon String, Wood Frame | Sweetwater.com

[Woody Sound]

I'm a bit confused: Are you saying the Yairi is not good enough? I gigged with one of those for years and I thought it was great.

[medblues]

Give Godin Ambience Grand Concert a try, you may like the microphone simulations and the ability to blend in or out the piezo. Almost zero feedback so you can get away with amps that lack notch filters etc. On board EQ is good too.

[Jabberwocky]

Used Michael Thames for sale at Classical Delcamp: US $.3795 Michael Thames Brazillian/Italian classical 2006 Midland M7 - Classical Guitar . Send it to Michael to get the FP renewed, if need be.

Michael Thames makes great guitars. I have one on the way.

Tom Prisloe Pavan Spanish made Classical Guitars For Sale, Flamenco, Left-handed, Cutaway, Rosewood, Electric Classical Guitars . richb2 just bought a TP-30 with a Rich Barbera Soloist for under $2000. Ask him for his opinion.

How to tell a good classical guitar?

There is Francisco Navarro of Paracho, Mexico who comes highly recommended by luthier Tom Blackshear. Francisco Navarro Garcia: Concert Flamenco

There is a modified Kohno Model 30 for sale at Cotten Music. Shaved neck, repaired cracked top, refinished, so $1000. Welcome to Facebook

[Cunamara]

I've got a Takamine EC132C which has a laminate top. It plays well but feedback is a huge problem (I got a soundhole plug from StringsByMail.com for classical guitars which helps). And it sounds like a classical guitar with an under-saddle transducer pickup. Barks like a duck if you're not very careful with EQ and technique. If you're going amplified, this is going to be a problem. I think part of it is the resonance of the body unfortunately reinforcing some undesirable frequencies. I hear it in almost all amplified nylon strings, the exception thus far being Gene Bertoncini's Buscarino Grand Cabaret which uses an "implanted" transducer instead of an undersaddle one, if Buscarino's marketing materials are to be believed.

I've got a Rick Turner RN-6 and it is nothing short of superb. It sounds much, much better than the Takamine. The tone control rolls just the quack out while leaving a nice warm, expressive, acoustic-y sound- more acoustic than most amplified acoustics despite being a semi-hollow. It is also superb to play while standing with a strap. The ergonomics are great. Zero feedback. Wonderful neck. Very light weight. I can't recommend it strongly enough. I would recommend getting over objections to its looks, it's that good. I have never played one of the similar Godins but what I have heard of them is likewise excellent, also semi-hollow construction it appears. Also unconventional but IMHO it's the sound that counts. I think that amplifying acoustics has a number of pitfalls that the semi-hollow construction avoids, although they are not terribly good for playing unplugged. I wold suggest trying one, if possible, before writing this design off.

[DRS]

I like my LaPatrie Hybrid CW. They are available used in the $500 range.
12 fret. Solid mahogany back and sides, solid spruce top. Cutaway. Electronics. Radiused fingerboard. 2" nut. Great easy playing crossover.

[bohemian46]

Zavaleta's La Casa De Guitarras

Not all Navarro's are made by Navarro himself.

Tom Blackshear is not universally appreciated for his lutherie skills or opinions.. such as fine tuning the under side of tops with the pad of a finger loaded with salt. just sayin'.

It is my understanding that the Takamine 132 series have solid cedar tops. Mine does, and every one I have seen and played has a solid cedar top.
The specs on the 132 say solid cedar top, laminated rosewood etc...

[rob taft]

I'll throw another brand/model into the mix. The NCX1200R. I own the NTX1200R (crossover version) and I'm quite pleased with the amplified tone. The NCX and NTX share the same pickup system. The un-amplfied tone is kind of blah but again that is the NTX1200R but I didn't buy it for its acoustic sound but I wanted a decent sounding and playing nylon string that could be used in a group format. As it turns out that didn't materialize but I still enjoy the guitar. I installed a L.R.Baggs Lyric Classical in my handmade classical but while it shines acoustically the amplified tone wasn't anywhere as good as the Yamaha

The Doug Jones link contains some audio clips. There are other reviews on Amazon but from reading the reviews, not all of them are for the guitar in question. rob

The NTX is a crossover model i.e. narrower nut, thinner body and radiused board the NCX is the traditional flat board and 2" nut and has more body depth.

Yamaha NCX1200R Acoustic-Electric Classical Guitar Natural | Guitar Center


Douglas Jones Music: Yamaha NCX1200R Acoustic/Electric Nylon String Guitar Mini Review

[Jabberwocky]

Cunamara, how does the Rick Turner RN6 compare with the made in Korea Michael Kelley-Rick Turner N6?

$575 (with 15% discount coupon) looks like a very attractive price for the Kelley-Turner N6. They have the same Seymour Duncan-made D-Tar.

Since the Turner RN-6 was recommended, I'd put in my tuppence for the Buscarino Starlight.

[feral guitar]

great stuff thx everyone
i was going to try zaveletas - they are in my town!
i actually own a Thames from 1992 that i kind of ruined by turning it into a 7 string but maybe i will rehab it
THE STARLIGHT | Buscarino interesting

[feral guitar]

I'm a bit confused: Are you saying the Yairi is not good enough? I gigged with one of those for years and I thought it was great.

i like it - just want some thing better

[mercosound]

I've been playing a Cervantes x-over model for a little over a year now, and I'm really enjoying it. There may even be one or two for sale on this forum...

Don

[Cavalier]

This is the current Ovation nylon. Classic Nylon Full classical spacing. I've found the Ovations to be very feedback resistant.

[Papawooly]

Zavaleta's La Casa De Guitarras

Not all Navarro's are made by Navarro himself.

Tom Blackshear is not universally appreciated for his lutherie skills or opinions.. such as fine tuning the under side of tops with the pad of a finger loaded with salt. just sayin'.

It is my understanding that the Takamine 132 series have solid cedar tops. Mine does, and every one I have seen and played has a solid cedar top.
The specs on the 132 say solid cedar top, laminated rosewood etc...

True... C-132 is solid cedar, however,theC-132S is Spruce....

I would 2nd the recommendation for Kremona (Bulgaria) guitars. I have a Fiesta FC and it
plays and sounds fantastic. I have added the LR Baggs pickup, and has a very clear, open tone
and doesn't suffer and feedback issues (at my volumes)

[Papawooly]

Just took a couple "member berries" and "membered" that it is actually the C132C which has the spruce top,
and of course, the C132S is cedar... This makes so much sence in an alternate universe...

[Woody Sound]

This is the current Ovation nylon. Classic Nylon Full classical spacing. I've found the Ovations to be very feedback resistant.

Some people find the round back very awkward. Just try before you buy.

[Woody Sound]

i like it - just want some thing better

If you are using it for both classical and jazz gigs, do you have a preference for whether or not it has a cutaway?

[feral guitar]

i want a cutaway

[Jabberwocky]

PSA: Buscarino Cabaret Guitar – Guitar Gallery .

You could try negotiating it down to $4500. I believe that they were about $5500 new in 1997.

[mr. beaumont]

The Godin's with the "duet ambiance" electronics are outstanding. BEST acoustic pickup system I've ever used.

[bohemian46]

Takamine TC132SC Acoustic Electric Nylon with Cutaway - Natural | Sweetwater.com

I am holding my 132SC.. it is as described in the link. Solid Cedar top.

I also have a rather rare Cervantes cutaway flamenco..

Monterey Cypress backs and sides, Sitka spruce top.

One of 10 actually made by Carlos Pina for Cervantes.
Fine guitar.. Not a true flamenco but plays very well and sounds great.
These were originally $2295 MSRP and usually found for $1995... I paid around $1400 OTD for an NOS unit. Strung wiith Savarez carbon ( I believe that's what I put on it.)

[Woody Sound]

Unless I missed it here, you didn't say how loud your gigs might be. Will feedback be an issue? Loud band jobs? Or is amplification just for a little more fullness/support?