Does a nylon stringed archtop guitar exist?

**NSJ** · 11-20-2014, 12:00 PM

FML. I was perfectly happy with the excellent guitars I have and play. Until now. Wow. Who knew it was possible to have G.A.S. again? Thanks Roger!

**Klatu** · 11-20-2014, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I like to store clips like these up for when people say something like "you can't play a lot of notes and still have 'feeling'," or some mumbo jumbo like that.

You're dead on with that comment. One of the elements of the video that grabbed my attention was the precision and speed that this gentleman was able to produce while playing fingerstyle. If I were able to pull that off, I'd leave my pick behind in a heartbeat.

**Archie** · 11-20-2014, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Klatu

You're dead on with that comment. One of the elements of the video that grabbed my attention was the precision and speed that this gentleman was able to produce while playing fingerstyle. If I were able to pull that off, I'd leave my pick behind in a heartbeat.

Have you ever watched Paco De lucia, luis bonfa or a well trained classical guitarist?

What he's doing is pretty standard fair, for his level, as far as I was concerned. If anything in comparison his technique is a little sloppy in places. He also a bit lazy way with bass movements, missing some good opportunities. I also found some of his substations a little bit heavy.

He hasn't re-invented the wheel when it comes to guitar playing and arranging, especially on the classical.

Don't get me wrong and I can't stress this enough, great player, just never a fan of well intended hyperbolise. They make fools out of you and I, if we accept them, without being challenged.

I want this statement to create awareness in some of the members here and not to be seen as some pointless bashing.
So please don't feel I'm being a negative nelly. He's definitely a great player.

**targuit** · 11-20-2014, 01:16 PM

I am well versed in classical technique. Francesco apparently has won a few classical competitions. The other night I listened to several of his videos and they were all quite high level performances. I can't find much to fault in his technique. And to me his playing certainly sounds like Jazz.

Not to suggest that his level of playing is not attainable. But he is no slouch.

And I'm going to contact the luthier. We already exchanged a few comments on YT in Italian. His shop is east of the Veneto region of northern Italy, near where I lived for a decade. I want to know if I could have an archtop like the one he created for Francesco. Just to torture myself with unrequited desire.....

**rpguitar** · 11-20-2014, 01:41 PM

I studied flamenco for a year to the exclusion of all other music. I listened to a buttload of monster players, by which I mean they moved me musically in addition to impressing me with technique. Technique is not that interesting. Francesco is an inspiring player from these videos. I think it's petty to interject gratuitous naysayer comments, but given the source, it's not surprising.

Targuit please let me know if you hear from Mirko. I've not received a reply yet. I need to see what it would take to get one of those, too...

**mhch** · 11-20-2014, 01:49 PM

A bit off topic, but Francesco's outstanding Gershwin arrangement and his nuages version reminded me of Roland Dyens, the renowned world class classical guitarist who also went outside the classical repertoire and arranged/played many jazz and brazilian tunes

He was the only classical musician who played for the celebration of the 100th Django Reinhart birthday anniversary

**Double V** · 11-20-2014, 01:56 PM

Beautiful instrument in the hands of an amazing player. Great find!

Not to derail said guitar...but in the same nylon archtop vein, I recently came across Neil Lamb. He plays a 7 string Benedetto nylon string archtop. Doesn't look like its acoustic though?, I could be wrong.
Anyway, he gets a nice sound out of it.

**Woody Sound** · 11-20-2014, 01:57 PM

The guitar sounds fabulous. In a way, almost better than a flattop nylon.

**mr. beaumont** · 11-20-2014, 02:06 PM

I'm with you on that--for the style he's playing...

It's important to note, Maccaferri's were originally intended to be nylon string instruments...and some builders still make nylon SelMac styles...this isn't too far off that path, it seems, at least tonally...I'd be interested to see what's "under the hood" so to speak.

**jorgemg1984** · 11-20-2014, 02:06 PM

I don't know anything about classical technique but from a jazz perspective that's what I would call great sound and great playing.

**Jabberwocky** · 11-20-2014, 03:17 PM

Francesco Buzzuro, he has a double-jointed right thumb that arches back as does George Benson's. That's the secret. My own thumb is ramrod straight so I can forget about such technical mastery.

Still not convinced about the tone. Would love to hear a "regular" classical guitar (as used by classical guitarists, not a cross-over) in his hands à la mode de Roland Dyens or, gulp, Earl Klugh. I thought Francesco had nicer nylon string tone on the Godin.

Edit: Tone is subjective. In my book, a nylon string guitar should have the attributes of a nylon string guitar. That Borghini nylon string archtop sounds like the time I strung my L-12 up with a set of high tension D'Addarios Pro-Artes.

**kris** · 11-20-2014, 03:52 PM

I/ve just contacted to Mirko.
Nylon arch-top -costs 7500 euro.
He sad this is one of his best models...:-)
Nylon archtop strings has ghost graphtech piezo.
Best
Kris

**Jabberwocky** · 11-20-2014, 04:46 PM

If the piezo was what I was hearing in Francesco Buzzuro's nylon archtop, that explains why the tone didn't convince me.

Eur7500 isn't a lot in European terms. I can't believe there isn't an American luthier who isn't up to making one of these. How about Kirk Sand? Steve Holst? Bernie Lehmann?

**rpguitar** · 11-20-2014, 05:05 PM

Here's Francesco on a traditional Spanish guitar playing a phenomenal version of Wave. Kill me now (and smash my guitars).

7500 Euro pretty much blows it out of the budgetary ballpark for me, oh well. Back to the Eliasson cedar/cypress blanca for me (not looking for sympathy).

**NSJ** · 11-20-2014, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by mhch

A bit off topic, but Francesco's outstanding Gershwin arrangement and his nuages version reminded me of Roland Dyens, the renowned world class classical guitarist who also went outside the classical repertoire and arranged/played many jazz and brazilian tunes

He was the only classical musician who played for the celebration of the 100th Django Reinhart birthday anniversary

Damn, that "Valentine" is BEAUTIFUL. I never heard of this guy. Thanks for sharing.

It reminds me of when me and this other guy (another fellow jazz guitar student) were listening to an old radio interview between our teacher and Studs Turkel, who was a local radio celebrity here. The interview was from 1968 and Studs was interviewing him on the local classical radio station, where he had a regular show. The occasion was for a Vivaldi guitar concerto my teacher was playing with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra.

Anyway, during the course of the interview, Studs started to ask him about jazz, specifically, how each jazz musician seems to have their own particular and unique voice. Instead of talking about it, my teacher picked up his guitar (he didn't have his jazz box there, just the nylon classical) and demonstrated two distinct choruses of "My Funny Valentine", the first, if it was done by Johnny Smith; and the second, if done by Django Reinhardt.

Our jaws just about dropped. He played a beautiful chord solo (like Johnny Smith) and then a blistering single note line (a la Django) of "Valentine".

I really want to get a nylon-string arch top that encompasses a gypsy-regualr jazz-classical guitar hybrid. Alas, that guitar in this thread is apparently way out of my league, cost wise, right now. Oh well.