Guitar comparison (nylon string) - video

**Tricky Fish** · 05-21-2021, 01:07 AM

Although its not jazz, I thought the forum would be interested in this comparison I made of my 3 nylon string guitars:

**Mark M.** · 05-21-2021, 01:36 PM

Nice comparison. To my ears, the two handmade guitars sound much richer and warmer. I was more partial to the sound of the third guitar in each comparison. It has more note clarity and more complexity to the sound. All sound great, however.

**Gitterbug** · 05-21-2021, 02:21 PM

Can't think of nicer problems to have. Heard through my acoustically pedestrian laptop, I can't detect differences that would really matter in a live playing situation, especially as part of an ensemble. Headphones might reveal some; more sophisticated recording yet more. And how you as the player sense the dynamics and tone in a given space matters most. Good factory-built guitars can be almost as good as they get - witness the overwhelming support for Gibson's archtops on this Forum. Being passionate justifies the investment in time and money in search of the ultimate. Congrats on the beautiful custom-builds and your own involvement in one of them. Interesting woods, exotic for the rest of the world. I'm expecting someone to build a nylon-string archtop. You?

PS Nylon-string archtops have been made, e.g. by Daniel Slaman. But they haven't shattered the world yet.

**Jimmy Mack** · 05-21-2021, 11:18 PM

I liked the tones produced on the middle guitar the most. It seemed the most "alive", but I admit that it reminded me most of an "electric" instrument. It just speaks. The others are lovely too. The third one sounding the most dulcet.

**Donplaysguitar** · 05-22-2021, 12:18 AM

#3 for me, or is it #2?

the one with the dark sides and back.

**Tricky Fish** · 05-22-2021, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by Donplaysguitar

#3 for me, or is it #2?

the one with the dark sides and back.

Thanks Don. The one with the dark back and sides is the Gore classical.

**Tricky Fish** · 05-22-2021, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack

I liked the tones produced on the middle guitar the most. It seemed the most "alive", but I admit that it reminded me most of an "electric" instrument. It just speaks. The others are lovely too. The third one sounding the most dulcet.

Thanks Jimmy.

I love both the middle guitar (my / Gore flamenco) and the last guitar (Gore classical). They both have very different voices as you've pointed out.

The dulcet classical is great for romantic era pieces or where long sustained notes are required. The middle guitar (the Gore / my flamenco) is lively and a more traditional nylon guitar sound, great for more lively pieces.

The Cordoba is a nice guitar too, but doesn't have the depth of the other two. I still play this guitar the most because i don't mind if it gets scratched; it does duty for holidays, camping trips, the lounge, the backyard etc.

**Tricky Fish** · 05-22-2021, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

Can't think of nicer problems to have. Heard through my acoustically pedestrian laptop, I can't detect differences that would really matter in a live playing situation, especially as part of an ensemble. Headphones might reveal some; more sophisticated recording yet more. And how you as the player sense the dynamics and tone in a given space matters most. Good factory-built guitars can be almost as good as they get - witness the overwhelming support for Gibson's archtops on this Forum. Being passionate justifies the investment in time and money in search of the ultimate. Congrats on the beautiful custom-builds and your own involvement in one of them. Interesting woods, exotic for the rest of the world. I'm expecting someone to build a nylon-string archtop. You?

PS Nylon-string archtops have been made, e.g. by Daniel Slaman. But they haven't shattered the world yet.

Thanks for your comments.

I'm very grateful to be in a position to own these three beautiful guitars.

I agree that the tonal differences in an ensemble setting are probably irrelevant, but for a solo player like me, it is wonderful to have several voices at my disposal. Some nights I just have an inner urge to play a particular guitar, and I play differently on each of them.

Regarding nylon-string arch tops, I don't think this is a good match in general because of the energy required to drive the compression-loaded top. Archtops are wonderful guitars for amplification, but I prefer the tone of flat-tops for acoustic purposes (I think arch tops are limited by the top compression in terms of monopole mobility). I have considered building a nylon-string gypsy jazz guitar.

**bmw2002** · 05-22-2021, 03:33 PM

The Gore classical was also my favorite.

For those of you in the US, there is a 2019 Trevor Gore small body classical currently listed for sale on the Delcamps forum. (Yes, I spend way too much time on these forums.) Looks like Tricky Fish nicely provided a demo video for the person selling this guitar.

Thanks for making this video.

**Stringswinger** · 05-22-2021, 03:38 PM

As much as I like Maple sides and back on an archtop, I do not like maple on classicals or flattops. The best sounding classical's to my ear have rosewood sides and back (My classical is a Thames Brazilian/Cedar concert guitar built in the Fleta tradition). For flattops, I like Mahogany sides and back. The Rosewood Gore was my clear favorite in this video.

**skykomishone** · 05-22-2021, 06:05 PM

The Rosewood Gore for me. I own a '77 Jose Yacopi cedar and rosewood concert, and an '77 S. Yairi cedar and rosewood, with Barbera transducer pickup.
Nice demo, and you have great guitars. Thanks

**feet** · 05-22-2021, 07:05 PM

cordoba was not bad at all. the second one was similar but had a little more clarity. the third one had a little more boom and pop and wow to it. the cordoba was the warmest/darkest/roundest/dullest/oldest string sounding, depending on your taste.

**Tricky Fish** · 05-23-2021, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

As much as I like Maple sides and back on an archtop, I do not like maple on classicals or flattops. The best sounding classical's to my ear have rosewood sides and back (My classical is a Thames Brazilian/Cedar concert guitar built in the Fleta tradition). For flattops, I like Mahogany sides and back. The Rosewood Gore was my clear favorite in this video.

Thanks Stringswinger.

Yes the Gore classical has a wonderful voice that is well suited to much of my favourite music. It is not made from rosewood, it is Gidgee, which is an outback Australian timber.

**Tricky Fish** · 05-23-2021, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by feet

cordoba was not bad at all. the second one was similar but had a little more clarity. the third one had a little more boom and pop and wow to it. the cordoba was the warmest/darkest/roundest/dullest/oldest string sounding, depending on your taste.

I agree that the Cordoba performs well, punching above its weight / price (I bought mine for an amazing price). It offers great value for money and I often recommend Cordoba guitars to those looking for a good-value nylon string.

**Tricky Fish** · 05-23-2021, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by skykomishone

The Rosewood Gore for me. I own a '77 Jose Yacopi cedar and rosewood concert, and an '77 S. Yairi cedar and rosewood, with Barbera transducer pickup.
Nice demo, and you have great guitars. Thanks

Thanks for your comments. Yes I recognise that I am fortunate to own these guitars.