Best Budget Electric Nylon String Jazz Guitar

[CTG]

Hi All,

Can anyone recommend a good budget Electric Nylon String Guitar that would work well for jazz.
I've only played archtops and a Comins GCS-1ES and I'm looking to do a bit more finger playing and wanted to
try out a nylon string. Any suggestions. I'm trying to find something in the $300--$400 range. Used is fine.

Thanks in advance for your help, it's much appreciated.

All the best,

[gitman]

Check out the Cordoba line of guitars - I have been playing my own Model 12 from the FUSION Series for the past 12 years or so and can recommend them highly.

Cordoba Fusion 12 Natural 6-string Acoustic/Electric | Reverb

[Woody Sound]

I'd like to say I've looked into these a lot and have gone through many. Many variables to consider, much to think about in advance. Do you want a standard classical size and "appearance?" Cutaway? Or a smaller/thinner body and modern appearance? Standard wide/flat classical neck, or a bit thinner? Standard 12 fret neck, or do you need a 14 fret neck? And very important, are you more interested in playing acoustically, or plugging in. Many of them sound pretty dead acoustically, but shine when plugged into a proper acoustic amp or pa.

(FWIF I also had a Cordoba Fusion 14 and they are excellent.)

Do a Reverb search for "electric nylon," limit to "acoustic guitars," and sort price: Low to High. You'll see tons of options. Look at the lower priced Yamaha NTX. Also look at the Ibanez line.

[Woody Sound]

ps - For fun, take a look a my earlier post this year:

My nylons are killing me! (and ngd)

[Doctor Jeff]

I have an Alvarez classical A/E—mine is older (AC60 I think?) but similar to this one:

AC65CE - Alvarez Guitars

They also have a hybrid version with a narrower neck and joined at the 14th fret:

AC65HCE - Alvarez Guitars

Mine is well built and has a good acoustic tone. The Fishman preamp is a real plus that allows you to get rid of a lot of the extraneous noises when you’re amplified.

[Esport]

I have a Cordoba C5 that’s great value. I bought mine used for $150! Thought of putting a pickup on it but it’s more of a couch plunker. Only regret is that it has no cutaway. There’s a lack of some upper register access that’s bothersome on some tunes. Sweet sounding box for a minimal investment, though.

[DanielleOM]

I am still quite happy with my semi-hollow Michael Kelly - Rick Turner N6.

[kris]

Harley Benton HBO-850 Classic not expensive.

[Tricky Fish]

Another vote for Cordoba guitars.

Great value for money. Good and consistent quality factory-made guitars. A model for every pricepoint.

[Jabberwocky]

TL-6N - The ESP Guitar Company

[2bornot2bop]

I bought a Cordoba Fusion 14 as well. $400 brand new. It’s a very reliable guitar that gets no play only because I later purchased more premium nylons. But for $400, it’s a can’t miss.

[rpjazzguitar]

Used Yamaha Silent is within your budget. Great neck, decent sound, no feedback. But, no acoustic tone and may not be physically comfortable (the original, which I have, cuts into your right upper arm).

[CTG]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for the recommendations. I now get to have some fun and try them out.

All the best and thanks again,

CTG

[callouscallus]

I bought a Cordoba Fusion 14 as well. $400 brand new. It’s a very reliable guitar that gets no play only because I later purchased more premium nylons. But for $400, it’s a can’t miss.

Hi Bop! Can you send me some pictures of it? I might be interested. [email protected]

no worries if you aren't interested in selling, I'm in Portland

[voxsss]

Electric Nylon... 100 euros i ordered one today

[Woody Sound]

Just a pointer, if you are plugging in, if you don't already know this. As a college aged guy I used to bring my Yairi CY127 to wedding gigs for latin music, dinner music, etc. Being inexperienced, I never could figure out why it sounded so dull & shitty though my regular Pearce electric guitar amp.

1984 Alvarez Yari CY127CE - Acoustic/Electric Nylon String Guitar | eBay

Then one day we put it through the full-range pa. Shazzaam! All the glorious tone of a nylon string guitar. You really need a true full-range acoustic amp with the crisp highs for these nylon things to shine. I learned a lot that night as a kid.

I've gone though many acoustic amps since then, even the cheaper ones sound better than a high-end "regular" guitar amp. These days I've been using Jeff Genzler's amps for acoustics. But Fishman and many others, and even cheaper ones offer nice full-range acoustic amps.

Bass Amplification Archives - Genzler Amplification

Fishman Acoustic Guitar Amps | Sweetwater

[2bornot2bop]

Hi Bop! Can you send me some pictures of it? I might be interested. [email protected]

no worries if you aren't interested in selling, I'm in Portland

I’m in Seattle. The guitar is a rosewood model. Let me know if you’re interested.

[kevmoga]

I stumbled on a Yamaha aex500n on the local Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks a few years ago, like it a lot.

[CTG]

Hi,

Thanks for the recommendation. I have been looking at them and also the ESP LTD 6N.
This is definitely a contender. I would love to hear what you thought of it once you got it in your hands.

All the best,

CTG

[kris]

I stumbled on a Yamaha aex500n on the local Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks a few years ago, like it a lot.

Yamaha aex500n....
I played a guitar like that.The guitar is quite good and comfortable, but the neck was too narrow for me.Sold it.

[Woody Sound]

I stumbled on a Yamaha aex500n on the local Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks a few years ago, like it a lot.

Is that the nylon version? How wide is the neck/nut? Tnx.

[kris]

It is nylon version.Nut wide is very similar to electric guitar's nuts....as I remember 43 mm.
It is to small for nylon strings type guitars.I prefer minimum 48 mm nuts...but this model of guitar has a very interesting construction- like semi hollow nylon strings guitar.I wouldn't sell this guitar if it had a wider neck.

[CTG]

very nice. It fits the bill for what I am looking for. Thank you. I like the size of the neck, shape and construction. It is also in the price range I can swing at this time.

Thanks for your help.

[kevmoga]

Neck width on mine measures 1.69. It was a good “gateway” nylon string for me. I’ve since picked up one of the Asian Kenny Hill classical guitars and I have to admit I struggle a bit with the width of that neck. But, it’s a great sounding guitar and is a cut above the similarly-priced Cordobas I compared it to.

[skykomishone]

S Yairi model 700 classical guitars, built in Japan in the '70's, are incredible value and you can add a Barbera Soloist pickup that completes the package and you would have the real meal deal. I love mine, that Michael Biller had figured out. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Classical Guitar Transducer | Pro Guitar Pickups