Inexpensive nylon string acoustic-electrics

[kris]

I've heard the Frameworks. Chico Pinheiro performed with one some time back. It sounded terrific.

When I tried it, the neck felt too big for me. It's a matter of taste and physiology but worth considering if someone is thinking of buying one sight unseen.

The Modern Classic Framework has the most comfortable neck-nut width 48 mm.
Perhaps there are also Standard Frameworks with 52 mm nutes for classical players.
I used to use the Gibson Chet Atkins before and the neck was very big-I sold the Gibson.My hand hurt while playing jazz chords ...I tried the Yamaha Silent - it has an uncomfortable neck for me!

[RJVB]

Chords feel clunky, like there's not enough space between strings.

How do those chords feel when you play them on an acoustic (with a 1.75" nutwidth, for instance)?

[kris]

1.3/4" nutwidth=44mm-I used these guitars.
These nylon guitars were too narrow for me.They didn't match the nylon strings though they seemed comfortable.

[kris]

Here I played a cheap Yamaha thinline AEX 500ns .
Very good guitar.
Yamaha AEX 500 NS 2001 Natural | Reverb

[Woody Sound]

1.3/4" nutwidth=44mm-I used these guitars.
These nylon guitars were too narrow for me.They didn't match the nylon strings though they seemed comfortable.

What 44mm nylons did you try?

[kris]

What 44mm nylons did you try?

Yamaha and Henneken concerto.

[mr. beaumont]

How do those chords feel when you play them on an acoustic (with a 1.75" nutwidth, for instance)?

Fine. Actually, my acoustic is an even narrower nut, 1 11/16.

I think it's part the spacing of the strings-- it looks like they could have been spaced further on the Yamaha. And the other part is just me adjusting. I'm going to give it a little time and see what happens.

[jzucker]

So I thought too, but it's not my personal experience with their Fusion models (1st one rejected by the dealer, the 2nd lemon should have been rejected by me but sadly I was too distracted in the shop to test it properly). Apparently I'm not the first to notice issues with their QC in recent times. It does look very nice (but I didn't see that in your list of requirements).

Re: Kremona: I've been attracted myself to their Lulu (or Kiano?) Reinhardt signature model. A cross-over between a grande-bouche and a classical, I'd say. Almost impossible to find videos of but the one acoustic recording I did hear sounded really nice.

I understand Breedlove do a QC verification in the States; that should make a difference. Actually, maybe Cordoba do too ... but have their instruments for other markets shipped there directly, excluding them from that extra safeguard?

my buddy in dc who plays with the national symphony said that the cordoba (not sure which model) is horrible. He uses his yamaha silent guitar for gigs with the symphony...

[RJVB]

I think it's part the spacing of the strings-- it looks like they could have been spaced further on the Yamaha. And the other part is just me adjusting. I'm going to give it a little time and see what happens.

It looks like they could, but keep in mind that the strings cannot be as close to the edges as steel strings can be. The string spacing on my 1.75" nutwidth nylon-reso is about the same (at the nut) as it is on my Cordoba, and it's way too easy to pull or push the E strings off the edge.

my buddy in dc who plays with the national symphony said that the cordoba (not sure which model) is horrible. He uses his yamaha silent guitar for gigs with the symphony...

If his colleagues don't think he's cheating by not even amplifying an acoustic sound then that's probably the best option anyway
I'd love to hear more about his experiences with the brand. Should have done that before buying but right now I'm collecting all the ammo I can get to have *something* done via the warranty ...

[mr. beaumont]

my buddy in dc who plays with the national symphony said that the cordoba (not sure which model) is horrible. He uses his yamaha silent guitar for gigs with the symphony...

I wonder if that was the comparable plank like Cordoba?

I've actually never tested a Cordoba plugged in, only played them as acoustics, which they do well.

I've been able to spend a little time with the NTX plugged in. Sounds very good. I've noticed the G string nut slot isn't cut deep enough, which might be making some chords feel clunky. I'll have to ask the guitar's actual owner if he doesn't mind me busting out the nut files

[RJVB]

I've actually never tested a Cordoba plugged in, only played them as acoustics, which they do well.

The Fusions have the Fishman Presys Blend which at least allows you to get rid of the worst nasal piezo sound. The mic is on the battery compartment, which will probably mean it's also going to pick up the sympathetic rattle from the barn door or the springs supposed to block the battery you don't take care to seat them into the battery terminals.

These also oblige to keep a battery installed (1st thing I did on mine was discharging the stock battery by leaving the tuner on). I've ordered the cheapest 9V lithium rechargeable battery I could find, which seems to be working just fine for now.

[docmoore]

I also have a purely acoustic nylon string, but for the upcoming purposes, this next guitar will need to be both acoustic and electric.

Perhaps this would meet your needs ... if you are willing to use your present nylon string ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSRrn2U86E0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxz5AG8r2ps

Amazon.com

[Gitfiddler]

Looking for something in the sub-$1000 range, preferably sub $750, as this will not be my main guitar, but there's a few opportunities I have coming up where I'll need a plug-in-able nylon string, and I don't have one right now (save for a Yamaha Silent Guitar whose on/off switch has gone wonky)

Does not need to be a traditional body, cutaways are cool, but no narrow "crossover" style necks. I'd like it to function as an acoustic guitar as well as plugged in.

Yamaha was definitely something I was interested in, as I think they make great budget classical guitars...but I'm out of the loop on this style in general, so I'm looking for any and all suggestions.

I've been very happy with my Yamaha APX10 NA classical guitar for over 18 years. It's inexpensive and delivers a surprisingly sweet acoustic and electric sound. They typically sell for between $500 - $700.
It has a 2" nut width, 3 1/8" body depth. Lee Ritenour used one of these in the 80's, then switched to a Silent Guitar when they came out.

[Tricky Fish]

this site might be worth a look:

Best Spanish Guitar at the best prices - Guitar From Spain

[mr. beaumont]

Sound check on the Yamaha...

[Doctor Jeff]

Alvarez has some excellent mid-range nylon string A/E’s. I have an older Artist series. Very nice LR Baggs preamp which helps you get rid of piezo quack and dial in your sound.

The current offerings have a slightly radiused fretboard, nut width 1.875”.

Check them out.

[Woody Sound]

my buddy in dc who plays with the national symphony said that the cordoba (not sure which model) is horrible. He uses his yamaha silent guitar for gigs with the symphony...

Funny, I had a Cordoba Fusion 14 and it played and sounded fantastic, both acoustically and ampified. Impeccable workmanship and detail. I just wanted a thinner body. I even wrote them to see if a thinline was in the works. Nope.

[RJVB]

As you know my issue(s) with the Cordoba aren't with how it sounds, not yet at least. It could probably play perfectly fine, but my impression of its sound is probably very much (and not positively) influenced by the intonation issues. I don't know how this works for others, but I for one start hearing false notes everywhere if I know intonation is off on part of the fretboard.

[kris]

Intonation and tuning is a problem with most classical guitars.
This can be corrected /bridge saddle and nut/ and good fret work.
In my Framework there is no such problem because each string is set separately similar to electric guitars ...
You can say that this guitar tunes perfectly.

[kris]

Sound check on the Yamaha...

Good sound!
There's a rule of thumb with classical guitars - that's what they sound like for what they cost.

[mr. beaumont]

Good sound!
There's a rule of thumb with classical guitars - that's what they sound like for what they cost.

Thanks, and acoustically, that's 100% true.

This is a well made but inexpensive instrument, and Yamaha did a good job with the pickup it seems.

[Woody Sound]

Funny, I had a Cordoba Fusion 14 and it played and sounded fantastic, both acoustically and ampified. Impeccable workmanship and detail. I just wanted a thinner body. I even wrote them to see if a thinline was in the works. Nope.

Ended up with this instead. (On the right.)

[Woody Sound]

[QUOTE=mr. beaumont;1230643]Sound check on the Yamaha...QUOTE]

Wonderful playing!

[Woody Sound]

I know this is not the type of guitar being discussed here, but I came across it and had to share. Anyone looking for an inexpensive electric nylon solid, what the h*** can you get for less than $400 these days!

Angel Lopez Electric Solid Body Classical Guitar - Natural | Reverb