Which steel string builders also build nylon string guitars?
 

One of my dreams is to travel to Madrid and commission a guitar from Paulino Bernabe -- but since I'm not a classical guitar player, I always thought that such a guitar would be a waste in my hands.

Does anyone here on the AGF build nylon string guitars with "traditional" specs? I'm looking for something that sounds loud and lively -- not some quiet crossover that's meant to be plugged in.

I'm a steel string player and this wouldn't be my primary guitar but I'm still interested in getting a good quality instrument.

Joe,

Not many top steel-string builders fit the bill as top classical builders. John Mello might be one, and I know Matt Mustapick builds in a classical vein.

I recommend a fellow here in Eugene, Anders Sterner.

Anders and I have talked quite a bit about nylon string guitars as they might be used for someone like myself...nothing directly in the works yet (for me), but Anders understands and respects fingerstyle music.

I’ve built a few nylons but they have all been more of a cross-over version. I still consider them a bit of a work in progress compared to my steel strings.

I have built nylon guitars as well, with great results, but, steel string is where I carved my nitch. Once you build in one vain, steel string or nylon one will be better than the other. They really are two different animals.

I built my first guitar, a steel string dread, in 1972 and first classical in 1978. I continued building both until 1987, when I switched entirely to classical. In 2005 I became interested in building steel string guitars again and have transposed many contemporary classical guitar construction details, like double sides and French polished soundboards, over to my traditional x-braced steel string guitars. If interested, I've got pics and videos of all my guitars on my site.

[QUOTE=JoeCharter;2991478]One of my dreams is to travel to Madrid and commission a guitar from Paulino Bernabe

The fact that Paulino is dead, might present a problem...

My favorite luthier for such things is Johnny Walker, building classical guitars since 1968 and always under the radar,, great guitars
www.Johnnywalkerguitars.com

not to be confused with John Walker who is a fine steel string
builder.

regards,
Rick

I suppose there's builders who do both well, but as Dennis said, they're 2 different animals. I would recommend Waddy Thompson to build you a nylon string. Waddy doens't build steel strings though.

http://waddythomsonguitars.com/

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. A couple of them caught my eye.


Paulino Sr. has a son. I spoke to him last month.

http://www.paulinobernabe.com/

I started as a classical builder back in '74 or so, but got into steel strings pretty early on. These days I make about as many classicals as steel strings.

You're right that classicals and steel strings are different beasts, and you realy have to approach them differently to do either one justice. OTOH, they're both guitars, after all: they have a lot more in common than guitars and violins (which I also make) do. In some ways,once you get the differences clear, making one sort can help you understand the other: things like the differences in top bracing make more sense once you see why it's done the way it's done, and you have a better handle on how to move in different directions with the sound.

I can't claim a lot of experience with nylons yet but I'm working on it.

This one is voiced very traditionally with some non-traditional elements.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=245209

PM sent, by the way.

Kent, how much flexibility do you offer with the overall design (the headstock and rosette, for example)?

How would you compare/describe the sound of your nylon string instruments?

Thanks for posting. I love this rosette BTW:

http://reinguitars.com/wp-content/fi..._rosette52.jpg

That's a good question. Being more inclined as a craftsman than a business person, I've always sought out business advice from those who are better at it than I am. One thing that the business minded folks seem to universally agree on is that "branding" is important. In the guitar world, that usually means having a signature headstock and rosette. So I have put some work into developing those things in a way that reflects my sense of esthetics. But it has also become clear over the years that my real goal in building is to collaborate. I don't want to build my favorite guitar for everyone, I want to build my client's favorite guitar. So that's a long-winded way of saying I can be flexible. ;)


That's a shorter answer. I'll let you know when #1 is strung up. Should be about a month.

Based on the various classical guitars I tried out when doing my classical guitar shopping about 7 years ago, I'd go with Burguet before Bernabe.

[QUOTE=JoeCharter;2992099]Thanks for posting. I love this rosette BTW:

Thanks, Joe. I made that one myself in the traditional Spanish method with naturally colored woods.

Check out David laplante, he's a great steel string builder who has studied under Jose Romanillos and now builds some truly amazing classicals.

Colin symonds is another really good steel string builder who has studied under romanillos and builds awesome torres-esque instruments with a few modern touches.

Both are exceptional builders as well as great people to deal with.

I build traditional classicals (with a dovetail neck joint, but Fleta did that, too), although it's been a few years. I have my own fan bracing design. It's successful enough that a friend who has classicals built in Paracho asked for a license to have some built to my design, and they came out well.

Classicals are different from steel strings, and need to be built closer to the edge to be responsive. But they are both guitars. I think too much is made of the idea that luthiers have narrow niches in which they excel, and one needs to find one with the needed specialty, as in, "Who makes a good 12-fret koa 00?" A good builder is a good builder. A middling builder who focuses on a narrow niche is still a middling builder.

I agree and that's why I'm turning to folks who are usually known as steel string luthiers. I think they could make as good of a nylon string as any nylon string luthier -- and on top of it I prefer the visuals and appointments typically associated with steel string guitars.

If you have pictures of your nylon strings, I'd be interested to see them.

The appointments on Anita's guitar would be quite appropriate on a nylon string, I would think (minus the pickguard of course).

http://www.klepperguitars.com/images/anitas1.jpg

Here is one that I did many years ago. The headstock was one that the customer wanted and the bridge is a 2 hole type that changes how you rap the strings. The bracing was a combination of Kasha and Ramirez and gave nice round notes, not shrilly like some.

These are old pictures that have been possibly scanned.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...g/100_0130.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...100_0143_1.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...100_0141_1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...g/100_0140.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...0_0136_1-1.jpg

Few builders have truly mastered both disciplines. Alan Perlman is one of them.
-C

FWIW, I can vouch for Tom Rein's guitars. He builds excellent nylon string guitars. I have built a few single and double top nylons but certainly no where near the number that Tom has.

Have you looked at Oskar Graf? I've heard he makes excellent nylon strings. In your neck of the woods, too.

Here are a couple of photos, Joe. When I say "traditional" nylon string I mean not a steel/nylon crossover. It's a classical guitar, but with some modern design and construction touches. This one is an excellent sounding and playing guitar that picked up a bit of shop wear (delicate all-shellac finish on the body, lacquer on the neck) and got put away when I began to concentrate on steel strings. I still have it. EIR/cedar with double sides, elevated fretboard, and sound port. 12-hole BRW bridge.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL362.../401917016.jpg

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL362.../401917015.jpg

I build what I call a “crossover” however I build it as an acoustic instrument. http://lichtyguitars.com/2012/03/02/...ssover-guitar/ I also build what I call a vintage parlor guitar. http://lichtyguitars.com/2012/04/02/...-dream-guitar/ Both of these are a blast to play.

I build what I call a “crossover” however I build it as an acoustic instrument. http://lichtyguitars.com/2012/03/02/...ssover-guitar/ I also build what I call a vintage parlor guitar. http://lichtyguitars.com/2012/04/02/...-dream-guitar/ Both of these are a blast to play.

I suggest that you check out Ron Pinkham in Maine. You get what you pay for and he is not inexpensive, but turns out great instruments. Search online under Woodsound Studios to find his very informative web site. You will not be disappointed. The information there is worth the time of the search.

I'll suggest Kirk Sand, I'm biased as he is a friend and I own 2 of his guitars.
he's been building nylon string classical & crossover guitars as well as steel strings for about 35 years. here's a link to his website for more info.

http://www.sandguitars.com/home.htm

The Phoenix Guitar Company in Scottsdale, AZ builds both steel and nylon string guitars. They built a classical guitar that was one of the best that I've played.

They are a two person shop (George and Diana) so either person you talk to will work on the guitar at some point. They're great people!

There is a member here at acoustic guitar forum

Waddy,,, and he makes a gorgeous classical guitar..

just thought i would mention it.

Rick

Marshall Brune (Chicago) makes fantastic steel strings and classical guitars (as well as all classical string instruments, from violin to cello). I've got two of his steel strings on my site, but no classicals...I would guess he builds 6-7 classicals for ever steel string. If you need contact information, let me know.

Joel Stehr also build classicals, though his main focus is steel strings.

Bob
Too Many Guitars
www.YourPerfectGuitar.com