Relief of classical guitars

[Paikon]

Do classical guitars have the same relief as acoustics?
or maybe because of the higher action dont have any?...just curious.

[rick-slo]

Pretty good read here http://www.hillguitar.com/website/ne...tar_setup.html

[bohemian]

Last time I checked, a classical guitar is an acoustic guitar.

Could you be more specific. ?

[Paikon]

Originally Posted by bohemian

Last time I checked, a classical guitar is an acoustic guitar.

Could you be more specific. ?

We buy classical guitar strings on classical section and steel string guitar stings on the acoustic section.
I dont even know why they call it steel string guitar since there are a lot of materials used to make strings for these guitars.
The same stands for classical guitars.

The names we gave to those guitars is to understand what are we talking about.

[fitness1]

Because of the lower string tension, the strings will oscillate quite a bit more.

I always prefer to have more relief on a nylon than a steel string so I can take the action at the saddle lower.

[bohemian]

Paikon,
As usual, your response is clear and informative, no mention was made by the OP about "steel strings".

[Paikon]

My question is still unanswered.
In general have classical guitars the same relief as acoustics ?

[fitness1]

Ok - I'll rephrase my answer since you've rephrased your question.


I think that classicals in general, have slightly more neck relief than steel strings.

As you probably know, most all steel strings have truss rods, and now many classicals do as well, which is the reason I answered the way I did previously (ie, it can be adjusted)

[scottishrogue]

Originally Posted by Paikon

My question is still unanswered.
In general have classical guitars the same relief as acoustics ?

The short answer is YES. The amount of relief on a typical classical guitar is determined by the tension of the strings used, because the neck does not have an adjustable truss rod. High tension strings will increase the amount of relief and low tension strings will decrease the amount of relief.

And because nylon core strings have a lower tension than steel strings, the action should be slightly higher, to allow for a wider string osculation, if you want to minimize fret buzz. The soundboard on a classical style guitar is usually much thinner, and requires different bracing. The action on a classical guitar needs to be adjusted by the height of the nut & saddle. After the nut has been adjusted for proper string height, the saddle height can be lowered, if necessary.

Some modern classical guitars will have an adjustable truss rod, which makes setting the relief much easier. This allows for a wider variety of strings to be used, but the action will still be slightly higher than what can be achieved with a steel string guitar, and playing style will determine the best action.

Glen

[Kent Chasson]

It's a matter of preference and playing style in the steel string world. Some players (and builders) like a lot of relief, some like the necks dead flat. Most steel string builders build the neck flat or with a little back-bow and let the strings pull the relief in and adjust as needed with the truss rod.

Because of the lower tension, it's common to build relief into the bass side of a classical guitar fretboard and usually it's a little more relief than for steel strings but there is no universal rule or agreement.

[redir]

Originally Posted by scottishrogue

The action on a classical guitar needs to be adjusted by the height of the nut & saddle. After the nut has been adjusted for proper string height, the saddle height can be lowered, if necessary.

In practice it's better to do this in reverse. If you optimize the nut first then when you lower the saddle you may get fret buzz on the first fret. It depends of course on how off the saddle height is. If you need only a minor adjustment then it probably won't be an issue but if you have to lower the saddle significantly then it will be a problem. So ideally you get the saddle lowered to the optimal height then lower the nut, any lower action after that is a bonus.

[bohemian]

More guitar humor. Thanks.