classical or electric classical guitar? add a pickup or not?

[luyano]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.

I live in Valparaíso, Chile and I'm looking for a new classical guitar. I'm studying classical guitar but I play mainly latinamercian fusion music. (Check out my band "Tuwün" https://soundcloud.com/tuwun )

Right now I have an argentinian Gracia guitar with an added pickup. The guitar itself is nice but is a flamenco guitar and I want warmer classical guitar sound. Also, the guitar's pickup isn't great (The store added the pickup/preamp on the guitar before buying it)

I love the classical guitar tone but I play in bands and a "pluggable" guitar is a must for me. I don't what would be best, buy a classical electric guitar or add a pickup/preamp to a classical guitar. Also, a cutaway and a truss rod aren't a must.

Here in Chile I've found Alhambra, Admira, Raimundo, Takamine, Walden and La Patrie guitars. What can you suggest me from these brands? I can spend around 450.000 CLP (around 1000 dolars).

Thanks.

PD: Please read. I'm in Chile and Guitar Center (along with many brands) doesn't exist here.

[WeddingGuy]

Luyano,

Welcome. I hope that you find the AGF to be very helpful. I have. There are many warm-hearted and knowledgeable people here. (I'm not saying that I'm either of those things!)

I enjoyed your sound clip. Very beautiful and unusual to my USA ears.

You have a couple of different directions that you could go:

1) If you will be primarily playing "plugged in", then bear in mind that all of your electronics are actually part of your instrument. Therefore, it pays dividends to invest in good gear. You could, as I did, buy a somewhat less-expensive guitar and use the money that you saved on electronic gear. I play a Spanish-made Aparacio (bought here from an AGF member) that I like very much and I've had a Baggs Element pickup installed (which I also like).

In my opinion, getting a "warm" tone with the nylon strings also requires the use of a mic. I use a dual-input system and blend the pickup & mic signals through a DTar Solstice (again, which I like very much). Depending on your playing situation, microphones can have feedback issues, but the Solstice allows you to quickly choose how much mic signal you're using in order to diminish feedback.

2) Or, you could spend every dime you have on the best guitar possible, but then you'll struggle to amplify it well. Nobody will hear how beautifully you play nor what a great-sounding guitar you have. You can then slowly save up money to invest in electronics.



I spent about $800 on my guitar, put a $200 pickup in it (including installation) and then my preamp (the Solstice) cost me around $250 or $300 or so (used--EBay). I believe that the mic (a K&K Meridian) was around $200 as well. I like the whole system.

Also, I live in a fairly-remote area, and the nearest Guitar Center is about 5 hours away, so I've ordered everything online. I would think that you can find vendors that will ship to you...?

As far as guitars go, my "backup" guitar is a Takamine. I like it, it does its job, but is not as lively and warm-sounding as the Aparicio--even amplified. And the built-in Takamine electronics are no match for the Baggs Element. I also have a "bottom of the line" La Patrie that I use for teaching. Although it was a very cheap guitar, I think it sounds quite nice and is well-made. I have no experience with Alhambra, but many people here speak (type?) very highly of them.

I hope that this help you in your search. Feliz Navidad to you!

[bohemian]

Takamine 132SC

Or change the strings on your guitar to D'Addario Pro Arte "Normal"

I play a flamenco cutaway with cypress backs and sides and a spruce top, made by Carlos Pena of Mexico. I personally prefer a flamenco rather than a classical,and do not play flamenco.

Part of the sound of the classical is a higher string height at the 12th fret.
The flamenco is lower. This can also be a higher bridge saddle on the classical.

[jhumber]

I'm always a fan of "get the best guitar possible, then put a pickup in it". None of my acoustics (steel or nylon) came with pickups installed, but I've put a K&K pure western in each. I generally feel that with electro-acoustics you're paying over the odds for the addition of electronics which are often best provided by more specialist companies.
Cheers
Jordan