Affordable nylon strung guitar?
 

I've been listening to the immensely talented Hayley Heynderickx and now I need me a nylon strung guitar!

Any suggestions? I just want something playable and decent sounding (I'm no Segovia!). :guitar:

What is your definition of affordable?

Godin has a number of models that should fit the bill. (No pun intended).

Depending on your budget, look at the Kenny Hill line. Superb instruments for the price. Great value.

Jon

There is this one on Ebay for $550. That's about as affordable as I would go.

Taylor Academy 12e-N Nylon String Grand Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar w/ Case

There are quite a few models from Córdoba that might fit the bill. Here is a recent recording with my Córdoba Fusion crossover.

https://youtu.be/GKkpQOWpoeU

Hope that helps in your search,
Gary

Thanks for the replies. I guess affordable to me is under £500. I don't play classical, and I would want something to use occasionally for folky fingerstyle type stuff. So preferably something that's been made for steel string players who want to dabble with nylon - not the super wide classical neck etc. I was looking at some stuff made by Cort, which may just fit the bill...? Cheers

I just listed a Kenny Hill classical in your budget range in the classifieds if you're interested.

Tom

I think Godin's La Patrie line is excellent. I once owned a La Patrie Concert that was delightful. I regret selling it but I failed miserably as a classical player. I'm happy it was bought by a music teacher.

Thanks Tom, it sounds good, but not for me I'm afraid as I'm in England and the shipping/customs would push me way over the budget. Thank again.

+1. I bought my La Patrie Etude back in 1997. That's the low end of that line but it has served me well. I rarely play it anymore though.

Cordoba C5ce,Love mine...Records Perfect!.

Just looked at reviews etc. and this looks perfect for my needs. Many thanks:)

I totally agree with Steadfastly.

I've had several Godin/La Patrie classicals from the entry level ones to my currents Concert model, and I've had/have several students over the years with them. Well made, good sounding, good playing guitars.

Crossover guitars
 

Just a quick point: 52mm nut width is probably a bit wide for me, so will likely look at something more geared towards steel string players 'dabbling' in nylon. Any recommendations appreciated.

The Córdoba I played in the video above is a crossover with a 48mm nut and something close to a 16” fingerboard radius. Anything in the Córdoba Fusion series will have those specs.

They come in 12-fret, 14-fret, standard and cutaway models.

Hope that helps,
Gary

Don't count out the wider nut until you try. Nylon string trebles are much thicker than steel strings...

Too narrow a nut and things feel cramped.

I'd put in another vote for LaPatrie, based on what you say you want to do...they're not great "classical" guitars but for folks fingerpicking and stuff like bossa and jazz, they have a lovely darker, mellower tone.

La Patrie has a hybrid you might like.

Cervantes makes a good crossover.

Thanks again for all your help. I noted someone pointed out that nylon strings are thicker than steel strings, but am wondering about how much difference the 4mm between 48 and 52mm makes. Not that I don't appreciate that even the slightest amount can make a difference, I'm just curious as I'm used to a 44mm nut...?

Córdoba has a model called the C 4ce. It has a cutaway, with a slightly narrower nut width than traditional classical models. It has electronics, so should suit itself well to fingerstyle playing that isn’t classical music. It also has a mahogany top and a burst finish. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hG0z_LEgtJs

How about a Yamaha NTX700 ?

It's significant.

44 mm (1.73"): 'typical' steel string guitar
52 mm (2.05"): a traditional classical guitar

48 mm is obviously in between, which is one reason it's called a hybrid guitar.

If you are going to play a nylon guitar, you will just have to get used to a wider fingerboard. You will NEED it to be wider due to 1) the strings having less tension and needing more room to vibrate (so they don't hit your fingers), and to a much lesser extent 2) the wider treble strings. But don't fret, it's not that big of a deal - you'll get used to it. It's more in your mind than your fingers. You'll be able to switch between your steel and nylon with ease after a little while. Too many people compulse over the wider fingerboard. It's not a big deal. Go play some.

In the Córdoba line,

Classical = 52mm nut
Flamenco = 50mm nut (see the GK Studio series)
Crossover = 48mm nut (Fusion series I referenced previously)

I have all 3, and for my fingers, the 50mm nut is the best fit. I do pretty well with the 48 although it is a bit cramped when fretting near the nut. The 52 is really challenging for me. Given that I prefer 1.75in nut on steel strings, it’s odd that 48mm would feel cramped, but it does. That is the nature of nylon string guitars.

So as others have said, try before you buy if at all possible.

Good luck in your search,
Gary

I agree about the nut width. I had a Yamaha NTX 700 and I found the narrowed nut width a bit difficult to keep my fingers clear of the wide vibration of the strings and the thickness of the trebles. The easier fretting of nylon easily seems to offset the initial awkwardness of the traditional classical nut width (52mm). It does not take long to get used to the extra width. I would rather have a 2 inch width with a 24.75 scale length. That might be the nylon string ideal for me, I think. Unless your hands are small or you have physical issues that cause some flexibility compromises, I would not be too worried about a full width classical neck.

Thanks again for the responses.

All considered, I think I'm looking for something along the following lines:

50mm nut width

12 or 14 fret standard (non-cutaway)

No electrics

Under £500 - preferably used so I can get something a little better.

If anything springs to mind that fits the above please do share. Thanks again.

I found this:

https://www.hofner-guitars.com/maste...m_store=h01_de

Looks perfect for my humble requirements. :guitar:

That's a good-looking guitar! I hope it sounds as good as it looks!

A bit of info about crossovers:

http://web.archive.org/web/201603282...Crossover.html

It is a good looking guitar for sure. I'm still undecided though. I think I'd prefer a cedar top as I'll only be using it for fingerstyle. Also, I can't decide whether or not to go for a cutaway - I just don't think they look good (just a personal preference) and am concerned about high end tone loss, although I'm not at all sure how much of an issue this is?

Many thanks, I shall read with interest. :)