Quote:
Originally Posted by Vyse Hazuky
I just can't seem to make steel strings sound as expressive without sounding soft.
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I think that's the main problem I have with steel too, and it may be something where our ears have been "perverted" by amplification too (which allows you to "sound soft" without actually being at a ppp level). Nylon and carbon trebles can sound thin too but that's a sign you need a heavier gauge; find the right gauge and to me they only sound soft/thin when you want them to. And you don't get that impression that you're cutting yourself for nothing
Why not grab a set of nylon ball-end strings (EJ33 for instance) and put those on your Lowden? Action will be too low and the trebles won't sit right in their slots but at least you'll get an idea if there's an interest to adapting it (nut & saddle job mostly). My guess is that the instrument will retain its characteristic voice, and if ever you need to play steel strings again it's trivial to convert it back.