Never going back

[buzzardwhiskey]

Was thinking about this last night while enjoying a fresh set of strings on my Sable... there's no way I'm buying another $3000+ wooden guitar. I can appreciate LOTS of 'em, but I'm so just frickin' done with their worries.

Day after day, gig after gig, 100 degree stages with 8 percent humidity, 45 degrees and dripping condensation at a campsite. Plays like butter and sounds so good I fall in love again every time I change the strings.

[tbeltrans]

Originally Posted by buzzardwhiskey

Was thinking about this last night while enjoying a fresh set of strings on my Sable... there's no way I'm buying another $3000+ wooden guitar. I can appreciate LOTS of 'em, but I'm so just frickin' done with their worries.

Day after day, gig after gig, 100 degree stages with 8 percent humidity, 45 degrees and dripping condensation at a campsite. Plays like butter and sounds so good I fall in love again every time I change the strings.

I am in the process of moving on the remaining wood acoustics and am going totally carbon fiber for acoustic guitar. I do still have 3 wood archtops and will likely keep them (at least I am certain about the Gibson Citation), but my Kestrel gets the most play time.

I think carbon fiber has reached that point where such choices become easy and obvious for those who wish to move in that direction. Both wood and carbon fiber are excellent choices.

Tony

[Mayfair]

Interesting thread and crazy enough, I don't think I've ever played a carbon fiber guitar. I need to get one in my hands soon!

[gerhardp]

Are there also classical guitars?
A quick check at ebay/ amazon gave no results.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by gerhardp

Are there also classical guitars?
A quick check at ebay/ amazon gave no results.

Emerald, for one, makes a variety of nylon-strung instruments - whether any qualify as 'classical' depends on how much of a purist you are

Some folks see 'nylon-strung' and 'classical' as synonymous; others (typically those who actually play classical music on the guitar) regard them rather differently.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Mayfair

Interesting thread and crazy enough, I don't think I've ever played a carbon fiber guitar. I need to get one in my hands soon!

Check out these two threads. There might be someone in your neck of the woods who's willing to share the experience!

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=600568
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=646425

[jdinco]

Sure makes sense for you Buzzard, the way you are using it, CF has to be a God Send? When I play my Sable, I do wonder why I have others, but then I play the others and understand why I do. My play time is split between the Sable and an Iris 000 that I love. But I don't play out or in the conditions that you do ! That would change things for sure. Good post..........

[btbliatout]

Originally Posted by gerhardp

Are there also classical guitars?
A quick check at ebay/ amazon gave no results.

There are very few nylon string carbon fiber options that have a reasonably similar size to a classical guitar that are currently available. Emerald, Rainsong, Journey, and Klos have carbon fiber nylon options, but unless I'm mistaken, only Emerald has an option that gets close to a 52mm wide nut width.

From my experience with an Emerald X20 Nylon, and experiences others have posted on this forum, it seems nylon string carbon fiber guitars have low acoustic volume, however the tone can be appreciated by many.

I think Journey has the most affordable option, though it is a "travel" guitar. There's not many video reviews of it, but at least a couple of established classical guitarists have put things up on Youtube that discuss it.

Hope this helps.

[ceciltguitar]

In regards to carbon fiber “CLASSICAL” guitars:

Yes, Emerald and Journey make nylon string carbon fiber guitars.

Specifically “Classical” carbon fiber guitars include:

https://leviora-guitars.de/en/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044061835762

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv1RbPE7K_M

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=433596

[tbeltrans]

For a time, I had a very nice limited edition Taylor nylon string crossover guitar. I finally moved it on because I know how good nylon strings should sound on a properly built instrument for that purpose, and the Taylor just didn't have it. To me, the Taylor seemed like a standard build with nylon strings, though as I understand it, they do build them somewhat differently compared to their steel string models. Plugged in, it sounded fine and was perfect for a performer needing a crossover instrument.

I don't know if that same problem would exist for carbon fiber builders or not, though the comment in this thread regarding the comparative volume of an Emerald nylon string to their steel string models would indicate that this could be the case. Not having played one, I can't state this as a fact though.

The acoustic unplugged sound of my Kestrel is not as loud and full as that of my X20 and X20-7, but I wouldn't expect that from a typical archtop. Plugged in, it sounds great and the acoustic sound is fine for playing around the house. The really large wood archtops from the 1930s and 1940s that were intended to cut through a big band would have the volume, but would likely have a very mid-range, rather than full sound specifically to cut through. They simply aren't built to be acoustic guitars with a sonic palette of a "flat top" guitar.

Classical guitar building is a real art that takes serious builders years to develop the skill for getting maximum quality sound from each piece of wood. The exceptional instruments are VERY expensive for a reason. You can get a decent sounding acoustic steel string guitar at a variety of price ranges, but for classical guitars, the expensive ones really stand alone for good reason.

Tony

[Methos1979]

Been there, done that (all CF) and it always is such a relief to not have to worry about environmental issues with CF guitars. I have twice in my life found myself with all CF and no wood guitars. But I inevitably end up back with either a mix or all wood. Right now I have a mix again. I'm finding that with the wood guitars I have this time, I'm not so much worried about them and how they fare in hostile environments because are not super high-dollar guitars but rather working-man models designed to be players. I'm also not one of those guys that gets all worked up about maintaining perfect humidity or keeps their guitars cased at all times when not being played. The two wood ones hang on the wall and the CF literally stays in it's gig bag in the trunk of the car as a backup.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Mayfair

Interesting thread and crazy enough, I don't think I've ever played a carbon fiber guitar. I need to get one in my hands soon!

Not sure how far you are from Charlottesville, but I've got an Emerald Amicus and X20 you could try out...

[Mayfair]

Originally Posted by RP

Not sure how far you are from Charlottesville, but I've got an Emerald Amicus and X20 you could try out...

We'll have to get together sometime. I'm up in MD, but come down that way occasionally. Would love to do some shows down there in the near future!

[rollypolly]

Are there any CF guitars that are made to look more like wooden guitars? I’m intrigued by the possibility of a problem free instrument, but the black carbon fiber offset body look is not for me. If they made one that looked like a regular 000 I’d be all over it.

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by rollypolly

Are there any CF guitars that are made to look more like wooden guitars? I’m intrigued by the possibility of a problem free instrument, but the black carbon fiber offset body look is not for me. If they made one that looked like a regular 000 I’d be all over it.

You just described the RainSong models with a wood veneer.

For discussion sake: the offset soundhole used by Emerald and McPherson is more than just looks - it projects nicely to the player. I wasn't too sure about the look of Emeralds before buying my first one... and then I learned about the ergonomic design and how the offset soundhole and unique headstock come together to make for a better owner experience. There is something to be said for that forward-thinking design.

Good luck with your search.