#16
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Nylon guitars are widely used for jazz, bossa nova, folk music and many other genres besides classical. First thing that comes to my mind is Noel Stookey from Peter, Paul and Mary - he played a nylon strung guitar. I'm not sure, but from the comments I'd say that this forum has, in its majority, American users. And a "standard" guitar in the US is a steel string guitar, I guess. From what I read, the nylon would be suited for beginners (don't agree with that) and for classical music. I'm from Brazil and gotta say that here, when you say "guitar" you actually mean a nylon one. If you want to be specific about steel, you gotta say its "full name - steel string guitar". Anyway, what I mean by that is: search around the web for folk music from other countries. You'll find that the nylon string guitar is a standard instrument all over the world, not only here in South America but also Asia and Europe as far as I know. Last edited by rodmbds; 04-26-2018 at 08:24 PM. Reason: typos |
#17
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I play folk and blues.
I sold all my acoustics and now just play a flamenco guitar. The reason was because I much prefer both the sound, the feel, the space, the flat fret board, and the low tension. Bare in mind that a flamenco guitar has lower action, has more growl to its sound, and if you use carbon strings you can get a powerful and bright sound out of the trebles. I wrote a large post about crossover guitars and John Pearse strings but I very quickly transitioned away form this and to the full flamenco guitar and carbon strings. And now all my GAS has disappeared, I just spend all my time playing. I'm working on some Gary Davis songs at the moment and when my singing gets acceptable enough I'll record a version. I'd like to have some videos to show that my flamenco guitar works for blues too. (videos in my signature). But there are already some folk songs and some John Fahey covers there, played on my beautiful and sonora guitar. Old post on crossovers and those John Pearse strings: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=468169 My favourite recording on this flamenco: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=483209
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos Last edited by sirwhale; 04-28-2018 at 12:18 AM. |
#18
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In Spain, of course, the "Spanish guitar" is king.
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos |
#19
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#20
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It's funny because, for the Spanish, it doesn't make sense the term "Spanish guitar". They say it's redundant. "if it's a guitar, of course it's Spanish, right?".
I guess it's the equivalent of saying "American apple pie" - lol Anyway, they do have a different when referring to "guitarra flamenca" and "guitarra clasica". |
#21
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Piano, Guitar, Ukulele |
#22
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Key to the highway on a cheapo nylon guitar, that's exactly what I do! But man, I mean, physically. We look alike too. Except for your great singing and the hat... But I mean, even the glasses Cool and weird at the same time... |
#23
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Great - enjoyed this.
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Taylor 512ce Urban Ironbark Fender Special Edition Stratocaster Eastman SB59 |
#24
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Piano, Guitar, Ukulele |
#25
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My dad was a "folksinger", influenced by many of those mentioned by the OP, and always used a nylon string and played fingerstyle. Later, he learned a little classical, but he said he played fingerstyle even before then, just because he didn't feel comfortable with a pick.
While I perform solo as a classical guitarist, I also do a bit of session work, and am a gigging sideman with a singer-songwriter in the LA area. It's all on nylon, none of it is classical, and it could certainly be called "folk" or "acoustic rock." I also teach my students finger-picking patterns that would work as nice accompaniments for standards and popular songs, as an alternative to strumming patterns. PS: Remember the LaBella "Folksinger" strings -- black nylon with ball ends? Nylon folk has been around for a long time. I suppose it was gut-string folk before that... |
#26
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I have found this thread and the linked discussions very intriguing - thank you.
having had the weekend to chew it over I keep asking myself if a classical with low-tension ball end strings like PJ116 or KR116 is actually the very thing I've been looking for. I've been drawn to classical guitar aesthetics but tend to play steel string parlor much more. so thanks to all |
#27
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You could simply own both nylon and steel guitars, nothing wrong about that. Though I can sympathise with a low budget (maybe that's you case), you could look for second hand guitars. Oh, I'll try to post the doppelganger later on. Currently I have no guitar, actually I got a Juan Estruch which I also have to update the post I created about it. Right now it needs a good clean up and I need spare time! |
#28
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Many decades ago (post the folk-scare, but I had the same Oak and Sing-Out books) I bought a cheap all-laminated classical from a department store and that's what I learned on. The wide and chunky neck didn't bother me, and the lower tension strings probably helped me a bit when learning.
I eventually got a 12-string, an electric and eventually a steel-string acoustic. I originally picked with the fingers, but after a few years I moved to a flat pick almost exclusively. The different sound and attack of steel strings was something I got accustomed to, and that meant that I played nylon less and less. But I still do from time to time. There's no law that says you can use a pick with a nylon string guitar (or if there is , call Willie Nelson and he'll send legal help). Here I am playing nylon strings (with a flat pick) with a two cellos, (with a tambura and a sitar set way down in the mix as almost subliminal resonance on the western instruments) I Shall Not Care After doing that I'm thinking I may start playing nylon string more again.
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----------------------------------- Creator of The Parlando Project Guitars: 20th Century Seagull S6-12, S6 Folk, Seagull M6; '00 Guild JF30-12, '01 Martin 00-15, '16 Martin 000-17, '07 Parkwood PW510, Epiphone Biscuit resonator, Merlin Dulcimer, and various electric guitars, basses.... |
#29
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My wife still uses those on her Samick.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#30
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos |