New Chasson Nylon String

[Kent Chasson]

It's been on my list for years! Finally got the chance to build a nylon string.

European "Moon Spruce" top
Wenge Back/Sides
Walnut neck

All the trim is Ebony and flamed Maple.

This will have a modified version of my adjustable neck.

My client has been great to work with. There was a lot of collaboration in the design and I'm happy with the result so far.

I was fortunate to get a lot of voicing help from Dake Traphagen.

It goes out to finish tomorrow and I'll try to get some better shots when it gets all put together in late April.

Thanks for looking.

[SteveS]

Kent,
That's beautiful. I think some might want to hear more about your adjustable neck. Is the adjustment something the owner can do?

[Matt Mustapick]

<I was fortunate to get a lot of voicing help from Dake Traphagen.>

I've met Dake at a couple of La Guitarra festivals and really enjoyed talking to him. I had a cedar guitar of his for some time that was really unique and beautiful to play. It had *such* a quick sound...really snappy, and also really warm...like raindrops.

[Berf]

Wow... that's a beautiful looking guitar!

[nacluth]

Really nice stuff Kent. I really like your inventive take on classical appointments.

[StringMeUp]

Great job, Kent! Your customer has to be itching to get a hold of this beauty.

[Kent Chasson]

Thanks all.

Matt, that's a great description of Dake's guitars. Except for the raindrops. Raindrops are cold and miserable around here, especially when they are 35 degrees and mixed with hail like we had today on the alleged first day of spring.

Steve, thanks for the reminder. Yes, the player can adjust it very simply, although the nylon string will have one extra step. It will have one more screw to lock the neck in place. String tension is sufficient on a steel-string but I want the neck fixed with the lower tension of nylon strings.

The adjustment bolt is shown in the first photo. After a couple of years of removing strings to adjust them, I realized a ball-end allen wrench would fit at an angle so you can adjust it with the strings on and up to tension. A video is in the works.... one of these days.

I'm assuming the neck adjustment will be used less on the classical but I really like the idea of being able to dial in the string height and keep it there, while adjusting the action independently.

[Tim McKnight]

Beautiful and clean work as always Kent. I really like your peghead design and the integrated shape of the upper slot ends.

[WaddyT]

Beautiful, overall. I still think the headstock is a bit fragile. They aren't supposed to fall, but I've seen a lot of classicals with big dings in the top edge of the headstock. That said, I love the look.

[Kent Chasson]

Thanks Tim.

Waddy, thanks, that's an excellent point. Seems obvious, now that you mention it. The first designs I made of this had more meat up there but I didn't like the way they looked. I will figure out a way to put in some reinforcement under a back strap. If nothing else, that should provide some karmic prevention against a fall....

[LEARNINGAGAIN]

KENT,

Wenge and Euro Spruce--what a great combination...actually I noticed the different back bracing for the nylon versus your bracing for a steel string. Any insight as to why the difference and how each might sound with the other (if that makes sense)

[Steve Kinnaird]

Kent, +1 (2...3..?) on the head.
And lovely work all around.

Steve

[Tim McKnight]

Originally Posted by Kent Chasson

Thanks Tim.

I will figure out a way to put in some reinforcement under a back strap. If nothing else, that should provide some karmic prevention against a fall....

You could always laminate it

[Mark Hatcher]

That's a great looking guitar! Cool bridge design too!

[harvl]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

You could always laminate it

That would make it stronger... but then maybe not.... or perhaps it would... well no probably not... but maybe...