#1
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Can anyone tell me about crossover guitars?
Hi folks, haven't been here in a while.
I'm trying to get back into learning fingerstyle and while I love my Taylor 314ce, I was thinking of getting a nylon-stringed guitar. I was pointed to "crossover" guitars which apparently are nylon-stringed acoustics that have slimmer necks more similar to steel string guitars than the chunkier classical or flamenco guitars. While I'm looking at nylon-stringed Taylors, are there any other brands that make good crossover guitars? Also, a general question -- how does a crossover compare to a steel string in terms of playability? How does a crossover compare with a classical guitar? |
#2
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I play mostly chord-melody jazz stuff. I did not get along well with the standard classical guitar’s wide, flat neck.
So, after some searching, I bought a “Manuel Rodriguez” crossover from GC. As noted, this has a slimmer neck, a somewhat-thinner body, and a slight radius to the neck. I find this to be very compatible... I can finger my various jazz chords easily, and the general feel is very similar to your typical steel-string. There is a tendency for the high “E” to pull downwards... Something you have to guard against. In terms of general playability, I like it a lot. However.... It sure sounded good in GC’s little acoustic room, but now that I’ve had it for a while and playing under more open circumstances.... It’s not that stellar. And... the Fishman pickup (supposedly tailored for classical guitars) is not very good. I fought with amp settings for weeks trying to get rid of the “quacks” sound on the bass strings. Finally, (I have a Cube 40) I tried the “Acoustic emulation” setting on the “lead” channel... That works. I could not get an acceptable sound out of the “clean” channel. I’m seriously thinking of going to one of the Yamaha models.. The NTX series. Known for good electronics... But alas, these Rodriguez guitars are not well-known and I fear I’ll have to take a bath getting rid of it. |
#3
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I have a maple Córdoba Fusion 12 fret cutaway that I like a lot. About $700 IIRC.
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#4
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This comes up a lot. My advice would to at least try some classicals and flamencas in a shop before going for a crossover. When transitioning from steel-strings I had a crossover for a couple of months before realising I much prefer flamenco guitars and I prefer the neck.
My personal opinion is that you can get much more out of a classical or flamenca than with a crossover. For crossovers, Cordoba C9 crossover is a good place begin, good guitars and stocked in many places.
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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; 08-09-2018 at 07:40 AM. |
#5
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I am mostly a steel string player and indulge with my Strat once in a while but I am tempted by one of the Furch crossovers
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#6
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Cordoba crossover
Another vote for the Cordoba Fusion Orchestra.
Seems I’m having a pretty common issue in that, with age, I’m having more challenges playing my steel strings (Martin D35s and Larrivee LV05) for extended stretches. So I’m looking for a nylon string guitar with cutaway and a narrower than standard classical size neck. I found the sound I was looking for (given the $$$ I could dedicate to the effort). I was able to “test drive” the Alvarez AC65HCE, Yamaha NTX700, La Patrie Etude, Cordoba C5CE and the Cordoba GK Studio Negra (which I was “gasing” for). The unplugged sound was most important, since I’d be using this mainly for extended practice and to compose with. When I tried out the Cordoba Fusion Orchestra at a local GC the search was over. It had the best tone of all I had tried (with the surprising La Patrie Etude coming in a close second). The aesthetics were really nice too- solid cedar top, laminated rosewood B&S, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and rosewood bridge. Beyond the tone playability was my most important consideration. The Fusion has a 1 7/8” nut and a 12 fret neck with arched fretboard, like my D35S. It has a cutaway and dual pickup system (I’ll use for recording some) like my Larrivee There is a lot of criticism of mid-range Cordoba’s online regarding their fret work, so I was cautious about that knowing my guitar tech could address it if needed. But, there is no need because the frets are in very good shape. As the Fusion acclimated to its new home I’ve done some minor tweaking to the truss rod and the 12th fret action is about 1/8” with a minimal amount of neck relief and very good intonation. All in all I’m very pleased to have found a guitar that meets my needs for less stress on my aging fingers, hands and arms, but is also a pleasure to play and hear. My Larrivee and my Martin will still get regular play because they are such wonderful instruments, but now I can indulge in longer sessions without the need for as much down time to recover in between.
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Another Gray Picker – YouTube 1972 Martin D35-S 2007 Larrivee LV 05e 2017 Cordoba Fusion Orchestra CE 2021 Alvarez AP66ESHB Parlor 2020 Fender Special Custom Telecaster FMT 2011 Custom built Vintage “Strat” 198? Electra X930 Vulcan |
#7
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Crossover guitars
As I understand it, the 'standard' classical fret width at the nut is 50 or 52 mm. The crossovers are not as wide (47 to 48 mm I think) and are an attempt to make steel string players crossing over to nylon feel more at home. There may be more to this story but that is what I understand.
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#8
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there is a reason classicals/flamencos have the neck width they do. You may have some issues with some techniques on a narrower fretboard. As someone who has been studying flamenco for a few years, I find it difficult to play on a some very narrow crossover necks.
I do have a GK studio though and that isn't bad, although at 50mm most steel string players arnt going to call that narrow. In terms of a pure crossover, I did play a Martin 000c at a store the other day that was really nice. |
#9
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I'm not sure if there is a Standard for Nut Width in the Nylon world, but I have 3, as follows:
- Yamaha Classical: 52mm neck width at nut - Cordoba GK Studio (Flamenco): 50mm width at nut - Cordoba Fusion Orchestra (crossover): 48mm width at nut Of the 3, I like the 50mm neck on the GK Studio the best with the 48mm nut on the Fusion a close second. I like the sound of the Fusion Orchestra the best, although for certain songs, still prefer the GK Studio. Being a flamenco, the GK studio has a more rapid decay of the notes, which makes it less muddy and more easily amplified, at least that is my experience. Also, the Fusion series come in 12-Fret and 14 Fret models, with and without cutaway. If I could keep just one, it would be the Fusion. Hope that helps, Gary |
#10
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Quote:
__________________
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 |
#11
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Yamaha NTX1200R has solid rosewood back and sides, ebony fretboard. I've played one for about 4 years:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrZgvcBnEg4 It's best plugged in, where it excels. Its retail price has gone up considerably over the years. There's lots of room on the neck to swap out the nut for a wider one if you wish. I play blues, classical, jazz, easylistening, and get good feedback. As stated, there is a lot of variability among classic classical guitars. Some of those wide necks are quite playable and you get used to it. Nylon strings come in lots of varieties, but all feel "noodly" or "squirelly" at first. I do miss my steel string Martin, but have to say that my crossover is my favourite quitar with my electrics a close second.
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Neil M, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
#12
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Cervantes. I have one of these:
https://www.12fret.com/new-instrumen...-palo-escrito/ http://www.cervantesguitars.com/port...i-paloescrito/ It's been an awesome guitar, feels very natural, nice balanced tone, lots of room around the fretting fingers, little or no adjustment needed for right hand technique, came well set up from The 12th Fret. |
#13
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Been a while since I've checked back, so sorry everyone.
Yes, I do keep hearing good things about Cordoba guitars, the Fusion series in particular, as well as Yamaha and Cervantes. I'll try to see if I can try one out locally but since I live in the Philippines, good guitars are a little hard to come by. I should've mentioned in my first post that I don't really play classical or flamenco. I have nerve damage in my hands and I can't really play my old Taylor steel-string like I used to so I figured getting a nylon-string with a steel-string-like feel might be good. I also heard about the Martin 000C Nylon which is specifically aimed at steel-string players looking to experiment with a nylon string i.e. myself. Also, I kinda want something loud and resonant even when unplugged and with a slim neck profile (which is different from neck width) -- I mostly play electric these days so I'm more used to slimmer neck profiles like Ibanez and Musicman. Really appreciate the suggestions guys, keep em coming! |
#14
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Quote:
The Yamaha NTX series is probably the best build quality I have found so far. From the 500$ model all the way up to the 2000$ model you would have a hard time picking them apart other then the sound. The downfall is the guitar is over built and does not project as well as some but it has a sound all to is own and sounds insane plugged in. The NCX being a more classical/flamenco styled brother to the NTX has a slimmer neck then the traditional classical. The NCX while closer to a traditional classical is still very much a cross over. check them both out. |
#15
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If you need to buy online I had a great experience with Nashville Guitars (via Reverb). They have great reviews and I found them to have excellent customer service.
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Another Gray Picker – YouTube 1972 Martin D35-S 2007 Larrivee LV 05e 2017 Cordoba Fusion Orchestra CE 2021 Alvarez AP66ESHB Parlor 2020 Fender Special Custom Telecaster FMT 2011 Custom built Vintage “Strat” 198? Electra X930 Vulcan |