#16
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I've tried nylon strings on steel string guitars, even a 1925 Martin which was supposedly transitional, and it didn't work. They won't drive the top, and plain strings sound dull and clunky. Also there are issues with the neck being too narrow for the higher action and string excursion of nylon strings on most steel string guitars. - In practice I don't think you would get away with much less then 1 7/8". It wouldn't cost much to try it though, leave the nut as is for now (use a capo if need be), shim up the saddle a bit and put on a set a high tension nylon strings. You can make ball-ended strings by knotting a standard string and dropping an old steel string ball onto the knot.
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Tony D http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...?bandID=784456 http://www.flickr.com/photos/done_family/ |
#17
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I first did this almost exactly 10 years ago on an old all-laminate A/E guitar. I used high tension strings and just tied knots in the ends to locate in the bridge - no need for steel balls. I widened the treble string nut slots a little to accommodate the wider nylon strings and slackened off the neck a touch to allow for the reduced tension - and that was it - I still have the guitar and play it regularly. . Here it is (sorry for the blurred image - it was the first time I'd used a webcam): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuuc0f0frLE |
#18
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I would have expected the 1925 Martin to be OK but it wasn't. I tried again recently on a very light and bright all-sapele kona that I thought had a fair chance (think uke), but the plain strings were dull as.
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Tony D http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...?bandID=784456 http://www.flickr.com/photos/done_family/ |
#19
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The sound on your nylon strings is very bright, Garthman. Surprizing, even though you're playing very near the bridge. Can't tell whether or not you're using finger picks, but it appears not. There's an Ovation example near yours on YouTube which has a much more muted sound (too muted for my taste), but maybe that's partly the mic-ing. The brand and weight of the string is no doubt a factor as well.
Also, I got my new hearing aids adjusted today, by an audiologist who works with lots of musicians. Suddenly my play ISN'T uncomfortably bright, and dropping a pencil on my desk doesn't sound like a ball bearing hitting a tin roof. Glad I didn't get the hearing aids adjusted before I ordered the new N250-CRE; I might have learned that I didn't really need a new guitar. (That's never stopped me before.)
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"I'm what's left of Bill Reid and this is how we start the show." (Friendly plagiarism from Hoyt Axton, who died 'way too soon) ====== Martin Steve Miller Pegasus #299/383 Taylor 14 body BTO ("The Junebug Special") 414ce National Rez O-14 1971 Tak 12 |
#20
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Thanks, Tony. It's just the guitar played acoustically and I'm using a standard (and cheap) computer microphone - no effects at all.
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#21
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The strings are La Bella 850B-HT. High tension strings with bronzewound basses and carbon black trebles. They are my favourite nylon strings - great sound, long-lasting and reasonably priced. |
#22
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ball ends
i know this is about nylons strings here, but Bill mentioned wanting to continue use of steel strings too.
I put a set of silk and steels on my Martin 00-18V and I am so in love I can't stand it!! I used a set of Martin and a set of John Pearse in a bigger scale. Debate is still out on which to use. |