Classical with narrow neck or Acoustic with Nylon Strings?

[microscope]

Hey folks,

I know maybe 5 people who would like to get into acoustic guitar, but are put off by the steel strings. (3 gals yes, but also 2 guys)
Does anyone make a mid-low range classical with acoustic-type neck width, or an acoustic made for nylon strings?
I know there's some higher-end cut-outs with electronics for touring etc
But any regular body (no electronics, no special wood, etc) mid-low range with decent sound?

ps. Yes I know they should just suck it up and learn on steel strings.
But if it gets them started at least, it will be worthwhile imo.

Thanks

[Kindness]

A cross-over guitar is your best bet. Phoenix Guitar Co makes a great one with a 1 7/8ths nut width. George invented the Nylon OM. They voice their guitars beautifully!!!

[microscope]

Nice guitars.
Thing is you forgot the mid-low range part
I'm talking $500 and under range.
The OM looks like it's around $3000!

[strongdad]

I know the Cordoba Fusion 12 goes for around $500 and has a smaller neck, a cutaway and electronics. It sounds and plays amazing. The Yamaha NTX 700 is the same price and has roughly the same specs and sounds good too. I'm also pretty sure Ovation and Takamine also have guitars that meet your needs (among others) but I'm not familiar with them and haven't played any of them. Those are the only two in your price range that I have played and can recommend.

[stringman5]

Check on the Lag T66A Nylon for about $200, or the T100 ACE Nylon at about $500. They might just be what you are looking for.

[Garthman]

Originally Posted by itself

A cross-over guitar is your best bet. . . . .

This is probably the best way to go - but cross-overs can be expensive.

Two other possibilities:

(1) get a 3/4 classical guitar - these usually have a 45mm neck and are great to start learning.

(2) put a set of ball-end nylon strings on a standard steel string acoustic - this works OK - you may need to widen the nut slots
of the 1st - 3rd strings a tad but that is easily done with a piece of folded fine-grit sandpaper.

Here is a short vid of nylon strings (La Bella 850b-HT) on a dreadnought acoustic guitar - just a cheap all-laminate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuuc0f0frLE

[microscope]

Too bad, the cut-aways, electronics, fancy woods are totally not necessary for them.
Would rather nice sound in a regular body at a lower price.
Just found this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...coustic-guitar
But looks like they stopped production.
Any other suggestions?

[Garthman]

Originally Posted by microscope

Too bad, the cut-aways, electronics, fancy woods are totally not necessary for them.
Would rather nice sound in a regular body at a lower price.
Just found this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...coustic-guitar
But looks like they stopped production.
Any other suggestions?

How about this one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...75955000001001

As I said above ^ ^ ^ "(1) get a 3/4 classical guitar - these usually have a 45mm neck and are great to start learning."

[microscope]

Could do student size classical to get that narrower neck.
But would go little more expensive because the quality is not great at this price level and while the sound is decent, these babies need constant tuning.
But I think a reg. size classical with a narrower neck, or a reg. size acoustic made for nylon strings, would be more interesting.

[Knollhaven]

I recently got a Cordoba Gipsy Kings crossover, and it's got great acoustic tone for the price. Love the pickup too! Based on this experience, I'd consider a Cordoba Fusion 12 or 14 in your price range. Got mine on a 4- payment plan that eases the budget. :-)

[microscope]

I like them, but just seems like the cutaway, pick ups, fancy wood, is an added cost.
I think a nice, full body, no bells n whistles, $400 ish range would be right on.
Either classical with acoustic-width neck or acoustic made for nylon.

[MJScott]

Originally Posted by microscope

I like them, but just seems like the cutaway, pick ups, fancy wood, is an added cost.
I think a nice, full body, no bells n whistles, $400 ish range would be right on.
Either classical with acoustic-width neck or acoustic made for nylon.

I guess I don't understand. Early in this thread you said $500 max. But you don't want "fancy woods". Looking for an acoustic type guitar with nylon strings. So..............a crossover is basically an acoustic with nylon strings. The Yamaha NTX 700 has a solid spruce top and laminated nato back and sides and a nato neck. Not fancy wood at all. It does have a cutaway and electronics, but can be had for $500 and does have nice tone for the price.

Either that or buy a cheap acoustic and use ball end nylon strings on it as has already been suggested. I don't think you will find any decent nylon with a narrow neck for less than that other than those already suggestied.

Hope this helps.

[jaylynch@yahoo.]

Another option is silk & steel strings on an acoustic. I put them on my Firefly and found it much easier on the fingers than phosphor bronze.

[Garthman]

Originally Posted by microscope

. . . But I think a reg. size classical with a narrower neck, or a reg. size acoustic made for nylon strings, would be more interesting.

Both of these are hard to find.

Looks like it's a cross-over . . . . . ? The Yamaha NTX700 is hard to beat for the price and, if you search around on Ebay etc, you might be lucky enough to find a Yamaha APX5NA - this is the NTX's predecessor - great guitar.

[microscope]

It's in range of what I said, and they're nice guitars, but I'd rather pay $500 for quality of sound, than for cutaway/pickups/inlays etc - which aren't needed.
But if that's all that's available, I will point them in that direction.