Recommendations for Nylon acoustics please (non-classical designs)

ToneControl

I was just thinking about what there is out there

e.g. radiused fingerboard, cutaway, larger body, different voicings

Does anyone have any recommendations of pro-level instruments?

ToneControl

I had a Ramirez 2 CWE once, I can't remember why I sold it on, other than it stunk of cigarette smoke and the top had dropped a bit

DiscoStu

Godin Multiac? Certainly non classical! 

mellowsun

The Yamaha NTX range is great.

The Lowden nylon jazz models are superb but take a while to develop a full tone.

Both are built for amplified use though - neither have the full, resonant sound of a top-flight classical guitar. 

maltingsaudio

Breedlove do a good one almost pulled the trigger on one

ToneControl

DiscoStu said:

Godin Multiac? Certainly non classical! 

had one years ago, really disliked it
It felt very unmusical, I think I need a proper acoustic guitar body

ToneControl

I should mention I already have a £2k RRP traditional classical that I never play anymore, although I used to play that style a lot

I am wondering if a less-traditional approach would help (non-flat fingerboard, better intonation, larger body etc)

jellyroll

Sounds like you're after a so-called "crossover guitar"  and whilst they may offer some of the physical attributes you're after I doubt  they'll sound as good as your £2k traditional classical. All the "non-classical" nylon strings I've ever played (Taylor, Godin, Lowden plus a few others) have been inferior to traditional luthier built classical or flamenco guitars in terms of tone and resonance. Alhambra make crossovers, never played one though. Here are some...

https://www.londonguitarstudio.com/guitars-alhambra-crossover-guitars.irc

. 

menamestom

Cordoba make quite a few as well, although I have never tried them.

I have an Alhambra, which is very nice, but it is very much a classical with a cutaway, rather than a crossover.
It's a bit of a compromise to me, I should have just bought a classical non-cutaway non electro (I'm never going to perform classical live) and an electro crossover guitar (I would play other styles live).
The Alhambra does however sound much better acoustically than thinner body crossovers.

earwighoney

@ToneControl ;
What specs are you after e.g. for frets to the body, lower bout, nut width?  What is your budget as well? 

For crossover instruments for affordable ones Cordoba are very popular amongst players for their crossover instruments.  

ToneControl

earwighoney said:

@ToneControl ;
What specs are you after e.g. for frets to the body, lower bout, nut width?  What is your budget as well? 

For crossover instruments for affordable ones Cordoba are very popular amongst players for their crossover instruments.  

up to £2k
14 frets


as I said, I had a Ramirez 2 CWE once

earwighoney

ToneControl said:

earwighoney said:

@ToneControl ;
What specs are you after e.g. for frets to the body, lower bout, nut width?  What is your budget as well? 

For crossover instruments for affordable ones Cordoba are very popular amongst players for their crossover instruments.  

up to £2k
14 frets


as I said, I had a Ramirez 2 CWE once

I'd have a look at the Cordoba Fusion 14 Maple.

AliGorie

ach - fancied one a while back so just built ma own (at the stringed instrument building course -Anniesland Collage) .
VERY slightly radius'd f/b flamenco bracing spruce 'n maple - not bad.
< > £100 on wood and a great experience.

 

ToneControl

and while I'm at it, what are the best pickups for nylon strungs?

I'm considering Matrix infinity 
or a K&K pure mini

I would run this straight into an AxeFx2, which is an excellent preamp for acoustics in my experience

AliGorie

ooft - AxeFx2 thats some bit 'o kit, just watched this -


seems after using this approach a simple K&K would do.

richardhomer

Taylor make lovely ‘cross-over’ nylons. Not commonplace in stores - but really good.

mellowsun

Here’s the sort of sound I get with the Matrix Infinity combined with a bit of condenser mic on the Lowden:

https://youtu.be/wCs5xeU_cIg

ToneControl

mellowsun said:

Here’s the sort of sound I get with the Matrix Infinity combined with a bit of condenser mic on the Lowden:

https://youtu.be/wCs5xeU_cIg

I started a new thread for pickups
That sounds good

How do you manage phase issues?
 

ToneControl

AliGorie said:

ooft - AxeFx2 thats some bit 'o kit, just watched this -


seems after using this approach a simple K&K would do.

I never thought of using the tone matching function
Another trick with the AF2 is the use of IR samples
I have some patches set up that mix in a little "guitar body" IR into a piezo signal, which takes the zing out a bit
Also I set up one using a resonator guitar IR, you can quickly switch to this patch and get a dobro vibe

The main advantage of course is that it's the most comprehensive guitar-oriented EQ I have used. The reverbs and delays are amazing, it has multi-band compressors, and lots of FX that can be used subtly (or not) for acoustic guitar 

maltingsaudio

ToneControl said:

and while I'm at it, what are the best pickups for nylon strungs?

I'm considering Matrix infinity 
or a K&K pure mini

I would run this straight into an AxeFx2, which is an excellent preamp for acoustics in my experience

Have a look at AER AK15/30 or Headway 

viz

Alvarez rc20sc if you can find one