NYLON-STRING MODELS

The first guitars I ever constructed were Classical guitars, using Irving Sloane's fantastic book, whilst in my late teens. From that time my making drew towards steel strung instruments but I have always enjoyed playing nylon strung guitars and have been thinking for several years about introducing a Nylon-String model.

My problems with traditional Spanish guitars are that either they sound great but need a very high action to stop buzzing and are near impossible to amplify or else they are designed to plug in and sound awful both acoustically and electrically. Flamenco guitars can go some way to producing an easier to play guitar but their sound is very particular and not suited to a varied repertoire.

Many modern makers are now producing much better functioning classical guitars using new techniques such as latticework bracing, hollow honeycomb 'double-tops' and so on but these guitars are primarily concerned with power and projection - subtlety and musicality are often lost in favour of a strident and nasel tone.

I have decided to produce some guitars which are of a type which I would like to play myself. I play a broad mixture of styles and want a guitar which will inspire me but also function well in recording and amplified situations as well as acoustic performance. I hope this will appeal to everyone else!

My first model is a classic twelve fret neck layout with traditional proportions but my own preference for a more curvaceous outline. The soundboard has a hybrid fan strutting system with additional fine transverse bars either side of the bridge to offer a more controlled and even tone than traditional fan strutting but also give a certain familiarity to the response. The back has a type of X-brace strutting, again to even up the response and help keep the low end focused. The pictured guitar has a full width neck (52mm nut) but this model is available with a narrower neck if required (50mm or 48mm nut). I offer a slightly radiused fingerboard which I find functions far better than the normal flat profile. The bridge is a non traditional style with double hole string attachment and a closed end saddle slot to ensure better function of undersaddle pickups. The 'Scoop' cutaway is optional. This model is designed to appeal to players mainly playing acoustically with some lower volume amplified work and may well appeal to Classical or Jazz players performing function music.

The twelve fret Nylon-String model can also be ordered as a cypress back and sides flamenco guitar for players seeking to perform amplified with a high quality guitar and pickup system.

I will also be producing a fourteen fret version, with cutaway, which will be designed to perform as well as possible amplified and for recording. This model will be designed as a stage and recording guitar for non classical playing. Details up soon (available to order at any time).

Please note the Nylon-String models will be the same prices as my steel string models but a slotted head is included in the base price.

All pictures are of the initial twelve fret model, this example is made from Cocobolo rosewood and Lutz spruce with ebony bindings and 'Scoop' and is available for trying out in my workshop now!

 

Dimensions 12 fret model

Suggested pickup systems: LR Baggs LB6 (or LB6 Dual-Source system with mic), LR Baggs Nylon Element Active System, K&K Powermix.