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Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Have any of you steel-only PICK players made the transition to nylon (it was a shock when McLaughlin did this in 1981)? I love the sound of nylon but simply can't get over how different, downright "weird" they feel. Can't play sh*t on a standard "Spanish" or classical guitar. Mitzadwag's question made me think: maybe hard tension strings would "behave" better under a pick; or an axe with longer scale and a Ovation-like radius: flat fingerboards kill me (some of you own Godins: any impressions)? Any Ovations that might make the transition sweeter? Advice appreicated! |
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Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | The best compromise is the Ovation Country Classic. You get the sound and feel of a classical with the skinnier(SP?)neck. I've also heard of people putting nylon on the Josh White. My Sympathies are with you on the wide neck thing, but there is nothing that truly matches the sound of a quality classical guitar like the real thing. If I had the cash I'd have one custom made in Spain with a narrower neck. My classical is my bedside guitar. I can play extremely quiet and still feel the deep, quality tones permeate my body. (I know that probably sounds strange, but I don't care) The sustain goes on forever, and I often find myself fallen asleep with it laying accross me. The wife loves the sound of it also. |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I love my CA 1624. I think you just have to accept she's a different animal. Once you get used to it, the standard 1 11/16 neck will seem scrawny.
+1 on hard tension strings. |
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Posts: 1112
Location: NW Washington State | I also have a 1624 Country Artist- got it because my fingers just aren't up to steel strings anymore. The neck is easier to handle than a full width, full scale classical. I've tried a pick but didn't like the amplified sound with my equipment- I don't have an "acoustic" amp. I think it would be good for jazz chord melody or bossa nova if I could play those styles.
Do you really like McLaughlin's nylon sound?
-Steve W. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Have you ever tried one of those effects units that change the sound of your standard acoustic to a classical? I can't remember the brand of the one I tried several years ago, but it really wasn't bad. And you don't have to learn to play a whole new style on a big fat fingerboard. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
but it really wasn't bad. Is that really what you want people to think when they hear you play? |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
but it really wasn't bad. Is that really what you want people to think when they hear you play?  for the day...!!
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May 2008
Posts: 1553
Location: Indiana | Like everything else dobro, it's gets easier with practice/familiarity. Your hand's will eventually adjust to the differences between the spacing and fretboard radius without thought.
Personally I don't care for high tension nylons... I know others who swear by them though.
Like all things "strings", you'll have to make that judgment on your own.
Good luck and don't give up. Classics are a nice new flavor to add to your arsenal. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | "The best compromise is the Ovation Country Classic" ... Sorry ... I MEANT to say Country Artist (: I'm getting a bit dislexic these days. |
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January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Dyslexics of the world UNTIE!
Thanks for the input. I might look into the Godin long-scale option, or the Country Artist....
Anyone know what axe John McLaughlin was playing with the famous trio in the early 80s.... I mean the nylon one? |
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January 2006
Posts: 1112
Location: NW Washington State | I'd guess that you've already seen these web pages, but just in case..
Article with specs of Wechter "Our Lady" at the end.
Fun Flash pages of McLauglin\'s guitars. |
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January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Thanks for the links... I had not read this.
I guess the guitar I was looking to identify is the Ovation Classic 1773. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | McLaughlin never played with a 1773LX. That guitar only came out in the last 4 years. He played a full bodied Ovation Classical, a 1613, if my memory is correct. I don't remember ever seeing him with a different Ovation nylon string....... |
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January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | You're right, Moody! I have never played a nylon O and remain terribly ignorant of that side of the world. I did notice a big change in JM's tone, however when he switched! |
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Advice on playing NYLON string guitar
