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Location: seattle, wa | you guys probably all know this but I thought I would put it out there anyway. I bought a Folklore the other day. It had nylon strings on it and I was suprised to hear it was just as loud, with the same voice as my Country Artist, which I sold to my next door neighbor. We played them side by side, each switching guitars. I prefer nylon string guitars so it will stay as stringed.
I then bought a set of Shaller OEM tuners from Lost Art Vintage...great price and shipped very fast. These were for a Classical or Country Artist. No modifications are needed at all to install the nylon string pegs where steel string pegs originally were used. It would seem that the Folklore neck was used on both the Country Artist and the Folklore.
The ratio on the pegs is better now with the nylon strings.
Edited by john bange 2013-07-24 3:22 PM
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | The necks were different, although the headstocks were probably very similar, if not the same. I bought my Folklore with nylon strings on it, too, because some "luthier" told the prior owner that it was built for nylon strings. Wrong. He couldn't keep the nylon strings from slipping off the Folklore bridge, so I got it cheap, put steel strings on it and it's wonderful. I'm surprised you don't have problems with the narrower slots in the nut. Maybe the prior owner enlarged the nut slots.
I would assume the Folklore would be louder than the Country Artist, since it has a deeper bowl and a 12 fret neck. Mine was much louder than my Country Artist, but I never put nylon strings back on the Folklore to compare the two with nylon strings on both. |
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November 2011
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Location: seattle, wa | The nut slotts were cut to accept the nylon strings when I got it...it has a 12 fret neck and the deep bowl...a keeper, me thinks |
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November 2011
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Location: seattle, wa | I am so pleased with the nylon strings on my folklore, I am going to try them on my 12 string...probably need about 4 sets and a new saddle. It's not as though it's a cannon with steel and my fingernails and left wrist will like it better
Edited by john bange 2013-07-29 10:06 AM
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Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | I'm finding this an interesting discussion.
I'm fortunate to have both a ’81 Folklore 1614-4 and ’09 Country Artist 2773LX.
When I'm playing the 2773 I don't really like the sound of its nylon strings, but when someone else plays it and I can hear it from another perspective, it sounds great.
I love the sound of my Folklore 1614-4, which has D'Addario silk and steels on it. I can't see myself putting nylon strings on it.
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Location: seattle, wa | I use nylon strings on my Martin and fishing line on my Vega so I am very pleased with my Folklore. I would have never guessed that the sound would be as good as it is...it works out very well for me |
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Posts: 205
Location: seattle, wa | some more thoughts on the Folklore...we hade a big rehersal last night the folklore is going to be my rehersal/practice/campfire instrumet for a long time to come. while lacking the bottom end and some of the projection of my Martin, it still has that Ovation tone that really cuts through the music and can be heard mixed with the dreadnoughts...all this with nylon strings. the close similarity in string spacing to my Martin is a great help.
my country artist did not do this as well...dosen't mean I don't miss it and wish i'd not sold it. the 1118-4 gets here today and I am going to try it with the nylon as well. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I played my Folklore last night and, as always, I was impressed by the strong bottom end. The deep bowls are just that way, especially when combined with a 12 fret to the body neck. I assume the nylon strings are what caused the lack of bottom end on yours. The shallow bowl of the Country Artist, combined with the nylon strings just didn't cut it for me. The neck was easier to play than the flat neck of the Classic, but I like the sound of the Classic, with a deep bowl, cedar top and 12 fret neck, much better. |
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Location: seattle, wa | I didn't mean that the bottom was not strong...just not as much as my nylon string Martin. what makes the folklore stand out(imho) is the playability of the neck along with the nylon tone and comfort. I have always been drawn to the Ovations because to the playability of the neck. I think you are right about the deep bowl. I had a 1113-4 some years ago and it was very loud and while some might find it hard to believe, my folklore is not very far from the classic...with a radiused fret board, much easier to play.
my reason for starting this thread was to express my suprise at finding the tuners are interchangable, nylon or steel and that the bracing of the top did not seem to retard the sound coming from what is a steel strung design. I'm curious enough to try it on the Glen Campbell when it gets here today...that's not to say that I am going to cut the nut slots right away... |
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Location: seattle, wa | medium gauge steel strings for my 1118-4...tuned down to B is where I ended up...nylon strings, while I like them on my Folklore, are a total dud on the GC. |
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November 2011
Posts: 205
Location: seattle, wa | used my nylon string Folklore at a gig last night. It is just fine in a group of guitars...really a plesant suprise. played in front of a Sure Beta sm57 mic. |
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November 2011
Posts: 205
Location: seattle, wa | my new, mint 1116-4 got here this am...new strings on both folklore and the classical...turn your back and listen...they are impossible to tell apart...hard to explain!...I hope I can adjust to the 2" nut on the classical...only thing I don't care for yet |
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November 2011
Posts: 205
Location: seattle, wa | Takes me a while to find out what you all probably already know...with the arrival of my Ovation 1116 classical, the shortcomings of my folklore with nylon strings become more apperant. While, volume was not an issue, there was a lack of sustain, giving an abreviated , clipped sound. I went to steel strings, a new nut and saddle a
nd put it on ebay |
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Location: Seymour, Tennessee | That 1116 is a nice little guitar.
I would have kept it if I played it more but I am enjoying the GC 12 a lot.
Thanks again John and good luck with the Concert Classic whether you keep it of sell it. |
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Posts: 205
Location: seattle, wa | this is an up and down thing but I am back to high tension nylon on my folklore. with my 1116 to use as comparison, I installed GHS high tension strings, including a wound G. the sustain returned eliminating the "clipped" sound. It has no problem matching the volume of my 1116.
I use my fingernails and no picks. I have no problems with the bridge saddle being wide enough but I can see how there could be with lower tensions. the wound G adds a lot to it's voice.
I might even try some of the more expensive strings that offer high tension but for now, this guitar is set up just fine.
I have never before, had anything close to satisfactory results from using nylon on a guitar braced for steel. this one was not too bad with the ej45's but is really nice with the GHS's.
It's a little more weathered than my mint 1116 so, I have no worries playing it in a campfire jam or passing it around. |
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Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I'm enjoying the GC immensely, sound like the trade was destiny or something  |
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1114-4 tuners and strings
