Nylon - crossover?

[John in Charm City]

So I'm starting to think about a nylon crossover.  main reasons are that I just like the sound of nylon strings and I would like to take it a little easier on my 60 year old fingers.  I generally play a couple of hours a day and know it when I wake up in the morning.  The narrower neck compared to a classical makes sense for me.  I am not classically trained (at least on guitar) but so much of finger style borrows those techniques.

I've never had a huge problem moving between different necks so hopefully the wider nylon neck will be the same and I can move between nylon and steel strings with relative ease.

Any thoughts?

John

[B0WIE]

 Seems to be a popular subject here. There was a good thread about this not too long ago. My view is that it's a market that was saturated 20 years ago, but seems to be less popular now so it's mostly dominated by Godin, Yamaha, and Cordoba (from what my casual observations have told me). It's really hard for anyone to compete with them at they offer a lot of guitar for the money in that crossover area. I'm sure some here will have more specific experience.

[StringPicker6]

I was looking at the godin website just last night. They sure do have a lot of nylon string options.

[BlueBowman]

John, are you looking for a crossover that performs well acoustically, or one played mainly through a PA/amp? The ones in the former category are few and far between IME, unless you wanna spend big money.

The Cervantes I is a nice sounding crossover that won't break the bank, though not exactly cheap. Some people like the Lowden crossover, but I won't recommend it since I've not played one.

I went through a period where I really wanted to find a good crossover. Most of them left me wanting more. 

[John in Charm City]

John, are you looking for a crossover that performs well acoustically, or one played mainly through a PA/amp? The ones in the former category are few and far between IME, unless you wanna spend big money.

The Cervantes I is a nice sounding crossover that won't break the bank, though not exactly cheap. Some people like the Lowden crossover, but I won't recommend it since I've not played one.

I went through a period where I really wanted to find a good crossover. Most of them left me wanting more. 

Thanks.  Yes, I was looking for it to sound better than ok unplugged.  guessing this wont be as easy as it sounds.

John

[BlueBowman]

Thanks.  Yes, I was looking for it to sound better than ok unplugged.  guessing this wont be as easy as it sounds.

John

That's just my standard, John. Many of the crossovers I've played don't rise to the level of a good classical in terms of acoustic performance. But, do your research and find out which brand(s) keep popping up over and over again in the discussion, then go check those out. You might have better luck than I did (I hope you do!).

When I was on the hunt, I resolved to find a middling classical luthier and have one custom made. My thought process was, I'd probably get a much better instrument for a little more money than the mass produced crossovers on the market. I didn't go for it. Long story short, I just play my classicals now when I want "that sound". The classical guitar has been so optimized and refined over the last few centuries, hard to go wrong with a good one. Also, there are classicals out there with slightly narrower nut widths than a full 2 inches. Most sellers list that spec in "millimeters" on their sell page. 

[John in Charm City]

Thanks. very much appreciate all the caution flags.  So easy to rush in. There was always two parts to this - the sound and the reduced tension/taking it easy on the fingers.  i can get the reduced tension other ways with gear I already have - silk strings, short scale, etc.  The sound of course is a different story,  So I think I will take my time... and listen.

thanks for the help

John

[BlueBowman]

I just remembered that when on the hunt I played a Kenny Hill crossover built in California under Kenny's supervision. That was the most classical-sounding crossover I played. I believe it was $5K at the time.

But there's also the less expensive version built in Paracho, Mexico. You could definitely get into one of those for much less money. I'd put more faith in a classical builder for a crossover before I would a steel string builder, if that makes sense.

[Silence Dogood]

I flirt with the idea of a nylon string every couple years or so, but I never end up getting one.  I'm a bit of a purist in many matters, and a Crossover guitar reminds me of those motorcycles that are neither strictly street or dirt but a mix of the two.  They just look kind of odd to me.  YMMV. 

But... I am intrigued by some of the Taylor nylon-string guitars.  They aren't a "crossover" but they also aren't a traditional classical guitar. Have you considered those?

[William2]

I can't remember where, but I asked about Taylor nylon guitars. I was told that they really need to be plugged in. That is a deal braker here.

[Silence Dogood]

I can't remember where, but I asked about Taylor nylon guitars. I was told that they really need to be plugged in. That is a deal braker here.

I'm not sure about that.  I'd make a trip or two to GC and play some.  The ones I have played sounded great in my lap. They FEEL way different than a traditional classical guitar, but they are very cool IMO. 

[William2]

Why a crossover anyway? I wonder how good a Cordoba or a Godin classical would sound or sound in comparison? I just haven't heard any videos where these instruments sounded like a good classical guitar. but maybe they do. Lindsay Straw plays a Cordoba C-9 and their C-10 comes in a lefty. I'll ask my dealer what he thinks of the Furch nylon string guitars. He carries them. It is the one instrument he has never demoed. But for me, those are over $2000 now and at the price I'd be looking for the real thing. I'm thinking of a classical nylon string just to have a Cedar top LOL. But I still prefer a steel string instrument now.

[StringPicker6]

I love the sound of Willie Nelson's guitar trigger, even plugged in!