i like the way nylon strings sound, but it's always an adjustment to play the thicker classical neck. in addition, i know next to nothing about classical guitar makers or construction. can someone recommend one that has a thinner neck, closer to an acoustic guitar's width, or alternately, decent sounding nylon strings that i could put on an acoustic. if there aren't any with thinner necks, just recommend some decent builders. i'm also interested in flamenco guitars.
I don't know of any classical makes with slimmer necks, but go here:
http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/index.php
and use the search engine to dig up threas about neck width. It's come up over there any number of times.
The problem with putting nylon strings on a regular acoustic is that almost all of your sound will vanish as the body construction's not the same.
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"Classical" guitars have wider necks to facilitate fingerstyle playing. So do flamenco guitars - the only real differences between a flamenco and a classical are the presence of golpeadores (tap plates) on a flamenco and the type of wood used (usually Spanish cypress). Old school builders of flamenco guitars may still use violin style pegs, but most have switched to standard roller tuners.
It sounds like what you're looking for is a "folk" guitar - they were big from the late 1950s to the early 70s. They look like a parlor size acoustic guitar, have standard tuners (typically cheap, open gear ones) but were fitted from the factory with ball-end nylon strings, and the top bracing is less substantial than on a steel string guitar.
If you can find one, you'll need ball-end nylon strings. They can be hard to find, as many stores won't stock them - but several manufacturers still make them, so you'll find them with a bit of persistence.
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that sounds like what i'm looking for. i can find strings on the net. any particular folk guitar makers you prefer?
I don't have a favorite. I just did a quick search, and it looks like this one is still being made:
http://www.ibanez.com/AcousticGuitars/model-AEG10NETNG
Or look for one used - lots of companies used to make them, like this model from Luna
http://www.lunaguitars.com/acousticproduct/nylonmuse.php
Both of those have a 1-13/16" nut - a little wider than a steel string, but narrower than a typical classical.
I'm sure I had a 3/4 size folk guitar 30 odd years ago that was even narrower at the nut. Don't remember a brand name though - I got it used, and the peghead had no logo. Folk guitars were sold all over the place then, even in department stores, so I'm sure there are lots of different brand names - and I'm sure there are still lots of them around at garage sales and similar outlets.
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thanks, that's helpful. and any one with classical/flamenco guitar maker recommendations regardless of neck width, thanks in advance as well. if i'm that limited in choice, i might just go for a regular wide neck guitar.
