Nylon string guitar- what to buy?

[siegfried]

Hello, which can be the best acoustic guitar with nylon strings for about 300 euro? I need it for recording for some classical/gothic/irish melodies for my electronic production... Please recommend me some brands and if possible some models... I want sweet fat magic tone... Thank you very much!

[ArnieInTheSky]

Originally Posted by siegfried

Hello, which can be the best acoustic guitar with nylon strings for about 300 euro? I need it for recording for some classical/gothic/irish melodies for my electronic production... Please recommend me some brands and if possible some models... I want sweet fat magic tone... Thank you very much!

Check out Manuel Rodriguez. The mid priced Flamenco model. I think it's called the C3 Flamenco. It's a traditional spanish style. I guess if you want "fat" tone than mybe the C2 or C3 with Rosewood.

jl

[Pasta4lnch]

if you want to go used - I have an old guild that sounds REALLY nice!!

[runamuck]

I have found that inexpensive flamenco guitars generally sound much better than cheap classical guitars. Check out the Yamahas,

[snappydad]

The Yamaha CG171SF is a standout in your price range, or at least close to it.

[FFTT]

Funny what you can find at garage sales or in the family attic.

I've had a blast recording with my 60's Sears Silvertone Spanish Guitar.

Bought it for $15.00, replaced the broken tuning machines and eventually
had to clamp and re-glue the neck, but it plays perfect and sounds great
recorded through a tube pre-amp with a condenser mic.

[scrubs]

Not sure if they have European distribution, but the Canadian made La Patrie (Godin) guitars are great bang for the buck.

[mrkz1974]

Try Paul McGill (www.mcgillguitars.com) and check out the SUPERACE guitar. AWESOME!

[Arsene]

Alhambra. Tried and trusted. Comes in all sizes and flavours!

[FFTT]

I've done some recording and performing with my Epiphone Skunk Baxter Cutaway
strung up with a combination of 4 D'Addario Heavies and Augustine Blue nylons for the
high B and E strings.

I've done this both in standard tuning and tuned down to baritone.

The results gave me very nice mellow highs where the guitar is usually tinny sounding.
de-tuned to baritone is a whole different world for an acoustic guitar.

In order to mount the nylon strings, you simply go to any arts and crafts store and buy
appropriate sized round beads, then knot the nylon strings through the bead
so they will mount like your other strings.

You can also use a soldering gun to melt the nylon knot so it won't slip.

[dach]

no offense to those who recommended flamenco guitars but I'd shy away from those for your applications. Flamenco guitars traditionally don't have the sustain and they are definitely not "sweet and fat". For a lower price classical guitar that's reasonable try Godin... I can't remember what the line is called but they were amazing for the price which was around $350-450USD... good luck....

[Timothy Lawler]

Esteve
Pavane
Burguet (but they have less consitency in cosmetics)

Generally less resonant that the above but well balanced sound:
La Patrie

Classical gtrs vary a lot in volume and tone quality even within the same make and model.

[Ruphus]

Originally Posted by Timothy Lawler

Esteve
Pavane
Burguet (but they have less consitency in cosmetics)

Generally less resonant that the above but well balanced sound:
La Patrie

Classical gtrs vary a lot in volume and tone quality even within the same make and model.

I purchased a concert grade Burguet lately. It is incredible except for one point which is intonation. Am currenlty waiting for a replacment to arrive in Berlin.

Also had one of his upper mid range models here ( model "Arce" ) beautiful, with maybe the best upper register that I have heard so far. A gem, especially for its price ( 2500 € ).

However, I doubt that Burguets, not even entry level, could be had for € 300.

For that price range I would recommend a guitar from a brand called "Serena", model "C2" if you can find one used. Laminated RW back & sides with spruce top.

Outstanding quality in sound and playability. It has tons of sweetness and character. You won´t give it away, no matter what guitars might come in as first choice later on.

And if you exchanged its plastic nut and saddle with bone things would be getting only better.

Ruphus

[GuitarRuss]

Is it for mostly live or studio? For live with a pickup, I would consider a flamenco as they are less boomy and a bit more dry, which is the biggest sound problem live. For your price range, that is going to be your biggest problem in a classical, a well balanced sound. Watch out for brittle sounding flamenco guitars too. For non-live use I would recommend a Classical. There are some great lower end guitars made my Ramundo, Alhambra, etc. Best to find the biggest store and do a whole lot of A/B testing. You can find a guitar from any maker decent maker which has a particularly special solid top that sounds way better than the rest of the same model that came off the same assembly line. If you are not a good player, bring a good player along who can play loudly with good tone then you can hear the difference between the guitars - important!! A beginner will not make the whole guitar vibrate because they play the strings, not the wood so having a good player a/b a few guitars can be night and day, whereas it will be subtle with a beginner/intermediate plinking away at it.

If it was me, I would probably look for a little more expensive guitar that has a big *ding* or scratch on it. Classical players can't stand this and it doesn't effect your tone, so these guitars will sell for waaaay less than value if you bargain. My last guitar was like this, had a big scratch on it so it sold for about 1/3 of new value and I couldn't give a rat's ass because it's all about tone. If I'm spending $1000 or more, I want beautiful too, but at your price range take the hit. Same goes for Electrics. I was reading about a great session player with amazing tone who only buys Vintage Les Pauls with repaired neck-breaks. Says they sound the same or better and it saves him $1000-2000. Your call.

[electricsun]

I have a Takamine No.5 ,, It was 40,000 thouthand yen,, I think it should be around 350dollars ,,, nice deal,, mahogany body, rosewood bridge and fret,,,,

Also strings are important,,, I use Daddario normal tension black nylon strings,,,, I like the tone of the guitar combined with that strings,,,

[mortlar]

Originally Posted by Arsene

Alhambra. Tried and trusted. Comes in all sizes and flavours!

+1

Anything from the 5p and up is brilliant!