Subject: Re: neck width of classical guitar vs. steel strung guitar
Author: David L. MartelDate: 14 Jul 2008
Ref:
ty,
Do not try to put steel strings on a nylon strung guitar. The neck on a
nylon strung guitar usually does not have a truss rod to resist the high
tension of steel strings. The top and it's bracing are also designed around
the lower tension of nylon strings. Many folks have tried this and the
result may be a ruined guitar.
You can put nylon strings on a steel strung guitar. It will need a
complete set up and will not sound very good but it can be done
There are many steel strung guitars with wider necks if that's what you
want. Look for guitars with a nut width of more than 1.75 inches. I think a
classical has a nut width of 2 1/8 inches. If you really like the classical
then get one. They come with undersaddle pickups often. They can be played
with a pick. You can amplify, distort, et c. though they will be prone to
feedback.
Nylon strung guitars are designed around nylon strings which have a much
lower tension than steel. Since the vibration of the strings is of much
greater amplitude on a nylon it has a higher action and greater string
seperation than a steelie.
Dave M.
<castlebrav…
RichL
