Classical Guitar Nylon String Guitar Restringing

Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 16:51:54 -0600 (GMT-06:00)
Subject: Lucida LG-777

Hopefully a quick question for you, I am interested in buying the Lucida LG-777 but as I understand this is a nylon string guitar, is it advisable to use metal strings on this instrument?

Thanks for your help

Pancho

Greetings Pancho...

Classical guitars have lighter tops and very light bracing to ensure good response with nylon strings...this is a big drawback for steel strings...the bridge is susceptible to be pulled up, the top will more than likely bubble from the tension...and the necks will more than likely warp...my recommendation: never ever use steel strings on a guitar designed for nylon string guitars.

Mickey

Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2004 19:35:35 EST
Subject: Nylon Strings

Greetings Judy,

Glad to assist:

I have a small Classical Guitar - I think - it was my first guitar & has the tuning pegs from the back with cut outs where the strings wind on. I have other guitars (both are Gibson - acoustic) I would like to string the Classical Guitar with Nylon strings,

A classical guitar is designed for nylon strings...the construction of the top is very light...and lightly braced...which isn't designed for steel strings. There have been many a classical guitar that was ruined by someone attempting to string it up with steel strings...hence, you're on the right track...string it with nylon strings only.

but when I attempted to tune it, I was trying to bring it to same pitch as my steel strings on the other guitars. Does the nylon string have to be at a different octave or what was my problem. I broke the #1=E=high string.

It should be the same octave as a standard tuned steel string guitar...and, yes, there will be quite a bit of stretching...where it will take repeated tuning to bring it up to final pitch. No, they should not break in attempting to bring them up to standard pitch.

I know nothing about tuning a Classical Guitar....I have no problem with standard acoustic.

There should be no difference...other than more stretching than steel strings...and, you'll want to be careful about threading the strings so that they do not slip from the bridge or the tuning peg.

Hope something here helps, Mickey

I would like to learn some Willie Nelson type sounds & finger picking. Also enjoy classical guitar instrumentals.......Thank, you, Judy H.