When it comes to the enchanting world of guitars, nylon string guitars stand out as a timeless and soulful choice. These beautiful instruments produce a unique and captivating sound that has enthralled musicians and listeners since the development of nylon strings and their adoption by Andres Segovia in the late 40s. Prior to that, classical guitarists relied on a combination of gut and steel wound basses and twisted gut trebles. While gut strings produce a distinctive sound, they were no match for the more sonorous nylon strings, producing a warmer, more balanced sound and catching the Maestro Segovia's ear. The rest is history, and today nylon strings and their many composite derivatives dominate the market and can be found on almost all traditional classical guitars and their many variants. If you're a seasoned guitarist or someone eager to explore the realm of music, whether a traditional concert, classical, crossover, or something in between, nylon string guitars offer a delightful experience that transcends genres and resonates with the general public.



Enhanced Comfort and Playability

Nylon string guitars are renowned for their exceptional warm sound and playability. Unlike their steel-string counterparts, nylon strings, even with their metal wound basses, are gentler on the fingertips, making it easier for beginners and individuals with sensitive hands to start their musical journey. The reduced tension of nylon strings allows for more comfortable transitions between chords and frets, facilitating a more enjoyable playing experience. Nonetheless, if you’re brand new to the guitar, let your hands, particularly your fingertips, acclimate to pressing down on strings and plucking. While it may be a little uncomfortable initially, don’t get discouraged. With a little practice, your hands will limber up, your fingertips will develop calluses, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying your nylon string guitar effort more and more as you progress.

Warm and Expressive Tone

A key attribute that sets nylon string guitars apart from their steel acoustic cousins is their warm and expressive tone. Nylon string guitars have a unique and recognizable sound, one that has a place in so many different genres of music. The combination of nylon strings and the natural resonance of the guitar's body produces a rich and mellow sound. From delicate fingerpicking to passionate strumming, the nylon strings offer a wide dynamic range that allows guitarists to convey their emotions with unparalleled authenticity. As your playing progresses, you’ll discover just how much control you have over the sound you produce. At that point, you’ll begin to understand how versatile a nylon string guitar can be.

Versatility Across Musical Genres

While nylon string guitars are often associated with classical and flamenco music, their versatility extends far beyond those genres. These guitars can effortlessly blend into various musical styles, including folk, jazz, Latin, and even contemporary pop and rock. The organic and earthy tone of nylon strings adds a distinct flavor to any composition, making them an excellent choice for musicians seeking originality in their sound. Artistic Expression and Interpretation Nylon string guitars are highly regarded for their ability to capture and convey the subtle nuances of a musician's playing. The responsive nature of these instruments allows for intricate phrasing and detailed expression. Whether you play fingerstyle, with or without nails, or with a pick, there are countless possibilities to produce a sound and style of your own. With a nylon string guitar, artists can paint musical landscapes with their fingertips, expressing their deepest emotions and bringing their compositions to life.

Artistic Expression and Interpretation

Nylon string guitars are highly regarded for their ability to capture and convey the subtle nuances of a musician's playing. The responsive nature of these instruments allows for intricate phrasing and detailed expression. Whether you play fingerstyle, with or without nails, or with a pick, there are countless possibilities to produce a sound and style of your own. With a nylon string guitar, artists can paint musical landscapes with their fingertips, expressing their deepest emotions and bringing their compositions to life.

Nylon String Guitars: A Beginner's Guide

If you're new to the world of guitars, exploring the realm of nylon string instruments is a fantastic starting point. Here are some essential factors to consider:

Types of Guitars: Nylon string guitars come in various body types and designs, including classical, flamenco, and hybrid designs, often referred to as crossover guitars. There’s something for everyone! Each type has unique characteristics that set it apart from the others.

Some share common attributes such as neck profile, scale length, cutaway, and no cutaway, just to name a few, but are different enough to satisfy a particular requirement. It’s important to explore different options to find the ones that resonate with your musical preferences and needs. We won’t go into detail here; we’ll save that for a separate post, but it should suffice to say that one type or size does not fit all.

It’s best to connect with a knowledgeable and reputable resource to help you sort through your requirements and desires, point you in the right direction, and ensure you’re purchasing the appropriate nylon string guitar.

Tension: Tension of nylon strings can vary, offering different playing experiences. Higher tension strings can produce a more robust sound, while lower tension strings, although easier to play, can often result in a guitar not being able to project or be as loud as it could be, producing a softer and more delicate tone.

Experimenting with different string tensions can help you find the perfect match for your playing style and the guitar. I’m often asked which strings are better hard, medium, or light tension. My typical response is - experiment! Try different tensions and listen to how the guitar responds. The guitar will tell you what works. Every guitar has it’s own “guitaronality”. It will let you know what it wants and needs to reveal its full potential.

Construction: The subject merits its own post. But in short, pay attention to the materials used in the construction of the guitar. The combination of tonewoods, such as spruce, cedar top, rosewood, or the countless exotic kinds of wood used for backs and sides, can significantly impact the guitar's sound. In addition, factors like bracing patterns and overall craftsmanship also contribute to the instrument's playability and performance.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Are nylon string guitars only suitable for classical music?

A: No, nylon string guitars are versatile and can be used in various musical genres, including classical, folk, jazz, and more. The key is to avoid getting caught up in the traditional thinking that nylon string guitars are limited to classical music. Open yourself up to the instrument's full potential and experiment. Nylon string guitars provide endless possibilities. Many artists use or have used nylon string guitars extensively, and they are from all corners of the music world: Willie Nelson, Early Klugh, Jerry Reed, Al DiMeola, Ralph Towner, and Chet Atkins, just to name a few.

Q: Do nylon strings require special maintenance?

A: Nylon strings, like any string, require a certain amount of care to ensure good performance and longevity. Natural oils and dead skin deposits accumulate on the strings. Also, heavy use will ultimately stretch or deform the string and affect its ability to stay in tune and intonation. Regular cleaning and occasional string replacement are recommended for optimal performance.

Needless to say, there’s a 50% less chance of corrosion than steel strings, as three of the six strings are nylon or nylon derivatives. If there is a downside to nylon strings, it would be that they are more prone to breakage due to nicks or cuts, particularly the treble strings. This is where employing a good guitar tech or luthier is essential to make sure the nut slots and saddle surfaces are smooth and polished to eliminate any sharp edges

Q: Can I use a pick with a nylon string guitar?

A: Absolutely! While fingerpicking is the most common technique, you can certainly use a pick with a nylon string guitar to achieve a different tonal quality and attack. Experiment!

Q: Are nylon string guitars suitable for beginners?

A: Yes, nylon string guitars are often recommended for beginners for several reasons. The overall string tension on a nylon string guitar is about half that of a steel string guitar. At about 80 pounds, generally speaking, your hands will not work as hard when fingering or plucking as you would on a comparable steel string instrument.

Also, due to the softer nature of the material, nylon and even the stranded nylon core steel wound basses of a nylon set are more forgiving on the hands and fingertips. It’s important to note that composite strings that utilize proprietary materials instead of nylon will be a bit harder on the fingertips but are still easier to play on than typical steel strings. Be on the lookout for a separate post on strings.

Q: Can I play electric guitar music on a nylon string guitar?

A: While nylon string guitars are primarily associated with acoustic music, you can adapt electric guitar pieces to be played on a nylon string guitar, adding a unique twist to the sound. There are countless pickups developed explicitly for use with nylon string guitars. Most crossover guitars employ them. We’ll explore more about them in a separate post. But needless to say, the sky’s the limit as to what you can do, given all of the gadgets and gizmos now available.

Conclusion

Nylon string guitars offer endless possibilities for artistic expression beyond the traditional boundaries we are all familiar with. With their wide tonal palette, distinctive sound, and the development of so many different types of guitars, they offer a wide range of creative opportunities across genres.

The nylon string has undoubtedly captured the interest of the general public and musicians alike. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced guitarist looking to expand your musical horizons, a nylon string guitar will unlock a realm of soulful and captivating possibilities.



Chuck Marfione is a luthier, guitar technician, and player based out of Morganton, North Carolina. Chuck recognized, over a decade ago, the lack of an online platform exclusively catering to nylon string guitar players. In response, he took the initiative and launched AllStringsNylon.com, a dedicated site for nylon string guitar players seeking resources, guidance, and community. If you're looking for expert advice tailored to your needs, skill level, and specific challenges as a nylon string guitar player, don't hesitate to Schedule a free consultation with Chuck. Alternatively, you can contact him at 828-652-9210 and unlock a world of personalized guidance and support.