[TD in DC]

As many know, I have voluntarily taken a temporary hiatus from racing (how temporary remains to be seen). I need something to distract me.

I took piano lessons for 12 years (although I just realized that it has been 23 years since I have played seriously ), and I have played various instruments over the years, including guitar.

So, I think I want to start playing guitar again.


I definitely want to buy an acoustic guitar.

I really like classical/Spanish guitar (nylon strings), or Spanish contemporary music (mostly steel strings, I think). Here is an example of the kind of music I like:

YouTube - Bendita Tu Luz - Maná y Juan Luis Guerra

YouTube - Bendita Tu Luz - Maná y Juan Luis Guerra

(anybody able to identify the types of guitars they are playing in the video? Looks like nylon strings, no? ) Here is the "official" video of the same song, which is of much higher quality:

YouTube - Man� Bendita Tu Luz (Music Video)

YouTube - Man� Bendita Tu Luz (Music Video)

So, I need to make two decisions:

First, do I want nylon or steel strings.

Second, what type/brand of guitar to buy.


Please give me your advice on what factors I should consider and your recommendations. Thanks!


P.S. Here are a few of the guitars I liked at the store.
Steel Strings:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Breedlov...13-i1147737.gc
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Martin-D...88-i1170757.gc
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Taylor-4...27-i1148435.gc
Nylon Strings:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Cordoba-...75-i1147850.gc
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Cordoba-...53-i1166343.gc
Help!

P.S. The first guy who says "Buy the damned guitar" "buy the damned trailer" or "buy a damned race car" is going to get a swift kick in the nuts!

[Rick Lee]

You need both. I have an old Gibson nylon string and a newish Takamine Jasmine steel string. They are very different animals. I have less than $400 into them combined, so reast assured, this new hobby will quite a bit cheaper than the track habit. Sure, you can drop $8k on a nylon string, but you won't understand the difference between it and a Sears guitar until you have a few years under your belt. I always go to the Guitar Center and grab the most expensive nylon string off the wall and then play the the cheapest one. There is some difference, but not several thousands of dollars worth.

[bull30]

Your just a little late.... I had a beautiful Garcia Classical Guitar made in 1972 in absolute mint condition... Unfortunately I set it down then sat on it by mistake and broke the neck I would have let it go for around $400.00... Goto this website and take a look at what he has in stock... I've dealt with Chris for years... You will get a much better deal than buying new...

http://chrisguitars.com/

[VaSteve]

Oh dear gawd.....you can put nylons on a regular acoustic if you wanna build up finger strength.

[rs911t]

Go to Atomic Music in College Park. Pick up a used Gibson Les Paul and Marshall JCM-900 2-speaker combo. String the guitar with 0.09 Ernie Ball's (easier on the fingers since you're just starting out). Then prepare to annoy the crap out of everyone in neighborhood.

You buy some nylon stringed acoustic and before you realize it the Club Coupe gets traded for a Volvo station wagon and you're off on brie and red wine picnics.

The Gibson/Marshall combo will maintain your hair-on-fire race car drover attitude. As a side effect, the wife, kids and neighbors will encourage you to find another hobby, e.g. race car droving!

Get the acoustic and .... well ......

[rs911t]

I call dibs on the Club Coupe.

[TD in DC]

Thanks guys.

OK, apart from brand, let's talk type of guitar!

Is it possible to learn classical guitar by putting nylon strings on a guitar designed for steel strings (is that possible depending upon the connection of the string to the bridge?? )? If so, then it seems to be a no brainer to get an acoustic guitar designed for steel strings, because I know that you cannot put steel strings on a guitar designed for nylon strings.

If this is not possible, then what is the best way to learn again (I used to play guitar, so I am not a complete novice . . . I fully know what I am getting in to)? Is there a significant advantage of one over the other in terms of learning? (p.s., I don't care about finger strength . . . I am sure i am fine).

As far as cost goes, I didn't pay attention to cost. I paid attention to sound. The guitars I picked were based upon me liking the sound. If I found a cheaper guitar that sounded the same or better, I would get it. But, I would not get a worse sounding guitar just to save a few bucks. This is supposed to be something for me to enjoy, and I work hard enough that I deserve to splurge (besides, this is my birthday present from my wife to me in any event ).

Thanks for the help!

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by TD in DC

Thanks guys.

OK, apart from brand, let's talk type of guitar!

Is it possible to learn classical guitar by putting nylon strings on a guitar designed for steel strings (is that possible depending upon the connection of the string to the bridge?? )? If so, then it seems to be a no brainer to get an acoustic guitar designed for steel strings, because I know that you cannot put steel strings on a guitar designed for nylon strings.

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Oh dear gawd.....you can put nylons on a regular acoustic if you wanna build up finger strength.

All you need is the one with the balls on the end to fit into the bridge. Any guitar shop should have it. Remember, that a steel string is going to have a narrower neck. If you want to play fingerstyle like the videos and have man hands, you should take that into consideration. There are steel string guitars with various width necks. I have 2 Yamahas and one is wider than the other. Also, consider growing your nails out, the clip on picks suck.

Originally Posted by TD in DC

If this is not possible, then what is the best way to learn again (I used to play guitar, so I am not a complete novice . . . I fully know what I am getting in to)? Is there a significant advantage of one over the other in terms of learning? (p.s., I don't care about finger strength . . . I am sure i am fine).

I play intermittently on a steel string guitar. My fingers lose the calluses in between long sessions. Thus, I can only play for short stretches without it hurting.

Originally Posted by TD in DC

As far as cost goes, I didn't pay attention to cost. I paid attention to sound. The guitars I picked were based upon me liking the sound. If I found a cheaper guitar that sounded the same or better, I would get it. But, I would not get a worse sounding guitar just to save a few bucks. This is supposed to be something for me to enjoy, and I work hard enough that I deserve to splurge (besides, this is my birthday present from my wife to me in any event ).

Thanks for the help!

I'm with Rick on this one...

Sure, you can drop $8k on a nylon string, but you won't understand the difference between it and a Sears guitar until you have a few years under your belt. I always go to the Guitar Center and grab the most expensive nylon string off the wall and then play the the cheapest one. There is some difference, but not several thousands of dollars worth.

I was always told to buy a "good" one so you enjoy it. A "great" one will not make YOU sound any better if you're a hack/learning, etc.

[Dr K]

I'll answer your question. The guy with shorter dark hair is playing a nylon-string (you can tell because the tuning keys go towards the back, not sticking out up and down), and the longer-haired guy is playing a steel string. I have an Ovation I almost never play, which I don't want to sell but will lend to you if you want to try it out before you put money down. This is old as Ovations go, circa 1976 (one of their first), and has a nice warm sound for a steel-string guitar.

It's easier to learn on a nylon-string guitar, as the strings are further apart and don't hurt your fingers as much.

Peter

[Trak Ratt]

Just wanted to move this to two pages... what the hell he never bought the "real 911" after 2/3 years of discussions