Nylon-strung archtop for bossa nova?

[rch427]

I know that the question of re-stringing normally steel-strung acoustics with nylon strings has been raised before, but I have a variation on it that I wanted to ask. I have an old mahogany arch-top that I want to try getting a more bossa nova sound out of for a little home recording project. Yeah, I realize it's going to be a compromise (at best) and that it'll be a bit quieter than the steel strings or a proper classical guitar, but that shouldn't matter for my purposes. On to the questions:

 

I know of no way to measure the width of the slots in the nut (and I don't want to file them out), so I'm wondering if there are nylon strings that are the same diameter as typical steel strings. Most of the descriptions of nylon strings just use vague terms like "lighter gauge", but no specifics. Is there a light-gauge, ball-end nylon string that would be suited to this application? Or could the silk-and-steels produce something like a classic bossa nova tone?

 

TIA --

 

Robert

[Terry Allan Hall]

There are a few luthiers making nylon strung arch-tops, but they're pretty pricy!

 

One consideration is that your arch-top's metal tailpiece will cut through nylon strings pretty quickly, so you'll have to modify it.

 

Might consider flat-wound strings.

[groovetube66]

Why not just get a cheap classical guitar? Even cheap ones tend to have good low action since there is so little stress on the neck.

 

Goodwill Aria Classical Guitar

[Stackabones]

Originally posted by groovetube66 Why not just get a cheap classical guitar?

 

If you're going for that bossa nova sound, rch427, then groovetube's recommendation is solid. Plenty of cheap nylon-string acoustics out there that will do the trick quite nicely. Yamaha is an easy bet. Should be able to find new ones and used ones for every price range.

 

Speaking of Yamaha, check out the Yamaha AEX 500N. You can find them on ebay and decent prices. Not an archtop, but they've got f-holes, thin necks, and nylons. Sound and look great. Not for acoustic playing, but really good plugged in and for recording.

 

 

TAH's right about nylon-string arch-tops. Rarified air those gits! Many are custom jobs, and most are very expensive. Here is one article on them.

 

As far as strings go there are ball-ended nylons, but I don't think they make them as small as you need. Requinto strings (D'Addarios are good) have a .022, which is pretty skinny in the nylon world.

 

Silk and steel strings are usually used for Manouche, Gypsy Jazz, Django playing. I guess you could used them for bossa, but they are not the traditional option.