Need help - Please recommend a nylon string guitar with a thin/comfortable neck

[econ]

Hello folks:

 

I would like to ask for suggestion on nylon string acoustic guitars with thin confortable necks. I have a Godin Multiac and the neck is like a baseball bat. The guitar sounds nice but it is difficult for me to play it, since I have small hands.

 

I read that the Takamine EAN60C has a thinner neck, but I can't seem to find one. There is a new one on ebay, but they are asking $1400 for it.

 

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

[Freeman Keller]

Econ, are you looking for a narrower fret board (less than the normal 2 inches) or less depth and thickness? Both Martin and Taylor have made what I call "hybrid" nylon string guitars (lets not call them "classicals") with narrower fretboards and different bracing than a classical. The Martin 000C-16SGTNE (all that must mean something LOL) has a 1-7/8 nut width and their "low profile neck. I believe some curvature too - a classical is almost always flat.

 

Small hands shouldn't be a problem if you play classical technique - thumb in the middle of the back instead of wrapped around like us sloppy blues player. For reference, 1-7/8 is still pretty wide - most 12 strings are about that width.

[econ]

Thanks for the response Freeman. I guess that I'm looking for a combination lessdepth/thickness and a narrower neck. I'll check the Taylor and Martin brand.

[JasmineTea]

I just saw an Alvarez last night at an open mic that had a tapered neck. I believe Alvarez makes a couple of these.

[Stackabones]

La Patrie Hybrid CW Nylon String. It still has a 2'' nut, but the neck has a radius. Don't know if it's as thick as the Godin, but it might be since they're made by the same folks.

 

The Breedlove AN250/CR has a narrower nut.

 

I've got the Alvarez AC60SC. Pretty comfy neck.

 

Yamaha's bound to have one, seems like they've got everything.

 

I think the general term is "hybrid" or "crossover" nylon-string guitars--the next big thing!

[knowspicker]

The Art & Lutherie Ami Nylon has a low profile neck and is not as wide as a standard classical. I've played them in stores and they are pretty comfy to play. Much smaller neck profile than most classical. It's size 0 though so smaller body, too.

[econ]

The LaPatrie model sounds good, but that nut width is not appealing to me. I have small hands, so it will be a pain in the neck for me to play. Like the Godin I got as a gift.

[econ]

Any other suggestions? Does anyone know of an online dealer that sells LaPatrie guitars?

[bsman]

You can get a Carvin CL450 for $1k. It's neck is 1.93", and thinner from front to back than almost any other nylon strung guitar. I picked one up in their shop once, and it was a slimmer neck than one usually finds on a classical.

 

Also, don't count out the La Patries without picking one up - I've played an Etude in the shop, and the neck felt quite a bit smaller in my hands than most classicals.

 

Anyway - I wouldn't worry about the neck width, apparently, if you're going to learn proper classical technique (something I've not done if 40 years!) size truly doesn't matter - young kids and little girly girls are able to play a standard classical just fine!

[brahmz118]

The 2" nut might turn out to be a blessing, once you get used to it. Nylon strings are a little thicker than steel, and I feel like I have more unintentional mutings when my LH technique isn't spot-on. Also, I tend to tolerate higher action on nylon string guitars because they're still playable due to the lower tension, but that also leads to more accidental mutings. For me, at least, the wider neck on my Cordoba CWE-S helps. I have fairly long fingers, and I still do lots of wraparound chords with my thumb playing the 6th and even 5th strings.

 

One option that hasn't been mentioned in this thread is the Rainsong WS-9000. 1-7/8" nut and a radiused fingerboard. Not cheap at around $2100, but I'm a big Rainsong fan and I have faith that it would sound as strong and clear as they claim.

[Greg Bogoshian]

I also would heartily recommend the Carvin CL450... I played a couple of them and besides being a work of art, I love how they felt and played! I played other types such as the Taylor, but there was just no comparison. The CL450 just blew them out of the water...

[knowspicker]

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/lapatrie_classical_guitar_lapatrie_classical_guitars_gcla.html

 

They sell lot's of Godin guitars

[econ]

This guys carry LaPatrie and Godin, but due to manufacturers restrictions they can't ship to PR.

[frl.josefine]

Econ,

there are also some Ovation models with Nylon strings. They all have a 1 7/8-nut. I own an CS-149S which was followed by the CS-049S, but they changed the Celebrity line and the new one seems to be the CSE243-4.