Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
I am looking at few Classical Electrics under $500.00 US and was just wondering what make and model would my fellow forum members recommend if they were making the purchase for themselves?

The only criteria besides the above stated budget would be a more narrow than standard fretboard as I still want to be comfortable playing chords as well as picking and I have always found the broad/standard neck nylons are just too large for my hands to be able to chord comfortably.

Looking for a little guidance here ladies and germs . . . Thanks!

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 317
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 317
Danny, I went through this exercise last year. I looked at classical and flamenco guitars. I can't recall the exact models, but I only found three classicals with approx 1 3/4" necks rather than 2". A Guild approx $1100.00 cdn. Great balanced sound with lots of projection acoustically, and electrically. An Ovation Folklore? with nylon strings. Sound to me was a bit bright and stiff. Also a bit quacky on electric. A Cort approx $450 cdn. Sound was a bit too soft and mellow but the guitar played well acoustically and electrically. I would look at it for non serious classical playing. What I did do with an inexpensive acoutic classic was shave the neck to 1 11/16" myself. It looks a little strange at the neck where the neck meets the body but only guitar players notice. I am looking for a inexpensive electric classic that has pretty good sound and I will shave the neck myself bearing in mind the mass change and refinish can effect the tone. I need something as a travel guitar for southern climes, I hope the nylon strings will hold up better than the bronze. i'll bet there are a lot of guitar players looking for a narrow neck classical guitar and there don't seem to be too many made. Good luck in your search I will be watching this post with interest.
DennisD


There are only 3 kinds of musicians: those that can count, and those that can't!
PC AMD A4-5300 APU 3.4 GHz, 8gb RAM, 1T HDD, Windows 10,
Reaper 4.77, BIAB2018, PTPA12, RB2018, Roland VS-880 DAW
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126


just looking for clues...
Oren.
http://www.masteringmatters.com
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Try Ortega guitars at ortegaguitars.com or Ibanez. They cover a pretty wide price range.


Chris
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 317
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 317
Oren, good choice on the Goding Multiac. I played one, when I was working up in Edmonton three years ago, after hearing a fellow playing a jazz fusion style ala Charley Bird. This is a great guitar and the nut width of 1 11/16 is what influenced me to shave the neck on my cheapie classic. I own a Godin LGX-ST (synth, piezo, and humbucking) guitar and I can attest to the quality and versitility of the Godin line. If DannyC increases his wish list price to approximately $1000.00, this is one heck of an instrument. Also, I have communicated with Godin guitars on some issues and they are a very customer orientated company-no I do not work for them. DennisD
PS-I see you are from Victoria, I am currently in your fair city to attend grandchildrens' dance concert at UVic. Great weather today. Leaving early tomorrow.


There are only 3 kinds of musicians: those that can count, and those that can't!
PC AMD A4-5300 APU 3.4 GHz, 8gb RAM, 1T HDD, Windows 10,
Reaper 4.77, BIAB2018, PTPA12, RB2018, Roland VS-880 DAW
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Thanks for the feedback Gentlemen.

Oren if I could bust my budget your suggestion would be the way I go but that is a little too much of a stretch.

Sinbad I could not follow those links, but will try again later.

Dennis and all what I have been giving serious consideration to is an Alvarez student guitar the RC210C. It sells locally for 339.00 and is currently discountinued from the Alvarez line. Nice Rosewood sides and fretboard with a narrow neck. I am also looking at a Takamine (not sure I spelled it correctly) for around 400.00. I'll keep you posted as the quest continues.

Thanks again Gents for your help.

Later,

Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
It looks like they are just based in Germany, but with the weak Euro it may be worth importing. They are updating the website so try this link. http://www.ortegaguitars.com/index.php?id=6

For Ibanez, try this link http://www.ibanez.com/acoustic/

Yamaha also make good instruments in that price range http://www.yamaha.com/guitars/classicals.html?CTID=5066600&CNTYP=PRODUCT


Chris
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 809
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 809
You can put nylon strings on any guitar if you find one with the style of neck you are looking for.


My website to hear my stuff-

http://www.edbulmer.com/


guitar player, vocalist, sailor
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,216
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,216
Quote:

You can put nylon strings on any guitar if you find one with the style of neck you are looking for.




Danny, Ed may be on to something here, especially if you have an acoustic-electric steel string at home now. If not some of the acoustic-electric steel strings are very inexpensive. All you have to do is rework the nut and bridge to accommodate the wider nylon strings and that’s not hard to do nor is it very expensive to have done.

Good luck


Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 825
Nylon strings won't drive a steel string top so well. I don't think the result will be satisfactory as most steel string necks are too narrow. Having said that, as it won't cost any more than a nut and a set of strings, try it.


Chris
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,126
Quote:

Oren, good choice on the Goding Multiac. I played one, when I was working up in Edmonton three years ago, after hearing a fellow playing a jazz fusion style ala Charley Bird. This is a great guitar and the nut width of 1 11/16 is what influenced me to shave the neck on my cheapie classic. I own a Godin LGX-ST (synth, piezo, and humbucking) guitar and I can attest to the quality and versitility of the Godin line. If DannyC increases his wish list price to approximately $1000.00, this is one heck of an instrument. Also, I have communicated with Godin guitars on some issues and they are a very customer orientated company-no I do not work for them. DennisD
PS-I see you are from Victoria, I am currently in your fair city to attend grandchildrens' dance concert at UVic. Great weather today. Leaving early tomorrow.




Dennis,
Hope you had a mellow time in Victoria - there were massive boatloads of sailors(navy) from several countries in town. Things tend to get boisterous during these shindigs. I work nights at the international hostel down on the waterfront - this made for an interesting few shifts...

I own a Godin electric bass, and an LG with Seymour Duncan P-90s.

The most relaxing part of shopping for a Godin is that, if you can find one used and in good condition, the price is usually very reasonable. Plus, if you can find one with an F stamped at the end of the serial number (on the back of the head), it means the item is cosmetically flawed, and will sell for even less.

Danny,
If you can find a used Godin, especially one with the "flawed" designation, it will likely sneak you under the 500 clam mark...


just looking for clues...
Oren.
http://www.masteringmatters.com
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
I have one of these: http://www.rondomusic.com/product1471.html

And have been happy with it. Make sure to check out the price of the pickup and pre-amp elsewhere and you'll find that buying it in a guitar is pretty inexpensive!

When I bought mine, they said the top was solid Cedar. It certainly looks that way in person.

One thing that is curious about this guitar is that it has an adjustable truss rod. I didn't shop much, but didn't find many classicals with an adjustable truss rod.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,416
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,416
Ooh ooh ooh. I was getting ready to start a whole bunch of research into this myself, and here you guys have done a lot of it for me. Thanks!


Best,
Tom Smith
Win10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM
BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS
AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Thanks again guys for all the suggestions. I will be making a move within a week or so and I am sure I will be proud to show you all my new toy.

Yo Tom . . . I just know already regardless of my choice that my new guitar will not be as funny as your new guitar.

Later,

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
R
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
R
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Hi Danny,

I have fancied the Takemine nylon acoustic I saw one afternoon at a local music store that fell below the $500 mark. it was a hybrid in that it contains an internal pickup. I was quite pleased with the playability and sound. As for neck width, I could not tell you the spec on it. My fingers are rather long so I was able to get around it without problem. I like the wide gap between strings in a nylon acoustic.

Just one more for ya! Let us know what you purchase!
Cheers,
RickeG

Off-Topic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 47
I've an Alvarez RC120SC that was reasonably priced and otherwise meets the criteria here. It plays more than decently, has the not-quite-classical width neck, looks nice, sounds nice acoustically. The built in pickup is no more than so-so but then I've never heard an under-saddle piezo that sounded very good with nylon strings. It's become my go-to guitar for songwriting and intimate performing.

I think if I wanted a dedicated performance nylon-string I might look at Epiphone's semi-solid body offering. I think it's called an SST or something like that and it's a less expensive version of the Chet Atkins model that Gibson used to make.

Btw, putting nylon strings on a steel string guitar will give intonation problems due to the slanted saddle on most steel stringers. Classical guitars have a straight-across saddle due to the different intonation requirements of nylon strings. Not that it is a huge problem!


the Insolent Lad
Enough small empty boxes thrown into a big empty box fill it full. ~Carl Sandburg
Off-Topic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,706
Rockstar_not & insolentladm

I will check out the Valencia as that one was not on my radar also, I will check out the Eppy as I did not even know they made a nylon string model. Good info from both of you.

Thanks,

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,304
Posts777,534
Members39,613
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Claudio Paolini, bjornen71, CATBELLOU, Banjopotamus, BudLab
39,612 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 147
zedd 119
DC Ron 107
WaoBand 102
nonchai 94
rsdean 89
Today's Birthdays
Manos
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5