Hey There

Well it looks like i may be gifed sum cash and for once in my life id like to own a really really decent acoustic guitar. Now my partner has already descided no question on a taylor sttel strung jumbo. Im not yet descided on route to go i play a lot of lead/picking orientated styles with just light backing rythm if needed. The question im facing is wether a nylon strung would suite me or a steel strung. Either way im looking to spend a max of $2000 on it. I deffo sweet on taylor guitars.

What im really after is pro's and cons regarding the nylon/steel. Im worried that a nylon will limit me. Naturally im talking out my arse as i know zip about guitars when it really comes down to it. to quote monty python "dont know much about art but i know what i like" Im looking for maximum sound quality coupled with playability. Like i said im not much of rythm guitarist but there are occations when i need to do both.

Thanks for your time.

Aryn

I'd definitely go with a steel string unless you play classical or something similar.

As far as guitar choice goes, I'd look at some Gibsons, Martins, high end Epiphones, or Alvarez Yairi's in that price range.

I won't be popular with the brand name folks but personally I've never noticed any improvment in performance quality in accoustic guitars beyond the thousand dollar mark. There are other features such as wood type, finish and so on that are one's cup of tea for more money but the quality for actual playing maxes out long before the price tags do.

Definitely get steel strings. the fact that you are asking the question indicates you don't concentrate on classical music...and even with classical, outside of specific performances, there as many folks who play classical with steel strings.these steel strings as nylon. Go to you tube and and type in classical or Spanish guitar lesson and lots of steel strings used.

I have two nylon strng guitars and love them dearly but .... the proverbial: "if you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one guitar"...it would be a steel string.

Personally, if I had no guitar and spending 2,000,I'd get 'the three'... a steel string, a nylon string and an electric Mexican Strat.

I have had that exact setup for a long time... can't beat it.

I think ive descided on a steel strung and probably a nylon string to handle some of my classical inclinations i think even if i have to spend a touch more it will be worth it but really my budget is pretty much 2k.

I have a freind of a freind who works for taylor so i might see what kind of discount i can get and take it from there. No need for electrics as im pretty much fine in that arena. Will be wanting a decent acoustic amp but ill do some research and sum playing around and come back for advice on that front later on. Fortunatly i have a bit of time and wont be making any descisions too quickly untill im satisified.

Thanks.

Aryn

(Tsk-tsk-tsk.... )




Very simple, if you want to play classical music get a nylon string. If you want to play folk, blues, country, classic acoustic rock, etc, get a steel string. (Ideally, eventually you'll own both.)

If you have 2k to spend but don't know whether to spend on a classical or acoustic then don't spend the money at all. Theres no point spending until you've figured out why you're spending.

I've got a classical, an acoustic and an electric. None are expensive but I love all three. I've come to the conclusion that the biggest variable is not the guitar but the player. If I practice more I'll sound better and thats the better alternative to just "cheating" by buying a better guitar.

At least 500 dollars will get you a new decent sounding guitar. I played a Fender nylon with a pick-up at a pawn shop it was 325 dollars and it was awesome I am upset I didn't buy it.

Its the sound quality that improves really. If you had brazilian rosewood instead of indian then your sound is going to be better and the price is also going to go up because brazilian is harder to get. Same for the finish if your guitar is say french polished its going to sound better than if its got a poly finish. French polishing takes longer so you pay more. Its thing like that the push the price up things that inprove the sound.


Depends what your used to playing i guess. 500 dollars (about 250 quid) will buy you a bag of s*it in my eyes.

I have to agree w/ adds. Until I upgraded, I didn't realize the depth of what real wood guitars can sound like. $500 laminates just are intolerable to my ears now. All midrange and nothing else.

It's like having a slow PC.....to you it feels ok until you sit on someone else's up to date PC. Yours will feel like a slug. Play a $500 guitar next to an all wood $1000+ guitar, and you'll be able to tell the difference.

Cost of Brazilian is now thru the roof and prohibtively expensive. You'd be lucky to find one new w/ real solid Braz back/sides for under $5000 but you can get the same guitar w/ Indian Rosewood for 1/2 that cost. Is it worth the extra $2500 for Brazilian Rosewood? To some yes....to others, no biggie. I have a Taylor 815CE Ltd w/ Brazilian Rosewood.....it was $2700 when I bought it in 2003.....i was recently offered $5000 for it used.

There it is on the right next to my Taylor 655 12 string.

Shame its still a Taylor though

Haven't heard any that's better for the $$$