francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,405
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Sept 1, 2018 9:03:08 GMT
Anyone here play a non classical nylon strung guitar. If so what body shape does it have (O, OO, OOO... custom?)
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,325
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Post by colins on Sept 1, 2018 11:11:20 GMT
Francis, I have worked in the other direction, using the classical body shape as the basis for my steel strings. Remember that you are working with a lower energy system with nylon strings, so something in the OO body size is probably best, 14" or so lower bout, also make sure that the bridge is well back in the lower bout, so probably 12 fret to the body. The classical guitar has been a long time evolving, so its parameters of body shape, bridge position etc., have been fairly well optimised for the energy levels available.
Colin
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francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,405
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Sept 1, 2018 13:55:47 GMT
Francis, I have worked in the other direction, using the classical body shape as the basis for my steel strings. Remember that you are working with a lower energy system with nylon strings, so something in the OO body size is probably best, 14" or so lower bout, also make sure that the bridge is well back in the lower bout, so probably 12 fret to the body. The classical guitar has been a long time evolving, so its parameters of body shape, bridge position etc., have been fairly well optimised for the energy levels available. Colin Thanks Colin, I'm thinking of a OO/OOO body size and I echo your point about getting the bridge as near centre of the lower bout area. So 12th fret body/neck join. I went into guitarguitar in Brum recently and played a nylon strung Taylor, it wasn't what I think of as a standard (if there's such a thing) classical body shape - bit bigger than a parlour but not as big as a OOO, it had a more definite waist and more defined upper and lower bouts (think it was a 400 series guitar and more than I would pay for it ) but I did like its sound. So something along those lines will be the next build....
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,325
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Post by colins on Sept 1, 2018 14:59:36 GMT
Francis this is my standard classical shape (Torres FE19) it's a 14" lower bout with quite a pronounced waist. I feel it's important with nylon guitars to bring as much of the upper bout in as possible this is usually done by having open harmonic bars,as you can see here. Colin
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francis
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,405
My main instrument is: Whatever I'm building...
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Post by francis on Sept 1, 2018 15:31:21 GMT
colins A classical I built some time ago also used arching to allowing through bracing to the upper bout area. I found the design in a Guild of American Luthiers magazine - Gary Southwell was the author. There were no dimensions so I just made a guess to body and other sizes. I based my body shape on a Daniel Friederich guitar in Roy Courtnell's book I also employed a raised neck extension to allow full freedom to the upper bout area. The guitar turned out like this As usual I put a few of my own twists in the design Francis
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