The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #12110   Message #2051692
Posted By: Don Firth
14-May-07 - 04:15 PM
Thread Name: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
Subject: RE: Best guitars for fingerstyle?
It's possible to find nylon string guitars (classics) with a fingerboard that is not quite as wide as standard for classics (2 inches), I've seen a few with a 1-7/8 inch fingerboard (measuring at the nut). That's only a smidgen wider than most steel-string guitars. Taylor makes a couple of models:   Clicky

Now, you might think "Nylon-strings? For finger-picking!??" But nylon-string guitars have certain qualities that a lot of steel-string players (folkies in particular) often miss. I've been playing classic guitars (full-width neck) for over fifty years; some classic pieces and a bit of flamenco, but mostly song accompaniment. And, yes, finger-picking. I have yet to hear even a very good steel-string guitar that could really fill a large auditorium without amplification of some sort. Even dreadnaught models (which, frankly, I'm not all that impressed with—may be good for laying down a bass when playing with a group, but they're not very well balanced for solo playing or song accompaniment). A well-made nylon-string guitar (thinner soundboard with lighter bracing) can bounce the sound off the back wall of a large auditorium.

And they're a lot easier on the left-hand fingers, which translates into greater facility. And as far as the right hand is concerned, you don't need fingerpicks to get a good, punchy sount.

Your mileage may vary.

Don Firth