Accomp. Classical or Steel strings

Subject: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: GUEST,Janey B.
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 11:13 AM

I'm wondering which guitar "sound/tone" (classical or steel strings...or both), you prefer when accompanying yourself singing. I taught myself on a classical guitar, and have since purchased a steel string guitar, but find I prefer the sound of a classical guitar for folk song accompaniment (the sound is softer and more soothing to my ears.) What about you?   

Janey

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Peace
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 01:07 PM

I worked with Feliciano (I was the MC) for two weeks at Gerde's way back. What I learned from that experience is that nylon string guitars can make a great rock sound.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 01:25 PM

It's really "horses for courses". Steel-strings - I would say - give better sustain, and that might be important. Also, steel are certainly better for bending notes. Not many famous folk artists have used nylon. Peter, Paul and Mary did; well, Peter and Paul did. But, as a previous poster pointed out, some artists - like Jose Feliciano -get a fantastic sound using nylon, and if it's it good enough for Paco de Lucia ...

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: leeneia
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 01:32 PM

It depends on whether you want the guitar to blend with you or contrast with you. Nylon blends better, steel is sharper and contrasts more.

I prefer nylon, myself. Also, nylon is easier on the fingers if you don't hav calluses built up.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Bernard
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 02:24 PM

Not very helpful, maybe, but I use both... but not at the same time!!

For me it depends a lot on the song. I mostly use steel (and 12), and tend only to use nylon when I want a specifically 'Spanish' sound.

Gerry Kearns of the Oldham Tinkers has always used nylon, though most other performers (as mentioned above) tend to prefer steel. If I could only have one guitar with me, it would be steel.

One problem with nylon strings is the time taken to 'bed in' (stay in tune) after they've been changed. It could be a big problem if a string broke during a performance...

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: McMullen
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:02 PM

dpends totally on the tempo, mood of the piece

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Deckman
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 05:51 PM

I use both. I'm lucky enough to have two vintage Martins, one classical and one steel. For more "up-tempo" or "hard driving songs, or blues, I'll use the steel. For the more mellow ballads, I'll use the classic.

I kinda ducked your question ... didn't I! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:52 PM

Plectrum, steel; fingers, nylon.

But in situations where you might be doing it either way, steel - and Bernard's point about getting new strings to stay in tune is relevant here too.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Peace
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:54 PM

Sometimes. Feliciano's use of a nylon-stringed guitar gave a driving rhythm to some very up-tempo stuff.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Peace
Date: 19 Nov 06 - 06:55 PM

Don't mean to 'disagree' with anyone's chosen way to play.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Grab
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 08:39 AM

Listen to "Shape of my heart" and say whether that'd be better with steel-string. And then listen to "The Boxer" and say whether that'd be better with classical.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 09:25 AM

While the tonal differences between nylon and steel-strung guitars are quite obvious, the differences in steel-string guitars due to factors of body size and string choice can also be substantial. While a small-bodied steel-strung guitar with silk-and-steel strings definitely doesn't sound the same as a classical, it does have a sound far closer to that of nylon strings than does a dreadnought strung with medium gauge bronze strings.

Personally, my preference for solo vocal accompaniment is a 00 size steel-string with light gauge bronze strings.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 09:29 AM

Depends on where you're playing? If at home for your own ears only, I would think that whatever one likes is fine. Playing out in venues, I would think steel would be necessary unless one likes using an instrument mic. And for micless jams, the ringing of the steel.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Scrump
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 10:02 AM

I don't see how there can be any 'correct' answer to the question. Either can be used, and it just depends on what suits you better, or what you thikn sounds right for a particular song. You might as well ask: is it better to use (say) a bouzouki or a guitar to accompany a song? Again there's no 'right' answer and it depends what you think sounds better for a given song (all this is IMO of course!)

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Bernard
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 11:52 AM

Then, of course, there is the 12-string... and other variants...!

Like Scrump says, there can't be a 'correct' answer... just suck it and see!!

Usually, a performer's choice of instrument works simply because they are doing it right, which means the audience likes it. Enthusiasm rubs off, y'know!! Okay, skill is somewhat desirable, too!

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Mooh
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 11:58 AM

Steel (6, 12, baritone, electric) mostly. To accompany others I might use the nylon once in a while and I like it for classical pieces, and Spanish-esque jazzy noodling.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Bernard
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 02:33 PM

Yup... that's it, Mooh!

It has to be said, though, that a very cheap nylon strung guitar sounds infinitely better than a steel strung costing a lot more... Moving from nylon strings to steel isn't very comfortable, but moving from steel to nylon can be very disconcerting!

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: Roughyed
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 06:36 PM

It depends on the soundscape you want to create. Steel strings convey a certain message, nylon strings a different one, unaccompanied songs again are different and any combination of sounds creates a new perspective on a song. That to me is the whole point of being a musician, making those choices to express or enhance a song and seeing whether or not the audience agrees.

Subject: RE: Accomp. Classical or Steel strings
From: DADGBE
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 01:28 PM

A lot has to do with the way you've learned to play. The right hand technique for getting great tone and sustain out of a steel stringed instrument played with a pick won't work on nylon strings. Good technique for producing tone, volume and sustain on nylon strings is more difficult to learn.

To further complicate the picture, it's more difficult to make a great sounding nylon stringed instrument. The strings are under lower tension and have less energy to give the vibrating top.

Cindy Kallet plays on steel strings with technique based on nylon string playing and gets brilliant results.

And, for all of you nylon strings players who have the usual problems with string stretching, try carbon fiber strings made by Savarez. They sound great and settle in fast.