Out of absolute dire necessity, I was forced to acquire another guitar.

Back in the middle of December I smashed the middle finger of my left hand at work. Took 5 sutures in the meat of the finger tip and the fingertip bone was shattered. Needless to say it hurt. I was able to play bass almost immediately even if members of my church thought I was fipping them off with the bandage that was on the finger.

The problem was that I have been unable to play the guitar since then. The finger has healed but is extremely sensitive. When I have tried to play my steel string six the string would fall right on the most sesitive part of my finger. Plus the finger doesn't bend the way it used to either.

I was really starting to get depressed as I have used the guitar all my life to accompany myself singing. Somehow the bass just doesn't work as a solo accompaniment instrument. Maybe it was time to learn to play the immovable instrument in my living room, my restored 1911 Andrew Kohler piano.

What I did was order an Ibanez GA6CE nylon string acoustic-electric classical gutar from Musician's Friend for $275. Just got it last week and have spent that week getting acquainted. It's new so it doesn't have many stories to tell so I am teaching it my stories. It does have a voice, however. Seemed kind of weak at first, but then I was comparing it to a loud steel-string 000.

Didn't take long to get used to it, then I plugged it in. Oh what a voice. 4-band EQ with volume control and it sounds good. It is going to be a joy to play this guitar.

wasn't sure about the wider finger board, but as I said my finger doesn't work the same as it used to and the wide fingerboard gives me more room to maneuver.

The only problem I've noticed so far is that the truss rod adjusting nut is half buried in the wood on the underside of the face and end of the figerboard. I need to tighten it a hair as there is a very slight upward bow to the neck. Found some string buzz in few places.

The good thing is I'm playing and singing again.

Now for a few questions to the nylon string players out there.

In researching this I saw some statements saying buy the most expensive strings you can find and they will be the best. Is this true? I see that Musician's Friend has D'Darrio Sterling Silver wound strings for$29.95 (reg $59.95) a set. Are they worth it?

What about string tension? Do the ratings, high,moderate,etc., relate to guage? Does this affect playability? Remember I still need somewhat soft strings till my finger completely heals.

The real kicker is that when I bought my first guitar 42 years ago (I still have it), I answered an ad in the paper for guitar instruction at a home a block away from where I lived in London. When i showed up with my acoustic archtop, the lady said it wouldn't do at all and that I should get a proper classical guitar. Well, noaw I have one. I wonder if I can still get lessons for 10 schillings a half hour?

rr