Classical G.A.S.

Subject: Classical G.A.S.
From: rangeroger
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:02 AM

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

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: Mudlark
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:38 AM

rr...sorry to hear of the accident. I'm losing dexterity because of tendon problems, also play to accompany myself, and when am too crippled up to get buzz free chords, drop into a deep funk. So I'm glad that the Ibanez is working out so well. CAn't help w/strng info...I started playing on a classical guitar, bought new in 1965 from Jose Oribe, which I still have, but when I finally found my Martin, have never gone back. I used D'D. strings but the cheaper models!

Hope the finger eventually heals completely, so you'll have full options about which instrument to play.

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:10 AM

When I took classical guitar lessons about 20 years ago, my teacher told me to get Augustine red label. I don't know if it's because they were the best, or the best value for the money. I never went anywhere with the lessons, and now the classical belongs to my ex-stepson. But I've been a fan of D'Addario strings for a long time, and I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with them. Good luck with your new friend!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: C-flat
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:41 AM

I gig regularly with a classical guitar and always use D'addario Pro Arte. I prefer the hard tension (you can dig in a bit harder) and like the set which includes an extra, composite G string. (works better amplified)
In the U.K. I would pay £10 for a set, so they're particularly pricey.
It sounds as though you've already got decent amplification, but if you haven't tried your guitar through a good quality accoustic amp or P.A. you will find a massive difference in sound quality and attack using the right equipment.
Sorry to hear of your accident and I hope you enjoy the subtleties of your new nylon stringer.
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: C-flat
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:43 AM

That line should have read So they're NOT particularly pricey
Still I suppose what you call pricey!
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:40 PM

Good luck with your new friend. I think you'll find that there's really not much that you can do on a steel-string guitar that you can't do on nylon except maybe hardcore bluegrass. Main thing is not to let the fact that it's a "classical" guitar dictate the "proper" way to play it. Yeh, naked-finger-picking is the usual way to play on nylon. But, if that's not your style, you don't have to learn how to play guitar all over again. Willie Nelson uses a flatpick on nylon strings. I play my nylon guitar with the same thumb and finger picks that I use for banjo or steel-string guitar and the guitar police haven't come to the door yet.

And if you ever win the lottery and want to upgrade from that Ibanez, check out Taylor's nylon series. Sweet!

Bruce

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: Inükshük
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 04:43 PM

There's always an up side, rr. I had two serious injuries to my left index with power saws. That smartened me up enough to never risk a third. Then I was dumb enough to remove the tip of the damaged digit while slicing a watermelon. I never had to miss any gigs, but I sure flubbed a lot of breaks while learning to play mostly with the three good fingers. I came out of each injury with increased speed and dexterity.
Now I use an Epiphone electric classical through a Marshal acoustic amp almost exclusively for gigs. It is much easier to finger pick, and flat-picking is cleaner and faster for me. I love it.
Strings are my worst problem. I use Augustine Black and always get extra D strings. They don't last long.
You will heal and be a better player. Take some therapy if you need to.

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: rangeroger
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 10:52 PM

As I went through the whole "poor me. I can't play guitar) thing,thoughts of Django Reinhart kept coming to mind. His hand injury was a lot more serious than mine and he became a master.

I have been having problems with my hands for a number of years due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. so much so that I pretty much stopped any flatpick leads and just stuck with back-up rythymn. My left hand figers would stiffen up and then go numb.

Most of my playing is simple finger picking with bare fingers. I use a thumb pick for both finger picking and strumming but no other finger picks. What's funny is that I've found my hand position with this guitar is pretty cose to what would be considered the "proper" position,totally unlike the way I play my steel string guitars. I haven't used the thumbpick on the nylon strings yet,but will try it.

The amplifier I plug it into is a Roland Jazz Chorus 50 which I have used for all my acoustic guitars and a couple of electrics. The Ibanez sounds great with the chorus on and a touch of reverb.

Back to the string question.Will the tension rating of the strings,IE. hard, be related to left hand playability? C-flat, you said the hard strings allow you to dig in deeper.While I know this means you can attack the strings a little harder with the right hand,do you find it means increased pressure with the left? Right now the strings seem fine, but again I am just learning this instrument.I guess I am looking ahead to when I am going to have to replce strings.

BTW this guitar really sings in open tunings. It almost rivals my six and twelve.

Thanks for your answers.It is going to be a new friend.

rr

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: C-flat
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 02:42 AM

The difference in playing hard tension over regular nylon strings is that it gives you more snap to the notes and more volume. With regard to playability, they're still considerably easier than steel strings, that is to say, they're under far less tension and shouldn't strain your fingers.
The usual complaint with switching to nylon/classical guitar is the neck width causing hand strain but you seem to have crossed that bridge.
The more accomplished any of us become as guitarists, the more economical with hand-movement we become (much to the annoyance of new players who want to study other guitarists fingerings) and I get the impression you're an advanced player, so I suspect that this obstacle will be overcome by you in terms of deciding wether to go round it or over it. No question that you won't put it behind you.
I'm a big Django fan myself and even with the full use of all my fingers...........well you know the rest!
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: GUEST,Mooh
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 08:16 AM

D'Addario hard tension strings for me too. In fact, I rarely use any other brand on any stringed instrument. My experience is that nylon strings wear out as quickly as steel, particularly in the intonation department, but the sound is worth the restringing hassle.

I once injured my left hand badly (multiple large ash slivers in and around two figernails) so I tuned my guitars to an open E minor chord (EBEGBE) which allowed me to get easy one finger minors and two finger major chords. Sure it was temporary, but it worked.

I think you're on the right track.

Peace, Mooh (guesting from Tara).

Subject: RE: Classical G.A.S.
From: rangeroger
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 08:43 PM

Thank you one and all.

I'll order a set of the D'Addario Sterling Silver strings and have them ready for when these go dead.Besides,restringing will allow me to get in and dig some wood out from around the truss rod adjuster so I can get an allen wench to it.

rr