Choosing the Right Acoustic Guitar: Nylon or Steel?

Choosing the right acoustic guitar isn’t as scary as you might think. There are just a few things to consider that will match you with the perfect instrument. And one of the first considerations is ….. Nylon or Steel Strings? The type of music you want to learn and play makes a difference. Guitars designed for nylon strings are usually used to play classical, flamenco and some types of folk music. These instruments are commonly referred to as “classical” or “nylon string” guitars. Nylon string instruments are not as loud as steel string acoustics and they are almost exclusively played with the fingers of the right hand (for right handed players) rather than with a pick. They produce a wonderful warm and intimate sound. In recent years the sound qualities of the classical guitar have been finding their way into pop and jazz. This has given rise to a newer kind of classical guitar called a “hybrid” or “crossover” guitar. This instrument features electronics, nylon strings and a neck and fingerboard that more closely resembles that of a steel string guitar. “Acoustic” guitars, also referred to as “steel string” guitars, are louder, brighter and are great for strumming, picking, playing in a group and accompanying singing. Remember, though, that you can’t put steel strings on a guitar built for nylon and you can’t put nylon strings on an instrument built for steel strings. Different acoustic guitar body styles and shapes produce different kinds of sounds. One of the most popular steel string guitar styles is the large dreadnought size. It produces a rich, loud, full-bodied voice that favors the lower end (bass) frequencies. Another popular size is the OM. OM stands for “orchestra model.” This style features a smaller body which can be more comfortable to hold than larger sizes and produces a more refined, balanced and a bit quieter sound. There are many other sizes including the popular auditoriumsize which yields a sound that’s between the dreadnought and OM tones. Some beginners are attracted to nylon string guitars because the strings are softer than metal and they’re concerned about sore fingertips. This shouldn’t be a consideration as a properly set up (adjusted) steel string guitar will be just about as easy to play. In addition, nylon string guitars usually have a wider fingerboard which may be challenging for some players. Finally talk to the experts at Northwest Guitars. We can answer all your questions and help you select the instrument that is perfect for you.
by David Robin