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This may seem crazy, but I really love the sound of nylon strings, and I DO NOT want to buy a classical guitar though.

I was wondering if any manufacturer makes nylon strings for a "normal" acoustic guitar. One where the strings have the standard small "bolt" and at the end of the string instead of having to tie them off, as well as correct tension.

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4 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

There is a balance between the strings and the top. If you put too much tension, it'll sound awesome until the top snaps or the bridge comes flying off. If you don't put enough tension, you don't get the top moving and it doesn't sound good. Nylon strings are for classical guitars and vice versa.

There are silk-and-steel strings from string makers like D'Addario which might work for you.

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I figured as much, but thought maybe some entrepreneurial type had found a fix for that. What are the differences between silk-and-steel as opposed to the standard strings? – Anonymous Mar 8 '11 at 21:04
Take a look here for info about coated strings: music.stackexchange.com/questions/1629/…. This probably will not answer your question though, so I would recommend posting a new question re: silk and steel strings etc. :) – Ali Maxwell Mar 8 '11 at 22:38
What is it about nylon strings that you like? Or, conversely, what is it about classical guitars that you don't like? Classical guitars don't have to be overbuilt to take the steel string tension so they're relatively inexpensive. I am sure my classical was cheap cheap cheap but isn't bad. – VarLogRant Mar 9 '11 at 4:43
up vote 1 down vote

You can put nylon strings on a normal guitar.

There are nylon strings with ball ends. e.g. these

The only problem you will have by fitting thes on a regular acoustic is that the three highest strings(in pitch) might be too thick for the ballslots..

You will not brake anything on your guitar and this can safely be tried , but i doubt it will sound any good.

Never put steel strings on a classical guitar though, since this will certainly break the guitar.

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I have ball-end strings on my classical guitar, because I didn't want to have to do the tie-off thing. I don't know that it'd fit in a bridge string-hole for a steel-string guitar. – VarLogRant Mar 10 '11 at 3:27
It might be necessary to use a file to get them to fit... However it can be done! I don't know why anyone would want to do it though.. – mrbuxley Mar 10 '11 at 13:38
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as an anecdote: I have a brazillian-made classical guitar bought second hand for my brother in 1974 which had steel strings on it (the same set!) for about 15 years until I got my hands on it. Still have it, with nylons, and it did not break. The nut and bridge were squashed and destroyed and the machine pegs disintegrated from the pressure, but the neck is fine, the bridge is attached and top is still intact. – horatio Mar 10 '11 at 17:45
Nylon strings with ball ends are sometimes labeled as "Folk guitar" strings. – Wheat Williams Mar 23 '12 at 22:41
up vote 1 down vote

Steel-strung guitars contain a truss rod which is designed to be counteracted by the tension of steel strings. Storing the guitar with loose strings is a bad idea; putting nylon strings on the guitar is a bad idea. Especially if it's an expensive guitar.

If you're really desperate to try this, go to a guitar shop and ask if they can adjust the truss rod to suit your nylon strings. I suspect it won't be possible, but it's worth asking.

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up vote 0 down vote

Been playing for about two years, I've always strung my acoustic with nylon strings and haven't had any problems with the neck. You can find nylon strings with ball ends.

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Which manufacturer makes them? – Luke Mar 27 '12 at 1:36

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