Ever Consider a Nylon String?

As guitarists most of us think of a primary guitar type first, typically electric steel string or acoustic steel string, but what about a nylon string?

In the enthusiasm (?) around Fender’s Acoustasonic lineup, we saw for the second time an electric style body fitted with acoustic steel strings and built from the start to be plugged in. At the risk of being mistaken, I will throw the first ribbon to Taylor’s T5 and later T5z family. Recently there has been a fair bit of press given to Cordoba’s recently released electrified nylon string.

Like the Fender and Taylor models, this is a thin bodied guitar with a pickup system built in. Unlike the others it is strung with nylon strings and has the neck design of a classic nylon stringed guitar. This does not mean that it is only suitable for classical music, although it can do that. But perhaps a lesser known use case is for country. I was reminded that the great Jerry Reed was well known for pickin’ and grinnin’ on a nylon string. Some refer to his style as chicken picken’ and while I think that Mr Reed was much more than that, that very fast style of finger picked notes, with banjo runs and other overlays is a place to start.

Playing a nylon string is a different game. That’s not to say you cannot play one like a steel string, but there is a bit of acclimation required to get used to the fatter strings and wider neck. They sound different and while many perceive them as a finger style only instrument, there is nothing that says that you cannot flatpack on one.

I’m focused on the electrified style of nylon like the Cordoba not a traditional nylon string with a pickup because they feel different. Just like Taylor’s T5z plays like a steel string electric so does a well designed electrified nylon string.

I do not have nor have I played a Cordoba. I have only read reviews and seen videos and from that I can not offer any useful perspective. However, as an owner of a Godin Multiac, I can do so.

The Godin Multiac Nylon Encore

Godin is a Canadian guitar maker, that has been around for years and is highly respected. Godin also makes guitars under other labels at the entry and mid tier. The Multiac is something very different.

I was first introduced to the Multiac many years ago when I saw one played in a live situation. I was impressed by the tone and the warmth, obviously created by the talented player. Shortly after I got to know guitar teacher John over at The Arts Music Store who has been teaching and playing professionally for decades and for as long as I have known him, his guitar has been a Multiac. I saw him just a couple of weeks ago now that in person lessons have started up again, and he was carrying his Multiac in for his scheduled students.

I have a Multiac Nylon Encore model that is a few years old. It is a thin line guitar with a cedar top over a chambered silver leaf maple body with basswood wings. It has a 25 ½ scale body with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard.

It uses standard nylon strings into a classically styled nylon string guitar peghead. As the strings are thicker than steel the nut width is 1.9” and the fretboard radius is 16”, so quite flat. The pickup system is a custom Godin designed that combines a under saddle transducer with a soundboard transducer that can be mixed using the blend control. The sliders on the upper bout also control volume, bass, midrange and treble. The signal goes into an onboard preamp, powered by a 9V battery. Having the preamp built in is a nice value add for longer cable runs.

The guitar is extremely lightweight and while you can play it unplugged, it is not particularly loud. You can certainly practice in a quite room, but to get the real magic from the guitar, you want to plug it in. I use an AER Compact 60 for this as for all my amplifiable acoustics and it sounds like liquid gold. While traditional nylon strings are known for having somewhat chunky necks, the Godin strikes a nice balance of heft and speed.

Your Choice

Whether a nylon string is right for you, only you can know, but I encourage you to step outside the comfort zone and try one if you venture into a guitar shop that carries them. That can sometimes be a challenge as nylon strings are very much a niche market, and electrified nylon stringed guitars even more so. Hopefully with the Cordoba joining the fray and there being a lot of noise about it, the larger shops might be inclined to keep one or two in stock. It’s a different playing experience and a different tone, and in my opinion, much faster and easier to acclimate to than a traditional acoustic nylon string.

Thanks for reading and until next time, peace.