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Anyone Try Nylon Strings on a Steel String Acoustic?

Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:38 pm
Posted by Mizz-SEC
Inbred Huntin' In The SEC
Member since Jun 2013
22236 posts
Posted on 10/5/25 at 8:38 pm
My left hand isn't cutting it very well on an acoustic and was thinking about trying nylon strings.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and string recommendations.
Posted by honkymagic62
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2011
40 posts
Posted on 10/5/25 at 10:37 pm to
Wouldn’t recommend this at all.
Your guitar is set up (hopefully) to be played with steel strings- the tension exerted by the strings on the neck and bridge, the height of strings off the fretboard, neck relief, width/depth of the nut slots, etc., etc. are all part of the set up. It all ideally is dialed in to allow for proper intonation, maximum playability, while not damaging the instrument. It’s not a simple switch to nylon strings. String tension and string diameters will be different and a standard steel string acoustic is not set up to accommodate that- intonation, fret buzz, and damage to the instrument would be a concern. Additionally, steel strings are ball end and most nylon strings are tied to the bridge (different styles of bridges).

Solution 1: take your steel string acoustic to a music shop with a knowledgeable set-up guy to get the most playability out of your instrument, and build up some calluses and finger strength by playing more (if the instrument is decent and is set-up properly, it will make you want to play more)

Solution 1: get a classical nylon string guitar or electric guitar

Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
30931 posts
Posted on 10/6/25 at 12:15 am to
These Godin Multiac nylon string electrics are nice. You can find used ones for around $900.
LINK
Posted by Mizz-SEC
Inbred Huntin' In The SEC
Member since Jun 2013
22236 posts
Posted on 10/6/25 at 7:04 am to
quote:

Solution 1: take your steel string acoustic to a music shop with a knowledgeable set-up guy to get the most playability out of your instrument, and build up some calluses and finger strength by playing more (if the instrument is decent and is set-up properly, it will make you want to play more)

Solution 1: get a classical nylon string guitar or electric guitar

I play with a luthier and he set it up strung with 10's. I also have a strat strung with 9's which plays like a dream. It's more of a situation of my left hand getting weaker with age and the onset of a little arthritis. I just spent the weekend on a camping jam where we went acoustic after dark and my finger strength didn't cut. Maybe playing it more would help. Thanks.
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
30931 posts
Posted on 10/6/25 at 7:40 am to
Another thing you might try, get a shorter scale guitar.
J-45s, Hummingbirds, have a 24.75" scale, compared to the normal 25.5" scale. The difference in string tension is very noticeable.
Most resonator style acoustics have a 24" scale and have even less string tension.

Also, Santa Cruz makes lower tension guitar strings, I haven't tried them yet though.
This post was edited on 10/6/25 at 8:35 am
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27575 posts
Posted on 10/6/25 at 10:09 am to
quote:

Also, Santa Cruz makes lower tension guitar strings, I haven't tried them yet though.


They sound great but I do not think they’d help the OP. I notice zero difference. Also gauges are bigger. So you are still fretting a fat string.

I put nylons on one cheap steel string. I could not make it tune.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
42337 posts
Posted on 10/6/25 at 10:31 am to
Why not just buy a nylon string guitar? They make them with standard width necks now. My Yamaha nylon string is all I want to play these days.
Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1344 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 9:08 am to
Do a Google search for "silk and steel" strings. They are made to give steel strings a softer, more playable feel and sound. Great string for children, new players, players suffering from arthritis and/or weak joints, or for who don't have player calluses.
Posted by MrBobDobalina
BRo.LA
Member since Oct 2011
3372 posts
Posted on 10/7/25 at 10:33 am to
What about putting electric guitar strings on it? One less wound string to mess with. I did that on my cheapo jasmine takamine for years and loved playing that guitar. Its cheating, but the strings still ring out great. If its a nice guitar you should probably disregard as its certainly way less tension on the neck. But it got me to keep playing acoustic after I had put it down for a while. No damage done
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