Replacing Steel W/ Nylon on Yamaha F310

[f***@yahoo.com]

I would like to replace the steel strings on my Yamaha F310 with nylon
strings. Is this as simple and straightforward as it sounds or will I
have to modify the guitar to make this conversion? Thanks for any help.

FT

[bluezfolk]

I suppose it would work, but due to nylon strings being so much
thicker than steel you'd have to change the nut and saddle. I saw some
ball end nylon strings once, think they were Ernie Balls. Don't expect
to get anywhere near the volume you had with steels though.


Eric

[MBarnett]

Post by bluezfolk
I suppose it would work, but due to nylon strings being so much
thicker than steel you'd have to change the nut and saddle. I saw some
ball end nylon strings once, think they were Ernie Balls. Don't expect
to get anywhere near the volume you had with steels though.

I knew a trumpet player (quite good, in fact) who wanted to play guitar, and
bought a Harmony Sovereign to learn on. It was a decent sounding (and playing)
guitar, but after a month or so, he decided steel strings were just too hard on
his fingers, so he put on a set of ball-end classical strings. Sucked the life
right outta that guitar. One of the problems with putting classical strings on
a steel-string guitar is that it is braced for the greater tension of the steel
strings, and the body just doesn't respond as well. (Just MHO, as I'm not a
luthier) If the OP just wants something easier on the fingers while building up
calluses, a set of silk and steel strings would probably suffice. Or maybe not
.... one never know ... do one?

Monte

[John Rethorst]

Post by MBarnett
One of the problems with putting classical strings on
a steel-string guitar is that it is braced for the greater tension of the steel
strings, and the body just doesn't respond as well. (Just MHO, as I'm not a
luthier)

Nor am I, but MHO too.

Post by MBarnett
If the OP just wants something easier on the fingers while building
up
calluses, a set of silk and steel strings would probably suffice.

That's what he should try.

[Tony Done]

Post by f***@yahoo.com
I would like to replace the steel strings on my Yamaha F310 with nylon
strings. Is this as simple and straightforward as it sounds or will I
have to modify the guitar to make this conversion? Thanks for any help.
FT

I put nylon strings on my daughter's guitar for her to start learning. It
involved opening the nut slots and raising the saddle. The intonation was OK
in this case, but it might be off a little on other guitars. The sound was
very quiet and dull. Nylon strings don't have enough mass to drive the top
of a steel string guitar, and the low tension might also contribute to weak
tone.

Tony D

[Derek]

You might try Martin's Silk & Steel strings as a compromise. They are
a bit lower tension, and with the silk core, they are easier on the
hands. They are not as bright as steel strings, but not as quiet as
putting nylons on.