Living in New England (USA) winter brings dry, cracked and bleeding fingers. its getting difficult to play. Had to put finger-style songs away for awhile. Iām considering purchasing a nylon string guitar for this reason. I tried traditional classical guitars before and found them difficult to play (wide/ flat neck) coming from steel string guitar. I just learned about Hybrid/ crossover guitars. Sounds like a good fit for me. If you have one of these in your arsenal then please share; what did you get and why? Do you enjoy playing it? Thank you
As I mentioned to Koby @kobygold in the thread above, I think the Cordova Fusion guitars are quite nice with a very reasonable price for value ratio! I do own a Cordova C9 Classical guitar:
Out of commission right now due to a broken string but a joy to play (because of/in spite of) the wide flat neck!!!
Last year I did play a Cordova Fusion Orchestra CE at the local Guitar Center store & really liked that one! It was a nicer & slightly higher priced guitar than the Fusion 5 but it had a cedar top which gave it a lovely warm tone! Itās worth trying out if you can find one locally to play!
Good luck!!!
Iām having trouble deciding what exactly a hybrid/crossover guitar is. Can you give a for instance (some examples) of a guitar that interests you?
What are their benefits (specs of a hybrid/crossover guitar) that allow you to play with injured fingers from dry/cracked splits on your fingers?
Which, I happen to get too as Iām in Nebraska.
Itās dry and cold here too. I get splits/cracks on my fingers too.
So far, my answer has just been hand lotion on when Iām not playing. Wash it off when I am. Trying to play so I donāt play right on top of the cuts. Which is sometimes impossible. Then I either just play through it (the pain), or just donāt play until there a bit healed up.
Hi Eugene,
I have the Cordoba Fusion 5 (Jet Black) and I love it! I have it for about a year or so.
My hands arenāt so big, so I initially wanted a guitar with a slightly narrower neck, and I find that guitar very comfortable. This guitar is also a bit thinner in the body (91mm instead of 95mm-100mm for standard one), which I also like. The tuning pegs are also great, and keep the strings in tune for long periods of time. It is reasonably priced, and great quality IMHO. I have to admit that Iām still a beginner, and havenāt played seriously other guitars, so I canāt really compare to other. I would suggest you find it in some local store that has it on display, try it in person, and hear how its sounds.
I appreciate the replies. A Classical hybrid has a radiused fretboard with a narrower nut width then a traditional classical-nylon string guitar. So it will feel closer to a steel string guitar.
Im looking at the Corboba Fusion, Alverez AC65HCE & Fender CN140SCE.
Unfortunately Iām limited to guitar stores and none carry any of these models. So I will purchase from either Sweetwater or Reverb without the luxury of 1st playing it.
This gives me some pause. The fender is inexpensive but some of the comments on Sweetwater hint at poor tuners. Im sure this is the case of āyou get what you pay forā in which case the Cardoba would be premium.
Jim,
A hybrid guitar is a nylon string guitar thatās made more like a steel string guitar. The 2 Iāve played were both made by Cordova & feel like a OOO style size-wise. The necks feel almost like an electric - sorta strat feel. But, being nylon strings, theyāre a bit easier on the strumming hand & have a more Classical guitar sound.
Iām not sure that Iām doing a great job of describing this but hopefully you get the general idea!
Kobyās answer above might helpā¦ he has the Cordova Fusion 5.
You might look at a used Taylor Academy or Taylor 112ce-N, they have a good reputation. I played a 112ce-N once in a store and should have bought it. The Academy is less familiar, but I think it is walnut, which I love for some reason.
These nylon āhybridā guitars have a radiused fretboard, 12th fret neck join like classical (often, not always), and a nut width that is usually around 1 7/8ā or 48mm. That is still pretty wide, but not the 52 mm of a standard classical.
I have a Cordoba Fusion 12 and like it a lot! The nylon strings are easier this time of year and itās easier to play than the ārealā classical guitars I tried, but still a bit wider than my steel string acoustics.
I like Trader Joeās ultra moisturizing hand cream - less greasy than vaseline, seems to ādissapearā enough that washing before playing isnāt vital.
Thanks Tod and Koby. Your description and examples helped me understand.
I donāt think I can be of any help to this thread. I may be learning more than Eugene as I wasnāt aware of this style guitar.
Eugene, hope ya find some relief from the dry hands so you can continue to play. Sounds like one of these style guitars may be in order.
I can surly agree that them little finger slices are most painful and annoying.
Oh, and Furch has a a lovely crossover, maybe harder to find and more expensive, but I have looked at and listened to them and if you are interesting spending a little more, they have a great reputation.
This is the Angel Lopez EC3000, also sold under the brand name Stagg as well as a few others, itās a knock off of the Guild Paloma SC3 and it just might fit the bill. Itās not full on classical neck width but it is about as wide as an electric will ever get.
I run mine through a Yamaha THR5A acoustic amp and Iām quite happy with it.
