Nylon string tenor????

[jackieh]

I play bass in a gypsy/jazz/swing band.
We also use baritone uke's (tuned slack D-G-B-D) for some fast swing stuff.

I would like to find a 23" scale tenor sized guitar that works with nylon strings as far as volume-tone-punch.

I really like the punch and volume I can get on Baritone's in the slack tuning with nylons (wound 3 and 4).

Here is what I have tried in a larger instrument:
1. I own a Blueridge tenor guitar. I use it in our band with steel strings as intended. Horribly dead with nylons. Thick top.
2. I bought a new (actually bought 2) Pono Nylon tenor guitars. Also dead sounding. Returned them both. They sound good for pretty music - not the swing stuff we do.

Anyone got any ideas?
The Bartione uke's work fine ---- just want a bigger body/scale.
Or- maybe bigger body and keep the scale around 20" at minimum.

Also---- needs to sound big played without pickup, too.

[fox]

You could modify a standard tenor by reducing the bracing (thought the sound hole) and if still necessary sand down the soundboard.
I own several nylon string tenors there is a video of a modified Ozark on this thread, a few post up from the end. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...01#post1555501
I built one with fan bracing and one with X bracing, both sound great.

[jackieh]

Thanks for the info. I'd like to find one already modified or a new one that suits my style before jumping into a project like that.
Pono seems to be the only maker. You'd think there would be more out there.

[fox]

South Coast make one I think? Try typing south coast ukuleles.....

[fox]

This might help? http://www.southcoastukes.com/available.htm

[MdJ]

I play bass in a gypsy/jazz/swing band.
We also use baritone uke's (tuned slack D-G-B-D) for some fast swing stuff.

I would like to find a 23" scale tenor sized guitar that works with nylon strings as far as volume-tone-punch.

I really like the punch and volume I can get on Baritone's in the slack tuning with nylons (wound 3 and 4).

Here is what I have tried in a larger instrument:
1. I own a Blueridge tenor guitar. I use it in our band with steel strings as intended. Horribly dead with nylons. Thick top.
2. I bought a new (actually bought 2) Pono Nylon tenor guitars. Also dead sounding. Returned them both. They sound good for pretty music - not the swing stuff we do.

Anyone got any ideas?
The Bartione uke's work fine ---- just want a bigger body/scale.
Or- maybe bigger body and keep the scale around 20" at minimum.

Also---- needs to sound big played without pickup, too.

Gerry Carthy plays nylon tenor (on the left) - pretty sure he tunes gdae



I play a 5 string nylon tenor - a "guitarra de golpe" tuned fcgda - 23"scale