Steel strings made by Classical builders?

[ilovepokemon]

Hi,
Finally found the new thread button! So anyways, I've been thinking about steel string guitars. To be more specific, steel strings made by guitar companies who specialise in nylon string guitars. Do these guitars stand up to other well established steel string guitar makers at all? I was just wondering about it because I noticed that (i guess well established, I don't know much about these guitar types to be honest) companies like Raimundo, Alhambra, Ortega, and Cordoba all offer steel strung acoustic guitars ranges. Do any of you have any experiences with them?

[Steve DeRosa]

I've heard these guys have a small but loyal following:

http://www.pimentelguitars.com/

[slackjaw]

If you took the wayback machine to the early seventies, Jean Larrivee would be your man.

[Edwardsguitar]

I have a couple of Traphagen Classicals, I have never played his steel strings. However, I consider him one of the finest luthiers, so I imagine his steel string guitars are wonderful too. http://www.traphagenguitars.com

[scottishrogue]

I recently read that Irvin Somogyi, who began his career making classical guitars, switched to steel-string guitars because players/clients were much easier going, while he found classical players/clients impossible to please.

I like the fact that Cordoba guitars are including a truss rod in many of their classical models. I would be skeptical of any classical maker who also offers steel-string guitars. But Martin has done it in the past, so it can be done. I have a Martin 000C Nylon hybrid, and love it. It has X bracing, an adjustable truss rod, and electronics...everything I could ask for, including excellent tonal response. While I don't own a Cordoba, my New Masters classical guitar has a truss rod, just in case I need to make an adjustment in the neck relief.

Glen

[oliverkollar]

Originally Posted by Edwardsguitar

I have a couple of Traphagen Classicals, I have never played his steel strings. However, I consider him one of the finest luthiers, so I imagine his steel string guitars are wonderful too. http://www.traphagenguitars.com

I have a Traphagen D and it is a monster. Very well balanced with a lot of presence, it's almost scary sometimes.

[ChuckS]

Alan Carruth built classicals before he started building steel strings. I believe he said he builds about 50/50 now. Mine is a steel strings, but has definite classical influence in its aesthetics and tone.