Which Guitars Can Use Nylon Strings?

Nylon strings belong on classical and flamenco guitars, because those instruments are designed around them. Nylon crossover guitars made for these strings also use them, so follow the maker’s string recommendation. A steel-string acoustic can sometimes take nylon, but usually not without adjustments. A standard electric guitar with magnetic pickups will not reliably pick up plain nylon treble strings. The sections below explain each guitar type.

Guitars Designed for Nylon Strings

Nylon and steel strings are made for different guitar families, with different construction and string tension, according to Martin. The guitars built for nylon include:

• Classical guitars. These are the standard nylon-string instrument. A typical classical set has plain nylon treble strings and wound bass strings. What the bass strings are made of varies by brand and product line, so read the packaging when you compare sets.
• Flamenco guitars. These use nylon strings too. They are built with their own feel and response in mind, but they belong to the same nylon family.
• Crossover or hybrid nylon guitars. Some makers build nylon-string guitars with features that steel-string players find familiar. If a guitar is sold as a nylon-string model, use the strings the maker recommends.

If you are still deciding whether nylon fits your playing, our guide on why to use nylon guitar strings covers the tone and comfort side.

Steel-String Acoustic Guitars: Possible but Not a Simple Swap

A steel-string acoustic is built for the higher tension of steel strings. Nylon pulls much less, so the neck and top may not respond the way they were designed to. Nylon strings are also thicker, so they may not sit well in nut slots cut for steel. And the way nylon strings attach at the bridge differs from the ball-end setup on most steel-string guitars.

The result can be buzzing, poor tuning stability, or a weak sound unless the guitar is adjusted. For the full picture, including string choices and setup changes, see can you use nylon strings on an acoustic guitar.

Electric Guitars and Nylon Strings

Standard electric pickups are magnetic. They sense the vibration of metal strings. Plain nylon treble strings are not magnetic, so a regular electric will barely pick them up, if at all. Wound nylon-set basses may contain some metal, depending on how they are made, but you would get an uneven balance across the strings.

That does not mean nylon guitars can never be amplified. Some electric and acoustic-electric nylon guitars use piezo or other transducer pickups, which sense vibration in the bridge or top rather than a magnetic field. If you want to plug in with nylon strings, look for a guitar built that way. For the related question with steel acoustic strings, read can you use acoustic strings on an electric guitar.

Going the Other Way: Steel Strings on a Classical

Do not put steel strings on a classical or flamenco guitar unless the maker says it is safe. These guitars are not built for steel-string tension, which can damage the neck, bridge, or top. Our article on putting steel strings on a guitar explains the risks in more detail.

FAQ

Are Silk and Steel strings the same as nylon?

No. Martin describes Silk and Steel strings as having a steel core with softer wrapping material. They are a steel-string product, not a nylon one, so do not treat them as a substitute for classical strings.

Can I use a pick with nylon strings?

Yes. Many players use their fingers on nylon guitars, but a pick works too. The choice comes down to the tone and feel you want.

How do I know which strings my guitar needs?

Check the maker’s specs or manual for the recommended string type. If you can’t find it, ask the manufacturer or a qualified guitar tech before switching between nylon and steel.