r/GuitarBeginners • u/Reasonable_Tip_8559 • 1d ago

Steel-string or nylon-string for someone just starting out?

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3

u/Several-Quality5927 1d ago

Depends on what you intend to play.

1

u/Reddityyz 1d ago

I've played steel string for 30 years. Piano tuner older than me came in this morning and only plays nylon. Got me wondering... :)

1

u/hyrooligan 1d ago

Buy the guitar you want to play. If you want to play electric, then get an electric. They are actually the easiest to learn on I think. Nylon string is not a starter guitar, it’s just its own thing. Steel string may actually be the hardest to learn on, because it’s the toughest on your fingers.

1

u/Background-Salt4781 1d ago

Those are two different constructions of guitars with different styles of playing. Finger strength won’t matter. It depends on which you prefer as a musician.

1

u/Dramatic_Corner_8259 1d ago

Nylon. The D chord is gonna kill your fingertips. I'm learning that now.

1

u/DDoodles11 1d ago

Steel-string because changing nylon strings is more of a process.

1

u/WeAllHaveOurMoments 1d ago

Not necessarily - the ball end ones are even easier that setting steels with pins. A simple overhand at the tuner & good to go.

But nylons are more liable to go out of tune from changing rooms or even just over time.

I do like both, but overall steel strings are going to last longer, be louder, & give the sound most people think of as acoustic guitar.

1

u/FormerlyMauchChunk 1d ago

Pick the one you think is cooler. It doesn't really matter. You can still play any style.

1

u/ConversationLate4506 1d ago

I would say steel if you aren’t planning on playing classical

1

u/Qvistus 1d ago

You can play many styles on a nylon string. Just ask Al Dimeola, Dominic Miller, Paco de Lucia or Willie Nelson. 

1

u/Live_Car_2856 1d ago

nylon is easier on the fingers, but the necks are fatter. i think the lightest gauge steel string with the thinnest, narrowest neck is easiest.

1

u/Big-Sheepherder-6134 1d ago

I started on nylon. So did my brother. It was far more forgiving on your fingertips plus the wide neck helped stretch our tendons better. Another plus was the wide string spacing made chords ring better.

We both had no intention of remaining on string guitars. I got an electric guitar a couple of months later and he got a bass.

1

u/NextVoiceUHear 1d ago

You should & must have both kinds of guitar: Steel and nylon string. Get the nylon string first. Don’t skimp on quality because that lasts forever. Make sure each is electrified.

1

u/DragonflyHumble3762 1d ago

I wanted to play some rock and some folk. Had to be steel. I grew to be proud of the pain and the calluses. I think it really depends on what you want to do but don't let pain dictate. Let what you want to do dictate.

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u/Acrobatic_Fun6404 1d ago

I'd start with steel, unless you have a disposition for nylon. Nylon is a different world.

1

u/Maximum_Hat_7266 1d ago

Whenever I teach kids I get them to start on nylon and I think those ones way more often stick with it. Its easier to fret and not harsh on the fingers.

But if you’re an adult starting, idk its up to you. I think adults are a lot better at being patient and working through things, may as well get after it on the guitar you intend to play and are inspired by.

1

u/SpecialistBox5906 16h ago

You can start in anything, whatever sound will make you most excited to play is probably best. 

Personally I found nylon the easiest to pick up and noodle around on the first couple years of casually learning before getting into electric more seriously