Can the Line6 be used with a Nylon String Guitar

[Estruch_1]

Hi all, I am a nylon string looking to get into using some effects for my sound. I love what I have heard from other players using the Line6 and would like to try something like this with my playing. 

 

To be clear, I am NOT looking to create a natural sounding reproduction of an acoustic nylon string guitar. I specifically want to generate sounds and tones that I cannot do with a pure acoustic. 

 

I use a Godin Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambiance. (https://godinguitars.com/product/multiac-grand-concert-duet-ambiance-natural-hg) It has an on-board fisherman preamp and a chambered body. I know that I could always switch and use a steel string guitar or an electric, but I have played classical guitars as my main instruments for nearly 30 years. So, I am just so much more comfortable with the feel of nylon strings under my fingers and the wider fretboard of the classical design. So my question is really just whether or not a unit like this will 

 

I love the idea of having a broader tonal palette to play with, but I am very new to using multi effects units. So, I appreciate any feedback or thoughts anyone can provide. 

[spaceatl]

POD HD would offer you a lot of options and would work just fine with that wonderful instrument you have. However, The POD HD is over 10 years old and I think you might be better served by a more current model. At least give them some consideration. The main thing that an HD 500X or HD ProX will give you is dual signal paths and multiple inputs. Very configurable and sound great. They are a bit tweaky. The defaults in the HD are not the greatest, but the tones are in there. Takes a while to get under dialing it in.

 

If this is your first endeavor into modeling, I would suggest you go for the new POD GO...The primary reason is that it is a single signal path modeler similar to the original PODs in some respects. However, it has some things that HD does not have. True dual output, scenes and the modeling sounds better (Helix). The defaults are quite good and it is very easy to tweak. HD is a little more complicated and takes a bit longer to get under. The other reason I would suggest it for you is that it has loadable IRs. You might not need that right away, but having a classical, custom IR not only allows you to load custom guitar cabinets, you can also use IRs taylored for traditional acoustic tones...HD will not do that, so there is a flexibility element there. For the price the Pod Go is really hard to beat.

 

If you find yourself looking at the POD Go, I would suggest you look at the Helix and Helix LT. Tons a capability...But that comes at a higher price...You would need to figure out what you want there...Better converters, multiple chains and tones at the same time, IO etc....Again, if you are new to modeling, I recommend the Pod Go based on what you have said so far.

[pianoguyy]

the answer is 'yes'. as long as you have a way to get the guitar into the signal path (such as a pickup or a mic), then the unit(s) are usable. 

 

But, something you said raises a question - 

 

1 hour ago, Estruch_1 said:

 I know that I could always switch and use a steel string guitar or an electric,

 

 

what makes you think that a steel string acoustic is any different (from an "amplifying" perspective) than a nylon string acoustic? 

 

 

[pianoguyy]

25 minutes ago, spaceatl said:

If this is your first endeavor into modeling,...  a single signal path modeler. True dual output, scenes . it has loadable IRs. 

 

if this is your first endeavor into modeling, you may not understand what these things are or why they are "important". 

Hell, I have been exclusively modeling for 6 years and don't even know what some of that is. 

 

 

[Estruch_1]

2 hours ago, pianoguyy said:

 

what makes you think that a steel string acoustic is any different (from an "amplifying" perspective) than a nylon string acoustic? 

 

 

 

@pianoguyy you make a good point. I don't particularly think that there is. It's just that I can't find any examples of anyone using a nylon string guitar with a modeling device like the Line6.

 

And in every online conversation I see about it I just see people saying that you would be better off using an amp or a PA to replicate the "natural sound of a nylon string guitar." But again, that is not what I am wanting to do with a modeling device. The Multiac already does a great job of that right of out the box, so that is not an issue.  

 

I can find plenty of examples of steel string acoustic players using one, but no nylon string players. so I didn't know if there was some reason that a nylon string guitar might not be as compatible that was unaware of. I could not think of any reason why that would be, but again, this is new territory for me. 

 

Thanks for your input!

[Estruch_1]

@spaceatl Thanks for the comments. This is all very helpful!

[pianoguyy]

I wonder if some of this is confusing this modeler (an amp modeler) with a modeling guitar, which can produce various guitar sounds and tunings. 

And then, because, as example, Line 6 makes the HD500, WorkBench software, and the Variax guitars, which can all interact with each other... such as assigning the guitar modeling within a patch of the amp modeler. 

*but the guitar modeling doesn't actually function when recalled in an amp modeling patch if a modeling guitar is not plugged in. 

 

 

anywho..... 

The reason you don't see many videos on the subject is because most acoustic players don't really use many effects. they keep it simple - EQ, reverb. To enhance the natural sounds. Not so much to create weird space monster sounds. 

and the guys who play nylon strings are even that much less likely to alter the sounds. 

{made up numbers to follow) it isn't that the things don't work, it is simply the law of averages. there's 1,000,000 guitar players. 10% of those are acoustic players. 10% of acoustic players are nylon players. 10% of nylon players amply their guitars. 10% of which use effects..... a grand total of 100. You are one of the 100. 

*and only 10% of those 100 make youtube videos. That's 10.

[joel_brown]

It doesn't matter if the strings are nylon or steel.  All that matters is it has a pickup and can send a signal.  

[spaceatl]

21 hours ago, Estruch_1 said:

@spaceatl Thanks for the comments. This is all very helpful!

Some pretty cool vids on the PodGo...Good luck to you. If you have some PodGo questions just post over in the forum.

https://line6.com/meet-pod-go/