Thread: How to turn a classical into a steel string guitar

Hi everybody.
I made my first classical guitar 13 years ago, but I was never very happy with it. It looked good, played well, but sounded dull dull dull.... It was the only really disappointing instrument I ever made (I think you need a knack for making classicals sound good)
I played it for a while then put it away.
Recently, I decided I would do something with it, so I've replaced the top, the tuners, the bridge and the fretboard and I've put light gauge steel strings on it.
The new top is Huon Pine. I've never used it on an instrument before. I was a little sceptical about it, but it works a hell of alot better then I expected.
The end result?
It's fantastic! (If I do say so myself ). It has a typical small bodied "twang", and it has a very clear, sweet sound.
I've since added an active LR Baggs Element pickup which includes a small volume wheel on the edge of the soundhole. I didn't want to be cutting a big hole in my nice fiddleback blackwood side to fit a preamp now, did I?

So here it is...
Steel string guitar with classical dimensions:
Blackwood back and sides.
Huon Pine top.
Myrtle neck.
Ebony fretboard and bridge.
Mammoth Ivory nut and saddle

Sorry, I don't have a "before" shot, or any progress pics either.