In our experience, it’s difficult for a builder to thread the needle and build both nylon string and steel string guitars with equal skill. Mario Beauregard, for one, manages to make it look easy: this nylon string crossover is just as resonant and responsive as his steels. This beauty comes to us from 2008 with a carved Indian Rosewood back—similar to what John Buscarino does with his Cabaret crossovers—and a Cedar top with an elevated fingerboard and bent top profile in the upper bout to allow for easier access to the entire fingerboard, all the way to the 20th fret extension. With a slightly radiused fretboard and cutaway, this Nylon Jazz crossover becomes effortlessly playable. The carved back design creates a bigger air cavity without making the instrument actually feel bigger, the result being added power, projection, and bass response. Coupled here with Cedar on top for warmth and sweetness. When you want to go electric, the installed K&K Pure Mini pickup can take you there with a wonderfully faithful amplification of the aforementioned qualities of sweetness and response. Alessi tuners and a carved headstock veneer, plus Koa rosette, complete the picture of a perfect crossover.

Here’s an additional demo for your enjoyment: https://youtu.be/IND9Jem_T5E.

Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, fingerstyle, andy jurik, sn08, canada