Ray wrote:
Is it viable to replace the tuning machines and what with? I have read a lot about nuts on this forum and elsewhere. What will I stand to gain by replacing the thing?
Another thing, how does one "electronify" such an instrument?
1) Replacing the machines on a nylon string guitar like this should be dead easy. If they need replacing that is. They may have an adjustment that you can tighten a little if they are slipping or slacken a little if they seem to require too much effort or don't turn smoothly.
2) The nut can effect action, intonation, tone and stability. I wouldn't start thinking about changing it unless there's a problem.
3) There are after market pickups that can be fitted. This can usually be done in such a way that you don't need to cut holes in the sides of the guitar. Good brands are LR Baggs and Fishman. I'd do some reading, look at the product catalogs, speak to my friendly local guitar salesperson. Different types of pickups have different pros and cons (and prices).
Some pickups are more suited to different styles than others. What works well for, say, an Earl Klugh jazz sound might not work as well for Rodrigo Y Gabriella and all the percussive stuff they do.
The sort of good news is that a lot of these pickups can be fitted quite unobtrusively (though you will generally need an end-pin fitted) and so they can be removed, replaced and augmented without leaving serious scars behind.
