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I'm resetting the neck on an old 1910 Stetson guitar, I'll post some pictures once my other computers back up - very interesting project actually - I've posted questions on it elsewhere here.

Anyway, it's clear this beautiful little parlor was built for gut. Ladder braced, and the depth of the neck block is about half of what we'd use for a steel string these days. The neck joint was "enhanced" - maybe at a later date - but a dowel that was glued straight through the neck block, into the heel of the neck. Yes, removing the neck was not pretty, and will require some repair skills.

Given the construction of this guitar, I won't be using my normal "light" strings on it. I think it would implode very quickly.

What's the relative tension of nylon versus "silk and steel"? Ultralight?

I'd like that steel string sound, but if that's not feasible, I'll string it with nylon if I have to.

Thanks.

Did a bit of a search, Google -

Here's Daddario's http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

Read the pre-amble with the info, but the info seems standardised for 25.5" scale for both SS and classicals, so they can be compared directly.
I suspect even the lightest steel strings will still be higher tension than average classicals.

Hope that helps

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Thanks, Colin. This is indeed some comprehensive info. I'll do some calculations. Thanks.