Last year, a friend gave me an unusual early classical made by a Palo Alto builder, Jean Pierret. The shape is reminiscent of an old Gibson L-0 with an large round lower bout, so it’s a strange design for a classical. But it sounds great and once I got past a few minor issues – a few fret issues, a finish issue – it’s become the go-to nylon string here at Chez Niles.
But the shape makes it weird to hold. Like an old L-0, the smallish round lower bout makes it hard to hold; it slides around like a cat.
So I’m trying to decide whether or not to put strap buttons on it and play it with a strap a la Buster B or Thom Bresh. The classical players in my life are aghast at the idea – it’s a handmade classical! That’s desecration! (That last is a literal quote) — but in the interest of getting non-purists’ thoughts, I’m asking here. What would you do? Add the buttons and use it on a strap or figure out how to adapt to the shape?