Tech: classical guitar strings question

Subject: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: olddude
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 06:15 PM

I don't play with my classical very much, but they have normal tension, hard tension, and extra hard tension, what do you recommend, what really is the differece in sound? I never used anything but normal

advice?

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST,Captain Colin.
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 06:29 PM

You get more tone and volume from the hard tension ones, but the difference is not all that dramatic. They are quite a lot harder on the fingers and of course put more stress on the instrument too. Unless you're a concert guitarist (which I see you are not) or a masochist (which I've no way of knowing about) I wouldn't bother with them- but best way is to try them yourself of course.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Don Firth
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 10:36 PM

It depends a lot on the guitar.

I have a standard classic on which I use normal tension strings. I've tried several brands and tensions, and normal tension sound the best.

I also have a flamenco guitar, lightly constructed, but like all good flamenco guitars, the action was set low enough so there was a bit of fret-buzz, an integral part of the flamenco sound. I took it to a repairman I knew who was familiar with flamenco guitars with the idea of having him raise the bridge just a hair. He suggested that I leave the action as is and use high tension strings. He told me that the high tension strings would minimize the fret-buzz and increase the volume slightly, but lightly built as the guitar is, they would not harm the guitar at all. The high tension strings are not that high. By the way, it worked, and I've been using them for thirty years and the guitar is fine.

Both of these guitars are standard pitch length, about 25 and a half inches between nut and bridge.

I also have a travel guitar (built for nylon strings) with a shorter pitch length, about 24 and a half inches. I use extra-high tension strings on this guitar on the advice of the luthier who made it (Sam Radding, Go-Guitars, in San Diego).

These are all quite good quality guitars, incidentally, especially the flamenco. I used D'Addarios. Not as expensive as some and they sound just fine on my guitars.

Experiment.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Zen
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 06:05 AM

Exactly as Don said... it depends very much on the instrument and also the tone you are seeking. I use Savarez high tension composites myself on a Yamaha APX10CN electroclassical after a lot of experimenting with different makes and tensions.

Zen

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: alex s
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 07:51 AM

I play both nylon and steel strings - when I bought my nylon strung Taylor Nigel of Highly Strung advised D'Addario Pro Arte Extra Hard Tension as being closest to steel strung and I was, and still am, really happy with that.
A

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 08:15 AM

Hello

Rather than create a new thread I thought I would hijack this one for a marginally related question.

We have a an cheap old youth size classical guitar.

I would like to have a cheap travel sized guitar to keep at work and practice chord shapes, sturmming styles, fingering upon during my lunch. Because it is youth size the neck is narrow enough to be comparable with the dreadnought I usually play.

Would it be OK for me to put steel strings on this little guitar and use it for the purpose described above?

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 08:34 AM

Afraid not. Steel strings put a lot more tension on the guitar than nylon strings and classical guitars are not normally braced to handle that extra tension.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 08:39 AM

Blast!

Thanks anyway, Uncle Phil. Looks like I am shopping for a travel guitar then as well as a new mandolin.

My poor savings, dwindling away.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: olddude
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 08:39 AM

I now use the hard tension strings on my Cordoba, Love love the sound it gives me ... you may want to try them Virginia but no steel strings it will destroy the guitar for sure

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Mooh
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 09:36 AM

With decent technique normal tension strings shouldn't roll around under the fingers too much, but somehow still do. Hard tension fit me and my guitar better, they're louder, spankier, smoother. D'Addario ProArte Composites suit the need just fine. Most guitars will handle them fine.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 04:26 PM

Hello,

I've tinkered with all sorts of classical guitar strings and have to say that, for my instruments, the best strings (imho) are La Bella 2001FM Medium tension. I'd say, give 'em a whirl!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST,Beginner Boy
Date: 12 May 10 - 06:46 PM

Spankier?

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: C-flat
Date: 14 May 10 - 10:04 AM

Yeah, I'd agree with "spankier"!!

Certainly for my Yamaha APXN, hard tension gives the delightful extra "snap" that personifies classical/flamenco guitar.

C-flat

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 10 - 10:36 AM

Um, spankier...more articulate.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST,Mooh
Date: 14 May 10 - 10:38 AM

Hey, what happened to me? That was me above.

Moohve it on over.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: ced2
Date: 14 May 10 - 12:04 PM

Don't think you can tell without trying all 3. I had to and eventually settled on the "hard" variety they seemed to give better tone, volume and "punch".

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 May 10 - 08:39 PM

Ah! But once again, it depends on the guitar. The high-tension strings sound fine on my flamenco guitar, but on my regular classic, they sound a bit harsh. Regular tension strings sound better.

So any blanket statement about which strings are best is very dubious.

That also goes from different brands of strings. I use D'Addario Pro Arte strings on all three of my guitars and they sound fine. But a friend of mine tried several brands and tensions and D'Addario's didn't sound that great on her guitar. She got the best sound with Savarez normal tension.

You have to experiment and use your ears.

Don Firth

P. S. When I first started playing classic, I had a Martin 00-28-G. One would think that Martin strings would be best on it, but they sounded like crap. Augustine strings sounded fine.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 15 May 10 - 05:48 PM

Martin strings will make any guitar sound like crap imo

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: olddude
Date: 15 May 10 - 05:58 PM

On the Cordoba the hard tension were perfect, love the sound. On this handmade guitar from Canada, they are really harsh sounding to my ear like Don said ... I am going back to regular on it. Of course one guitar is rosewood and the other is cedar ... so that is probably why ..

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Don Firth
Date: 15 May 10 - 06:13 PM

Murray, at the time I was talking about, the only nylon strings available for classic guitars were Martin, Augustine, and La Bella. All the rest were--would you believe!?--gut! And they were gawdawful. It's no wonder the classic guitar almost died out.

Slim pickin's!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Feb 11 - 05:07 PM

"Savarez high tension composites myself on a Yamaha APX10CN electroclassical"

Just happened to google into this. Yamaha APX10CN: I've recorded 5 solo CD's with it 15-10 years ago. Best strings for me: GHS 2390's. Why? The Yamaha APX10CN has a high treble response and picks up a lot of string noise from the basses. The 2390's have nearly noiseless basses. Worth a try, maybe even for live playing.

Sad that Yamaha doesn't make this guitar anymore.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 06 Feb 11 - 10:47 PM

Dan, you got any cats you want to re-cycle ?

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: C-flat
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 05:25 AM

I'll definately look out for Savarez for my APX. Haven't noticed them before.
Been using hard tension Daddario with a composite G string.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Zen
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 05:47 AM

Still have my Yamaha APX10CN and still using Savarez high tension composites. Brilliant live guitar but I don't use it as much these days and might sell it.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Deckman
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 07:04 AM

I also use Savarez. There's another thing to consider, which is longevity. When I first put on a new set, they are bright, brilliant in sound, and make me smile. BUT ... that doesn't last long. SURPRISE of all surprises, the more you play them, the sooner they fade away ... reminds me of some old girlfreinds! Depending on my rehersal and performance needs, I'll often have to replace the strings every ten days. That can get spendy. I've taken to buying them on-line ... a dozen sets at a time. I also suspect that "old stock" in supply houses and stores affects their longevity.

Has anyone else noticed this? CHEERS, bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: C-flat
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 07:14 AM

I've been buying strings on-line for a while now as, like you Bob, I can get through a set in very short time, especially when I'm in a busy gigging period.
When new they're bright, often a little too "zingy" for my taste, and need playing in to settle them down a bit and for a few days they're just perfect!
Trouble is that "perfect" window isn't very long and I'm soon playing-in another set!!
As you say "spendy"!!!
I've had a quick look for Savarez on-line but haven't sussed it yet. There seems to be a huge bespoke choice and I'm not sure which of the myriad range I should be looking at.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: GUEST,Doug Saum
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 12:37 PM

I'm a steel string player who recently purchased a Gibson Chet Atkins CEC (nylon string electric solid body) guitar. Does anyone have enough experience with this model to recommend strings for it? Thanks, Doug Saum

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 01:20 PM

I use a string type called 'Hannabach' gold. They're very high tension and are based on carbon fibre technology. They give a clear ringing sound and improve the tone of any guitar I've used them on. I first bought them in a backstreet guitar shop in Barcelona but now buy them on the web. They're made in Germany.

Subject: RE: Tech: classical guitar strings question
From: Barbara
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 01:32 PM

Here's the website for Savarez http://www.savarez.fr/anglais/index.html

Blessings
Barbara