Classical Guitar Strings

Bezmotivnik

Bezmotivnik

New member
I'm back on my search for a serviceable classical guitar for doing some nouvelle scene stuff and have noticed something that strikes me as odd:

Everyone seems to be griping about bad strings -- spontaneous breaking, not staying in tune, etc, etc. And this with "good" string brands, too.

I've never owned a classical before, so can someone with some experience give me a primer? Is this normal?

As always, many thanks for any good data...
 
Re: Classical Guitar Strings

i've always played d'addario pro arte extra hard tension and never had any problems with the things you've mentioned. i dont think i've ever had a string break (its a CLASSICAL guitar, what could you be doing that would result in string breaking?), and my guitar has always stayed in tune, maybe its the guitar they're using
 
Re: Classical Guitar Strings

Well, whoever these people are probably don't know how to string it up properly or are using cheapo strings which do break! Common mistake is not enough loops on the top two strings at the bridge, so when you're tuning up they unravel - three loops is the way to go; G string two, and the bass strings can live with one, though I do two for all except the trebles, old habit:

IMG_0492.jpg


At the tuning peg, best to have each treble string so that it wraps over itself and locks down (once is enough), preventing slippage, then loop it loosely through the peg hole a few times. On my guitar, I find that two-three wraps around the post is enough for all strings.

IMG_0494.jpg



Also a good idea to run some pencil lead at the nut and saddle of the bass strings.

Often it depends on the kind of guitar you've got as to how it's going to sound with particular strings. My guitar is cedar/rosewood, so it's quite warm sounding, and the treble strings each have a particular quality to their timbre, which is quite a Spanish thing.

D'Addario Pro Arté seem to be the 'standard', if you will - very serviceable string, good longevity. I've used some Augustine Classics in the past but didn't like them much - wore out fast tonally. Galli, Savarez and La Bella are also good. My favourite Savarez set is with the wound trebles - very balanced and recommended for the G if you find it too tubby sounding (a problem on cheaper guitars), and basses settle quickly. Galli Carbon Genius are also a good treble set - translucent nylon. The La Bella set I've got now is similar to the D'Addarios.

People often mix trebles and basses from different sets too - I quite liked the combination of Savarez wound trebles and Pro Arté basses on my guitar.

Best place to buy strings: http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/.
 
Re: Classical Guitar Strings

While I'm a die-hard EB electric string user, I recommend avoiding their Ernesto Palla nylons. The ones I have feature a molded plastic "ball end" to eliminate the hangmans' noose at the bridge.
Until you get them tuned up and the plastic ball end gets ripped off.

That, and unlike EB electric strings, it seems like they simply will not tune up fully, but are stretching forever, and I changed them over 6 months ago!
 
Re: Classical Guitar Strings

I don't play a lot of classical guitar but I have a decent Classical(Alvarez). Its Magascar Rosewood and a cedar top. When I need a string change I let my friend Luthier install them for me as I don't change them enough to know how to do it well(I know I should). He ties them on with only one loop at the bass but loops the excess under the previous string behind the bridge. Even so it takes a good week for the strings to settle in and stop slipping. When they first go on the stretch really quite a bit for about 3 or 4 days then they get better.
 
Re: Classical Guitar Strings

I don't remember breaking a string on my classical and I played it a lot during the 80ties.

I use La Bella Gold on Discant, Blue Augustine on bass and sometimes use a wound G string, the Dr. Thomastic (sp?). Yellow Savarez is sounds almost as good as the Augustine but lasts longer.
 
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