The softest strings for guitar. How to choose strings for an acoustic guitar? Types of strings based on material of manufacture

When choosing strings for classical guitar Many guitarists do not think about the possibility of experimenting with different types of materials: most musicians are still confident that only nylon sets or their traditional, but more expensive analogue - gut strings can be installed on a classical (Spanish) guitar. However, this is not at all true: in this material you can learn about which strings for a classical guitar are better, what types of strings are on the market today and which models are the most popular.

How to choose strings for a classical guitar: basic production technologies

IN in a general sense“classical” guitar strings are sets for instruments with a fan-shaped spring system, having a total tension in the range of 30...45 kg; in the American tradition of classical playing, sets with a tension of up to 50 kg are also quite popular.

Today, the following types of classical strings are common on the market:

• Traditional intestinal;
• Synthetic (“nylon”);
• Reinforced synthetic (“carbon”);
• With steel core;
• Synthalic;

What strings are best for a classical guitar?

Everyone can definitely answer this question for themselves - we will tell you about the features of each type of kit.

Intestinal strings (Gutstrings)- very often they are also called “veined”. By the way, this name is erroneous - they are not made from veins or tendons, but from the intestines of animals: mainly domestic sheep. Today, it is very difficult to find such sets for free sale: firstly, they are not very practical (the smell is “not for everybody”, they wear out quite quickly), and secondly, the cost of such strings is extremely high.

They are used mainly by amateurs early music, for the most part, the use of gut strings is disposable: despite the development of production technology and the use of impregnations and protective compounds, due to moisture and temperature, the strings usually become unusable after one concert.

Synthetic strings- conventionally they are called nylon. They were invented by Augustine back in the 40s of the last century, when participation in World War II forced large industrial countries to look for cheaper and more accessible materials for production for the medical field. So engineers invented a synthetic thread, which they called nylon.

The top three strings (the thinnest) are a monolithic nylon line (“monofilament”). Three lower strings s (thick, “bass”) are a monolithic fishing line or an interweaving of several nylon fishing lines (“polyfilament”) in the core, which is covered on the outside with a metal winding. The classic braiding material is round-profile wire made of silver-plated copper.

Why silver plated coating is needed: It gives classical guitar strings a more attractive appearance, protects your fingers from staining due to contact with copper, and also serves as an excellent indicator of wear on the set.

The disadvantage of copper winding is its softness, which is especially noticeable on the 4th string (the thinnest braid) at the point of contact with the frets. IN last years To solve this problem, manufacturers do not use pure copper, but alloys: nickel silver, phosphorus bronze, brass, etc. Please note that alloys make the sound of a classical guitar is more velvety and “matte”.

Reinforced synthetic strings- are made from something invented in the late 90s. in Japan, a polymer composition with a very long name, which in everyday life musicians and manufacturers by common agreement began to call “carbon”. The density of this material is more than 1.5 times higher than that of nylon - this makes it possible to produce more thin strings with identical guitar tuning and the same tension. The picture below shows how the diameter of traditional and reinforced synthetic strings differs at the same tension:

1. First string (E): 0.7 and 0.54 mm
2. Second string (B): 0.8 and 0.61 mm
3. Third string (G): 1 and 0.76 mm

Carbon strings are thinner, but they sound brighter and louder than their nylon counterparts - and the cost of reinforced sets is higher. The service life of carbon kits, oddly enough, differs very slightly from traditional nylon kits.

Steel backed strings appeared on the market as an experiment at the beginning of the 21st century and, in general, found their audience. A special feature of the production technology is the use of winding on all six strings: it is applied to a core of thin steel threads twisted into a single core. The winding on the thin strings is a flat nylon tape; the winding of the bass strings is usually made of classic silver-plated copper.

Their main feature is that the strings on a steel cable have almost no stretch and react perfectly to the movement of the peg. They have a high cost, but are loved by individual classical guitar players because of their softness and fairly bright sound.

Synthalic strings(sintal=synthetics+steel) - enough new development, the peculiarity of which is the combination of the properties of nylon and steel. Soft strings that tune up very quickly and have a bright sound. Syntal strings wear out more slowly than traditional synthetic sets.

String tension for classical guitar

Due to the active use of synthetic materials, some manufacturers of classical guitar strings do not indicate the diameter of the strings on their sets. This is due to the lightness of polymers: even a noticeable change in the gauge of the strings will not cause a significant difference in tension due to the almost constant weight of the string. In such a situation, the following classification of tension for nylon strings:

• Normal/Regular Tension - normal/medium tension
• Hard/High Tension - strong tension
• Extra High Tension - very strong tension.

It should be remembered that a louder, juicier and richer sound usually gives a stronger tension.

Where do you get new guitar strings? Personally, I prefer to buy them in regular music stores, feeling them live, while exchanging jokes with the sellers there who have known me for a long time. However, you can order guitar strings online without any worries.

Wandering through the expanses of online stores, you probably noticed that the types of guitar strings offered for sale are quite numerous. Of course, after this the question could not help but arise: how to choose strings for a guitar, how not to make a mistake with the choice when purchasing? These issues need to be sorted out in advance.

Types of strings based on material of manufacture

There are three main types of strings:

1. Organic Gut (Catgut) – Traditional strings made from animal gut and wrapped with wire. Despite their short service life, many guitarists still prefer to install only gut strings on their instruments.
2. Nylon strings are held in high regard by classical guitarists. They are soft and pliable, and therefore suitable for beginners. The three tenor strings (lower) are made of nylon line, and the three bass strings are nylon strings wrapped in gold or silver plated wire.
3. Steel strings are the most popular type of strings. The sound of the instrument with such strings has a bright and ringing timbre. The winding of steel strings is made from the most different materials: nickel, phosphorus bronze, brass and others.

About different types of string windings

Let's talk in more detail about the winding, or as it is sometimes called, the braid of the strings. The wire covering the core of the strings can be made in several versions.

1. Round braid is the cheapest to manufacture, which means the cost of guitar strings will be lower. Main disadvantages: squeaking of fingers on the strings when playing, rapid wear due to contamination of the sinuses of the braid.
2. Flat braid eliminates unnecessary sounds. These strings are used on a guitar for studio recording. Main disadvantage: less bright sound than round wound strings.
3. Semicircular braid is a hybrid that includes both the pros and cons of the two previous types.

What is string tension?

Before choosing strings for your guitar, find out what their tension is: light, medium or heavy. The tension force is influenced by several factors: their length, weight, tuning frequency, diameter, winding material and core size.

It is believed that the stronger the tension, the louder and brighter the instrument sounds. If it is light, the instrument is quiet and melodious. Another caveat is that strings with heavy tension will not be so easy to press on the frets, and therefore for beginners it is recommended to take strings of the lightest tension to make playing easier.

The most popular manufacturers and prices of guitar strings

The companies D'Addario and LaBella have long been producing a large line of a wide variety of strings for classical and acoustic guitars. They are considered the most popular manufacturers - all of their types of guitar strings have excellent characteristics and they don't sell for that much great price(about 10 USD).

The strings from the French manufacturer Savarez stand out separately. They are made of high-strength materials, have excellent sound properties, and therefore their cost is high (from 20 USD).

The most popular manufacturers of strings for electric guitars and bass are Elixir and DR. Their prices are very affordable: for electric guitars - from 20 USD, for a four-string bass - from 70 USD.

Why can't a classical guitar have steel strings?

The mechanics of the pegs and the stand in a classical guitar are made of lightweight materials. Therefore, only nylon strings can be used on this type of guitar - they are soft and not very stretched, which means they are not capable of breaking and damaging the instrument.

Steel strings are used on guitars with a reinforced structure, such as acoustic six-strings. Well, if you try to put nylon strings on an electric guitar, you will see with your own eyes that the pickup simply cannot detect sound vibrations from them.

Conclusion

So, when choosing strings, you need to focus on the instrument itself, its strength or, conversely, softness, the level of your technical skill (tight or light tension), the practical purpose of the instrument (educational, concert, studio, etc.), well and on the traditions that have developed in guitar schools (preferences for materials of one type or another).

Of course, one of the most important criteria, and for some the main one, is the cost of guitar strings. And yet, also pay attention to the packaging of the strings - it should contain not only the characteristics of the product, but also the basic data of the manufacturer. Being careful will protect you from buying a fake.

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Many musicians think that nylon strings are only for beginners who don't want to get calluses on their fingers while learning. This is a fairly common misconception, which we intend to dispel in this article.

Features of nylon strings

The first three strings are calibrated nylon fishing line. Now they are made from various copolymers and polymers, the basis of which is nylon. Rest bass strings made from a multifilament synthetic twisted base. It is sometimes called filament nylon. Silver-plated winding is usually used. This coating improves the sound of dull copper and looks beautiful, but wears off after a while. In some cases, various alloys of copper and silver with the obligatory presence of zinc act as windings. However, this is not as practical and also more expensive. In some cases, other alloys can be used as windings, which are inferior in sound to silver-plated copper, but superior in durability.

String tension can be normal (Normal/Regular), strong (High/Hard) or very strong (Extra High). In some cases, the manufacturer indicates the thickness of the strings on the packaging. Moreover, the stronger the tension and the thicker the string, the louder and richer it will sound. A thinner string will sound thinner and louder.

So, which ones to put? Nylon or metal strings?

Nylon strings were originally intended for classical guitars. Moreover, the instrument must have a glued neck, since a screw-on neck significantly worsens the sound of the instrument. This is one of the reasons why metal strings are most often used on cheap instruments. Also, many luthiers do not recommend using nylon strings on Western guitars (also called folk guitars) and dreadnoughts. These instruments are designed for higher tension and are unlikely to sound good with nylon ones.

How to choose nylon strings?

Typically, professional guitarists choose high-tension strings with silver-plated windings. But teachers advise beginning musicians to use medium-tension nylon strings, as they are easier to play. But it is worth considering that in this case a novice musician will not be able to use some sound production techniques. Special attention must be turned into frets. If they are poorly polished, then best choice there will be strings with copper winding. They will last longer, but the sound will not be as bright.

The determining factor when choosing “voices” is the quality and method of processing them. There are matte (polished) and polished surfaces. Each of them has its own nuances. Nowadays, polished strings are most widely used, since they create fewer overtones during fast passages.

As for brands, the most famous are Martin Strings (American) and Savarez (French), as well as Pyramid, La Bella, D'Addario and many others. Choosing a brand of nylon strings is a personal matter for each musician.

I promised that I would tell you how to choose the right strings for an electric guitar, and today we will try to figure it out. Indeed, for a beginning guitarist this will be quite difficult to do, due to the lack of necessary knowledge, skills and habits.

This issue also has some peculiarities related to which strings to start with: thin or thick, steel or nickel, which manufacturer to give preference to. For professional guitarists these questions may seem simple. But what should beginners and those who are just starting to learn the electric guitar do? Let's look at this in more detail.

Preface

For those who do not yet know how to choose the right electric guitar, I advise you to read the detailed article. I will say right away that the choice of strings is a purely individual process. After some time, you will no longer need any advice, because you yourself will be able to select the strings, their coating and the gauge (diameter) that will be most comfortable for your fingers to play. Most likely, only through trial and error will you be able to find the strings that work best for you. Therefore, the advice in this article will be useful only at the very beginning of your creative journey.

But if you recently bought yourself a new inexpensive guitar, then it already has some strings. I would advise changing them first. Of course, they can live on your guitar for some time, you can even learn to play them. But know that their quality leaves much to be desired. No one will give you a guarantee that these strings will not break or rust in the near future. Now let’s look at the criteria for choosing strings for an electric guitar.

String manufacturers

The first thing you should pay attention to when you start choosing strings for your electric guitar is the brand (manufacturer). I would advise giving preference to such proven brands as:

- the most expensive, long-playing and my favorite strings, coated with a polymer composition, thanks to which they do not lose their original sound so quickly, and they are also soft and quite pleasant to the touch.

D'Addario– the most popular bourgeois strings that our guitarists love.

– quite tenacious and very quality strings. They are in demand mainly among metalheads. Average price.

- quite affordable in price and good in quality, I also advise you to try it, you won’t regret it, because such strings will last much longer than some fake produced by Petya Ivanov’s steel mill No. 3.

— American-made nickel/steel strings at an affordable price. Feedback from guitarists is only positive.

And here’s another thing: don’t really trust the salespeople in the store, who will gladly shove some stale crap at you, especially if they notice that you don’t really understand it. So it’s better to start by sitting at home and “Google” or consult with familiar guitarists. Try to decide in advance on the brand of future strings, read reviews from musicians, and look at the same time average price in online stores. And most importantly, the issue of choosing strings must be approached purely individually, i.e. Decide in advance what kind of sound you want and how comfortable these strings will be for you.

String coating

This is the second and important criterion when choosing strings for an electric guitar. On the front of the package you can find information about the coating material from which they are made. Regardless of the braid, the core of the string is always made of steel, but its winding can be of several types:

Nickel plating– has a soft sound (ideal for solo performance). Strings with such a coating are considered the most popular today, even despite some of their shortcomings (the winding quickly becomes dull, wears out upon contact with the frets, and loses its original sound in a couple of weeks).

Steel coating– has the brightest and sharpest sound, and such strings are made entirely of steel (winding + core). These strings are best suited for metalheads and those who want to achieve a harder, punchier sound. Not as popular as nickel ones.

Sometimes, to protect strings from corrosion, manufacturers apply a special polymer composition to the winding, which ultimately significantly extends their life, but, as a rule, the price will also be appropriate.

String gauge

Caliber is the thickness of the string, usually expressed in fractions of an inch. As a rule, sets usually indicate the thickness of the 1st and 6th strings, for example: 9 - 42 or 10 - 46. In the jargon of musicians, this sounds like “nine” or “ten”. Depending on what style of playing and style of music you prefer, when choosing strings, it is necessary to strive for some kind of compromise between the richness and volume of the sound, as well as the speed and ease of play. In practice, it turns out that thick strings have a richer and more powerful sound, but thin strings are easiest to play, but you have to sacrifice the sound. Here the choice is yours. In general, in my opinion, the most optimal set in terms of thickness and sound is the “ten”.

0,008 – these strings are the softest and thinnest, best suited for beginner guitarists. Their sound is not as powerful and dense as thicker sets and therefore they are not very popular with experienced guitarists. I wouldn’t recommend staying on the “eight” for a long time, because in the future it will be quite difficult to switch to thick strings, so you need to try to gradually develop your skills and switch to a set of 0.010 or 0.011.

0,009 – “nine” also belongs to the category of soft and thin strings. It’s a little more difficult to play on them, but the sound will be denser compared to the “eight”.

0,010 – strings of medium thickness. The most popular and widespread among musicians. Combine best qualities thin and thick strings: medium hardness and fairly dense sound.

0,011; 0,012; 0,013 – strings of this gauge are considered thick and quite difficult to play. But they have a spacious and powerful sound. Such sets are also used for low standing in heavy styles of rock music.

There are also hybrid sets, where the first three tenor strings are standard thickness, and the 4th, 5th and 6th bass strings can be thicker than the standard. For example, Zakk Wylde plays his signature 10-60 caliber set. Hybrids are created so that the riff sounds most powerful on the bass strings, and when playing solo there are no difficulties with bending.

Another interesting point. In various sets, the third string can be with or without a winding. The third string without a winding is most often used by musicians performing rock music, because it is easier to perform solos and bends (braces) on such a string, but for others musical styles, for example, jazz, the entwined 3rd string is best suited. Although you shouldn't take this as a rule, experiment!

Types of windings

Twisted strings are divided into several types, depending on the winding and material:

Round winding Flat winding
Semicircular winding Hexagonal winding

Round winding

Strings with this type of winding are considered the easiest to manufacture and the cheapest. They have a round core inside, around which a round wire is wound. The disadvantages include the following:

• The presence of a relief profile that causes a “whistle” as the fingers slide along the string.
• A rough surface that wears out the frets and fingerboard much faster.
• A winding that is not secured to the core and can rotate around it after damage.

Flat winding

Flat wound strings also have a round core inside, but wound wire has a smoother square profile with rounded corners. This profile reduces whistling, makes the strings more comfortable to play, and reduces wear on the frets and fingerboard. The sound of these strings is less bright than round wound strings. They are more expensive in price.

Semicircular winding

Nothing more than a hybrid of the two previous windings. These strings have the sound characteristics of round wound along with the feel of flat wound. At first they are made the same as with round winding, but then the outer side of the wire is polished and pressed until it is almost flat.

Hexagonal winding

The core profile is a hexagon with tightly wound round wire that follows the shape of the core. Thanks to this design, the problem of torsion of the winding around the core is solved and the sound is significantly improved due to its close connection with the winding. The disadvantage is that sharp ribs wear out the nuts and fingerboard much faster than round wound strings, and such strings are also less comfortable to play.

• Do not throw away old strings, because... They will still be useful to you if some string breaks and the store is far away.
• Before buying, explain to the seller that you need strings for an electric guitar, and not for some other one, so that they don’t sell you the wrong thing.
• To somehow extend the life of the strings, try to wash your hands before playing so that they are free of dirt and grease, and after playing, wipe the strings with a special liquid or a dry cloth from above and below.
• Try to change your strings at least every six months, because even the best ones don't last that long. During this time, their characteristics change: inhomogeneity appears in thickness, the sound loses richness, or microcracks may appear.
• If one string suddenly breaks, you can purchase it separately without having to buy a whole set. In this case, try to choose a similar string.

To determine whether your guitar needs strings replaced, you should pay attention to the following::

• dull guitar sound;
• the guitar doesn't stay in tune well;
• the strings are corroded or appear dirty;
• intonation is broken (the same note should sound clearly in different places neck);
• the winding shows signs of wear;
• a lot of time has passed since the last replacement;
• strings too soft/hard.

In conclusion, I would like to wish you good luck, friends! Now you know how to choose strings for an electric guitar and you can safely go shopping. I tried to collect as much information as possible in this article, so share it with your friends on in social networks lower on the page. I will be glad to see your comments and additions. All the best!

Strings for an acoustic or classical guitar have a significant impact on its sound, so from the widest range of strings on the market, you should choose the ones that are ideal for you and your instrument. This guide will help you choose the right strings that best suit your guitar and playing style.

Strings for acoustic guitar

Since there are no sound effects or amplification in an acoustic guitar, the strings are key to its sound. Thus, the material and caliber acoustic strings must be carefully considered, and the type of winding is also an important factor.

Acoustic or classical guitar

The first thing that determines the choice of strings is the type of instrument - classical or western guitar (it is most often called acoustic). In most cases their strings Not interchangeable. Usage metal strings on a guitar designed to use nylon strings can seriously damage the instrument. The neck design of a classical guitar is not designed to withstand the pressure from the tension of metal strings. Usage wrong strings may also damage the bridge and saddles.

String gauge

Before we dive into the specific characteristics various types guitar strings, let's look at the concept of string gauge, since it applies to both of them. Strings come in different thicknesses or gauges. Caliber is indicated in thousandths of an inch. The thinnest acoustic strings are usually 0.010 gauge, while the thickest are 0.059 gauge. The gauge of the strings greatly affects their playability and sound.

Please note that classical guitar strings also vary in tension. Below we will discuss the effect of tension on the sound and playability of classical strings.

Thinner strings (smaller gauge):

• - it’s easier to pinch the strings and play by fingerpicking;
• - tear faster;
• - their sound is less deep and long;
• - can cause fret buzzing, especially on guitars with a small distance between the neck and the strings;
• - place less pressure on the guitar neck and are safer for older instruments

Thicker Strings (Higher Gauge):

• - require a lot of effort to pinch the strings and play chords;
• - the sound is deep and long;
• - cause more pressure on the bar.

Gauge designation on acoustic guitar string sets

Most manufacturers mark the gauge of the string set with labels such as “extra light” or “heavy” on the packaging. Although string gauges of the same markings may vary slightly among different manufacturers, the following are standard string gauges for acoustic guitars:

Selecting String Gauge for an Acoustic Guitar

When deciding which string gauge to choose, the following factors must be considered:

Type of shell: general rule is that on guitars with a smaller soundboard, that is, with less resonance, it is better to use smaller gauge strings, on guitars with a larger soundboard - thicker strings. Thus, large dreadnoughts (western dreadnoughts) or jumbos, as a rule, sound better with medium gauge strings: thanks to the large soundboard, the sound resonates well and is balanced deep and loud. Folk and grand audience guitars will sound better with thinner strings.

Playing style: Picking is much easier on smaller gauge strings. If you prefer to play, it is better to choose medium-gauge strings, although for beginners who are not roughened, they may seem harsh. If you combine both plucking and strumming in your playing, light-medium gauge strings may be a good option. These sets consist of thinner three lower strings and thicker three upper strings.

Desired tone: As you probably already guessed, heavy gauge strings produce a deep low sound with pronounced bass. On the other hand, thinner strings give a bright and ringing sound. high notes, making busting very effective.

Condition and age of the instrument: Vintage guitars are often fragile and putting too much tension on thick strings can cause the neck to change angles and damage the bridge. If you are not sure how large caliber safe for your guitar, please contact the manufacturer or luthier.

Acoustic Guitar String Materials

Below are the features of the sound of strings with various materials windings of their basses.

Bronze: the strings have a clear, ringing and bright sound, which, unfortunately, fades quite quickly due to the tendency of bronze to oxidize.

Phosphor bronze: the sound is lower and warmer, but still quite sonorous, phosphorus in the alloy increases service life.

Aluminum bronze: The sound is cleaner than phosphor bronze, with pronounced bass and ringing highs

Copper: the strings have a bright, ringing, metallic sound, but they get dirty and oxidize very quickly.

Polymer coated: less sonorous and bright than equivalent bare strings, the sound is warm and deep; Corrosion resistant.

With silk wrap(Silk and Steel): A steel core with silk, nylon or copper winding on the lower strings, giving them a softer feel and sound. These strings are popular among folk performers and for fingerstyle.

What is special about electric-acoustic strings?

Most electroacoustic speakers are equipped with a piezoelectric pickup (or simply a microphone) located inside the soundboard, which converts the sound vibrations of the strings and soundboard into an electrical signal using a built-in preamp. Since piezoelectric pickups are not affected by the magnetic properties of the string materials, regular acoustic or classical guitar strings will work just fine for an acoustic-electric guitar.

If the electro-acoustic is equipped with an electromagnetic pickup, when choosing strings, you should follow the recommendations of the guitar or pickup manufacturer.

Nylon strings

Characteristics of nylon strings

Nylon strings are typically used for performance classical music, flamenco, bossa nova and folk music. However, their smooth, rich tone with excellent touch sensitivity is used by guitarists in other styles, such as jazz and country.

Some beginners choose nylon strings due to the belief that they are less likely to cut their fingers. This belief is true, since nylon is more soft material and the tension of nylon strings is weaker than metal ones. However, all beginners must go through a stage of roughening their fingertips and correct settings he passes the guitar quickly. Nylon strings should not be chosen for their initial ease of play, but for their sound.

Because nylon strings tend to stretch more than metal strings, they require more frequent tuning, especially if the set is new. They are also more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Nylon string tension

In addition to the gauge, manufacturers indicate the tension of the set on the packaging of nylon strings. Unfortunately, there is no single scale for determining it, so to find strings with the ideal tension for you, you need to change several brands. The choice is complicated by the fact that there are sets in which the strings have different tensions, while only one value is indicated on the packaging. Below are the most common tension symbols and their sound characteristics.

Lowtension(Low Tension alsoModerate orLight Tension)

• - it is easier to pluck strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the strings and the neck;
• - the sound is less sonorous and rich;
• - the sound is soft, without pronounced intonation;
• - more suitable for legato technique;
• - prone to fret buzzing.

Averagetension(Normal Tension/Medium Tension)

• - is usually a happy medium between low and high tension characteristics.

Hightension(High/Hard/Strong Tension)

• - more effort is required to clamp the strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the neck and the strings;
• - the sound is clearer and brighter;
• - the sound is expressive, more abrupt;
• - more suitable for rhythmic picking;
• - May cause damage to the neck, bridge and tuning machines on fragile instruments.

Some manufacturers produce strings with extra-light tension and extra-hard tension, and there are also sets labeled Medium-hard tension. To choose the string tension that best suits your playing style, we recommend first deciding on the manufacturer and winding material of your bass. After that, try sets with different tensions in the selected line.

To reduce the pressure on the instrument when using strings with high tension, it is recommended to loosen them after playing, store them in a slightly deflated state, and tune them immediately before playing.

Nylon string material

First of all, the very definition of “nylon strings” is somewhat erroneous. There are several materials from which strings are made, which would be more accurately called “classical guitar strings.” The structure and materials of treble and bass strings in the same set are also different.

Until the 1940s, classical guitar strings were made from the intestines of cows and sheep. The trebles were made from simple gut, and the bass strings were made from silk thread wound with gut.

The trebles of modern classical guitar strings are made from nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic threads, the basses are a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various materials.

Materials of treble strings for classical guitar and their sound characteristics

Clear Nylon : the most common strings are transparent nylon fishing line, cast in the required gauge, and have a ringing and bright sound. The strings are smooth to the touch.

Rectified Nylon : also represent a nylon fishing line of the required caliber, which is then processed by a laser to achieve the most accurate compliance with the specified diameter along the entire length of the string. They have a warmer, velvety sound. Matte and rough to the touch.

Black nylon : besides appearance It has a soft and clear sound with a predominance of high notes.

Nylon with titanium added : Smooth to the touch with a brighter sound than regular nylon strings. They are often used on low sounding guitars.

Combined : woven from several threads, have a bright, loud sound. Strings of this structure are often used as a G-string, as a transition between treble and bass strings.

Bass string winding materials for classical guitar

Classical bass strings consist of a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various metals. The most common ones are presented below.

80/20 bronze : The alloy contains 80% copper and 20% zinc. The sound of the strings is clear and bright.

Silver plated copper : Silver coating makes the strings smooth to the touch, copper gives a warm sound. Some manufacturers label this winding “silver”.

Roundwound basses are the most common for classical basses. Some manufacturers sand the surface of the Roundwound to smooth out the surface, which makes the strings smooth to the touch and reduces finger noise.

Most classical guitar strings have straight ends (tie-ends) that tie them to the bridge.

Signs it's time to change strings

• - the guitar is increasingly out of tune, and tuning it is becoming more and more difficult;
• - rust has appeared on the strings or they have changed color;
• - in the places where it is attached to the bridge, the winding has delaminated and the base of the bass strings is visible;
• - the sound of the strings is flat and dull;
• - You don’t remember when last time changed the strings.

How often should you change strings?

There is no single answer to this question, but the following are reasons for shortened string life:

• - You play in a hot room, you sweat while playing;
• - You play aggressively with loud fighting;
• - You play often;
• - You often change the tuning of your guitar;
• - You smoke or play in smoky rooms.

• - Have a clean cloth on hand to wipe down the strings after playing.
• - Wash your hands before playing.
• - Buy a stringwinder, they are inexpensive and will greatly speed up the process of changing strings.
• - Write down the date of replacement on the package of strings, put the package in the guitar case, so you can compare which strings last you longer.
• - Buying strings in bulk can be cheaper, especially if you use thin strings that are easy to break.
• - Pay attention to the packaging: it is better to choose polyethylene - it will protect the strings from corrosion during storage.
• - Keep a spare set or single first, thinnest strings in your guitar case, they will come in handy in case of emergency string replacement.