Help... which nylon strings?

PeteM

I've been using Ernie Ball nylon strings for some time now and generally been quite happy with them. But, the last 2 sets I've used have had problems. The 1,2 & 3 strings started to fray all down their length within a week of using them. I brought this to John's notice at Village Music and he reckons it's the way I play them. I don't believe that since I've not changed my style of playing. I've also found that the same three strings seems to appreciably increase in tension as they get slightly older. Funnily enough both problems don't seem to affect the tone.

It's now time for a change and I need some input from the nylon gurus here. I used to use D'Addario but I found that their wound strings squeak a lot.

Any advice guys?

Highway-Chile

My advice would be Savarez, Augustine, La Bella and D'Addario Pro Arte....... in that order.

The Pro Arte's are okay but every time I put them on I can tell the difference..they are just not as good as the others, for my personal taste.

You should be able to go to some of the websites to see the specs of the strings or look on the string packs. I personally like a string set that has a high tension without being too thick, lot's of treble and moderate bass. Some people like little tension etc etc. Luckily I only have one nylon so do not have to buy a ton of nylon strings very often.

AlanRatcliffe

Savarez (Allianz for classic, 520 for Flamenco), Hannabach, LaBella (who also have models with polished basses for squeakless play) are the better sets. ProArte and Augustine are decent, but uninspiring. I've heard a few good things about Luthier strings, but haven't tried them.

I have recommended against the Ernie Balls for years - I always found their intonation to be out, especially in the upper registers.

PeteM

Thanks guys. To start, I think I'll try the La Bella 413P, the low squeak strings, that's if I can get them here in Durbs. It looks like Tradelius are the wholesalers which means Pavilion or Gateway... not my favourite stores.

Bob-Dubery

Could this not be a case of a dud batch? I had a problem a couple of years ago with the strings I usually use (Elixir PB 13s) - 3rd string breaking. After the 2nd breakage I had a word at the shop (McGibbon's) where the guitar had been set up and where I bought my strings. The strings were breaking at the nut. They checked the nut out for sharp edges and found none. They gave me a couple of replacement 3rd strings, swopped out my spare set for a set that had arrived recently, and said then that they thought it was a dud batch. The problem did not reoccur, and I carried on using the strings that I was accustomed to and liked.

PeteM

@Bob. Yeah, probably a dud batch. Anyway I don't want to take the chance of buying another dud set, so I'll try something new. Goes to show that you're only as good as your last screw-up.

Sad thing is that no-one at retail was prepared to look into it which means that I have lost faith in the brand as a whole. E.g. How good is Ernie Ball's QA across their product range?

BTW if the Ernie Ball agents are visiting this site, it would be great to know if they've come across this before.

AlanRatcliffe

I used to do all the warrantee work for them and I can tell you, the problems are not isolated. I stopped buying them as the cheaper sets I was using for repairs (Martin's Darco brand were just as inexpensive and were actually decent strings). Even then, I got guitars in for years afterwards that all had the same problems. I also found the EB distributors weren't interested - even when I refused to use them for their own stock repairs. Nylon strings are a very small part of EB's business and I suspect they may only have them to complete the range.

PeteM

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Nylon strings are a very small part of EB's business and I suspect they may only have them to complete the range.

Can't they see that this damages the integrity of the brand as a whole? I use EB Slinkies on my electric and this experience is prompting me to try something else now. Not only that but I've got several pupils who ask me what strings to buy. I have to look after my own integrity, so I don't think I can recommend EB anymore. Any single legitimate negative experience with a brand is subject to the domino effect.

Demon-Dave

I use the Rotosound for my nylon guitars. I use the “Ball End” Superia for my Ephiphone Chet Atkins Goldtop, and the Superia Pro for all my other Classical guitars.

Demon-Dave

PeteM wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Nylon strings are a very small part of EB's business and I suspect they may only have them to complete the range.
Can't they see that this damages the integrity of the brand as a whole? I use EB Slinkies on my electric and this experience is prompting me to try something else now. Not only that but I've got several pupils who ask me what strings to buy. I have to look after my own integrity, so I don't think I can recommend EB anymore. Any single legitimate negative experience with a brand is subject to the domino effect.

I also had a very bad experience with Ernie Ball strings, haven’t used them since. I either use RotoSound, GHS Boomers, D’Addario Xl, or Gibson Vintage Reissue, depending on the guitar.

Azathoth

I've always had good experiences with Savarez, but have only used their classical strings, not their flamenco range.

Chris-Mason

I have been using Hannabach strings of late and am impressed with the tone and the life of the strings. they have a ide selection to choose from which is also great.
They are fairly new to the country. when I needed a set for my 10 string I contacted their HO in Germany and they sent them out immediately.
You can get them at Andy Mcgibbons Guitar World 0117916887 and I would imagine most Guitar Retailers.
All the best good luck
Saddle and Nut

donnyandrya

i can't believe if there's a discussion about this ERNIE BALL thing ? ... i'm from Indonesia and i've been using ernie ball long time in electric and nylon acoustic... until i use 2 kind product... actually problem happen in 2 month ago, first i use black string and sudenly fray came in 1 week, and then i change sylver standard nylon and fray happen too....
my friend also bought Ernie Ball nylon string and has a problem too.. so we think it' was a bad Ernie Ball... some friend analyze if it was an imitate Ernie Ball, but i'm buy it from best music store...
Now i use Albert Augustine string http://albertaugustine.com ... and while i'm curious to know about problem happen to my ex-Ernesto Pala ernie ball... i found this thread ?

Keira-WitherKay

heya pete, if you ain't tried em , try the Hanabachs........ they as cheap as d'addario ( i get em for about R80 a set i think retail is about R130 or thereabouts - but sound way above the price range ...... and i have had students who i have got t use em tell me they fitted em after the usual pro artes ect and it sounded like they had new guitars and not just new strings........ i am using them on all my guitars......

and btw i had the same prob that y6ou seem to explain with savarez of the bass's unwinding and wearing in a bad way after only about 2 weeks play ....ok agressive play and lots of it but still ..... so i agree it's prob a bad batch you had........ cos not even cheap strings unravel or wear that quickly ......

PeteM

Thanks Keira... pity about the EBs because I liked the attack I got out of them. I might have returned to them for this reason but I've had no reply or explanation from the retailer or the distributor so until that happens then EB is out for me across their product range. I unfortunately I can no longer recommend them to my students. Through their silence they have ruined the EB brand image in my eyes.