Classical guitar strings.

glug · Oct 21, 2015

Hi All,

I currently have the yamaha c-40 classical guitar and using D Addario strings which are the only nylon strings i have tried.

I practice alot and my strings start to loose tone and wear out with in 1 week.

I am not clued up with the different string manufactureres but looking to try different ones.
Can anyone recommend some good quality strings with great tone?

I enjoy playing classical/fingure style.

Squonk · Oct 21, 2015

I have used D"Addario Pro Arte for years, never had trouble with them, a bit more pricey than the regular D'Addario's.

The last few times I have used Augustine strings. Works well for me. Also good to do a mixup of the Hard and Normal tension, see which ones work the best for you!

V8 · Oct 21, 2015

Squonk wrote: I have used D"Addario Pro Arte for years, never had trouble with them, a bit more pricey than the regular D'Addario's.

I've also used the Pro Arte Composites for quite a while, I reckon they do last around 3 times longer than the standard D'Addario's. They take a while to stretch in (2-3 days) and start producing tone - after that they're pretty stable. They also came in a "flamenco" flavour, but I can't find them at the moment.

I can destroy a set of Hannabach's in about 3-4 weeks. The stock D'Addario's start to die around 4-6 weeks, the set of Ernie Ball silver & steels are also around 4-6 weeks. Wasn't impressed by the Savarez strings > Hannabach's.

If I was recording/playing live more often I'd buy a case of Hannabach's - they stretch in super quick (2-3 hours), lovely balanced tone and produce very little string noise on the basses.

Not yet tried the Augustines, think they are next on my list.

PeteM · Oct 21, 2015

I have settled with Ernie Ball silver and black. Very reasonably priced so I can replace them more frequently.

buttle · Nov 8, 2015

If you want to try something different...

Dr. Thomastik make a set of steel core gut and silver wound concert strings specifically for classical concert guitars.
I have seen these for about 10 years as the guitar I had strung them on was damaged in a very traumatic accident.

BUT I will be very surprised if they have actually stopped making them. Try a thoroughbred concert shop like Lovemore Music in Brixton first.

Anyhoo, the point is here, that they sound SUPER bright but they bend like you're playing a Strat. They are basically specially made steel strings that you can put on a classical guitar... without any risk of dismembering the bridge.

These strings changed the direction of my music more than any other single influence. They just cry out for finger style.

http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/family-detail/Classic%20S%20rope%20core (there you go... just googled them) and as I remember... they have very good life span... but they were pricey.