Page 1 of 1

Classical Guitar string recommendations?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 2:57 pm
by JLT
I've been given a classical/folk guitar by a neighbor, and it desperately needs new strings ... the old ones are at least 20 years old! For that matter, I have a couple of classical guitars in my collection that could use new ones.

I've always used Augustine strings, but I notice that Strings by Mail has about three dozen brands, most of which I've never heard of.

Does anybody have preferences in the brands they use? I'm looking for ones that aren't too expensive, and are on the "light" side regarding tension, as two of these guitars are fairly old.

Re: Classical Guitar string recommendations?

Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 4:13 pm
by Diane Kauffmds
I usually use d'addario strings. They have a nice sound, are reasonably priced, and have staying power. I use hard tension, but they have normal tension, which is EJ45. Go to their site and check out their descriptions. They have a good variety of classical strings and their site is set up to help you choose.

Hope this helps.

Re: Classical Guitar string recommendations?

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 10:24 pm
by JLT
Diane Kauffmds wrote:I usually use d'addario strings. They have a nice sound, are reasonably priced, and have staying power. I use hard tension, but they have normal tension, which is EJ45. Go to their site and check out their descriptions. They have a good variety of classical strings and their site is set up to help you choose.

Hope this helps.
It does. I've ordered the EJ45 for my friend's guitar and am experimenting with an Aquila nylgut set for a "lute-like object" I made some years back, and a Savarez set for my Oscar Teller.

Re: Classical Guitar string recommendations?

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 10:16 am
by tippie53
then along with that you have high tension and such I am a fan of the high tension
if the guitar is in good structural shape I think he may like them

Re: Classical Guitar string recommendations?

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 11:57 pm
by JLT
tippie53 wrote:then along with that you have high tension and such I am a fan of the high tension
if the guitar is in good structural shape I think he may like them
She, not he...

I have no idea what shape the guitar is in structurally, although from inspection of the outside it hadn't been gently used. I went with mediums, with the proviso that she could move up to high tension if she wants to. (I might add that she's been away from the guitar for twenty years and could probably appreciate a lighter tension on her fingers).

The Savaraz strings are going onto a sixty-year-old Oskar Teller guitar that my father gave me. It could probably go with high tension strings ... the only problem I've had with it was a bridge that started separating from the soundboard about fifteen years ago, which I re-glued.

As for the "lute-like object," it could also probably be fine with high-tension, but I wanted the look of gut strings, and Aquila had them only in a medium tensioned Nylgut, so I went that way.

Thanks for your help, all, and stay well.

Re: Classical Guitar string recommendations?

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:17 pm
by alankap
Great nylon guitar strings list. You can use any of these.
Personally, I use ErnieBall strings for all my guitars and they are perfect.