All Classical Guitar Strings Explained | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 82 | Thomann

[@valebliz]

Man I wouldn't have guessed you were so good on a classical guitar. Really nice playing.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much man! 🙌 But honestly, I felt like I'm butchering the style and that beautiful guitar. 😂 I was just implementing all the finger picking I've picked up over the years and tried not to sound way off for those actual classical / flamenco players, who watch this video. I didn't even dare playing an actual classical piece and wrote this myself instead. At least this way no one can compare my playing to real classical players, haha! Cheers //Kris

[@CHARLESAUVET]

it's okay, but it's not classical music

[@ungarelli81]

Great sound, crisp image quality, and clear explantations, comparisons and pros and cons. Big thanks! Oh, by the way, great playing!!!

[@intainaf]

this was a great video! I've been playing classical player for 20+ years and I feel this is so useful and clears the misunderstandings about this topic, it help you a lot in choosing your string and finding your needs according to your style. Bravo!

[@Troll435x]

This video was of excellent quality, both presentation wise and informationally.

[@scotmockup]

For me there’s just something magical & pure with clear nylon. Has no equal imo.. fantastic playing, bro!

[@PaulChaplo]

I’ve been playing carbon trebles but in this video I preferred the sound of the plain nylon!

[@JohnRitson78]

Very nice to see you feature a classical or rather a nylon strung guitar. I try to play them all from classical, acoustic through to electric, but the classical has something in the tone that none of the others can match or even come close to. Also, it was pleasant to see it presented in a none pompous way, which seems to go hand in hand with this instrument. (I hope you catch my drift)

[@arthurstabolidis3274]

Which ones are less squeaky when you slide up and down?

[@BrettPrice1983]

​@@arthurstabolidis3274labella 900b

[@nicksalvatore5717]

@@arthurstabolidis3274coated strings are the closest. Also older strings will squeak less.

[@davidlynch5998]

Very good comparison, I'm really glad that I found your video thank you so much

[@mochipepper]

Thanks for your in-depth tutorial. I helped me tremendously selecting strings for my guitar.

[@ArtAlienTV]

Tip - replace the 3 wound bass strings E, A, D. The G, B and top E in many nylon sets take a lot longer to stretch and degrade (the G especially) and don't need changing as much. Wound strings degrade way more. So buy cheaper sets of strings and just replace the 3 wound ones regularly :)

[@gilbertachsen4734]

Thanks for the tip!

[@aric7726]

Yep. I do this! The problem is I can't seem to find packs of only basses where I live

[@brianbowersox8392]

It's important to note that the gauge of fluorocarbon trebles is thinner than regular nylon but their tension much higher. For example, the high e on the Savarez 510CJP is .0295 and has 17.22lbs of tension, but the 510ARP which uses fluorocarbon trebles, the high e is .0244 and has 17.44lbs of tension. Great video though. Not a lot of major retailers take the time to give this detailed of content for classical guitarists.

[@simbadlemarin1815]

I've favored Savarez for about 12 years. Simply better

[@PaulChaplo]

Good to know about string diameter. Now I wonder if Savarez Cantiga basses have a carbon core?

[@luc5798]

That's why high tension carbon strings are good as normal tension strings on a 1/2 guitar... (E tuning of course)

[@PaulChaplo]

@@luc5798 Exactly, scale length must be factored into the equation. Also there are some 70's classicals with 660mm scale!

[@aric7726]

on mixed-tension strings, I once changed my bass strings to a new set of high tension strings, not realising my trebles were extra high tension. What resulted was a weird mixed-tension setup where I had the volume of the extra-hard strings in the trebles, but less tension on the basses which gave me more stamina for extended use of barre chords. It was a weird setup for sure, and I never quite got used to it. I switched to a full set of hard tensions after a month or so

[@theshapeexists]

Ive played D'Addario pro arts for over 20 years. Im gonna try the coated ones next. I love experimenting with new strings and trying new sounds. After 30 years of playing, i just tried flats and half rounds on electric for the first time recently.

[@johnlind5819]

Really great video - new subscriber! Thank you for playing the same music for all sets. I was a bit surprised by how much I liked the D'Addario coated strings. The tonal profile was fantastic. Thanks, John Gig Harbor, WA

[@rabokarabekian409]

Best treble strings, and eventually very cheap since you can cut strings for many years: Seaguar Premier (ONLY) fluorocarbon fishing lines =1st string E (40lb) 2nd string B (60lb), 3rd string G (80 lb)

[@masterfellayt]

Can you please tell me the name of what you played and is there a tutorial for it i want to learn. Im new to guitar dont know whats it called.

[@cx1uk]

Just found this. Incredibly useful for me. For far too many years, I’ve used D’Addario Pro Arte Hard Tension… mainly because I had never thought to try anything else. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! 😂) After watching this, I’m minded to spring for a couple of sets of Carbon/Titanium strings… in fact, I didn’t even know they were a thing until I watched this. Would love to see more Classical or flamenco tips. Thanks for a great video!

[@junefnierves9460]

What guage?

[@peteandpuy]

I'm having so much fun playing my new Yamaha C40. 50 year player, this is my first classical guitar. I love it. I live in Thailand where strings have a short self life. I have to have coated on the everything. D'addario strings are $15-30. Iris brand Rainbow Guitar Strings Nylon Core Colorful Coated Copper Alloy Wound...that's the description. $3. I think I have to give them a try! I've only had this Yamaha C40 for a couple of weeks and I see the strings are getting worn out at the frets. I can see the copper layer around the bass strings. Also...it's been like two weeks and it feels like I'm still stretching them out. Could Yamaha send out their biggest seller with shit strings? Loved the video.

[@bluesmonkey4463]

This man is a wealth of knowledge ! Excellent Video !

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

Thanks for sharing this video! I'll watch a few more times to absorb the information and differences between the various material types.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

So glad to hear that Jerrel! Yes, it's a good idea rewatching these episodes for more details, since the pace is fast and a lot of infos are packed in the episodes. Enjoy the series! :) //Kris

[@giuseppe-accordion]

CONGRATULATIONS WONDERFUL LESSON MY QUESTION IS '' WHICH STRINGS SQUEAK LESS $ ' ALSO, DO UNCOATED STRINGS EXIST? THANK YOU

[@aliceverheij]

Quite surprised you didn’t mention polished bass strings as they eliminate sqeaking while chord changing and allow slides.

[@dodoguitar2415]

Thank you for a very informative review on classical guitar strings. I have been researching about it 👍🏽

[@boomerbassmeme]

I liked the carbon best. Beautiful playing for the demo sections Kris! 😊👍

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks so much dude!! It was fun playing this beautiful guitar. 🙌 //Kris

[@pinkniniii]

All this time thought that the problem was with my strings yet now after hearing you play that so smoothly maybe the problem was just me from the start lmao

[@TB_m3x1c4n]

Thanks for this video, it helped me decide what to order after not having played guitar for many years now.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

So glad to hear that! Have fun playing your guitar! :) //Kris

[@Adrian_AdamViolonDiGerma-tm3nq]

Hey, Are there any nylon guitar strings that are made of solid, single filament nylon string with no steel winding on all strings in the set? You know? The shape of the e, a, d and g strings is the same as the top 3 strings. made of crystal clear single filament solid nylon string.

[@josealbertogenao2116]

what were you playing just now, do you have the tabs so I an learn to play those chord progression?

[@carlosg4537]

Thank you. I thought that my guitar isn't good because has louder basses than trebles. I always used nylon string. Now I know I need carbon strings, has better volume ballance between basses and trebles.

[@edreynolds3745]

Good video. Informative, clear. I also encourage my customers to learn their guitar's function, and to clean and set up as much as they can ...do as much work on their guitars.... short of getting out Luthier's tools with no experience. It DOES take skill to do a re-fret properly, for example.

[@fingerpickingood1900]

One thing you didn’t talk about was a wound G string. I use it on my guitar because I like the brightness and better vibration.

[@YoungMetroid]

Anybody know what song he's playing at 2:13 ?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey, it's an original piece I wrote some time ago. Glad to hear that you like it. Cheers //Kris

[@YoungMetroid]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses do you have tab that we can download/ buy?

[@billguedesbr]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Good song I like much. Congrats.

[@dep7up]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBassesill buy the tabs from you.

[@s.-.-.]

Could you please tell about the nylon wound 3rd string? which brand has wound 3rd string?

[@veetguitar]

The most important newly developed strings should alao mentioned : Aquila Alchemia and Aquila Sugar. They are superior in sustain, are better balanced between treble and bass, have more tonal variety and are louder.

[@SurprisedHorse-rg3eu]

Mounting nylon strings differences At classical bridges.some are looped threw classics bridge snd twisted couple Of Turnes then connected to upper tunners (differences as well)?

[@houmangf]

Very nice video! I bought a set of dadario ej45 and really disappointed! The bass strings are too metallic sounding and the trebles strings are very weak specially E string. Would you plz help me to choose a set of strings to my taste? I like mellow sounding bass strings and louder treble strings! Ej45 strings are not balanced and they are awful to my ears!😢

[@edokaric4727]

maybe hannabach

[@thenormie]

I've been playing savarez high tension carbon strings, and I love the tone, but they're difficult for me to play ;-;

[@mjkeith8748]

What is that piece you're playing? Love that run, and would love to see music for it....

[@locngo]

I have tried the Hannabach gold. Its help the sound tremendously but couldnt make the 400 USD guitar sound as good as the 4000 usd.

[@zaharahmurad3598]

🤣

[@anthonyjude8642]

Good comparison of strings. What’s your favorite? I like hard strings.

[@jonasbormans]

Do you know if there is any type of nylon strings that will work with a passive magnetic pick-up in an acoustic guitar?

[@danmcbmusic]

Lovely playing... thank you, great info!

[@Nazareth1833]

Beautiful sounding guitar!

[@LordPriceMusic]

How about flat wound strings to alleviate some string noise?

[@dobbybuddel5076]

Hello, i have a qustion, do you think, that it is a viable opition to mix the strings? For example to use carbon strings for the bass and nylon strings for a nice and warm tone in the higher notes?

[@JP-yq1el]

Man it’s that guitar making those string sound soooo good

[@aramayicart27]

Thank you! This is helping♥ Great tutorial.

[@Doowopsid]

Great video, thank you! Can anyone please tell me what nylon strings set have milky white colored treble strings and a thin red plastic tip at the end? They are on my Yamaha SLG100N Silent Guitar and I think they were on it originally. Thank you

[@Mtay2002]

I don't know which one choose for my guitar 😔😔😔😔😔😔 my teacher said medium tension is the best please your opinion

[@henrypagan6657]

Thank for the video I have classical guitar on the 6th strings needs more bass what’s a good string to bring up the bass

[@TheTMontgomery]

Can you do a review of strings with regard to string noise.Are there flat would coated classical strings that significantly reduce string noise? Also can you do a comparison of the best quality high end string irrespective of cost. I have used D'Addario XT and Hannabach Goldin medium tension and I am trending more to the latter despite the cost. But would like to reduce string noise during slides for recording. I have reviewed all the videos o adjustment of technique and use of oils etc. Thanks and best wishes.

[@johnjamieson7087]

I would recommend trying La Bella Professional Series 413P strings.

[@TheTMontgomery]

@@johnjamieson7087 Thank you will try and let the results be known

[@joanarling]

There's one more type of strings that you rarely hear about: steel strings for classical/Spanish guitar. These have much less tension, so they don't ruin the lighter built guitars. They have a sharper attack (unless you play like Paco de Lucia) and sound brighter, about half-way between nylons and conventional steel. I used to get them from Thomastik, not sure if they still produce them.

[@peteroreilly8060]

I find steel strings wreck my nails, it's hard to keep the operable at the best of times. I can't use picks as they make me feel as though I am playing with boxing gloves. I came down to using D'Addario coated bass & carbon trebles.

[@philipcooper8297]

If there's no truss rod in a classical guitar neck, and it's made for low/standard tension strings, can I use high tension strings on such guitar? And vice versa, of course. Thank you.

[@easternyellowjacket276]

Generally, there is no truss rod in a classical guitar because the string tension is much, much lower than steel strings.

[@Shivansh_685]

Which is better? D'Addario EJ45 Nylon core vs D'Addario EJ27N.

[@luc5798]

For the Augustine you show us, only the tension of the bass strings changes...

[@limitededition3295]

I have salvarez strings today broke one and can i buy a diferent brand for and e string or is it gonna sound completly diffrent i havent changed much strings only been using salvarez for 7 years but now i want to switch things up

[@bangersnmash4856]

I've been given an old yamaha nylon strung guitar but with no strings on 😳 I've always used metal string guitars so I'm amiss at to what to put on it. It's 3/4 size. Also I would prefer a light set say a metal equivalent of a set of 8s. Not sure how nylon strings gauge etc. Any help would be appreciated

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Nylon strings are way softer than metal strings so don't worry about that. Go for a low tension or a normal tension set. And as for the 3/4 size, there are strings made extra for that size (La Bella and a few other brands offer 3/4 strings) so maybe check those out. Cheers //Kris

[@bangersnmash4856]

Cheers will do 👍

[@jessebreakspear6656]

Ya know I wonder if on a sunny day the higher temperature is why the black nylon strings have a different sound maybe?

[@1920sman]

What about gut strings? Almost all guitars used gut strings once. And silk strings which were also standard for much of the guitar’s history.

[@Gloppp]

Great post! I run Ernie Ball Zippy Slinky 7-36 on my electrics due to my love of artists like Shawn Lane, Frank Gamble ect, but have always gone for clear nylon light tension. That being said, come on right those carbon strings just blend so well that I have to try them. Thx :D

[@arthurter559]

My finger tips tend to slip on the D addario nylon treble strings..Will carbon strings reduce the slippage?

[@Dice1138]

I've been looking for NylGUT strings for my classical. I really like them on by Ukulele and Banjo but I can't find a company that makes them. Is there a reason nobody makes them?

[@catscrash1]

There is :-) aquila makes them and I enjoy them for years. I like the Alabastro the most, which are made of supernylgut, but there are also other sets using "regular" nylgut, I think.

[@Dice1138]

@@catscrash1 Thanks I'll check them out.

[@Austinmachado3087]

@Thomann which song did u play when u demonstrated the string

[@robertocapocchi8379]

The variation between the lightest and hardest nylon strings is only about eight pounds. On acoustic steel strings, it’s almost forty!

[@Barry101er]

Great playing Chris! And you can shread. :) Great skills.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Aww thank you Barry! I'm really not a great classical player, I just tried to mimic those, who really know how to make these guitars sound great. haha! You're so kind!! //Kris

[@nathanbowman9771]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Question for you! what song are you playing in this video?

[@Joseph124269]

Are there flat wound bass strings for classical guitar? to avoid the squeaky noise .

[@Abyssaldawn]

The carbon sounds so much better and roundedly balanced compared to coated and some other mambo jumbo

[@kole3978]

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE SONG U WERE PLAYING??

[@atomic432]

Useful review. Thanks.

[@markhilbert6573]

What about polished strings

[@beachbarlouie]

I recently replaced my classical guitar strings with Savarez High Tension Alliance Corum and had to stretch them for 3 days. On the fourth day the D string was worn out in the middle of the fret board from practicing Leyenda. Totally not worth it even if you do what ArtAlienTV suggests.

[@cking1340]

Ik this comment is old. Buuut typically, the harder the tension, the less I think you should stretch

[@garymcaleer6112]

Question: Knowing that the no.3 G string is not among the ten primary overtones, what string brand and gauge brings it back from the dead?

[@BrianJConnolly]

Nice video, thanks! I want to string one of my classical guitars to get a more 'steel string' type sound, would the carbon or titanium get that effect? Guessing, that higher tension might also help achieve that.

[@luc5798]

And What about Aquila strings ? Nylgut, sugar, etc...

[@paularcher9176]

Gold is not always gold as in the metal. Gold can refer to the colour and can be brass. It gives a warmer tone. Stringsbymail sell a collection of warmer tone strings to try out, if you are looking for a warmer tone. Also other tone sets as a collection.

[@wasichu66]

Nice. Once I was a nice boy and played classical, 45 years ago, then rock n roll happened :D But I'm seriously considering adding that family of sounds again to my playing... just when the Cordoba Stage comes out, mmmm. Lovely playing btw.

[@chironjo]

I got my Stage two weeks ago. I’ve loved it so far after getting convinced that there is nothing wrong with Chinese made guitars. Actually, the seller convinced me to buy it over the Godin one that I had my eyes on due to the problems with piezo electronics and bridges popping off (can you imagine?) on the latter. He gave me his honest opinion, while saving him some time and effort fixing the Godins or the calls for warranty fixes. He mentioned that has seen this after the pandemic-induced materials shortage problem, from which Godin couldn’t escape.

[@danielleethier9026]

beautiful piece, what is it?

[@kunaldrego]

Isn't this the Hanika 54 PF? I have this one :D

[@jojo9551]

what song was played for the titanium strings? was is just improv?

[@kole3978]

DID U FIND OUT/?

[@cherrykassem]

Hey! Amazing video 😁 I'd love to know what piece you were playing throughout the video, I want to learn it haha.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey Cherry, thanks so much! It's an own piece I just wrote for this video. Sorry, I don't have tabs / notes. But you can slow down youtube videos, that can really help when learning a lick by ear. Cheers! //Kris

[@cherrykassem]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Thank you so much for your reply Kris, and thanks for the tip, I will slow down the video 😄

[@MichaelsPaintingChannel]

They sound so much the same. Really, there is not so much difference. The guitar and the player is making the difference. One could say, they are all good. The standard nylon sound is a great choice and the carbon, is a little bit louder but the trebles are thinner. I would go for the clear nylon, as I always do. The best balance and result and they are affordable. Especially, when you have 2-4 guitars where you need new strings. What is the name of this beautiful song?

[@DarthBadger16]

Great demonstration Chris !! I have been playing on D'Addario EJ45FF Pro-Arte Carbon for a year now but .. suddenly I don't like the sound anymore. Though I absolutely loved it in the beginning. Perhaps I need a new set ..

[@EddieJarnowski]

My playing style i developed over the years is that i bend the strings alot. I got my first classical guitar and was wondering which strings would be the best for that. Even though you aren't really supposed to do that.

[@ehsun_does_music]

just all i needed to know! thank you

[@royrcf]

I play steel strung guitars , my finger tips as a result have hard skin which slips off Nylon strings. Which strings are best to avoid this. Great video .

[@corvusmonedulas4895]

Savarez make "rectified" trebles, which have a slightly rougher texture than regular nylon strings. They also make wound trebles which will provide similar grip to the bass strings. Or, you could also try some very thin "carbon" strings such as Savarez Alliance or Hannabach Goldin. These are both very smooth but given their diameter, like steel you may find they "bite" into the finger a bit more than regular nylon and this could help too. I'd recommend trying all three types as they are very different.

[@Kevinhay0330]

The difference between the types of strings you listed above in the packages is whether there are 3 trable strings or all 6 strings. To be honest, my eyes can't tell the difference between the strings.

[@JoKeR808]

I want a soft strings and easy to play What should i get ?

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Pretty much any brand makes low tension strings. Those are the softest ones. Also don't get carbon strings, those tend to be a little stiffer than standard nylon. Cheers //Kris

[@JoKeR808]

@@ThomannsGuitarsBasses Thank you Appreciate it 🙏

[@superjinx]

Great video! What options are there for light polished bass strings or flat wound?

[@ralphdurgaram7641]

Very good information to have when you play Nylon. What would you recommend, if you play a lot of bossa nova? I find it hard to define what stringtype would be good to record this type of music. Thank you for your help!

[@colinscott147]

How should you adjust the tension used for smaller classical guitars. Go for lower or higher tension on a 3/4 to take pressure off the neck pocket?

[@ArtAlienTV]

Go higher for short scale :)

[@joermnyc]

@@ArtAlienTV yes, otherwise the strings will be “floppy” at pitch.

[@michalzaw5575]

does a solid wood flamenco sound more crisp?

[@xSpyder5x]

This was awesome, thank you! I was finding my nylons were really quiet compared to the bass strings, like wowzer different, I understand why now......I thought I was buying the best strings for me , but it looks like they were just the best available.......I hope they will ship to me

[@donjoseph73]

Will titanium damage a 1960 Gibson c-1 ?

[@jorisArt]

great video, thanks a lot.

[@NeptuneIVC]

Does string gauge/tension affect intonation?

[@jessicandothings]

Whay brand clear nylon strings are you using in this video?

[@Metalfreak327]

What brand and model is that classical guitar

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey, it's a Hanika classical guitar and it's amazing. If I remember correctly it was the previous model generation of this one: tho.mn/ob1c8 Cheers //Kris

[@oldtimer99]

Another great video. Nice guitar... model? Carbon/Titanium are news to me.... Thanks

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Thanks a lot! //Kris

[@anafachim7659]

what about gold plated strings?

[@betaonie]

You play good!!

[@dannydog0121]

Such a wonderful review. Fab playing. May I ask the mics , method used to record in this video please.

[@ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hi, thanks so much! We used a Schoeps MiniCMIT condenser microphone to record the guitar and captured audio with the Zoom H9 recorder. Very simple setup with a fantastic mic. And then there's the guitar of course. Such an incredible Hanika, it sounded beautiful and showed the differences of these strings really well. Cheers //Kris