D'Addario EJ45 VS Savarez New Cristal Cantiga (CR510)

[@robgrune3284]

[1] The world owes Andreas a debt of gratitude for his videos. The cost and effort to make these are not trivial, and the benefits are great for the vast majority of viewers. [2] I think, though, Andreas does not need to perform virtuoso pieces for string comparisons. Simple, slow, clear tunes, played perfectly would be adequate. [3] Also, the quality and brand of the guitar should be noted. The better the guitar, the more sensitive it will be to string variations.

[@T.J]

Thank you for this !!! I think that currently I prefer the warmth of d’addario but both sound really good, they just sound different. Savarez feels quite cold and bright.

[@PaulChaplo]

Hi Andreas, it’s me again listening to the string comparisons. This far, I find the venerable EJ45 to sound just right especially with an alternative G string. However tonight, I finally hear another string set that sounds fine to my ear. By the way Bravo! 👏 on your Capricho Arabe! Funny story but with some strings that you test it’s as tho I cannot fully hear the music! With EJ45 I always share the joy and the magic your playing. Now I add these Cantiga Cristal to my favorites list and perhaps I try with an Alliance G! The medium set CR510 have conservative tensions that are kind to our guitar.

[@andreaskikinas]

@@PaulChaplo thank you for taking the time to comment and for your kind words. These older comparisons are a bit rough I must say, as my time was very limited for recording. The main purpose of all the comparisons on my channel is not to make me sound good but hear the raw sound of the strings. That is why I never use any reverb and have the microphone fairly close. I agree that savarez has very nice strings and the treble are brighter than the pro arte. But I have to mention that the basses, especially the 4th string, do not last as long as the D'Addario.

[@PaulChaplo]

@@andreaskikinas Agreed that the Savarez bass strings especially the D 4th are not durable and vex me. Please let me clarify as I was commenting only on the strings (not the recording or playing) and how I perceive the music with your excellent performances in that sometimes, my ear often savors the music better with venerable EJ-45. Kindly know that i only speak about the strings and how some almost make the music more apprehend-able to the listener. PS: It is indeed interesting that some Savarez flamenco strings come with a carbon G! Have you ever tried those?

[@TheMusicalEvents]

Almost can't believe it's the same guitar... thanks for the comparison!

[@johnlay3040]

It's always good to see someone who cares to spend time to do a comparison. No doubt, it will benefit many guitarists. However, no one should expect to get the same result on their guitars. Each string set affects each guitar differently. I have seen tests of different brands of string on a particular famous popular guitar, and that's particularly useful, although it is beneficial for a smaller audience.

[@andreaskikinas]

Thank you for taking the time to comment! The thing is that if someone has already tried the ej45 can hear the difference so he/she could know what to expect. If you hear that the Knobloch Erithacus Qz is brighter in the video with stronger fundamental than the ej45 then this will also happen on your guitar if you install this set, regardless if this fits your guitar or not. Only in comparison with something you already know you know what to expect. Yes, the intention is to save time and money to other fellow guitarists.

[@johnlay3040]

@@andreaskikinas I see your point of using EJ45 as a reference seeing that it is one of the most commonly used strings.

[@StopFear]

Some people say D’Darrio strings are better but in my experience trying both Savarez strings feel better to play with finger because they are thinner and they feel like they have some sort of texture to them.

[@michaelbattista1334]

D’Addario have so much more presence. I use the Composites and the Carbon Core which are amazing. Also I use Hard Tension which gives it even more presence and bite.

[@ic48c]

im looking for new string and look at getting daddario u think i should get normal or hard?

[@michaelbattista1334]

@@ic48c Depends on what kind of playing you’re doing. Are you a light player or are you shredding hitting the strings hard? Also depends on your finger strength. If you’re a light player, I would get normal. If you’re a hard hitting player, then hard tension is the way to go.

[@jarbasgoulartdecastro9104]

The guitar player technique and soul by fingers are the most important things.

[@andreaskikinas]

I totally agree sir!

[@nguyendangthuan1760]

The Savarez makes me feel young again, but I also love the d'addario; both comments are based on your beautiful playing.

[@andreaskikinas]

@@nguyendangthuan1760 thanks for the comment. Your are very kind.

[@JerrythePope]

Thank you for making this video. As a fellow classical guitarist, taking the time to learn these pieces is a challenging endeavor in and of itself. So thank you for taking the time. I would make a minor suggestion.. take your time when playing i do feel like you're rushing through the peices and would love to hear the pieces and the string intonation a little more. Your tone is getting muddled by your attempt to rush through the pieces.. when you do slow down your tone is quite good. Id like to point out your playing of Asturias.. the mid section was sounding almost polished. Thank you again for the comparison and keep playing.

[@andreaskikinas]

Hello friend. Thank you for your comment. I will have to record again all those pieces when my son gets older though. The time on my hands now is very little and the best I can do is take half an hour in the bedroom and record as many pieces as possible so to share as much as I find through each set of strings. It is also true that I do not study or prepare any of these pieces before the recording and rely completely on my memory of the past when I did study them many years ago. What I am trying to say is that I am not really performing on these rather as you said, playing them through so one can hear the differences of the 2 sets. If you have the time pay a visit to my performance section where I take more time to play those pieces to record them. Here is an example kzbin.info/www/bejne/amOsfY2thbCJiLM , if you are in the mood you can also check out Flamarabenco channel here on youtube too, the last 2 pieces we made have a bit of solos I make and prepared more properly. Again thank you for your time and your suggestion. Wish you well!

[@MrArtrock]

I totally prefer the Savarez set for flamenco/modern all week long***

[@mehilul]

which Dadario strings have bass EJ45 and treble strings of Savarez quality?

[@andreaskikinas]

Hello. I am sorry I missed your comment. I would say La Bella 2001 for classical guitar or Knobloch (any set with the Q.Z. trebles). Knobloch has even better basses than the D'Addario standard sets.

[@790641]

Las dos son muy buenas pero para mi suena mas armoniosa Proarte y la Savarez suena un poquito mas dura. Pero en general las dos suenan excelente

[@anibaldasilva1492]

Sem dúvida,a Savarez..

[@PaulChaplo]

D’Addario sound much better to my ears. Also the Savarez Cantiga basses winding fail far too soon especially the D 3rd string!

[@Craig77775]

Is the d adario ej 27 os better than ej 45?

[@andreaskikinas]

I like the EJ45 better than the EJ27.

[@fionamay3891]

great comparison and super playing, thank you. which do you prefer?

[@andreaskikinas]

Thank you for your beautiful comment! Hard to choose between these 2. I might say that the EJ45 are more versatile than the Savarez new Cristal. The savarez have better basses and the trebles are fuller sounding when played over the soundhole. In the end it totally depends on the player's preferences, playing style and guitar.

[@fionamay3891]

@@andreaskikinas thanks for the response 😸 do you prefer non-coated to coated strings?

[@andreaskikinas]

@@fionamay3891 I think the only coated strings I have ever played was a D Addario set of XTC45 that was a free gift from D'Addario with the players circle points that you get when buying D'Addario products 😁. So I do not have much of an experience with coated strings. The XTC45 was very nice though and the basses really did last a long time, without affecting the sound due to the coating, at least to my ears. The XTC have composite coated basses and I tend to prefer a bit more the standard pro arte basses from the EJ45 set that I find more lyrical and easier to handle than the composite basses. But I always buy uncoated strings because it is more economic and standard to find in most cases. The basses that I find to last forever are the Knobloch basses, that as far as I know are uncoated and not so expensive to find in the EU that I live. But sometimes, I find that the basses of some of my favourite strings die too fast and I would try them coated if they existed, for example the solera flamenca concierto strings that get 10 days before the basses start to fade and the the standard D'Addario EJ45 pro arte that also die fast (the basses). So if someone can find coated their favorite strings, why not to try?🙂

[@fionamay3891]

@@andreaskikinas thank you for answering 😸

[@ΒασιλειοςΑντωνιου-κ2ε]

D addario are more clear on the low bass passings. Savarez are not so dry on the trebles . Also I think that the thirds are more spicy with d addario

[@luc5798]

What do you think of the Augustine classic Red compares to these strings? I like the Augustine on my guitar (a Cordoba C9 parlor), and they are less expensive ( you can find them at 8€60...)

[@andreaskikinas]

The Augustine are very nice strings indeed. I like the classic Red too but the classic trebles are a bit too weak for my taste. The red basses are normal tension. Augustine has this very unique selection where you can find the exact tension and sound of the trebles that you might like, like classic/imperial/regal (low tension, normal tension and hard tension) and pair them with the right tension basses for you like black/red/blue (low,medium,hard tension). Compared to the Ej45 and the Savarez the Augustine classic are easier to play and more "traditional" nylon material. If they fit your guitar keep them. If you want to try another set of another brand keep a string diary where you can note down exactly what you liked from the Classic Red set. Keeping notes really helps for future reference.

[@luc5798]

@@andreaskikinas Thank you for your answer. Yes, I will try other strings, for fun and curiosity! 🙂

[@jonathansanchezmedina]

Which rope is harder or more rigid? On my guitar the ej45s feel very rigid

[@andreaskikinas]

From these two? EJ45 is faster to play. The New Cristal trebles are softer to the touch but not easy to play fast for some reason. The New Cristal sound fuller when played above the sound hole. The EJ45 sound more neutral. EJ45 intonate better and sound more in tune than the New Cristal. It is mainly a matter of taste. If you want softer feeling on the left hand, Savarez New Cristal trebles have that. If you like these kind of clear trebles as the New Cristal you can also try the La Bella 2001 classical set. The 2001 also has soft trebles but faster and easier if you get low tension. Savarez new cristal does not have low tension, only normal and high tension.

[@jonathansanchezmedina]

@@andreaskikinas bass corum is good is flexible. tomrrow i will say you something ok?

[@andreaskikinas]

@@jonathansanchezmedina Ok. The video is with cantiga basses, not corum. Both are nice.

[@jonathansanchezmedina]

@@andreaskikinas yes i have cantiga premiun and corum . I record video and i show you tomorrow

[@c4arschfisch51]

Do you ever try Pyramid Strings from Germany ?

[@andreaskikinas]

Hello. Unfortunately I have never tried pyramid as far as I can remember. I have heard good things though.

[@ariamponce2359]

Wich is your favorite?? Daddario or savarez??

[@andreaskikinas]

Hello. I like both of these sets for different reasons. Savarez new cristal have a fuller, rounder tone, especially when played above the sound hole. D'addario ej45 intonate perfectly and have a bigger variety of sounds and are faster for both hands. It really depends on the player and what sound he/she wants out of his/her guitar.

[@PINYO_B2]

EJ 45 vs EJ 46. Which one do you like ?

[@andreaskikinas]

For me, my guitars and my style of playing, between those two you mention, I choose EJ45. EJ46 are also very good, John Williams uses them (the lightly polished bass version) and he sounds amazing. David Russell uses EJ45 and he also sounds amazing. So it has to do with the specific guitar, the style and strength of the player and of course personal preference. It has also to do with the occasion and time period, meaning, once I had in my hands a Kohno classical guitar that sounded good with Savarez New cristal medium tension trebles, but sounded absolutely amazing with Savarez New Cristal hard trebles. So I sacrificed playability for sound at that specific concert 15 years ago, choosing to play with the hard trebles, but that does not mean I would do the same now.

[@PINYO_B2]

@@andreaskikinas Thank you for your answer. I'm a beginner now I use EJ45. It easy to play but I want to try EJ46. Can you compare EJ45 and EJ46 in term playability both are easy to play with? sorry for my bad english.

[@andreaskikinas]

@@PINYO_B2 EJ46 is harder to play than the EJ45. Do you need a different sound? What kind of guitar do you play?

[@PINYO_B2]

@@andreaskikinas I play fingerstyle not a classical music.

[@andreaskikinas]

@@PINYO_B2 If you need brighter sound try fluorocarbon strings like savarez alliance or la bella vivace or d'addario ff (EJ45FF) , all in normal tension because fluorocarbon strings are a bit stiffer and thinner.

[@joepworther2284]

EJ45

[@andijoan8211]

ej45 (clear nylon) or ej49 (black nylon)? Both are medium tension. Or the differences is just the treble strings color between them?

[@andreaskikinas]

I do not really know. I have never played the EJ49. The only black nylon I have played from D'Addario is the EJ25B as far as I remember, which has high tension black trebles. The EJ49's numbers though are the same as the EJ45's. So tension looks exactly the same, but be sure that the sound will be different. I might try them in the future. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for the comment!

[@andijoan8211]

There is also ej47 in the same normal tension but said in their website that the basses (could be) are wrap in bronze, maybe you could also try it. Its good that your channel provided such comparison so the viewer can get information and decide them self which are best for them. Thank you!!

[@enzopalumbo2164]

@@andreaskikinas I regularly use EJ45 and EJ49. I find that EJ49 have a little crisper sound. The EJ45 are mellower. I like them both. I have 1 guitar with EJ45 and 1 with EJ49.

[@andreaskikinas]

@@enzopalumbo2164 Thank you for the very useful insight on these sets!

[@edokaric4727]

combine E1 H G Savarez , D A E6 beter are D Addario

[@carlobuissereth2229]

Your paying is terrible

[@andreaskikinas]

What do you mean my paying is terrible? I pay my bills as I can. Are you from the electricity company or something?😏 I assume that you have trouble with my playing and not my paying? My playing is not terrible of course, is at least horrible! Wish you a good Christmas time! Love and peace to all!

[@norbertogustavoblanco1700]

Muy bien ejecutado 👍🏻

[@josephesposito3499]

Can you tell me if D'Addario makes Flamenco strings with BALL ENDS? I want them for a nylon Strat. I like the sound of the Pro Arte, but I have to tie them around the metal bridge, which WORKS! But it's a pain. Can I get the same string or similar with ball ends? Thanks.

[@andreaskikinas]

Hello friend. D'Addario has a nylon string set called "Folk" with ball ends, as far as I know, and no ball ends for their flamenco sets. You could check out tie block beads that big string sellers (and others) have. For example stringsbymail has many options like this www.stringsbymail.com/diamond-secure-string-ties-tieblock-system-7-beads-black-16282.html . They also have other shapes so you could check if they could fit your guitar or email them straight to stringsbymail and Matt will definitely find a solution for you. With the string beads you can turn any string to a "ball end" and make your life easier when changing stings. I have never used them myself, because I have normal classical and flamenco guitars, so tying the strings the traditional way is a lot easier there. Many guitarists are very happy with these beads.

[@josephesposito3499]

@@andreaskikinas THANK YOU so much friend! I'll check it out.

[@josephesposito3499]

THANKS AGAIN! I just ordered two versions of these, one by Rosset and the other by Alba...this might be a great solution!

[@andreaskikinas]

@@josephesposito3499 Let me know if they work for you when you get them! Thanks again for the comments!