When choosing strings for an acoustic guitar, any musician, both a professional and one who has picked up an instrument for the first time, faces one difficulty. It consists in the inability to listen to the sound. How certain strings will sound will become known only when they are used, it is impossible to predict the sound.

If professionals understand what they came to the store for, that is, these people are familiar with various brands, they have specific preferences and favorite manufacturers, then beginners do not have such experience and are lost in front of the shop window.

How to choose?

Buying strings is almost always a lottery, but there are some defining moments. Firstly, you need to be as clear as possible in advance about what exactly you need to purchase in terms of technical characteristics and material. It makes no sense for a beginner in music to try everything at random, since a person who does not have experience can simply pull the string incorrectly, because of which he will not hear its true sound.

To decide what is worth buying, music teachers, acquaintances with experience in playing can help. A similar question can be asked in thematic groups or forums. The only thing you should not do is trust the words of the seller, who talks about which strings are best for acoustic guitar.

As a rule, the dealer is not at all interested in how the instrument will sound, he is concerned about selling an old or frankly low-quality, stale or expensive product to an amateur. Each musician can choose the best strings for an acoustic guitar only on their own, just like an instrument. Absolutely identical strings, like the guitars themselves, sound completely different in different hands.

What are they like?

The question of what strings are on an acoustic guitar, how they differ from classical ones, beginners are usually embarrassed, trying to figure it out on their own. However, having found out how some differ from others, novice musicians do not take into account such a factor as finger strength, which an experienced musician or teacher will definitely tell you about, explaining which strings are used on acoustics.

Acoustic strings themselves can be:

• monolithic on a steel basis;
• steel in flat and semicircular windings;
• synthetic on a steel basis.

Hearing about steel, novice musicians almost always ask sellers for acoustic guitar strings made of copper or brass in bewilderment. Such questions immediately betray a complete lack of experience and even the very fact of acquaintance with the instrument. Copper, brass, etc. - the material is not the strings themselves, but their windings.

Monolithic

Made from the so-called piano steel. The windings of "monoliths" use copper, its alloys and phosphor bronze. These strings are very resonant and have good unison. Almost all 12 string acoustic guitars are equipped with them.

With flat and semicircular windings

This is how an ordinary acoustic guitar with 6 strings is equipped. The strings are stretched with the flat side under the fingers, and the round side, respectively, to the body of the instrument.

This is the best option for beginner musicians. The specificity of this type of strings is that they give a more matte, clear and devoid of impurities sound even with uncertain playing technique. A particularly important point is the smooth sound on the bass, which is more difficult to achieve than the top ringing.

Synthetic

They are most often equipped with not very expensive instruments, which are just acquired by beginners. Many are completely satisfied with the sound, and going to the store, such musicians know for sure that they need "synthetics".

As a rule, only when contacting the seller, beginners in playing the guitar will find out that this type of string comes in two types.

The first type - strings in a metal winding, additionally closed with Teflon on top. This variety is good for those who use the tool intensively, as it is extremely wear-resistant and almost does not give in to friction.

The second type is strings, in the winding of which the wire and "synthetics" are connected. This variety is lighter in terms of pressing the frets, but quickly gets dirty with sweat and leather particles, since the gaps between the turns are not very tight. This feature leads to the fact that these strings are devoid of iridescence, that is, gypsy romances cannot be played ideally on them, the sound is rather dull. But for chanson they are quite suitable.

About winding

Before you change the strings on an acoustic guitar for the same ones, you need to know exactly what variety is on the instrument, and, most importantly, do not forget what the winding is made of and what type it is made of.

Literally everything in the game depends on these factors, not only for a beginner, but also for an experienced musician. Since guitar playing is based on tactile memory, that is, the memory of the fingers, the uniformity of the string is extremely important. Accustomed to certain gaps in the coils and the bulge of the strings, musicians always experience discomfort and perform worse on the new type.

Of course, after some time given to scales or other exercises, the fingers get used to it, but there are not always free hours for their own “tuning”, especially for beginners.

Winding materials

Acoustic guitar strings are wound with copper and its alloys, phosphor bronze, brass, synthetic polymers and silver.

There was a joke among Western guitarists in the middle of the last century that silver strings protected them from vampires in auditoriums.

In fact, such strings are not made of silver, and they cannot protect against a vampire. Silver is only a coating sprayed onto finished strings with any winding. This does not affect the sound in any way, but it looks very aesthetic and even mysterious. In addition to visual appeal, such strings do not leave dark marks on the skin and do not fade with long-term use.

Phosphor bronze and brass are the most durable and strong of all existing windings. But they have a minus, the same as that of polymers - such acoustic guitar strings do not ring. Their sound is thick, rich and deaf, very solid and serious.

Copper, like its various alloys, is the most popular winding material. These strings give off lilt, they are ideal for Spanish pieces of music, for accompaniment to dances, singing romances and much more. For example, a high-quality fight can be performed exclusively on copper. The only negative is the fragility, these strings have the shortest life.

What else affects the sound?

Beginning musicians, trying to achieve satisfactory sound quality, often change strings, throwing out quite good ones. And they do it just because it doesn't sound. This is another difference between a beginner in music and an experienced guitarist.

In addition to the material of the winding and type, the height of the strings on an acoustic guitar also affects the sound. It is regulated above the fretboard, and it is on it that the sound quality, the convenience of performance, and even the life of the strings largely depend.

Each musician chooses this parameter for himself, there is no single standard for the “correct pitch”. It is determined personally, during the game, of course, not in an hour or even a month.

When tuning, beginners need to take into account that strings pulled too low will definitely cling and rub against the frets, as well as rattle on chords. Stretched too high will require a lot of effort from the fingers and from the hand in general, especially on the central frets.

The tool itself affects the optimal height parameter. For a convex neck, one height is good, for a curved neck, another. The ratio of the sills also matters.

What does a typical set of strings look like?

In the standard kit, only the 4th, 5th, 6th are always wrapped. But the 3rd string can have the thinnest winding in comparison with the others, but most often it is “bald” or “naked”. 1st and 2nd always remain unwound.

In stores, strings are sold exclusively in sets, which quite often causes bewilderment among novice musicians who need to replace only one that has burst. However, the sale of strings in sets is not due to the desire of sellers and manufacturers to cash in on beginners and inexperienced guitarists. This is due to the fact that each part of the strings has certain technical characteristics of the nuances of sound. Acquired at random, piece by piece, strings from various factory batches almost never sound in unison.

And this moment is extremely important for obtaining high-quality sound. Even playing at home or playing in the park on a bench "for girls" on strings from different sets often gives a noticeable resonance to listeners. And when the instrument is busy at venues with sound amplifiers, for example, in any of the clubs or cafes, sound defects are the first thing that “rushes into the ears”. Therefore, you should not look for advertisements for the sale of one string or a pair, you need to purchase a whole set.

Beginners don't have to be shy when choosing their first set with strings. You should ask about everything, no matter how ridiculous the question may seem to the most novice guitarist. Music is impossible without a good instrument, and it, in turn, requires a thorough study by the owner.

We can say that the choice of a classical guitar as the main instrument is determined by the style of music chosen for performance. And you can remember that the domestic school of playing the guitar assumes the classical guitar as an instrument on which the course of guitar playing is based in most educational institutions. It follows from this that the choice of strings for such a guitar is by no means an idle question.

Of course, even the best strings in the world will not make a low-quality guitar sound worthy, but bad strings can ruin the sound of an undoubtedly great instrument. It doesn't matter what your playing level is, but in any case, your guitar will sound better with the highest quality strings you can find. In fact, the best strings for classical guitar are those that are comfortable for you to play and that will enhance the sound of your guitar. It is always more important to rely on your own feelings than on the recommendations of even venerable experts and musicians.

When choosing strings for a classical guitar, you need to pay attention to three parameters - the tension force for which specific strings are designed, the material of the strings, and the actual quality of their manufacture. We know that guitar strings are classified by their diameter in thousandths of an inch, but classical guitar strings are also classified by their tension. Unfortunately, the standard for this value has not been developed, so it is necessary to experiment personally and select strings that are convenient for yourself according to this parameter. Strings with low tension (Low / Moderate / Light Tension) make them easier to clamp, especially on guitars with a large distance between the strings and the fretboard, but they have a quiet sound and less pronounced attack. Normal/Medium/High Tension strings are somewhat more difficult to play, but they provide a loud and confident tone, emphasized attack, and are generally the best for playing and recording rhythm parts. It is recommended that after playing a guitar with strings with similar tension, detuning the instrument by releasing the strings, so as not to cause unnecessary damage to the structure of the guitar. But in order to understand the strings with which tension is more convenient for you, you need to take at least two sets of strings from the same manufacturer and the same series - for example, D'Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte Nylon Normal Tension (by the way, it was he who was recognized by experts as one of Best Classical Guitar String Sets of 2015) and EJ46 Pro-Arte Nylon Hard Tension . By changing sets of guitar strings over several days, you yourself will understand which one is best suited for you personally.

The same story with the string material. As you know, in modern sets of strings for classical guitars, the top three strings are made of the following materials: clear nylon (Clear Nylon), purified nylon (Rectified Nylon - the term does not mean the chemical composition, but the ultra-precise maintenance of the diameter of the strings through their processing after extrusion and cooling) , black nylon (Black Nylon - a different chemical composition of the fiber, providing a warmer and cleaner sound) or composite fibers such as fluorocarbon. The lower strings are several nylon fibers in a metal or again nylon sheath. The already mentioned Pro-Arte D'Addario strings are pure nylon on the upper strings and 80/20 bronze wound nylon (80% copper and 20% zinc) on the lower strings. The D'Addario EJ50 Pro-Arte Black Nylon Hard Tension set has silver-plated copper wound on the lower strings for a comfortable playing and warm sound - often referred to as silver wound strings. That is, in this case, you need to select the strings for yourself, but now according to the material - the comparison for the mentioned D "Addario kits will go between the EJ50 and EJ45 / EJ46. And again, you will need to change the strings on the guitar several times, listen to the sound of the instrument and analyze your own feelings Yes, choosing strings for a classical guitar is not done in ten minutes, but it is this long method that will save you from any annoyance in communicating with your personal tool.

Many musicians think that nylon strings are only strings for beginners who don't want to get blisters on their fingers while learning. This is a fairly common misconception, which we intend to dispel in this article.

Features of nylon strings

The first three strings are calibrated nylon line. Now they are made from various copolymers and polymers, which are based on nylon. The rest of the bass strings are made from a multifilament synthetic twist warp. Sometimes it is called filament nylon. Silver-plated is usually used as a winding. Such a coating improves the sound of dull copper and looks beautiful, but after a while it wears off. In some cases, various alloys of copper and silver with the obligatory presence of zinc act as a winding. However, it is not as practical and also more expensive. In some cases, other alloys can be used as windings, which are inferior in sound to silver-plated copper, but surpass it in durability.

String tension can be set to Normal (Normal/Regular), Strong (High/Hard), or Very Strong (Extra High). In some cases, the manufacturer indicates the packaging and the thickness of the strings. Moreover, the stronger the tension and the thicker the string, the louder and richer it will sound. A thinner string will sound thinner and louder.

So all the same what to put? Nylon or metal strings?

Nylon strings are originally designed for classical guitars. Moreover, the instrument must have a glued neck, since the neck on the screw significantly worsens the sound of the instrument. This is one of the reasons why metal strings are most often used on cheap instruments. Also, many masters do not recommend putting nylon strings on western guitars (otherwise they are also called folk guitars) and dreadnought. These instruments are rated for higher tension and are unlikely to sound good with nylons.

How to choose nylon strings?

Typically, professional guitarists choose high-tension, silver-wound strings. But for beginning musicians, teachers advise putting medium tension nylon strings, as they are easier to play. But it is worth considering that in this case, a novice musician will not be able to apply some sound production techniques. Particular attention must be paid to the frets. If they are poorly ground, copper wound strings are the best choice. They will last longer, but the sound will not be as bright.

The determining factor in choosing "votes" is the quality and the way they are processed. There is a matte (polished) and polished surface. Each of them has its own nuances. Polished strings are now the most common, as they create less overtones on fast passages.

As for the brands, the most famous are Martin Strings (American) and Savarez (French), as well as Pyramid, La Bella, D "Addario and many others. Choosing a brand of nylon strings is a personal matter for every musician.

From time to time, every plucked instrument requires changing the strings. They wear out, in direct proportion to the intensity of use of the guitar. Their service life is affected by the fact how often the guitarist accompanies the vocalists. In order to make a good choice, and the buyer is not disappointed in the purchase, we will take the liberty of publishing some useful tips for choosing strings.

We hope that our work will be appreciated, first of all, by beginner guitarists. It is they, to a greater extent than experienced musicians, who experience difficulties in choosing the strings intended for their favorite musical instrument. Modern e-commerce has the ability to satisfy any needs of potential buyers. The choice of goods is so huge, and sometimes it’s not even easy to determine what to buy. Manufacturers of strings for plucked musical instruments supply trading companies with goods of various prices and quality levels. A dynamically developing business is obliged to develop and constantly offer new products to the markets. Otherwise, you will not be able to compete. For experienced accompanists, no doubt, it is easier to make a choice.

But how not to make a mistake for those who are just rubbing calluses on their fingers, sliding them along the strings?

During the selection of guitar strings, it is necessary to keep in mind a few nuances that can greatly facilitate the process we are covering. We assure you that over time you will gain experience that allows you to independently make purchases of the required accessories. One of the first tasks that can become key to satisfying your need is what kind of guitar you need strings for:

• acoustic
• classical
• electrical
• bass guitars

Then we need to determine the configuration, and what material the strings are made of. The diameter of their section and the configuration of the winding.

Acoustic guitar strings

For acoustic plucked instruments

The best strings are made from steel and polymers. Metal - from "stainless steel". Synthetic - carbon or nylon. If you recently picked up a guitar, then buy polymer strings. They are softer than steel, and it will be more comfortable for your fingers to learn the technique of playing chords. Carbon strings are more expensive, but they sound much better than nylon strings. Therefore, at this step, the choice is yours. Everything depends on the funds you planned for the purchase. Metal strings sound louder than carbon strings. But they are pulled on guitars of reinforced construction, with a powerful neck.

Diameter and stiffness

The elasticity of guitar strings for acoustic musical instruments directly depends on their section. They are produced and sold in the following sizes:

• 9/45 - thin and soft, with a quiet "voice"
• 10/47 - a little harder than the previous ones, recommended for beginner guitarists
• 11/52 - "golden mean", optimal in terms of rigidity and reproduction of sound power
• 12/53 - medium tension, recommended for completing new tools
• 13/56 - these pull hard, for experienced guitarists with a lot of experience

Classical guitar strings

For classic musical plucked instruments, we recommend buying nylon strings. They are soft. It is comfortable to sort them out during the accompaniment of a vocalist performing romances or other pieces of music from the romantic repertoire, which is called: “In the circle of friends”. The bottom three "classic" strings are made in one strand of nylon fishing line. They are sold polished or sanded. Top: No. 4, 5, and 6 strings are made from multiple nylon strands. They are covered with a thin layer of metal alloys, mainly copper, zinc and silver.

According to the degree of elasticity and tension, they are divided into:

• normal
• strong
• very strong

The only downside to nylon strings is their short life. But on the other hand, they do not rub calluses on the fingertips of guitarists.

For acoustic basses

The prototype of the bass guitar is the double bass. Since time immemorial, animal veins have been used as strings for it. The sound of the instrument could not be called satisfactory until the musicians were offered strings, the sinews of which were wrapped with round steel wire. Loudness and sound quality improved, but another problem arose with the rapid wear of the frets, which degraded acoustic performance. Later, the steel coating was replaced with copper-nickel. The double bass received a soft sound, and the frets became more durable. But the service life of the new, improved strings did not satisfy the musicians, due to their rapid wear. Thanks to the sanding of the coating, which was the final process in the manufacture of bass guitar strings, they turned out to be good, and were able to satisfy the requirements of the most demanding, sophisticated consumers. When choosing strings, you need to know some more little things. In addition to coating, the sound quality of a low tone is affected by the thickness of the core. Thin, she rings louder. Thick - more powerful, the string sounds louder and richer.

Bass strings

For electric guitars

Electric guitars have gained immense popularity among fans of modern music, and have significantly replaced acoustic relatives. This type of plucked instruments, in addition to the soundboard and neck, also has pickups and complex electronic filling in its design. Therefore, the strings for them need special ones. The range of sounds extracted from different electric guitars (bass, rhythm, solo) is very wide. Consider some types of strings that can safely be called unique in their kind.

For electric basses

The best interaction in the electromagnetic field formed by the pickups of the musical instrument in question is banal iron. Accordingly, the main material for the manufacture of strings is steel of special grades.

Bass strings

Diameter value

• 0.008 - the thinnest "eight" guitar strings. Recommended for beginner accompanists who prefer a soft, non-aggressive sound of a musical instrument.
• 0.009 - they are also "nine". They have a denser sound when compared with the "eights".
• 0.010 - the classic "ten". The most popular strings among "rockers".
• 0.011-0.013 are the "heaviest" strings. These are for fans of the deafening heavy metal game.

Electric guitar string diameters

Hybrid string sets will appeal to musicians who tend to play piercing solos while backing up their playing with powerful bass. The first, lower three strings in similar sets of standard sizes. The top three are thickened, for playing the notes of the lower octave in "outrageous decibels". In sales there are also sets in which a third string is inserted with a top braid. Such kits are in demand by guitarists playing blues and jazz compositions.

Coating for EMI strings

In the process of choosing a specific set of strings, you also need to be aware of the nuances associated with the types and types of coatings. Everything is simple with the core: it is always steel. But the braid of the strings is nickel or steel, copper-plated. The nickel-plated string gives the guitar a soft tone. Solo at concerts, performed on an electric musical instrument with such accessories, is especially fascinating. Their only drawback is a short service life, but real professionals will never refuse them. Steel-coated analogs produce a wide range of bright, punchy sounds from electric guitars. They are used by musicians of various styles: from classical to hard rock. The Metallists are in great demand. In order to protect guitar strings from excessive corrosion, manufacturers put a thin polymer layer on the coating. Which will certainly affect the cost of the kits in the direction of their rise in price.

Winding geometry

The distribution network sells strings with windings of the following configurations:

• round
• semicircular
• flat

String Coating Methods

Types of string windings

The cheapest in terms of cost are analogues with a round winding configuration. They are quite simple to manufacture, do not require complex production lines. A round wire is wound on a classic steel core. During the performance of chords, listeners often hear a "creak" from the movement of the musician's fingers along the frets. The strings are hard and mercilessly erase the separators and the lacquer on the fretboard. Semi-circular winding is a hybrid of flat and round technologies. Perhaps, such strings can be safely called the most popular among amateur guitarists. They most carefully treat the owner's fingertips and his musical instrument. Slightly more expensive are similar flat-wound accessories. Their round core is wrapped with square wire, but with oval ribs. This production technology has almost eliminated the "squeaks" that accompany the movement of the fingers along the neck. Guitarists are much more comfortable playing them than their round analogs.

Popular brands

Introducing the top five most popular guitar string manufacturers.

• Elixir - products of this brand are coated with a polymer composition on top, which increases the life of the strings, which are considered one of the longest playing. They are soft to the touch. They are pleasant and comfortable to touch with your fingers while playing musical compositions on the guitar.
• D "Addario is in second place. They are in high demand among most guitarists of various backgrounds.
• GHS - inexpensive, but perhaps the most optimal in the "Price-quality" segment. A favorite commodity in metalworking circles.
• Ernie Ball - decent quality coupled with excellent string endurance for a small price.
• Dean Markley - inexpensive American strings, enjoying some popularity among amateurs and professionals.

When to change strings

Then when they became:

• soft - hard
• hard - soft
• make dull sounds
• sound different on adjacent frets
• rattling, with damaged winding

Unfortunately, there are still sellers who are trying to sell anything, as long as it is more expensive. Therefore, purchase goods in stores with an impeccable reputation. Familiar musicians will be able to suggest the address. Feel free to ask them about it. In any case, first decide what strings you need for your guitar. Visit thematic forums or groups on social networks and read reviews about the product you intend to buy. Explore the price range. Ordering in online stores is always cheaper than in real trading enterprises. But do not forget about the cost of shipping your purchase. Do not rush to throw away old strings. They may not have all gone bad. And it may happen that one string breaks, and there will be nothing to replace it. To keep your strings clean, wash your hands before handling the guitar. After playing it, wipe the strings with a rag soaked in a special degreasing solution. Experienced guitarists assure that the strings need to be replaced once every six months if you often play the guitar. To increase the life of the strings, care must be taken. Wipe them regularly with a lint-free cloth. Using a fretboard polish will protect the frets from oxidation and prolong the life of the metal baffles. A shining guitar itself asks for a hand. Take care of your instrument, and it will thank you with excellent sound.

Acoustic or classical guitar strings make a big difference in the sound of your guitar, so it's worth choosing from the widest range of strings on the market to find the perfect fit for you and your instrument. This guide will help you choose the right strings to best suit your guitar and playing style.

Acoustic guitar strings

Since there are no sound effects or amplification in an acoustic guitar, the strings are key to its sound. Thus, the material and gauge of acoustic strings must be carefully considered, and the type of winding is also an important factor.

Acoustic or classical guitar

The first thing that determines the choice of strings is the type of instrument - classical or western guitar (it is most often called acoustic). In most cases their strings Not interchangeable. Using metal strings on a guitar designed to use nylon strings can seriously damage the instrument. The design of the neck of a classical guitar is not designed to withstand the pressure from the tension of metal strings. Using the wrong strings can also damage the bridge and nut.

String Gauge

Before we dive into the specific characteristics of the different types of guitar strings, let's take a look at string gauge as it applies to both of them. Strings come in various thicknesses or gauges. Caliber is indicated in thousandths of an inch. The thinnest acoustic strings are usually 0.010 gauge and the thickest 0.059 gauge. The gauge of the strings greatly affects their playability and sound.

Note that classical guitar strings also vary in tension. Below we discuss the effect of tension on the sound and playability of classical strings.

Thinner strings (smaller gauge):

• - it is easier to clamp the strings and play with brute force;
• - break faster
• - their sound is less deep and long;
• - can cause fret buzzing, especially on guitars with a small distance between the fretboard and strings;
• - exert less pressure on the neck of the guitar and are safer for older instruments

Thicker strings (larger gauge):

• - require a lot of effort to pluck the strings and play chords;
• - the sound is deep and long;
• - cause more pressure on the neck.

Caliber designation on acoustic guitar string sets

Most manufacturers label the gauge of a set of strings with labels such as "extra light" or "heavy" on the package. Although string gauges of the same markings may vary slightly between manufacturers, the following are the standard string gauges for acoustic guitar:

Choosing an Acoustic Guitar String Gauge

When deciding which string gauge to choose, consider the following factors:

Type of shell: the general rule is that on guitars with a smaller body, that is, with less resonance, it is better to put strings of a smaller gauge, on guitars with a larger body, thicker strings. Thus, large dreadnoughts (western dreadnought) or jumbo, as a rule, sound better with medium gauge strings: thanks to the large soundboard, the sound resonates well and turns out to be balanced deep and loud. Folk and grand audience guitars will sound better with thinner strings.

Playing style: Fingering is much easier on strings with a smaller gauge. If you prefer fighting, it is better to choose medium-gauge strings, although they may seem stiff to beginners with not hardened fingers. If you're playing with a mix of picking and pounding, light-medium gauge strings can be a good choice. Such sets consist of the thinner bottom three strings and the thicker top three.

Desired tone: As you may have guessed by now, large gauge strings produce a deep low sound with a pronounced bass. On the other hand, thinner strings give a bright and sonorous sound to high notes, making picking very effective.

Instrument condition and age Note: Vintage guitars are often brittle and high tension on thick strings can cause the neck to change and damage the bridge. If you are unsure how large a gauge is safe for your guitar, contact the manufacturer or luthier.

Acoustic Guitar String Materials

Below are the features of the sound of strings with different materials of the winding of their basses.

Bronze: the strings have a clear, sonorous and bright sound, which, unfortunately, quickly goes out due to the tendency of bronze to oxidize.

Phosphor bronze: the sound is lower and warmer, but still quite resonant, the phosphorus in the alloy increases the service life.

aluminum bronze: Sounds cleaner than phosphor bronze with punchy bass and crisp highs

Copper: The strings have a bright, ringing, metallic sound, but get dirty and oxidized very quickly.

polymer coated: less resonant and brighter than equivalent uncoated strings, sounding warm and deep; resistant to corrosion.

With silk wrap(Silk and Steel): A steel core with silk, nylon, or copper wrap on the lower strings, giving them a softer feel and sound. These strings are popular with folk and fingerstyle players.

Why are electric acoustic strings special?

Most electroacoustics are equipped with a piezoelectric pickup (or simply a microphone) located inside the soundboard, which converts the sound vibrations of the strings and soundboard into an electrical signal using a built-in preamp. Because piezoelectric pickups are unaffected by the magnetic properties of the string materials, regular acoustic or classical guitar strings are fine for acoustic-electric guitars.

If electroacoustics is equipped with an electromagnetic pickup, you should be guided by the recommendations of the guitar or pickup manufacturer when choosing strings.

Nylon strings

Characteristics of nylon strings

Nylon strings are typically used for classical music, flamenco, bossa nova and folk music. However, their soft, rich sound with excellent touch sensitivity is used by guitarists of other styles, such as jazz or country.

Some beginners choose nylon strings because of the belief that they cut their fingers less. This belief is true, since nylon is a softer material and the tension of nylon strings is weaker than metal ones. However, all beginners must go through a roughening of the fingertips, and with proper tuning of the guitar, it passes quickly. Nylon strings should not be chosen for their initial ease of playing, but for their sound.

Because nylon strings tend to stretch more than metal strings, they require more frequent tuning, especially if the set is new. They are also more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Nylon string tension

In addition to the caliber, on the packaging of nylon strings, manufacturers indicate the tension of the set. Unfortunately, there is no single scale for determining it, so to find the strings with the ideal tension for you, you need to change several brands. The choice is complicated by the fact that there are sets in which the strings have different tensions, while only one value is indicated on the package. Below are the most common tension designations and their audio features.

Lowtension(Low Tension alsoModerate orlight tension)

• - it is easier to pick the strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the strings and the fretboard;
• - the sound is less sonorous and juicy;
• - the sound is soft, without pronounced intonation;
• - more suitable for legato technique;
• - prone to buzzing frets.

Averagetension(Normal Tension/Medium Tension)

• - is usually the sweet spot between low and high tension performance.

Hightension(High/Hard/Strong Tension)

• - more force is required to clamp the strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the neck and strings;
• - the sound is louder and brighter;
• - the sound is expressive, more abrupt;
• - more suitable for rhythmic searches;
• - can cause damage to the neck, bridge and pegs on fragile instruments.

Some manufacturers produce strings with Extra-light tension and Extra-hard tension, and there are also sets marked Medium-hard tension. In order to select the string tension that best suits your playing style, we advise you to first decide on the manufacturer and material of the bass winding. After that, try sets with different tensions in the selected line.

To reduce pressure on the instrument when using strings with a high tension, it is recommended to loosen them after playing, store them in a slightly deflated state and tune them immediately before playing.

Nylon string material

First of all, the very definition of “nylon strings” is somewhat erroneous. There are several materials from which strings are made, which would be more correctly called “strings for classical guitar”. The structure and materials of treble and bass strings in one set also differ.

Until the 1940s, classical guitar strings were made from the intestines of cows and sheep. The trebles were made from simple gut, and the bass strings were made from silk thread wrapped with gut.

Discants of modern classical guitar strings are made from nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic threads, basses are a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various materials.

Materials of treble strings for classical guitar and their sound characteristics

Clear Nylon : the most common strings are transparent nylon line, cast in the right gauge, have a sonorous and bright sound. The strings are smooth to the touch.

Calibrated Nylon (Rectified Nylon) : are also a nylon line of the desired gauge, which is then processed by a laser in order to achieve the most accurate compliance with a given diameter along the entire length of the string. They have a warmer, velvety sound. Matte and rough to the touch.

Black nylon : In addition to its appearance, it has a soft and clear sound with a predominance of high notes.

Nylon with titanium : Smooth to the touch with a brighter tone than normal nylon strings. They are often used on low-pitched guitars.

Combined : woven from several threads, have a bright, loud sound. Strings of this structure are often used as G-strings, as a transition between treble and bass strings.

Wrap Materials for Bass Strings for Classical Guitar

Bass strings for classics are a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various metals. The most common are listed below.

80/20 bronze : alloy contains 80% copper and 20% zinc. The sound of the strings is sonorous and bright.

Silver plated copper : Silver plating makes the strings feel smooth to the touch, copper gives a warm sound. Some manufacturers label such a winding “silver”.

Round winding (Roundwound) bass is the most common for classics. Some manufacturers sand the surface of Roundwound windings to smoothen the surface, which makes the strings smooth to the touch and reduces finger noise.

Most classical guitar strings have straight ends (tie-ends) with which they are tied to the bridge.

Signs it's Time to Change Your Strings

• - the guitar is increasingly out of tune, and it becomes more and more difficult to tune it;
• - the strings have rust or they have changed color;
• - at the points of attachment to the bridge, the winding has stratified and the base of the bass strings is visible;
• - the sound of the strings is flat and deaf;
• - You don't remember the last time you changed the strings.

How often do you need to change the strings

There is no single answer to this question, but the following are the reasons for the shortening of string life:

• - You play in a hot room, sweat when playing;
• - You play aggressively with loud combat;
• - You play often;
• - You often change the tuning of the guitar;
• - You smoke or play in smoky rooms.

• - Have a clean cloth handy to wipe down the strings after playing.
• - Wash your hands before playing.
• - Get a stringwinder, they are inexpensive and will make changing strings much faster.
• - Write down the date of replacement on the packaging of the strings, put the packaging in a guitar case, so you can compare which strings last you longer.
• - Buying strings in bulk can be cheaper, especially if you use thin strings that break easily.
• - Pay attention to the packaging: it is better to choose polyethylene - it will protect the strings from corrosion during storage.
• - Keep a spare set or single first, thinnest strings in your guitar case for emergency string changes.