Which nylon strings for guitar

There can be tiny variations along the length of a string, which are too small to notice, but just enough to affect the string response, particularly the intonation.

To address this, string makers developed rectified strings, which begin as clear nylon and are then ground to precise shapes and sizes. The resulting strings hold closer tolerances for dimensions along their length, which improves intonation and consistency.

However, the grinding process leaves a textured surface on the string, quite different in feel from the slick, smooth feeling of clear nylon. Some players experience more string squeak and noise with rectified strings. They are also generally felt to be a bit warmer-sounding than clear nylon trebles. Black nylon trebles are most often seen on older folk nylon guitars and are typically associated with a softer, warmer tone and less clarity and articulation.

The lower tension of these strings is also a good fit for beginning players or those with less hand strength. These strings are usually equipped with ball ends, which simplify stringing vs. In recent years, carbon and other composites have entered the market.

Carbon compositions are denser, and therefore a thin carbon string will have equivalent mass to a thicker nylon string. Carbon trebles are usually thinner than nylons, and offer a brighter tone with more overtone content—both of which may make them a more familiar-feeling choice for a steel-string player looking to cross over.

Classical guitar technique places considerable emphasis on clarity, note separation, and independence of voices within a given chord shape. Many classical guitarists also prefer notes with a strong, impulsive attack and relatively modest sustain. Great article! I would like to find a nylon set that produces a spanish, really warm tone in the 3 lightest stings e, b, g wich also is avaliable with hard tension to get a good volume.

I know I can bring a warmer tone with my fingers and I can also change guitar but I would like to find strings optimized for this. Do you have any suggestions? However, they do not hold up well at all. I play a lot, and they literally fray and come apart after weeks. I am returning to playing a dreadnought guitar after many years. I have not too old Martin extra light strings on it. Do folks ever use nylon strings on an acoustic guitar?

I had always thought no. There's nothing really stopping you from trying it on your guitar, just never put steel strings on a nylon string guitar because the higher tension can warp the neck. You are very misinformed I hope. Start with Strings by Mail or Guitar Salon International for authentic information and history of nylon strings and Tone.

This site made a choice to be ignorant. Don't let the corporate "delusions" of the above brokers be your excuse. You really don't know what you are talking about. I'm not quite sure what you mean, but the businesses you mentioned were in fact all sources we used during our research. Thank you very much Wayne, the Gearank team really appreciates that kind of support and acknowledgement. Skip to main content. Savarez R Rectified. Savarez R.

D'Addario EJ Savarez B Rectified. Savarez CJ. Savarez Alliance Corum AJ. Ernie Ball Disclosure We recommend all products independently of 3rd parties including advertisers. La Bella. The La Bella Elite is designed and tuned to be brighter for Flamenco guitars. The strings can also be used to brighten up dark sounding guitars and provide additional attack.

The Red nylon Treble strings are laser-sorted for consistency per set. Features: Red nylon treble strings Silver-plated wound bass strings Treble gauges:. Cons There are a few reports of early string breakage, but that can be a function of playing style.

Features: Rich tone Nylon and silver-plated copper strings Treble gauges:. Cons Some reviewers note that breaking in the strings by playing them often results in better tone. Overall If you're a beginner or if you haven't developed a taste for particular strings yet, it's hard to go wrong with D'Addario, and the EJ45 is currently the best rated normal tension nylon set in their line-up. Features: Rectified nylon treble strings Silver plated copper wound bass strings Treble gauges:.

Cons Speaking of texture, not everyone is pleased with its distinct texture, some even reporting that it results in unwanted squeaks when sliding or changing string positions.

Overall If you're used to regular clear nylon strings, then you owe it to yourself to try a rectified set, and the R is highly recommended for those who are into regular tension string sets. Savarez R Alliance. Features: Carbon composite nylon treble strings Silver-plated copper wound bass strings Treble gauges:. Cons While the strong attack may be a plus for some, for others that want a more mellow or balanced sound may not find the R's snap to their liking.

Overall If you prefer a snappy, almost brassy and metallic attack to your sound, the R might be the string set for you. Features: Nylon treble strings Silver-plated copper Bass strings Treble gauges:. Cons Several low rated reviews point to the strings stretching and not staying in tune over time. Overall If you are looking for a string set that will improve your guitar's playability and that you can get almost anywhere, then check out the EJ43 set by D'Addario.

Cons There are a few users who are turned away by the distinct feel of the Rectified nylon strings, which some exaggeratedly described as similar to sand paper. Overall If you're looking for the warmth and feel of Rectified nylon strings but want them with low tension, then this is for you. The result of this process are strings that are consistent in terms of sound and quality. Features: Nylon treble strings Silver-plated bronze wound nylon core Treble gauges:.

Cons There are a few reports of string breakage that happened earlier than expected. Overall With its combination of good value and performance, the D'Addario EJ48 is a great affordable option for those who prefer high tension sets.

This set features "Cristal" Nylon trebles and "Corum Polished" silver-wound bass strings. Features: Cristal Nylon treble strings Corum polished-silver-wound Treble gauges:. Cons The higher tension means tying them needs to be done carefully and securely as improper tying leads to tuning instability and slippage. Overall This is a great set of strings for the guitarist that wants more resistance while having balanced projection across all strings.

Features: Fluoro carbon treble strings Polished Silverplate wound nylon core Treble gauges:. Cons There are some reports of strings breaking too soon, specifically the D.

Overall If you're looking for a premium high tension set for your nylon string guitar, then this is well worth checking out. Ball-End Classical Guitar Strings. Cons There are a few reports of string breakage, but still far fewer compared to those who are happy with the set. Overall Given its big brand backing and high ratings, the Martin M deserves a closer look for those who want the sound of bronze wound combined with the convenience of ball-end string design.

Ernie Ball. The Ernie Ball is a nylon string set with bronze wound bass strings. Cons For conversions, string diameters on the set means some filing at the nut slot may be required. Overall If you're looking for the best ball-end nylon string set, the is certainly a community favorite. Nylon vs. Classical Strings: Is There a Difference? Materials There are three main types of nylon string: genuine nylon, fluorocarbon technically not nylon, but deserves to be included due to its popularity and titanium nylon.

Cheaper nylon strings also tend to sound muddy when compared to cheap titanium or fluorocarbon strings. Another advantage of nylon strings is that they help to facilitate vibrato more so than the other two types of strings. Fluorocarbon strings , commonly referred to as carbon fiber, are voiced brighter than classical strings.

These strings have more volume than nylon and a very articulate tone, but there are instances where they suffer from intonation issues. They also lack sustain when compared to nylon strings, which depending on the pieces you play may or may not be a good thing. For a look at how these two carbon and nylon strings compare, check out this video:.

Classical Guitar Strings Selection Methodology The first edition was published in and the current edition was published on July 13, About the Author and Contributors Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds. The Best Guitar Capos. The Best Guitar Stands.

The Best Guitar Tuners. The Best Guitar Straps. These are one of Ernie Ball's more classic set of strings, they offer a typical tone and feel but can be slow to settle in they are a medium tension offering a great middle ground option for comfy playing without being too soft. The Ernie Ball company are the one of the biggest string manufactures in the world with decades of production under their belts. The G-string can feel a little dull especially in comparison to D'Addarios we have reviewed.

However they do offer a range of Nylon options that genuinely provide a range of desirable tones. The Earthwood Folk Nylon guitar strings are the bare bones version if you'd like of some of their more interesting options. These Ernie Ball Earthwood Folk nylon strings are Ball-end so are more convenient to string, ideal if you break one on stage and don't have a spare guitar 'tut tut'.

They have 3 traditional nylon treble strings for your guitar. Some reviews are a little harsh considering this product is actually a best seller, one reason for this could be mounting on a non classical guitar Classical guitars tend to have a lighter sound board than a regular acoustic. Tuning Trouble - Keep in mind that the first couple of sessions after changing your strings, your guitar might have a tricky time holding a tune. This is completely normal and should not warrant any adjustments.

Strings naturally have a tricky time holding key until they're properly "stretched". Just know that your strings will eventually hold key in time. Specifically made, with smaller guitars in mind these are D'Addarios student friendly selection. They feature normal tension and the typical 3 nylon treble strings with 3 wound, silver plated basses.

Ideal for entry-level guitar players with comfortable resistance. These student nylon classical guitar strings give the same fantastic balance and projection that D'Addario nylon classical guitar strings are renowned for. The D'Addario EJ27N strings are manufactured with all the same sophisticated proprietary advantages of the string brands' age-old perfections, only this time they have been optimized for junior classical guitars.

The student nylon classical guitar strings come with the anti-oxide packaging as standard and are the perfect choice for beginners. An elegant set of high tension strings from the company that kick started the nylon revolution and moved musicians away from intestinal intonation and silk sounds.

The Albert Augustine product range encompasses a tri-factor of string options to choose from Classic, Imperial, and Regal each with their own subtle variations.

These Regal Blue classical guitar strings hard tension offer a mix of trebles from their exclusively from their classic regal set and basses from the Blue set color code for their hardest tension.

This produces a mix of full bodied soft tones. The basses as with most high tension strings can take a while to settle but once broken in hold impeccable intonation with a rich warm tone, theses Hard tension classical guitar strings have a pretty good life span too.

The trebles have a shining brilliance to their tones and tolerate heavy playing well. Why We Liked It - These Extremely high tension strings by Albert Augustine provide a really urgent attack, whilst they need some breaking in they are retain true intonation and offer great high end frequency representation. These are D'Addarios versatile guitar string set of nylons which suitable for use on a range of acoustic guitars.

They feature non traditional Ball ends to accommodate effortless installation. Manufactured to a high degree from a company at the forefront of popular nylon strings. You get black nylon treble strings for a wholesome bodied mid-range tones. Packaged in the string brands typical corrosion resistant slips for high quality freshness and longevity. These nylon classical guitar strings perform with superb sound and there are a number of video reviews which demonstrate their brilliance.

Whilst they will typically stretch and need regular changing from time to time as with most Normal tension nylons they are a great example of the best nylon strings for acoustic guitars because they aren't limited ot classical models. Another excellent option from one of the worlds oldest string brands Given the product name there is probably no need to discuss the brief that D'Addario had in mind for these.

The dense bass strings have been manufactured with a variation in the composite of their usual unique multi-filament materials. This provides that desirable snappy attack response. With flexible black nylon treble strings that provide a complimentary bright contrast to their hardier bass notes.

With the top-quality level of production, we have come to trust from the D'Addario brand with is laser aided machinery and thorough inspection process. Your Flamenco string will arrive in anti-oxidant Eco-friendly packaging. Why We Liked It - There are lots of nylon classical guitar strings on the market that claim to have an individual tone and feel, but these a are a cut above the rest where their basses are concerned they are the crispiest going and give outstanding projection without muddy buzz.

The Fender 's are finely produced using cutting edge machinery that rivals D'Addario and are compose of high grade nylon. The Bass strings are proudly wound in pure silver which gives even the dullest of guitars a new lease of life.

Newly sporting ball ends which caused a little controversy but they are still available with tie ends if that is the guitar players' preference. The ball end option is, however, better for simplified stringing process, they are painless to install and ideal for inexperienced users. The trebles are smooth and super easy to pluck again a comfortable choice for less seasoned players. The basses are wound with a good strong timbre. Their mixed reviews are largely due to complaints about the top E string having a short life-span with one buyer claiming it never made it through the first tuning process.

This may be down to a number of things, room temperature for one but in general, this is because people keep trying to string their acoustic guitars with classical strings. The guitar strings are of typical classical string gauges: - - - - - Why We Liked It - These nylon classical guitar strings are a high-quality choice for your classical guitar, fairly low tension for smooth strumming.

Not the most faithful to holding tune but better than expected from lower tensions. This set of strings form the D'Addario line are a very popular set of strings for the most part they are a bronze alloy wound version of their silver-plated best selling Pro-Arte line.

Using brass winding gives the bass notes a deeper tone than their crystal clear companions. Fabricated with their highly prized digitally-controlled machines to an exemplary standard. These nylon classical guitar strings deliver bright acoustic resonance that flatters the body and shape of your guitar. Laser measured as normal tension they will be comfortable to play without requiring well-developed finger pressure.

The gauges are. A mellower edged option than the well-loved EJ45's with smoother bass notes that strum subtly on your classical guitar.

Why We Liked It - They are a premium classical guitar string set which haven't changed much over the last few decades but why mess with perfection? It would be reckless of us to write this nylon guitar string review and neglect to mention any ukulele options with the musical instruments' steady rise in popularity.