Nylon or metal strings? Many guitar players have once gone through (or are currently going through) the complex procedure of selecting strings.
Let's start with the most common metal strings. They really seduce guitarists with their ringing sound, excellent sustain and, most importantly, familiarity of sound. But you have to pay for everything. Firstly, pain in the fingers. You can bet that I can play for hours and nothing will happen. I can do that too. But we are talking about training. I personally remember very well how my fingers hurt after five minutes of playing (I studied metal).
There are many parameters that characterize strings. The main ones are the thickness of the first string and the tension force of the string. Thickness ranges from 0.08 to 0.15 mm (or so). On good strings( , ) the diameters of ALL strings and, preferably, the tension force (in kilograms) should be written. These numbers are important. Experiment with different types and brands of strings, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. But I want to warn you: strings that are too thin are difficult to handle. They are easy to press, but they are VERY difficult to tune and can go out of tune if you press the string hard between the nuts.
Secondly, if your goal is not just strumming in the yard (nylon is definitely not suitable for this purpose), then try to find a professional guitarist who plays metal (of course, there are such, but they are few). The fact is that the soft nylon sound is perfect for chamber performance. And in general, the speed of playing on nylon is really higher than on metal.
Metal strings less susceptible to aging than nylon strings. If nylon needs to be changed every two months, then metal lasts six or more. But here it is necessary to make a reservation that in general the first two strings fail (i.e. they stop building, change the color of the sound) much earlier than the rest, so you can often replace them (only if spare ones are included in the kit).
I’ll say right away: nylon strings more difficult to set up, the thing is that the right tone you just have to catch it like a flea. You just have to get used to it. Nylon strings are suitable for all types of guitar music that require fast passages, tremolo, vibrato or just fingerpicking. Where the rich sound of six strings is needed at the same time, nylon falls on the shoulder blades: metal strings are excellent when playing with strikes.
Now a few words about guitars. There are guitars either only made of nylon or only made of metal. There is no other option! St. Petersburg's old guitars don't count - they actually fit both types of strings, but the sound left much to be desired. Whatever strings were installed when purchased (naturally, in the store), these should be installed when replacing. The fact is that technically a replacement is possible, but what will be the consequences? The guitar may simply not be in tune, or its neck may be bent (believe me, this is possible), the manufacturer will not wish anything bad.
As a result, I would still advise learning to play nylon, and then making a choice. After all, it is easier for a real guitarist to switch from one type of strings to another than for a beginner.
Which nylon strings to choose?
The typical choice of a professional guitarist is nylon strings high tension (High Tension) with silver-plated winding. Teachers usually recommend that beginner guitarists use normal-tension strings; they are easier to play on, although the nuances of sound production that are available on high-tension nylon cannot be obtained with them. You may also be advised not to install silver-plated strings on low-quality guitars. Special attention pay attention to the frets. If the grinding of the frets leaves much to be desired, but you still want to use nylon strings, then the optimal choice is strings with copper (or copper alloy-based) braid. They will “live” longer, although their sound is initially less bright.
When choosing “voices,” the determining factor is the quality of their processing. There are polished and honed (matte) surfaces, each with its own “sound” nuances. Polished strings are the most common. This is due to the fact that they produce fewer overtones during fast passages.
Now - a couple general rules on communication with strings:
1) Never reinstall old strings - this can lead to breaks and a permanently out-of-tune guitar.
2) After installing the strings, let the guitar sit for at least a day (just tune it first) to allow the strings to stretch. You shouldn't start playing right away - the strings will go out of tune very quickly - there will be little pleasure.
3) Do not play the guitar with dirty or greasy hands - the strings will deteriorate.
4) Periodically wipe the neck of your guitar along with the strings - it won’t make it worse, but the strings will be nice.
5) If a string breaks, it is better to replace all six - the sound of the new one will still stand out from the general background.
6) If the guitar SUDDENLY stops playing, there is no need to throw it away, just try changing the strings to new ones.
Information provided- website Secrets of a Musician, author Izotov
Friends, in this article we will talk about strings for acoustic guitar, let's learn to understand them and choose the right set.
If the sound of your guitar is not as bright as before, and playing is not very comfortable, then it’s time to change the strings!
What does a beginner need to know?
So take a look at your guitar. Pay attention to the thickness of its neck and the strings that are or were previously on it. The neck is narrow and the strings are metal? Now look at the guitar in our picture. Is your guitar similar to it?
Most likely, this is exactly what you have, an acoustic guitar. So you can safely take a set of D`ADDARIO EZ900 strings. These strings are suitable for beginners; they are thin, do not cut fingers and are convenient for mastering all playing techniques. By the way, if you took it out of the closet old guitar factory named after Lunacharsky and decided to remember his youth, then this set of strings is also suitable.
If you still have doubts and you can’t figure out the type of guitar you have on your own, then tell the seller (in the Pop-Music store;)) the model name indicated on the label under the strings. One of the most common mistakes buyers - ask for “regular” strings for a “regular” guitar. It's like a red rag for a bull :)
And some buyers try to put on the guitar the first strings they come across. We would like to immediately warn you that electric guitar strings will sound very bad on an acoustic. You won’t hear the sound of the guitar, your ears will have an unnatural ringing of strings and nothing more. Nylon strings are also not suitable, they are too soft and their tension is not enough to obtain the necessary resonance from the body. So, first things first.
What affects the sound of a guitar? Of course, your experience. In addition to this, the wood from which the guitar is made, the build quality, as well as the parameters of the strings - thickness and material - have an influence. We will consider the last two factors, since our article is about strings.
When size matters
The string size is indicated in inches and can be found on the packaging. For example, 10–50, where 10 is the thickness of the first string and equals 0.01 inches, and 50 is the thickness of the last string equal to 0.05 inches. The most common sets are six strings, but there are also seven and twelve strings.
Thin strings (10–50) are convenient at the initial stage of learning, they are easy to press, your fingers do not get tired even with an aggressive playing style, and the guitar still sounds and makes you happy. It is more difficult to play on thick strings, but their timbre is richer and they are able to “swing” the body of the guitar. The wood begins to resonate, and the musician is able to extract much more nuances of sound.
By default, the manufacturer puts 11–52, 12–53 strings on guitars (this is the average value), because their main task is to demonstrate the instrument before selling it with the best side, and then you decide for yourself what thickness to choose based on your preferences. In general, if you change strings, keep an eye on their height. Adjust the deflection of the neck if necessary using an anchor wrench or seek help from a luthier or dealer. Too high - it’s difficult to play, your fingers will get stuck, too low - there will be unnecessary “tinkling”. The setting is done experimentally.
How much is the material?
The materials used to make acoustic guitar strings are bronze, nickel, phosphorus, steel, silk, and aluminum. Mainly bronze is used with various additives, which allows you to achieve a certain shade in the sound. On the websites of string manufacturers you can find a very convenient guide to the sound brightness scale (bright - mellow). Bronze strings are the brightest. You will be heard in a duet of two guitars. Try, for example, ERNIE BALL 2004.
For guitars with a pickup, the GHS WB-XL kit is a good choice. These strings reduce unnecessary overtones that occur when sliding along the fingerboard and unnecessary ringing.
The combination of bronze with nickel or phosphorus will give the sound softness and intimacy. Perfect for performing in combination with guitar + vocals. One of the models of such strings is D`ADDARIO EJ16.
Silk and steel produce a soft and rich sound for jazz, lounge and similar styles. The D`ADDARIO EJ40 model is suitable for all this.
In addition to the material, the sound is affected by the braid on the strings. The most common type is round wound, which is used to achieve a bright and ringing timbre. Flat tape wound is suitable for playing jazz, blues, and slide playing (consider D`ADDARIO EFT15 as an option).
Many guitarists choose strings with nanocoating, which serves as protection against dirt, grease and other foreign elements on their surface. For example, POLYWEB series strings from ELIXIR are durable, and when playing them, your fingers seem to glide along the fingerboard. ELIXIR strings from the NANOWEB series are similar in properties to strings with standard round braid.
If you are the proud owner of a 12-string guitar, then there are special kits for you. Everything said above about material, braid and coating applies to them as well.
How often should you change strings?
The main criteria for replacing strings are their wear and dull timbre. If you are just learning to play guitar and spend a lot of time practicing scales and chords, we recommend changing your strings every three months. Many professional musicians They change the strings before every concert.
Despite the protective coatings, the strings will retain their original timbre longer if they are properly cared for. Use special care products and you will extend their life.
As soon as you remove the strings from the guitar, you will see " dark side music": skin particles, fat, metal oxidation. Wipe the fretboard with PLANET WAVES PW-LMN lemon oil. This product will also protect the fingerboard from drying out. Remember, lemon oil should not get on the strings, otherwise oxidation cannot be avoided.
After each guitar play, wipe the strings - use a napkin or a special device FORCE ACE 30 BLACK.
Sometimes a sudden change in humidity has a negative effect on the finish of the strings, making it difficult for your fingers to slide from fret to fret. Sweaty hands before an important concert also leave their mark on the strings. Use the GHS FAST FRET A87 air conditioner. Remember, air conditioning will not extend the life of your strings, it will only help you play a concert without “extra rubbing”
Do not forget to wipe off dust and fingerprints from the case with a special napkin. Love your guitar!
Conclusion
Today there are a lot of different strings on the market, as they say, depending on taste and color. Amateurs and professionals have plenty to choose from. A huge field for experimenting with sound opens up before you. Follow our recommendations and take action!
We can say that the choice of a classical guitar as the main instrument is determined by the style of the music chosen for performance. And we can recall that the domestic school of guitar playing assumes the classical guitar as the instrument on which the guitar playing course 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 most best strings in the world they won’t make a low-quality guitar sound decent, but bad strings can ruin the sound of an absolutely magnificent instrument. It doesn't matter what your playing level is, but your guitar will sound better with the most quality strings the kind you can find. In fact, the best strings for classical guitar are those that are comfortable for you to play and will enhance the sound quality of your guitar. It is always more important to rely on your own feelings than on the recommendations of even venerable specialists 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. It is known that guitar strings are classified by their diameter in thousandths of an inch, but classical guitar strings are also classified by their tension. Unfortunately, a standard for this value has not been developed, so you need to experiment personally and select strings that are convenient for yourself according to this parameter. Low/Moderate/Light Tension strings make them easier to pluck, especially on guitars with more space between the strings and the neck, but they tend to be quieter and have less attack. Strings with normal or high tension (Normal / Medium / High Tension) are somewhat more difficult to play, but they provide a loud and confident sound, emphasized attack and are generally the best for performing and recording rhythmic parts. It is recommended that after playing a guitar with strings with a similar tension force, you detune the instrument by releasing the strings, so as not to cause unnecessary damage to the structure of the guitar. But in order to understand which string tension force is most 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 is this that is recognized by experts as one of best string sets for classical guitar for 2015) and EJ46 Pro-Arte Nylon Hard Tension. By changing sets of strings on your guitar over the course of several days, you will understand which one is best for you personally.
It's the same story with string material. As is known, in modern sets of strings for classical guitars, the three top strings are made of the following materials: pure nylon (Clear Nylon), purified nylon (Rectified Nylon - the term does not mean the chemical composition, but ultra-precise maintenance of the diameter of the strings through their processing after extrusion and cooling) , black nylon (Black Nylon is a different chemical composition of the fiber that provides a warmer and clearer sound) or composite fibers such as fluorocarbon. The lower strings are several nylon fibers in a metal or again nylon braid. The already mentioned D'Addario Pro-Arte Series strings are pure nylon on the top 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 winding on the lower strings, which provides comfortable playing and a warm sound - often strings with such winding are called silver. That is, in in this case you need to select the strings for yourself, but now based on the material - the comparison for the mentioned D"Addario sets 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 sensations from the game. Yes, choosing strings for a classical guitar is not done in ten minutes, but it is this lengthy method that will save you from any displeasure in communicating with your personal tool.
When choosing guitar strings, the happy owner musical instrument must take into account the whole a number of parameters: manufacturer, material, coating, type of winding. One of the most important indicators is string thickness, or, to put it differently, their caliber.
String gauge defines two important points: sound and playability. The thicker the string, the richer and louder the sound will be, but they are more difficult to pinch. Thin strings are easier to handle, which is why beginners often prefer them. In general, the choice of caliber depends on what and how you want to play and what you are willing to sacrifice: sound or convenience.
String thickness most often expressed in fractions of an inch. The kit packaging indicates the thickness of the 1st and 6th strings separated by a hyphen. It looks something like 9-42, 10-46 and so on. In slang - “nine”, “ten”, etc. Acoustic guitar strings typically come in gauges of .009 or higher, while figure eight strings are used primarily for electric guitars.
What thickness of strings should I choose?
The thinnest strings are chosen either, as already mentioned, by beginners or virtuoso guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen. Also thin strings They are better suited for all kinds of bends (“pull-ups”), so blues lovers will also like them. The most popular 1st string gauges are 0.010 and 0.011. More thick strings are used less frequently, but with them you can achieve a richer and denser sound. They will come in very handy, for example, in jazz. Also, large gauge strings are often used for playing in low tuning (Drop D or even Drop C). In addition, thick strings are better suited for scratching.
Many musicians think that nylon strings are only for beginners who don't want to get calluses on their fingers while learning. This is a fairly common misconception, which we intend to dispel in this article.
Peculiarities nylon strings
The first three strings are calibrated nylon fishing line. Now they are made from various copolymers and polymers, the basis of which is nylon. The rest of the bass strings are made from multifilament synthetic twist core. It is sometimes called filament nylon. Silver-plated winding is usually used. This coating improves the sound of dull copper and looks beautiful, but wears off after a while. In some cases, various alloys of copper and silver with the obligatory presence of zinc act as windings. However, this 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 superior in durability.
What tension can nylon strings have?
String tension can be normal (Normal/Regular), strong (High/Hard) or very strong (Extra High). In some cases, the manufacturer indicates the thickness of the strings on the packaging. Moreover, the stronger the tension and the thicker the string, the louder and richer it will sound. More thin string will sound thinner and louder.
So, which ones to put? Nylon or metal strings?
Nylon strings were originally intended for classical guitars. Moreover, the instrument must have a glued neck, since a screw-on neck 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 luthiers do not recommend using nylon strings on Western guitars (also called folk guitars) and dreadnoughts. These instruments are designed for higher tension and are unlikely to sound good with nylon ones.
How to choose nylon strings?
Typically, professional guitarists choose high-tension strings with silver-plated windings. But teachers advise beginning musicians to use 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 use some sound production techniques. Particular attention must be paid to the frets. If they are poorly polished, then best choice there will be strings with copper winding. They will last longer, but the sound will not be as bright.
The determining factor when choosing “voices” is the quality and method of processing them. There are matte (polished) and polished surfaces. Each of them has its own nuances. Nowadays, polished strings are most widely used, since they create fewer overtones during fast passages.
As for 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 each musician.
