The choice of strings is a purely individual matter and it is impossible to say unambiguously which strings to choose; this also applies to instruments. Demanding musicians sometimes spend years selecting strings for themselves, sometimes one at a time from different sets. Even if they finally pick it up, then, lo and behold, the string manufacturers will come up with something new, and the search begins again. Good musician, as a creative person, will always look for better and better strings, but for a beginning guitarist, when choosing strings, it is important to decide on the main thing; what kind of music and what kind of guitar he will play, then the choice of strings will not be such a painful problem.

First, a little about what strings are. In fact, a string can be any thread or wire, as long as it does not break or be stretched under the influence of the player. Once upon a time, when there were no guitars or violins, our distant ancestors played on sinew (made from animal intestines) and silk strings that did not have a winding. Gut strings have survived to this day, but for a number of reasons they now remain almost only on harps and are sometimes found on violins (mainly when performing authentic music). Only in the 19th century did metal (copper, silver) windings appear on gut strings, which made it possible to improve the timbre of bass strings while simultaneously reducing their tension, which made the performer’s life easier and enriched the timbre of his instrument. At the same time, with the advent of the grand piano, the first experiments in the production of steel-based strings appeared, which later found application for other instruments. The 20th century extremely expanded the range of types of strings, adding many new ones to the existing ones: synthetic, on a steel cable, multilayer, with a profile winding (not round, but flat or semicircular, etc.), bimetallic (combining two or more materials ), combined, etc. Let's try to figure out what determines the need for such diversity.

Types of strings

Gut strings in principle, they do not last long on a fretted instrument, so they have almost fallen out of use (they are not found in Russia).

Synthetic strings- usually used for classical guitar. They were substitutes for unstable veins. The first three strings are calibrated nylon fishing line, and the three bass strings are made of polyfilament (consisting of large number threads) twisted synthetic base. The traditional winding for them is silver-plated copper. Silver coating (several thousandths of a millimeter) improves the sound of relatively dull copper, does not darken when touched by fingers, and looks very nice, however, it wears out over time. Many companies successfully use other copper-containing alloys as windings, which are in no way inferior in sound and are much superior in durability to silver-plated copper.

Mono steel strings (usually hex core) used very widely in pop music, as well as by those who appreciate the sonority (“metal”) in the guitar. These strings have a higher tension compared to synthetic ones and are used on guitars of a different, reinforced type. And although there are still strings on a steel base with windings made of silver-plated copper, this is rather their disadvantage, since the steel base does not allow the twisted string to bend around the guitar fret in the same way as a synthetic one, which is why these strings last several times less than those with a bronze winding. brass, stainless steel, etc.

Guitar strings on a steel cable they are not found in Russia, although they probably exist in the West, but not for the mass buyer, because they should be several times more expensive than those listed above.

Regarding strings with flat winding or semicircular, lying flat side up, then these strings have a longer service life and when changing positions they do not have the characteristic whistle of the fingers on the winding turns. They tend to be a little less bright, but they are favored by guitarists who have to record in the studio.

For everyone guitar strings There are many standard sizes, which is determined by the requirements of the musician and his instrument. Unlike bowed instruments, where the length of the strings of a full instrument (4/4) is the same, guitars are different in scale (the length of the working part of the string). There are instruments with scales from 610 mm to 660 mm and even more, so the same set of strings will have different tensions. For a shorter guitar, you should use heavier (almost always thicker) strings. The standard guitar scale is increasingly considered to be 648 mm.

About string tension

Guitarists are accustomed to determining the tension of steel strings by the number of the first string, indicated in thousandths of an inch, i.e. A set of "medium-light" tension strings No. 10 is a set in which the first string has a diameter of 0.010 inches = 0.254 mm. But few people pay attention to the diameters of other strings, but this is important. American steel-based acoustic guitar strings are usually designed for large instruments that are mainly played with a pick. These sets provide higher tension on the twisted strings than most traditionally prefer Russian performers who have instruments of a different design and give preference not to the loudness of the instrument, but to its melodiousness, i.e. pedaling (duration) of sound, which can only be obtained on strings with lower tension.

The picture shows the string tension for a six-string guitar. The top graph shows the tension of “loud” strings, the bottom - less loud, but with a larger pedal, i.e. “singing”.

The tension of guitar strings on a synthetic basis (for a classical guitar) is also determined based on the sections of the strings, but here the difference is in the tension of the strings different sizes is miniscule, which is partly due to the fact that the scale length of the instrument itself has settled and is about 650 mm. A deviation in line diameter for the first three strings, even by 0.002 inches (0.05 mm), is no longer significant for string tension, since nylon itself is more than 7 times lighter than steel.

Conclusions

From all of the above, we can already draw some conclusions about which strings should be chosen. The choice is mainly determined by what sound (timbre) you like, what instrument you have and what kind of music you perform. A beginner guitarist can be advised the following when choosing strings:

If you like a muted sound and soft strings, you should opt for synthetic strings, but they should only be used on a classical-type guitar, otherwise the sound will be too weak.

Those who need sound power and ringing and who have a large, American-type instrument should prefer steel-based strings no lower than No. 11. True, this also requires strong fingers.

Anyone who does not want to have calluses on the fingers of their left hand, but who does not like the “plastic” sound of synthetic strings, can be advised to install strings on a steel base No. 9 and 10. In this case, it may be necessary to slightly increase the height of the strings above the fingerboard due to the height of the lower nut, since soft (or rather light) strings have a larger range of vibrations and can touch the frets when playing.

And finally, one more piece of advice - always tune the strings using a tuning fork, because In addition to the fact that when you re-tighten you damage the instrument itself, if the strings are held for a long time with re-tightening, they can stretch out and sound worse in the correct tuning.

This article will give you the information you need about different types strings for acoustic and electric guitar. Next we will talk in detail about the thickness of the strings, the types of strings for acoustic guitar and electric guitars, about coated and uncoated strings, about nylon strings, flatwound and roundwound strings, about the materials from which strings are made and their effect on sound.

String thickness

Strings vary in size, and more specifically, in thickness. It is usually measured in thousandths of an inch. As a rule, the thickness of the strings in a set is indicated by the first string. Sometimes you can hear guitarists say something like: “I play ten.” This means they use a set of strings where the first string is 0.010 inches thick.

Acoustic guitars typically use strings ranging from 9 to 13 gauge. The most common are very light gauge strings, 10 gauge, and light gauge strings, 11 gauge. Thicker strings produce a richer, louder sound, but are more difficult to play. These will work well for you if you like your acoustic guitar to sound really tight and loud. Using thin strings will make playing easier, but you will sacrifice volume and fullness of sound.

Electric guitar string gauges range from 8 to 13 gauge. Thicker strings can be found, but they either come with flatwound or are made for baritone guitars. Most electric guitars are set to 9 or 10. For jazz and hard rock, thicker strings are used. Thick strings are also useful if you play in low tuning.

The thickness of the strings is indicated on the packaging

Acoustic guitar strings: bronze and phosphor bronze (Bronze, Phosphor Bronze)

Bronze strings are characterized by a more sonorous and bright sound compared to phosphor bronze. Their golden color is given by the alloy from which they are made: 80% copper and 20% tin. Bronze is softer than steel and also resists corrosion well, which is useful in humid climates.

Phosphor bronze strings have a soft and warm sound, unlike regular bronze. Many guitarists believe that this makes them better suited to fingerpicking. As for color, they have a red, copper tint. The composition of phosphorus bronze is similar to ordinary bronze, but it contains a small proportion of phosphorus. It prevents rapid oxidation of the metal. Approximate composition: 92% copper, 7.7% tin, 0.3% phosphorus.

Bronze (left) and phosphor bronze (right)

Electric guitar strings: nickel plated, pure nickel and steel (Nickel Plated, Pure Nickel, Stainless Steel)

Nickel plated strings are probably the most common type of electric guitar strings today. The winding on their thick strings is made of nickel-plated steel, i.e. nickel plated steel. The steel from which the string is made is highly magnetic and ideal for magnetic pickups, while the nickel plating helps balance its bright sound. Nickel also makes the string smooth on your fingers and protects it from corrosion. It is softer than steel, so nickel and nickel strings will wear less on the frets than steel strings.

Pure nickel strings have a softer, warmer tone than steel and nickel-plated strings. If you play blues, jazz or classic rock, you will truly appreciate the fat tone of pure nickel. Nickel resists corrosion very well and is well suited for magnetic pickups.

Steel strings have the brightest and most sonorous sound of all types of electric guitar strings. They also retain their sound over time because... Made of stainless steel, which resists corrosion well. Stainless steel actually feels different to the player than other strings. Some say they feel "dry" and are not as slippery as nickel. Steel is a fairly hard metal, so frets with these strings will wear out a little faster, but if you want a bright, ringing sound, it's worth it.

Nickel plated strings

Strings with and without polymer coating (Coated, Non-Coated)

Polymer-coated strings have a kind of film on the surface that prevents oxidation and corrosion of the string, and also prevents dirt from getting between the turns of the winding. This helps the string sound like new for a long time. Such strings are about 2 times more expensive than uncoated ones, but if you don’t want and don’t like to change strings often, then they will be worth the money. They retain a fresh, new sound for about 3 times longer than uncoated strings. These are best for you if your hands get sweaty, you play a lot, or you live in a climate with high humidity.

Uncoated strings are cheaper, but retain their original sound for a shorter period of time.

String with polymer coating (left) and without it (right)

Nylon strings

Nylon strings are designated and graded by tension, rather than by fractions of an inch like metal strings. There are 3 tension levels for them: medium (Normal), strong (Hard) and very strong (Extra-Hard). Medium tensions are fairly easy to play, but can feel too floppy if played loudly and quickly. High tension nylon strings are better suited for playing loud and fast music, but b O A higher tension force may negatively affect the comfort of play. Strings with very high tension are needed to play even faster and louder music. They cause more discomfort on your fingers when playing than other nylon strings.

There are two main ways to attach nylon strings to the bridge of a guitar: with balls and knots. Usually, if you look at a guitar with nylon strings, you will see knots in the fastenings. They require a little more work when changing strings, but they are more popular.

Nylon strings attached with balls have a small plastic or metal ball at the end, a reel, thanks to which you do not have to tie a knot to attach to the bridge. These strings are less popular and more difficult to find.

The strings are attached to the bridge of a classical guitar by knots

Fastening strings with balls

Round and flat winding strings

Round wound strings are what most of us see when we think of a regular guitar string. The winding usually has thicker three or four strings (the winding is around a steel cord) and on this type of string, as the name suggests, it is round in diameter. The sound of such strings is louder than that of flat wound strings.

Flatwound strings have a warmer, softer sound. This is why they are commonly used in jazz and some types of blues.

Their winding is, accordingly, flat, reminiscent of flattened wire. These strings are more durable because there are fewer crevices on their surface where finger dirt can get trapped.

Round winding string (top) and flat winding (bottom)

How to determine when it's time to change strings to new ones

There are three factors that can help determine whether your strings need to be replaced: their sound, their appearance, and how they feel when played. Of course, the most important of these is the sound of the strings. If you think the strings sound quite good, then there is no need to change them. If you find that they sound hollow, unclear and dull, then it would be a good idea to replace them with new ones.

As for the feel of the strings with your fingers, good strings should be smooth and clean, without the need to change them. Strings that are dirty, rusty or dry to the touch should be replaced.

They should look shiny, as if glossy. Dull, stained, rusty strings also need to be replaced.

The strings wear off on the frets

How often should you change strings?

It depends on many things: how often you play, what climate you live in, how sweaty your hands are, and how you keep your strings clean can all affect the lifespan of your strings.

Some guitarists change their strings every week or even after every gig, while others play with the same ones for months. How often you play will determine how often you change strings.

How to extend the life of strings

There are several rules that will help strings not lose good sound for a long time. First, wash your hands every time you play the guitar. Thanks to this, less dirt from your hands will accumulate between the turns of the winding, and sweat will not corrode them.

Secondly, after playing, wipe the strings with a rag or a special polishing cloth for strings. These two things will help you reduce the cost of new strings.

There is a huge range of different strings on the market for this type of guitar. Typically, classical guitar strings are made of either nylon or carbon fiber. In addition, there are vein strings of the intestines. Classical guitar bass strings are also made from nylon, but with the addition of metal winding threads. The winding material most often used is bronze with silver plating or bronze with the addition of phosphorus.

Nylon strings

It's pretty popular view strings for classical guitar. Strings of this type are wear-resistant and durable. The sizes of nylon strings vary, so the tension force must be determined from the information on the packaging. As a rule, the package with strings contains the following inscriptions: Hard, Normal or Light tension. These inscriptions are translated as strong, normal and weak tension, respectively. For guitarists, low-tension strings are usually recommended. For more experienced musicians, it is recommended to purchase high and medium tension strings.

Carbon strings

Carbon strings are made from carbon fiber, a material superior to nylon in quality. This material was created in Japan and quickly found application in many areas, including production. musical instruments. Carbon strings are very strong and more durable than nylon strings. In addition, carbon strings produce a more sonorous sound. The density of carbon is higher than that of nylon, so with a small diameter you can achieve strong string tension. The main disadvantage of this type of string is obvious - the high price.

Gut strings

These exotic strings are made from animal intestines and are prized primarily by hobbyists. ancient music. You won't find such strings on the market. In the process of their creation they are used modern technologies to increase their service life.

Bass string wrap

Bass string windings also come in several types. Bronze windings without any impurities are used quite rarely, since such strings wear out quickly. The cost of strings with bronze winding is usually low. Silver plated bronze windings on bass strings are quite common in production. This coating increases the service life of the strings, and also improves the quality of the sound produced. The cost of this type of strings is slightly more expensive than strings with a simple bronze winding. There are also strings with windings made of silver-plated brass, which are highly wear-resistant. Bronze winding with the addition of phosphorus is one of the best types of winding. These strings produce a very long, soft and voluminous sound.

Usually you can find a long article of several pages, which describes all the intricacies of string selection, but in reality, the choice comes down to several essentially identical options.

What strings to choose for an electric guitar? The choice of strings for an electric guitar depends on your task. If you just need quality strings, or you are a beginner musician - start with the main manufacturers, market leaders: American Ernie Ball, La Bella (this company is worth special attention - for example, they invented the very strings for the electric guitar, and they have a huge assortment) or D "Addario. The most popular calibers are 9-42 (softer, it will be convenient for a beginning guitarist, easier to play solo), 10-46 (usually installed on Strats and similar guitars, generally the most popular caliber) and 10-52 (installed by default on LesPaul, they sound a little lower than 10-46 and a little stiffer), and if the guitar is 7-string, start with 10-56. Traditional materials are Nickel wound steel strings, start with them for a warmer (vintage) sound. winding made of pure nickel (Pure Nickel), for a brighter one - steel winding (Stainless Steel wound). Already got the hang of it and know the right gauge? Try strings with improved qualities: Austrian Thomastik will provide excellent rich sound. Rock musicians are advised to pay attention to Ernie. Ball and Dunlop - it’s easier to achieve a hard sound with them, and they cope better with rough handling. :) Strings with an increased service life due to a special coating - for example, Elixir will last 3-4 times longer, this is very convenient if the guitar is not used very actively - if idle, the strings will not be exposed to the environment for a long time. Next, pay attention to the products of smaller manufacturers - such as Curt Mangan or Kerly, which have their own characteristics and production technologies- perhaps the most suitable strings you will find them!

What strings to buy for a bass guitar? For beginners, and for most, strings of standard gauge with soft or medium tension are suitable: 45-100 or 45-105 (40-125 or 45-125 for a 5-string guitar) from any manufacturer, with traditional nickel-plated winding. Often the choice is made in favor of steel-wound strings - they have a brighter sound with an extended low range. If you need strings with an extended service life, choose coated strings, such as Elixir or other manufacturers. In our catalog, similar strings can be easily found by noting “Extended service life” or “Protective coating” in the product filters. Better, richer sound is offered, for example, by the D"Addario NYXL and Ernie Ball Cobalt series.

What strings to buy for a classical guitar? First of all, if you are just starting to play, we recommend medium string tension, this will make it easier on your hands and fingers. A tighter tension will produce a richer, louder sound, but these strings are a little more difficult to play. Classical guitar strings are made primarily from nylon and silver-plated copper windings. Similar strings good quality at a low price are offered by the well-known American companies D "ADDARIO and ERNIE BALL, or inexpensive series from the German HANNABACH - they are suitable for a beginning musician or for everyday amateur playing, and will never disappoint you. If you are seriously learning to play the guitar and want to get excellent sound and make the learning process more enjoyable - try SAVAREZ strings, which are recommended by most music schools and teachers. Find the strings that will maximize the sound of your guitar and be comfortable for you!

What strings to buy for an acoustic guitar? For beginners, we recommend calibers 10-47 or 10-50, which have a softer string tension, this will make it easier on the hands and fingers, making learning easier and more comfortable. 11-52 or 12-54 have a tighter tension, but also a more powerful sound output - choose these strings if you already have experience playing the guitar. The second important criterion is the material. 80/20 Bronze Alloy sounds brighter, Phosphor Bronze sounds warmer and richer, and strings with a special coating (Ernie Ball Everlast or Elixir) will last especially long. There are other alloys, such as Aluminum Bronze or Nickel Bronze, which are brighter in the mid-high range, and are more resistant to corrosion even without a special coating. Whatever you choose, they will not disappoint with their quality.

Strings for an acoustic or classical guitar have a significant impact on its sound, so from the widest range of strings on the market, you should choose the ones that are ideal for you and your instrument. This guide will help you choose the right strings that 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 caliber acoustic strings must also be carefully thought out important factor is the winding type.

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. Usage metal strings on a guitar designed to use nylon strings can seriously damage the instrument. The neck design 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 nuts.

String gauge

Before we dive into the specific characteristics of the different types of guitar strings, let's look at the concept of string gauge, since it applies to both. Strings come in different thicknesses or gauges. Caliber is indicated in thousandths of an inch. The most thin strings for acoustics they are usually 0.010 gauge, and the thickest ones are 0.059. The gauge of the strings greatly affects their playability and sound.

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

Thinner strings (smaller gauge):

• - it’s easier to pinch the strings and play by fingerpicking;
• - tear faster;
• - their sound is less deep and long;
• - can cause fret buzzing, especially on guitars with a small distance between the neck and the strings;
• - place less pressure on the guitar neck and are safer for older instruments

Thicker Strings (Higher Gauge):

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

Gauge designation on acoustic guitar string sets

Most manufacturers mark the gauge of the string set with labels such as “extra light” or “heavy” on the packaging. Although string gauges of the same markings may vary slightly among different manufacturers, the following are standard string gauges for acoustic guitars:

Selecting String Gauge for an Acoustic Guitar

When deciding which string gauge to choose, the following factors must be considered:

Housing type: general rule is that on guitars with a smaller soundboard, that is, with less resonance, it is better to use smaller gauge strings, on guitars with a larger soundboard - thicker strings. Thus, large dreadnoughts (western dreadnoughts) or jumbos, as a rule, sound better with medium gauge strings: thanks to the large soundboard, the sound resonates well and is balanced deep and loud. Folk and grand audience guitars will sound better with thinner strings.

Playing style: Picking is much easier on smaller gauge strings. If you prefer to play, it is better to choose medium-gauge strings, although for beginners who are not roughened, they may seem harsh. If you combine both plucking and strumming in your playing, light-medium gauge strings may be a good option. These sets consist of thinner three lower strings and thicker three upper strings.

Desired tone: As you probably already guessed, heavy gauge strings produce a deep low sound with pronounced bass. On the other hand, thinner strings give a bright and ringing sound. high notes, making busting very effective.

Condition and age of the instrument: Vintage guitars are often fragile and putting too much tension on thick strings can cause the neck to change angles and damage the bridge. If you are unsure how large a gauge is safe for your guitar, check with the manufacturer or luthier.

Acoustic Guitar String Materials

Below are the features of the sound of strings with various materials windings of their basses.

Bronze: the strings have a clear, ringing and bright sound, which, unfortunately, fades quite quickly due to the tendency of bronze to oxidize.

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

Aluminum bronze: The sound is cleaner than phosphor bronze, with pronounced bass and ringing highs

Copper: the strings have a bright, ringing, metallic sound, but they get dirty and oxidize very quickly.

Polymer coated: less sonorous and bright than equivalent bare strings, the sound is warm and deep; Corrosion resistant.

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

What is special about electric-acoustic strings?

Most electro-acoustic speakers 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. Since piezoelectric pickups are not affected by the magnetic properties of the string materials, regular acoustic or classical guitar strings will work just fine for an acoustic-electric guitar.

If the electro-acoustic is equipped with an electromagnetic pickup, when choosing strings, you should follow the recommendations of the guitar or pickup manufacturer.

Nylon strings

Characteristics of nylon strings

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

Some beginners choose nylon strings due to the belief that they are less likely to cut their fingers. 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 stage of roughening their fingertips, and with the correct tuning of the guitar this goes quickly. Nylon strings should not be chosen for their initial ease of play, 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 gauge, manufacturers indicate the tension of the set on the packaging of nylon strings. Unfortunately, there is no single scale for determining it, so to find 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 packaging. Below are the most common tension symbols and their sound characteristics.

Lowtension(Low Tension alsoModerate orLight Tension)

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

Averagetension(Normal Tension/Medium Tension)

• - is usually a happy medium between low and high tension characteristics.

Hightension(High/Hard/Strong Tension)

• - more effort is required to clamp the strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the neck and the strings;
• - the sound is clearer and brighter;
• - the sound is expressive, more abrupt;
• - more suitable for rhythmic picking;
• - May cause damage to the neck, bridge and tuning machines on fragile instruments.

Some manufacturers produce strings with extra-light tension and extra-hard tension, and there are also sets labeled Medium-hard tension. To choose the string tension that best suits your playing style, we recommend first deciding on the manufacturer and winding material of your bass. After that, try sets with different tensions in the selected line.

To reduce the pressure on the instrument when using strings with 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 accurately called “classical guitar strings.” The structure and materials of treble and bass strings in the same set are also different.

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 wound with gut.

The trebles of modern classical guitar strings are made from nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic threads, the 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 fishing line, cast in the required gauge, and have a ringing and bright sound. The strings are smooth to the touch.

Rectified Nylon : also represent a nylon fishing line of the required caliber, which is then processed by a laser to achieve the most accurate compliance with the specified diameter along the entire length of the string. They have a warmer, velvety sound. Matte and rough to the touch.

Black nylon : besides appearance It has a soft and clear sound with a predominance of high notes.

Nylon with titanium added : Smooth to the touch with a brighter sound than regular nylon strings. They are often used on low sounding guitars.

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

Bass string winding materials for classical guitar

Classical bass strings consist of a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various metals. The most common ones are presented below.

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

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

Roundwound basses are the most common for classical basses. Some manufacturers sand the surface of Roundwound windings to smooth out the surface, which makes the strings smooth to the touch and reduces finger noise.

Most classical guitar strings have straight ends (tie-ends) that tie them to the bridge.

Signs it's time to change strings

• - the guitar is increasingly out of tune, and tuning it is becoming more and more difficult;
• - rust has appeared on the strings or they have changed color;
• - in the places where it is attached to the bridge, the winding has delaminated and the base of the bass strings is visible;
• - the sound of the strings is flat and dull;
• - You don’t remember the last time you changed the strings.

How often should you change strings?

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

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

• - Have a clean cloth on hand to wipe down the strings after playing.
• - Wash your hands before playing.
• - Buy a stringwinder, they are inexpensive and will greatly speed up the process of changing strings.
• - Write down the date of replacement on the package of strings, put the package in the 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 are easy to break.
• - 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, they will come in handy in case of emergency string replacement.