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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I finally got my 1624 Country Artist. What is the difference between normal and high tension nylons, and which is recommended for the 1624? It's only been thirty years since I played a nylon stringed instrument, but I've forgotten most of what I never knew about them. The guitar needs some neck adjustment, and there are some cracks on the top, but overall the old guitar looks to be in pretty good shape. With some new strings, I suspect it will sound good. Even with the old, dead strings, the instrument is loud and the intonation sounds right. Also, does anyone know where I can find a volume/tone knob for it? I want to make sure the correct strings go on the guitar, so, any advice will be appreciated. Thanks OFC, Buckaroo |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Customer service should have the stacked volume / tone knobs. I've always just used ProArte hard tension, but there are people on the board with strong feelings about strings (Fred???). Glad you're happy with your guitar. Everybody should own a nylon string. |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I'll need to get six strings for my guitar. Sorry. Anyway, do you know what the high, or hard, tension thing is all about? Does it have to do with the neck, or is it related to sound? Keep those cards and letters coming. Moody, thanks for the reply. I assume ProArte is a brand, si? Buck |
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Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Hey Buck, Pro Arte's are made by D'Addario. They are also making an EXP coated classical, which should hold up better against corrosion and last longer if you don't play much. D'add's are what comes stock on a new Ovation because they are owned by Kaman. As to the tension, It has more to do with scale length and intonation as much as sound quality. You want set of strings that at a given length (25 1/4" on a CA) will resonate at the correct frequency (440hz on the 5th string) at a given tension. Lower tension strings come up to their resonant frequecy at a shorter length. Higher tension strings seem to tolerate being stretched out a bit more before they start going sharp as you play up the neck. REMEMBER: you cannot really "feel" the tension of a string you are pressing down over a fret. what you feel is how flexible they are, which has little to do with tension except that "stronger" (higher tension) strings are generally less flexible. There are exceptions. A slight upgrade from standard sets would be polished trebles, which feel "smoother" or rectified which are extruded cold. This process actually makes the surface harder, and they sound and play great, but they are only good for one or two performaces. The really nice strings are the likes of the Galli's Hannabach's and Savarez with composite trebles which are made of various mixtures of nylon and flourocarbons. They have names for them like "Cristal", "Carbon" "Titanium". Generally, they are thinner in guage and physcally stronger (higher tension) than regular nylons. They do sound "brighter", and last a long time, but they lack mass. They all sounded a bit thin on my 1763. I wanted more punchy midrange. I personally like the Savarex 520P1's. They are all wrapped e to E. The basses are round wound silverplated, the trebles are plastic wound. The biggest difference I noticed is that they have allot of mass to get the guitar top moving. They are not for everyone, but I think everyone should try them just in case. Otherwise, I suggest you try a couple of regular to hard tension (don't bother with super hard) composite sets and even some of the sets with real ($$) gold plated basses. They sound more "earthy and dark" than silver, but hold up to corrosion better than brass.
Expensive does not mean better. Trial and error yields better results and will let you discover how good your CA really sounds with different strings yourself. In other words, you're better off trying 4 differnt$5 sets than 1 $20 set.
Moody? Schroeder? did I forget anything |
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Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Fred, Great info! High tension it is. I'll string it up and see how it sings. Thanks, Buck |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Can't think of anything you missed fred, but if you would just write the book you wouldn't have to keep doing this. And think of the royalties each time.
Buck - most important is what your fingers tell you. Expensive isn't necessarily best. Try lots and read up on the differnt strings on their websites. This is a good place for an impartial introduction - http://www.stringsbymail.com
Lots of good info out there - when you find the ones you really like don't forget to tell us cos we might not have tried them yet.
Welcome to the world of the Country Artist, Ovation's best kept secret. |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Thanks for the info and the link, old chap. The guitar has a nice feel. I need to put in a battery and check out the electronics. Any advice on the preamp stuff? Buck |
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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| ...I've had a 1624 since buying it new in '78, and always used the Savarez 520p's, before they came out with the wound trebles, and they proved to be the best overall acoustically without the sloppy feeling...
Steve |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I'm due for a restring on my Classic. I keep putting it off. Fred's detail is wonderful, but could you just tell me what set to buy for my 1713? |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | The one on the left... no, not that one, the one the next row down... NO, not the 12 string set, ah, c'mon, Mark... over, over, up one row... THERE! that one. |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by Waskel:
The one on the left... no, not that one, the one the next row down... NO, not the 12 string set, ah, c'mon, Mark... over, over, up one row... THERE! that one. Exactly!! :D :D :D
Mark, Seriously, give the 520P1's a try. They are different than every other set out there, and tend to bring out the "Big" sound from O classical gutiars. |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Great thread! Thanks for all the info. This is perfect timing for me. I just bought Serge's 1674 CA. I should have it Tuesday.
Like Buckaroo, I haven't owned a nylon string guitar since the mid 70's, so I was curious about string choices. I'll try the 520p's and see how they sound. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | D'Zya,
Wow. You go. |
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String tensions
