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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yup... Another "String Thread"
Hasn't been one in a while.
Anyway, should be receiving an Electric Acoustic nylon stringer...
And I would appreciate any recommendations about brand, gauge, ball-end or not.
Anything?
THIS is what I am getting... 1-7/8" nut... Flat fingerboard, I'm guessing.
I played Numbfingers' Nylon O at Damon's PNW Gathering, so I figgered that I would give this a try.
(I woulda gotten a cheap O if one had been available) |
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Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227
Location: Connersville, Indiana | Arthur, I don't have a high end Ovation Classical guitar I have a Celebrity CC059 guitar. I was using D'Addario Classic 0,28's Non ball, but I switched to Martin Classic, ball end, .028's. For some reason the Martins for me, last longer, sound better and sustain a lot longer. Plus I like the ball end better. In case of a break, it's a quick replacement. Enjoy brother. :) BTW Sweet looking guitar |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Dumb question... Do you put the ball at the Bridge, or at the Tuner.
Cuz I have heard of people doing both...
Also, High tension or Regular.
(would High tension be better for the under-saddle pick-up?) |
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Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227
Location: Connersville, Indiana | Arthur, I have tried the High Tension and medium or regular, and for me I found the regular more flexible. I strum and finger pick and for me the sound is so much smoother. The high tension may be needed if you play a lot of lead, maybe, but the strings sound sour to me. Best way I can explain that. I use the ball at the bridge, I don't like trying to tie the knots. I have no Idea about the tension for the under saddle pick up. All I know is on my guitar the strings have a nice full, smooth sound. I hope this helps. I'm sure the are others with better information. |
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Joined:
June 2011
Posts: 50
Location: Utah | D'Addario ProArte EJ45 has always been my preferred string for a nylon-string guitar. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | I agree with the D'Addario ProArte's. But I really like the hards.
I started out using the EJ46s on my Gibson CE and then moved them over to my 1624 and would be hard pressed to consider any other string.
I do not know if there is that much difference between the two. I do know I have been through a lot of nylon over the years and I firmly believe that there is not a better string out there for my taste in playing and sound. Great projection and feel, imo.
And...they throw in a composite 3rd, which I found to be brighter than the other. |
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Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | Daddario proartes are pretty much the standard, If your guitar lacks in the treble you can go with a composit string. You really have to play around and try a bunch of different tensions as each one will sound different on each guitar. I have settled on exta hard for my yairi. Extra hard is rarely recommended by the classical "experts" but I tune down half a step and my top is very percussive and I really need the thickness to bring out the fullness.
Wish I had a one size fits all but I would pick start with regular and high tension ProArtes and go from there. The manufacturer may have some recommendations of where to start as well. Let us know what you come up with. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | I use D'Addarios, the Pro Arte I think... normal tension. Cheap and reliable. I'm sure there are better strings out there but D'Addario is my weapon of choice because they're cheap and work.
One thing to keep in mind is that nylon strings will not reach their true voice for a month or so. They may be lackluster or sound like rubber bands for the first few weeks. Give them time to break in and the wait will be worth it. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 847
Location: Munich, Germany | On my Country Artist: Thomastik John Pearse PJ116 Flatwound Ball end
No usual Nylons, no steel strings. Play and sound fabulous!
Best regards,
Kurt |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | That's my choice of the high strings on my 1624 also, but for the bass-strings E,A,D I use Thomastik Classic-S KR116, they have a bit more bottem end on that shallow- bowl guitar.
The "other" set I use on my wife's Höfner-Classical which sounds with this set also fantastic.
Bernie |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | "Thomastik Classic-S KR116"
I can only afford to play these when the Goodwill Store gets some in. |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 269
Location: Nîmes, south of France | Regarding nylon strings, a general answer could be : what sound do you want for which guitar ?
Because the following points are to be taken with consideration :
1) density :
Clear nylon has low density (0.7-0.9) compared to steel (6-7), this is why nylon strings produce far less energy than steel strings, and why sound qualities will strongly depend on acoustic qualities of the instrument. Gut density is higher than clear nylon(1.3-1.7 depending on torsion applied to the string), while carbon and titanium nylon strings both reach 1.1 to 1.3 producing better results in sustain and frequency response.
2) comfort and type of playing :
depends on the diameter of strings, the lower the nylon string tension, the smaller the diameter. One can find extra-hard trebble nylon strings difficult to play (for example G trebble diameter is close to the one of E bass).
3) structural issue :
Thin tops and necks without reinforcement, also some bridges will not hold the tension of strings.
OMA, your Antonio Hermosa seems to be a close concept of the Godin Multiac ACS SA and Viper EA63 which are my favorite nylon guitars. These versatile instruments usually are ok for low to extra hard tension strings.
I used to play them with D'Addario EJ44/EJ46 but i now prefer OASIS high tension Carbon (GX1000H) or medium-high tension Titanium, and AQUILA superior tension for some months as well. Note that AQUILA "Alchemia" and "Alabastro" Nylgut strings are higher density and higher tension than extra-hard D'Addario's.
Hope this helps,
Arnaud |
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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 63
| The aforementioned D'Addarios are pretty much the standard by which all others are judged. Go for those first. For a crispier tone, try Savarez Allianz or LaBella 413P Studio (pretty quiet on sliding and shifting, but basses get worn kinda fast. Then again, they all do).
Ball end: usually goes at the bridge. I don't think there's much of a difference sound-wise. In theory, using ball ends would leave te bridge to vibrate more freely - but I don't think it's really noticeable. I'm a bit old school so if I play nylon, I tie them neat and proper :)
Tension: along with everyone said about the sound, just wanted to add something about the feel. If you're usually a steel string player, go for medium or hard tension. The senstion in your fingers is weird if the strings are too soft. You won't be able to tap, bend etc so easily, but it helps a more vigorous hand.
...And as they said before, great guitar man. Happy playing! |
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February 2008
Posts: 747
| Originally posted by Ammons:
... I tie them neat and proper :) Same here. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | I like to do a nice job tying them off as well. It takes a little time but it's a nice finishing touch. I always tuck the string ends into the loop of the adjacent string so there's nothing sticking out too. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Warning... Non-Ovation content:
Anyway, I got it. Nylon strings are just so soft that you can fingerpick them forever. And the onboard tuner is nice cuz the fade to flat very quickly. This has already inspired me to sit here fingerpicking songs that I usually strum on the street corner.
This guitar does not say where it was made, or "2nd" on it... But I had to reset the neck as soon as I got it. I thought that I would have to shim it to lower the strings, but I really just needed to loosen the screws to pop the neck outta socket... Then screw them back in correctly. No shims.
The top is a piece of solid spruce(?) about 5mm thick. It has a chambered body so it actually makes noise when it ain't plugged-in.
I have already got some Martin 80/20 Bronze & clear ball-end strings for a change in the future. But I think that I am supposed to play the ones that are on there for a few months. Then when they finally stay in tune... It is time to change them, right? :p
Just wanted to let y'all know. So... Anybody use a pick on nylon? |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | "Anybody use a pick on nylon?"
All the time... flat pick and fingers combo, just like I do with everything else I play.
Yeah, nylon strings are harder to keep in tune. I do a lot of gentle pre-stretching on mine to make it more manageable. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I do what Wayne does..... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Savarez 520P1 (all wrapped) Paul hated them. Great mass to get a heavy top moving.
Savarez Argentine 1610MF. Sounded and Played great on my U681T. (They also have a loop-ended set) Bright, and clean sound.
For something completely cool, try the John Pearse Thomastic strings with nylon wound over steel braided treble strings. (something in between Nylon, and steel strings). |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | "Thomastic strings with nylon wound over steel braided treble strings."
What is the tension on these compared to a regular hard tension set? |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | MBF;
Do you ohave a link to a source or some info on these?
Tnx |
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Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227
Location: Connersville, Indiana | Looking good Arthur, I love finger picking mine, I do sometimes use a pick on the e,a,d, strings while I finger pick the g,b,e strings. Have a good time brother. :) |
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Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 1227
Location: Connersville, Indiana | Forgot, finger picking in the tuning of DADGAD creates some beautiful sounds, but thats just me. LOL |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | http://www.jpstrings.com/brstring.htm#classical
They're about the same as a high tension nylon set. No truss rod problems on my 1763, that's for sure :-) |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | Here is the Thomastik-Infeld link:
http://www.thomastik-infeld.com/guitars/index.html
Bernie |
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Nylon Strings.... What do you use? Why?
