Every guitarist knows exactly how important having the best classical guitar strings is because the strings can change both the feel and tone of the instrument. In other words, if you do not have the right set of strings attached to your guitar, you may end up with a sound that does not match your music style or genre.
There are plenty of factors to consider when it comes to selecting the perfect set of strings. For example, you will need to decide which material and brand you will use.
This process can be tricky because there are so many options to choose from. That's why we are here to help.
In this guide, we will be discussing five reliable sets of classical guitar strings that you should definitely consider if you are in the market. We will also mention a few advantages and disadvantages of each option to make the shopping process that much easier for you.
What Are Classical Guitar Strings and How Do They Work?
In short, classical guitar strings are exactly what their name suggests - strings designed specifically for classical guitars.
Unlike acoustic and electric guitars, their classical counterpart makes use of nylon strings. In other words, almost all classical strings are made with nylon.
The first three strings produce very high-pitched treble notes. The remaining three strings produce more of a bass sound.
These nylon strings consist of hundreds of individual strands all wrapped together with silver-plated copper thread. This particular type of string is well-known for its soft and pleasant sound.
It is important to note that there are various different types of classical guitar strings out there for you to choose from.
Different Types of Classical Guitar Strings
As we have already mentioned, nylon strings are specifically designed for classical guitars. However, electric and acoustic guitars are often strung with metal strings, which are known for their thicker and more prominent sound.
Nylon strings produce much less tension than other materials, making them perfect for classical music. They are also commonly used for flamenco and folk.
Even though the material of most classical guitar strings is the same, you can pick up different tensions and sizes. These characteristics will drastically affect the sound produced when the guitar is played.
For example, you can find low tension, normal tension/medium tension, and hard tension options. The higher the tension, the more prominent the sound produced will be. If you purchase a low tension option, your music will be softer and more discreet.
The material used between the treble strings and bass strings is also often different.
For example, most treble strings make use of clear nylon, black nylon, titanium, carbon fiber or composite. On the other hand, bass strings usually consist of bronze or silver.
Again, the different materials used all affect the sound produced when the strings are plucked. You will need to determine exactly which classical guitar strings will suit your music taste.
Experimentation is always a good idea when it comes to your music. Trying out the different types of treble and bass strings will allow you to find an option that perfectly suits your music style and genre.
Ball-End vs Tied Strings
You should also choose between ball-end and tied strings.
In short, ball-end strings feature a small ball at the end to keep strings in place on the guitar. Tied strings are wound around the tuning knobs. Once both options are secured in place, you will be able to use these knobs to adjust the tension in each string, subsequently tuning them.
Tied options are much more common and popular than ball-end. Also, ball-end classical strings come in fewer tension options than tied and are generally of lower quality.
How To Choose the Best Classical Guitar Strings
There are a number of factors that you will need to consider before selecting the best classical guitar strings. This includes the type of material used and the tension. On top of this, you will need to think about which brand/manufacturer you prefer.
Material
The material of your classical guitar strings plays a major role in determining the sound and tone produced.
While most classical guitars feature nylon strings, the bass and treble strings are made with different materials. To recap, the treble strings are usually made of clear nylon, black nylon, titanium, carbon fiber, or composite. Bass strings are made of silver-plated copper or bronze.
Clear nylon strings are known for their soft and gentle tone. The denser the material, the harsher the sound produced when plucked.
For this reason, silver-plated copper strings are known for their thicker, more intense tone.
Tension
The tension of the strings also plays a major role in determining their sound.
You will have to choose between low tension, medium tension/normal tension, and hard tension.
For starters, the low tension options produce a much lower sound when compared to their counterparts. The reduced amount of pressure in the string will drastically effect the volume of the note played.
On the other hand, a high tension set of strings will produce a loud volume and distinct tone.
Medium tension/normal tension strings are somewhere in between. While the volume of the note will not be too prominent, it will definitely stand out more than one played on a low tension string.
Brand/Manufacturer
There are a number of great brands/manufacturers out there for you to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect set of classical strings.
D'addario is a very trustworthy manufacturer that has been supplying professional guitarists with great options for years.
Savarez, Elixir Strings, Ernie Ball, and Fender are also great brands.
However, it is important to remember that the best strings for a classical guitar depend on a number of factors and preferences. While one guitarist may prefer a D'addario product because of the high tension and material used, another may opt for Elixir Strings.
You will need to experiment with your options before settling on one product.
Coatings
There are two types of strings - uncoated and coated. Uncoated string, sometimes called plain strings, do not have a protective layer. Coated strings have a thin polymer layer which add protection.
Coated strings are corrosion resistant, which is the biggest advantage. This means that your strings won't degrade due to oils and sweat from your skin, as well as climate changes.
Plus, if you don't clean your strings regularly, oil and dirt build up and can speed corrosion. This corrosion changes the tone of your strings.
The biggest downside to coated strings is that it changes how the strings respond, how they feel, and can dampen the higher notes. Some players also report that the strings are more slippery with the coating.
High Tension vs Low Tension Strings
We have already discussed the most important differences between medium and high tension strings. Now, let's discuss the differences between low and high tension strings.
As the name suggests, high tension guitar strings are designed to handle more pressure than low tension guitar strings. In other words, you should tune your guitar so that the high tension strings are tighter than the low tension strings.
This will allow the strings to produce more sound and volume when being played.
What are the Best String for Classical Guitar?
There are a number of important characteristics that you will need to consider when looking for the perfect set of nylon classical guitar strings.
For example, you will need to decide exactly which material you want your treble and bass strings to be made of. You should also think about how much you are willing to pay for high-quality sound.
For your convenience, we will be listing and discussing five of the best classical guitar string options that we could find. We will also discuss a few of the key characteristics that should help you decide whether or not these options are perfect for you.
1. D'addario EJ46 Pro Arte Nylon Strings
The D'addario EJ46 Pro Arte is by far one of the best nylon acoustic guitar strings on the market. This high-quality product is used by thousands of professional guitarists worldwide, and it is incredibly popular.
These classical strings are very durable and offer a great tone and feel. Not only are they made with high-quality materials, but they are also versatile and can be used for different music styles.
These normal tension nylon guitar strings project a bright sound that will leave any musician in awe.
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As we have already mentioned, D'addario is definitely up there with the best classical guitar string manufacturers in the world. They are known to produce high-quality nylon options that are used by the best of the best.
These strings are arguably the best nylon guitar strings on the market. The Pro Arte line has impressed musicians all over the world thanks to its clear tone and great articulation.
This set is hard tension - however, there are also medium and low tension options available. These strings offer great bass and treble and are incredibly easy to tune.
You will not be disappointed with the sound and performance of the Pro Arte line of nylon classical guitar strings.
Pros
Cons
These strings are arguably the best normal tension classical guitar strings out there. However, you will also be able to find low and high tension options.
The treble strings are made out of carbon fiber, while the bass strings use silver-plated copper. If you value feel and sound above all else, this option should definitely be at the top of your list of considerations.
These nylon classical guitar strings feature high-quality materials and are used by some of the best guitarists in the world.
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Even though this set includes normal tension classical strings, there are low and high tension options available.
The trebles are made from carbon fiber and have a very distinct sound. You will struggle to find guitar strings that offer the same comfort and tone as these.
The bass strings include tightly wound, silver-plated copper. They also have a very prominent tone and will impress even the best musicians in the world.
Unlike many nylon strings, this option minimizes left hand noise during your playing sessions. In other words, you will experience less interference while practicing.
These strings are often referred to as some of the best classical guitar strings in the world. For this reason, you are unlikely to be disappointed with their performance, sound, and feel.
With that being said, these strings have a very distinct sound that may not suit every music style. Because of this, you may want to experiment with the strings before investing in a set.
Pros
Cons
Once again, D'addario is a very popular brand in the world of guitar strings. For this reason, it is no surprise that they have made many quality classical strings for you to choose from.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced nylon string set, this option may be perfect for you. Even though the student guitar strings are cheaper than a few of the other options mentioned on our list, they do not lack in quality.
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The student nylon guitar strings are made from high-quality materials. This ensures that the sound quality produced is able to compete with some of the best classical strings in the world, including the Savarez 540R Alliance and the D'addario EJ45 Pro Arte Nylon Strings.
You can also have peace of mind when investing in these strings, as they are packaged in corrosion-resistant packaging.
Guitarists all over the world choose these strings because they have a great sound and feel. These are some of the best low tension classical guitar strings available, and they can also be found in normal and high tension.
This set of strings is perfect for beginner students, as they are not as hard on the fingers as some of the other options mentioned on our list.
Pros
Cons
Again, this set of Savarez strings are incredibly popular and used by some of the most skilled guitarists in the world.
These Corum classical strings are high tension, but there are low and normal tension options for you to choose from, as well.
If you are looking for a set of great quality, high tension strings, look no further than the Savarez Corum Alliance 500AJ.
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The treble strings are made with high-quality KF, while the bass strings feature Corum. This ensures that the sound produced has very good projection and volume.
These strings are known for their very distinct sound. While the strings are ideal for classical music, they do not suit many other styles or genres.
This set offers a very full and round sound.
These strings are also more expensive than the other options mentioned on our list.
They are not suitable for beginner or amateur guitarists, as the high tension will be hard on the hands and fingers. However, if you are an experienced player, this option may be perfect for you.
Pros
Cons
These D'addario strings are just as good when compared to the previous sets mentioned on our list. Made with nylon and copper, the strings offer a very distinct and attractive sound.
This specific set of classical guitar strings are normal tension - with that being said, you can also find them in high and low tension.
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The treble strings are made out of clear nylon, while the bass strings include silver-plated copper. Because of this, the strings have a very distinct sound.
Another major advantage of these strings is the fact that they can be used for different types of music styles. While they are specifically designed for classical music, they will also also suit pop and indie songs.
It is important to note that these strings are reasonably expensive when compared to other D'addario options.
Pros
Cons
How to String Classical Guitars
Firstly, you will need to secure each guitar string to the bridge of the instrument.
Insert the strings through the bridge before creating a loop. You can then pull the string through this loop. Make sure that you repeat this process with both the bass and treble strings.
Once finished, tie the strings to the tuning post and bring them to pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions we come across in regards to classical guitars and their strings.
1. What level of tension should classical guitar strings be?
The tension of your classical guitar strings will depend on the type of music that you like to play.
Generally, most classical musicians prefer using medium tension or normal tension strings. High tension options are usually too loud and harsh for this style of music, while low tension strings are too soft.
2. What is the best sounding classical guitar?
Classical guitars have been around for many years and have been used to make some of the best music in the world. For this reason, it is difficult to determine exactly which product is the best sounding classical guitar.
Again, there are a number of factors that affect how the instrument sounds, including the guitar strings and how much tension is applied to them.
There are a number of standout options to consider if you are looking for the best of the best.
Some of these options include:
The Cordoba Guitars C9 Parlor Classical, the Yamaha C40II Classical, and the Kremona Rosa Morena Flamenco Series Nylon String .
Each high-quality option mentioned above has its own advantages and disadvantages to consider.
For example, the Cordoba model is the smallest of the lot and by far the easiest to play. For this reason, it is very well-suited for beginner guitarists.
On the other hand, the Kremona Rosa guitar produces a very bright sound that matches plenty of classical styles. It is also lightweight and easy to carry around.
You will need to decide exactly what you are looking for in a guitar before investing in one of the options above.
3. What is the difference between hard tension and normal tension classical guitar strings?
There are a few major differences between high tension and medium tension classical guitar strings.
The most obvious difference has to be the amount of pressure felt by the two types of strings. High tension strings are obviously designed to be put under more pressure than normal tension options. For this reason, the sound produced by high tension strings is also much louder and more prominent. As we mentioned earlier, medium tension strings tend do have a much subtler sound.
4. How many strings does a classical guitar have?
The standard classical guitar has six strings.
With that being said, you can pick up other models that have seven, eight, or even twelve strings. Since these guitars have more options in terms of the notes played, they have a much thicker sound.
However, these models are harder to play and are much more expensive than standard six string guitars. For this reason, they are not recommended for beginner guitarists.
5. What is a gut string guitar?
A gut string guitar is another name for a classical guitar.
Since these models feature gut or nylon strings, they are also sometimes referred to as gut or nylon guitars.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options to choose from if you are looking for the best classical guitar nylon strings. These products are usually made with nylon or gut.
You should first decide what material, brand and tension you will need. All these factors drastically affect the sound, feel, and tone produced by even the best classical guitar strings.
