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I have used just about every type of string made within the last 45 years and I have a collection to prove it!
I have used D'Addario for many years. For about 10 years I used extra hard tension EJ 44's on my flamenco guitars, playing for dancers. Juan Serrano suggested I use medium tension EJ 45's so I started doing that and really like the feel and sound. Mariano Cordoba likes J43 light tension.
You will find that you will develop a preference for the strings you like best.
I just put a set of LaBella 820s on my guitar, and have to say I'm impressed so far. I've used Augustine (not impressed with these) and Savarez 520 & 540 (have not tried the Corum series yet). Of all these, the LaBellas are currently my faves.
I read a post by T. Whiteley sometime back, and decided to give the EJ45s a shot. They're next.
Me too, that's all I use, they last forever - playing for my own amusement
Simon;
Talk about "lasting forever"! A year ago I changed strings on one of my guitars and went to Frenso for a lesson from Juan Serrano. It is a 175 mile trip - one way. Juan played my guitar and I have the video tape of it.
Would you believe that I have not changed the strings on that guitar and play it every day and it sounds good? I am not kidding! I think I will retire these strings some day with the notation, "Juan Serrano was here"!
I just put a set of LaBella 820s on my guitar, and have to say I'm impressed so far. I've used Augustine (not impressed with these) and Savarez 520 & 540 (have not tried the Corum series yet). Of all these, the LaBellas are currently my faves.
hi i am a la bella 820 fan too, have used many other types of strings but finally settled down on 820, the bass strings sound is really bright and magnetic. however they are not very durable, i used to change the strings every week, but now i only change the D string because it is very costly to change the whole set too often. i use augustin medium tension D string when my D string break, and it works fine. d'addario ej45 strings are more durable but the sound doesn't match with my flamenco guitar, i use them on classical guitar. any other options?
I too like 820B with black trebles. Flamenco sound guaranteed. But the trebles are skinny and take getting used to. I also like Luthier 20 and 30 depending on the guitar.
I have tried almost every string out there. I like the Lisa strings for my Diaz and Hannabach 827 light tension for my Maldonado. My negra sounds fine with Hannabach, Lisa or Saverez. I was never to impressed with the La Bellas...seemed to lose tonal quality quickly and didn't hold up to old style flamenco. Hannabach seems to last longest as an average. With one hour a day hard playing, I change D 4th first week, the basses the next week, D 4th 3rd week and a full set once a month. One quickly forgets what unworn strings sound like. Why have a world class guitar with worn out strings? Sam
Hola, Sendero My La Bellas are about 2 weeks old, and they seem to be holding up pretty good. I've recently started keeping my nails shorter, and I'm using the smaller joint on my finger for my picado. Plus I've been averaging about 3 hours a day for about the last month. In short, I'm not sure what aspect has had the most benefit in my playing, but something's working as of late.
I'm always open to recommendations. I have a set of D'Adario EJ46 (Hard Tension) ready to go. I meant to buy the EJ45 recommended above, and when I purchased them they were in the 'EJ45' slot. I bought them the same day I bought my LaBellas, so I've had them for about 2-3 weeks. It wasn't untill just a couple of days ago that I actually looked at the set and realized they weren't the EJ45. I thought about taking them back, but I think I'll go ahead and give them a try.
I have tried Savarez (520 & 540), but have not tried the Corums yet. I would have to order those via mail, which I hate to do. Anyhoo, I know the music store I get my strings at carries some Hannabach, but I'm not sure which models. I have never heard of Lisa strings. Where can I find some info about them? Is your Diaz a blanca?
I don't really have a world class guitar, it's a Yamaha CG171SF flamenco. I got it 2nd hand for about $250 USD. It has a pretty good scratch right under the bridge plate which is the reason for the price reduction I presume. I'm feeling the bug to upgrade my guitar tho, and I'm liking what Anders has to offer in terms of quality for the price. The yamaha has been the majority of my experience with flamencos. I have had othe classicals - Takamine EC132c, Hirade TH90. I do like the sound of those classicals, and it makes me think I may lean towards a Negra. I contemplated converting one of them, but couldn't decide which one, so I scrapped the idea.
I have used the La bella's and the D'Addario's on my Yamaha 171sf, and my Hofner hf 12 classical.
Set’s La Bella 2001 silver and black / D’Addario Ej46 silver and clear
Here is what I've heard.
The La Bella wound strings have less volume less bass response but more brightness, and a certain metalic sound, on both guitars. The treble strings are just about the same but there are certain overtones missing from the La Bella's that make them more"solid" sounding that the D'Addario's. These are both very good strings as far as I can tell but to me, the D'addario's are better Classical strings and the La bella's better for flamenco. Both of these are High Tension strings, but due to the slightly smaller diameter of the La bella trebles they seem more easy to play on.
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