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As of last week I am a massive Knobloch convert. The Actives Nylons are delicious strings.
But I can’t seem to find the DdM set in the UK and I want to try them on my new Conde. Anyone know if there’s anyone in the UK selling them for a reasonable price?
Cheers Nigel
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The early bird catches the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to silddx)
I ordered Knobloch strings straight from their website, and I am on the other side of the pond, so that is one option for you no? I am also curious and hoping to become a convert to these strings. The ones I have been using for years are letting me down.
The DdM strings do not have actives though right?
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
Posts: 193
Joined: Mar. 19 2024
From: Hunan, China
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to silddx)
I used it on my Conde 1990 gravina before. I have to say that DdM string is good at Rasgueado. The sound is powerful and full of metal feeling. But when you play one note, it sounds like a plastic rope and sounds not strong. Maybe my conde's surface is too thick. I will try it on my Conde 1995 Felipe soon.
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to hxwhf72752003)
it does sound like the low tension may not be giving you the right volume and projection.
I ordered a set of Knobloch Luna in medium high 33.5 because when I compared the tensions to other brands, they seem much lower. I know from researching the foro that the listed tensions do not always (or ever) correspond to actual tension when tuned to pitch? but in any case, I wonder if someone could indicate whether Knobloch tensions tend to be a bit lower. I think that was the experience of the OP Nigel, right?
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to Harry)
quote:
I ordered a set of Knobloch Luna in medium high 33.5 because when I compared the tensions to other brands, they seem much lower. I know from researching the foro that the listed tensions do not always (or ever) correspond to actual tension when tuned to pitch? but in any case, I wonder if someone could indicate whether Knobloch tensions tend to be a bit lower. I think that was the experience of the OP Nigel, right?
I would say the Knobloch medium tension 33.5 Actives nylon feel about the same as Savarez 510 MRP medium tension, and a little less tension than La Bella 820. Just my feeling YMMV.
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The early bird catches the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to silddx)
that's great!
I really encourage you to post a real review of the DdM strings. I am very curious to try them, and the other regular nylon Knoblochs. I will try the Luna Flamenca and take it from there.
I must say the low tension Knobloch strings worry me a little. Longest scale I have is 655, so...
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to Harry)
I will post a review for sure.
But the medium tension Actives nylons I put on my old green label Pozuelo Conde 650 scale have been a revelation, I can barely leave the guitar alone! They feel and sound so good. I've tried many brands and tensions over the past three years, but never Knobloch, I thought they might just be costly and disappointing, and not close to the hype. How wrong can one be?!
My new media luna is 660.
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The early bird catches the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to silddx)
What is the story with the Knobloch trebles?
Are the QZ, SN and AZ basically increasingly percussive? Clear nylon to black as in more harmonically rich to more percussive? Or is it ironically that the darker the string from clear/opaque/black - the brighter the sound?
I realize it is not easy to describe sound, and every guitar will react differently, but Knobloch's descriptions confuse me.
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to Harry)
I put the DdM low tension 31.5 set on last night. First impressions are that they are not as bright sounding as the Actives, the basses sound deep but also quite bright, and pleasing to my ear, the trebles not quite so pleasing, a bit tubby in the midrange and less character if that makes sense. They do not feel like low tension on my 660 scale Conde. They feel perhaps a tiny bit lower tension than the Actives medium tension 33.5 but in no way significantly. They sound good but not quite to my taste. I wanted a lower tension feel and they are not delivering that for me. I like brighter trebles, but the basses sound very good.
I have ordered some LaBella 2001 low tension so I’ll see how I get on with those. But the Knobloch Actives and Savarez 510MRP have been my favourite feeling and sounding strings so far.
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The early bird catches the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to silddx)
thanks for this.
do you have SN trebles when you use Actives or?
I think the DdM has QZ right?
Maybe give the trebles a few more days to settle in. I think most players agree some brands need a little time. I find that is the case with treble strings especially. I am trying to wear out the Luthier 20s on my guitar and I can try out the Luna Flamenca then. I don't like wasting strings and I actually prefer the sound of strings that are broken in.
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to Harry)
You're absolutely right, Harry, I was playing this afternoon and they have settled in and feel softer tension. I am finding them a bit too dark sounding though. Not overly keen on them for the Conde. I think they might be good on my Ariza though as it's quite brash and a bit light on bass. I might swap them over.
Yes, QZ nylon trebles.
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The early bird catches the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to Harry)
quote:
Are the QZ, SN and AZ basically increasingly percussive?
Has anyone figured this out?
All the variables and combinations are mind-boggling, on their website there all these trebles:
AT Nylon (Mellow) BIO Nylon Elastic (Natural) DA BIO Nylon (Pure) CX Carbon (Brilliant) QZ Nylon (Mellow) SN Nylon (Muted)
these basses:
Actives Duo Assad Erithacus Leo Brouwer Sterling Silver
and these tensions:
31.5 Low 33.0 Medium Low 33.5 Medium 34.0 Medium High 34.5 High 36.5 High + 37.5 Super High
I've never tried them, and apart from the fact they are much more expensive than the strings I normally use, I have no idea what set to try....
I think the "Bio-Nylon" trebles are made by Aquila and are the same in their sets, but I've never tried those either.... my local eco-warrior would like me to stop using plastic strings - anyone tried them?
RE: Where can I get the Knobloch Die... (in reply to mark indigo)
Indeed!
not positive but I think the Luna Flamenca basses might be different than the others (double silver), and also the Luna Flamenca azabache trebles which are black.
So add those to the list!
I am curious about Knobloch strings because José Carlos Gómez used them for a time. Still, he probably did not pay for them so grain of salt!
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez