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Munin

 

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

Are treble nylon strings a scam? 
Changing my strings again finally tonight after playing 2 months with the old ones (I know, I know, but it just eats away the money!), it occured to me that I rarely get the feeling that changing the higher 3 strings, the unwound ones, has any effect on the sound of my guitar. Maybe my ear is too undeveloped to notice the subtleties? Of course, changing steel strings on steel strung guitars and changing the bass strings on a nylon guitar makes a highly noticeable difference, but it is in fact this difference that makes the unchanged sound of the higher treble strings stand out even more.

So, what use is it really changing them (except of course if one breaks)? Is there really a noticeable difference to most of you guys? Am I just buying ****ty strings to begin with?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 14:28:21
 
Exitao

Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I was taught to try to keep as much of my repetitive exercises on the trebles as possible because they don't wear as quickly as the wound basses. Maybe you're just not wearing on the trebles enough and that's why you don't perceive a difference.

I don't know what others would say, but why not get a couple extra sets of bass strings and just change your bass and trebles separately on an as-needed basis?

Any reason he shouldn't?

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:08:36
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
first off i can relate...they do eat away at money...since i get paid to play for clases i feel gulty showing up with old dead strings too much (because they not as loud)...so i change em once a month...when possible..but if it was up to me id always practice with old strings only ever change em for recording something or for gigs..

when i dont have anything on i do that infact....seems like a waiste to buy new strings just for practice...but sometimes u need that just to get inspired..u are alot more inspired when the notes sound the best they can

yes i do notice the difference i am surprised you dont ...there is a diference in the way it feels, its louder, it contains more "aftersound"


btw..u can get the new effect again .(for 3 - 5 days) if u are desperate or have a gig and didnt get to the music shop ..by taking the strings down..whiping them down tharowly using a cloth and some kind of alcoholic or cleaning solution...(sometimes i use cheap aftershave) lol whatever u got around the house... then to make sure they dont snap put them back on but turn them around the other way...so that the same spot isnt continously rubbing against the frets warning it out....

i imagine what kills the strings is sweat, dirt from you hands, dead skin.. and the fact that eventually there isnt as much strech left in them after always streching them when tuning up.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:09:07
 
cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I leave my trebles on through a couple of string changes, I hate dealing with getting them to stay in tune when new. In my opinion they are a lot less prone to wear and sound degradation than the bass strings.

What, they are nylon which is practically indestructible and unless the nylon gets worn or nicked not much can happen to the sound imho. Love to hear what others think!
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:12:12
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Florian) 
However, Florian, wouldn't you agree that the wearing cycle may be in fact significantly longer for trebles? I tend to feel my Basses tired (if you know what i mean) a lot sooner, a few weeks, max a month. But trebles will stick around for perhapas three times as much before they sufficiently decay... no?

Edit 1:It may be useful to mention which strings one employs. I use D'Addario, Composite, normal tension. I understand from Florian's posts -when trying to deter others from moving to Australia- that it is hard to find good strings in that faraway land....
Edit 2: cathulu's and my message crossed, expressing fundamentally the same view -yes i actually read others' posts before replying, but ocasionally i may give the wrong impression

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gj Michelob
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:15:26
 
cathulu

Posts: 950
Joined: Dec. 15 2006
From: Vancouver, Canukistan

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to gj Michelob) 
Yea, I know what you mean. I typed up my response to Munin when there was no response from Flo and then mine got uploaded after Florian answered, not before.

You have to keep the order of responses with a grain of salt.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:25:43
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to gj Michelob) 
quote:

However, Florian, wouldn't you agree that the wearing cycle may be in fact significantly longer for trebles? I tend to feel my Basses tired (if you know what i mean) a lot sooner, a few weeks, max a month. But trebles vould stick around for perhapas three times as much before they sufficiently decay... no



yes i guess.. unles the bases are just more obvious when deteriorated..


i imagine its to do with the fact that because the way the basses are shaped the way they are there is alot more places to aquire dirt then the treblles and kill some of the vibration which is what creates the sound..

I have come to this conclusion because when i wipe them down as i suggested in the above post the restoration to sound and feel seems to be most noticeble on the base notes....

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:27:59
 
jonc

 

Posts: 33
Joined: Oct. 24 2008
From: New England, USia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I just changed the strings on my guitar this afternoon. I noticed the G string was particularly beat up ... all bent up and flattened in spots!

I don't mind practicing with dead strings at all. They stay in tune for the most part, and girls don't seem to mind one way or another =] This time though I noticed that the intonation was getting pretty funky and so now I sit here tuning along ...
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:30:14
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to jonc) 
quote:

Edit 1:It may be useful to mention which strings one employs. I use D'Addario, Composite, normal tension. I understand from Florian's posts -when trying to deter others from moving to Australia- that it is hard to find good strings in that faraway land


i was joking about that...are you joking ?

I can get any kind of strings here just fine lol, i like the bases of La Bella and trebles of Pro arts..but I am experimenting with some Italian strings my guitarsop friend is convinced are brighter atm...(I am not sure if i can hear it ) lol
I cannot stand the Composites for some reason...( are they the ones that have the trebles white or grey instead of clear nylon ? unless i am confusing what the others are called)

Sure good quality strings should make a diference...theoretically...truth is i couldnt tell you for sure ...i never truly compared it..

I know that a good guitar will sound and feel good longher on dead strings then a bad one

quote:

This time though I noticed that the intonation was getting pretty funky and so now I sit here tuning along ...


its ironic trebles always feel at theyr best a couple of days before dying...when they are fresh and sound good always feel too lose lol

quote:

I don't know what others would say, but why not get a couple extra sets of bass strings and just change your bass and trebles separately on an as-needed basis?

Any reason he shouldn't?


No reason why not in my opinion...i used to do that..I am too lazy now...i figure that if i pay for them and going to go though the pain of changing strings anyway i want the complete new feeling..

but he could have 2 packets of strings change the basses...take the old basses...wipe them down proprelly and put em away...next time when changing the new trebles can put the other basses back..(because they have not constantly been streched and had some time to readjust...and because hes wiped it down...he should get 2 or 3 more good weeks out of it)

changing between 2 packets u could extend your strings life (depending on how much u play) by about 3 to 4 weeks on top of the usual strings life..

if u can be bothered going though all that...i do it sometimes just out of necesity

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 15:41:09
 
c

Posts: 320
Joined: Nov. 20 2005
From: manitoba, canada

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I use extra hard tension d...darrios ( note the s..studder)
I change basses at least 3 times for every time I change the trebbles
In fact some times I'll go even more
I find the trebbles sound better older and basses better newer.

I have 3 flamenco guitars ..2 that I play every day and 1 that needs a fret job
One guitar always has newer basses
I find basses sound best after about 3 or 4 hours of use and last about 35 to 40 hours
before starting to go dead.
Trebbles start to stay in tune after about 3 or 4 hours of playing and last almost for ever
I play 2 or 3 hours a day
so ya
some times Im playing a guitar that has dead basses. But I cant see changing the way I play....
Just to get longer life outta my basses
I buy a couple full sets of string and packs of the three basses every few months

IM A HAPPY GUY

c
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 16:11:43
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Florian) 
quote:


i was joking about that...are you joking ?

I can get any kind of strings here just fine lol, i like the bases of La Bella and trebles of Pro arts..but I am experimenting with some Italian strings my guitarsop friend is convinced are brighter atm...(I am not sure if i can hear it ) lol
I cannot stand the Composites for some reason...( are they the ones that have the trebles white or grey instead of clear nylon ? unless i am confusing what the others are called)


Of course I was joking; your reply to those who were salivating over the “sexy flamenco dancers” had such funny, hilarious reasons to deter them from moving to Australia, I thought it was worth to reference again.

Interesting how many in the Flamenco community are nearly repulsed by the Composite, and particularly its notorious G (yellowish-coffee colored). Luthier and Labella seem to enjoy greater success. I have been using the composites. The Basses do last longer, and retain intonation within minutes of first tunings. The composite G is not as dull as the ordinary nylon, I had some satisfaction with Titanium as well, but now am settled with these.

Ever tried Hannabach? I keep hearing good things about its Flamenco gold-reddish trebles, and see them often on flamenco guitars, yet do not know anyone who uses them.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 16:16:08
 
c

Posts: 320
Joined: Nov. 20 2005
From: manitoba, canada

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to c) 
OH ya
I use super-slinkys on my metal axes ... they last about 20 hours... then they stat to break when I use my whammmmy bar

c
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 16:25:17
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to gj Michelob) 
quote:

Interesting how many in the Flamenco community are nearly repulsed by the Composite, and particularly its notorious G (yellowish-coffee colored). Luthier and Labella seem to enjoy greater success. I have been using the composites, The Basses do last longer, and retain intonation within minutes of first tunings.


maybe i just dont like the way they look or feel i dont know..i tried them once and i was convinced that the harmonics and aftersound in the trebles died quicker then clear pro arts but ..i dont know might have been all in my head.

quote:

Ever tried Hannabach?


Yes ...i had a stage where they were my favs...now i cant remember exactly what i thought about them or why i stopped using it..

really i am not a big string guy...il use whatever i can get my hands on...sometimes i change...i but i never really found strings that stood out that much ...only very minor differences in them ...and its more with the way it feels i am convinced rather then the way it sounds or lasts.....or if there is i cant hear it

when i put them on i never know if they sound and feel good because they are brand new and i have just been playing dead strings for a month ( and anything new would sound and feel better) or because the brand is good.

I cant remember exactly how the other brand of new strings felled like 1 or 2 months ago when they were new in comparassent to this brand i am trying on now..

Its one of those things they are always going to win...because whenever i get new strings ..i am always desperate for them and it always always sounds and feels better then what i had on ...no matter the brand

someone with 2 identical guitars and new set of equaly new strings (different brands) is the only one that could probably acurately determine differences and compair

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 16:25:29
 
kovachian

Posts: 506
Joined: Jan. 30 2008
From: Americanistan

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I used to use Hannabach Flamenco medium tension and I hated the trebles. They had what I could've swore was a smooth and polished feel to them, and thus lent a smooth and mellow tone which I don't like in my trebles; I prefer something raspier and snappier. The basses are great though, they're pretty stable and sound nice and bright for a while. This was before I switched over to LaBella but I'm not against using some Hannabach basses if the situation calls for a string change.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 16:31:18
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to kovachian) 
LaBella... Kavachian, Florian (and I uderstand Ricardo uses them as well)... do you refer to the Flamenco Elite line, silver basses and Black trebles?

(not the red trebles, i am sure, which regrettably as pretty as they are, also are as dull as my carpet's strings)

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gj Michelob
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 16:39:39
 
kovachian

Posts: 506
Joined: Jan. 30 2008
From: Americanistan

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
The Elites are the only LaBellas I've tried, and frankly I have no motivation to try the 2001s, The strings I use now sound great and they get the job done so why try to fix what ain't broke, right? I've tried the red trebles (they're actually purple, but look red from a distance when the lighting is just right) and I cannot hear any difference. I remember others saying they could hear something in the black trebles that made them preferable but as I said, I detect no difference.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 20:52:05
 
Pgh_flamenco

 

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I think Ricardo posted his theory that LaBella 820B trebels get better over time. I don't think there is a need to change trebles often and you can wash the bases as Flo mentioned. I've been considering buying a few sets of basses for each set of trebles.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 22:13:55
 
HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
i change my trebles when i change my bases because:

my nails are really damn hard. they tear the strings to shreds.

i hate hate hate the sound of old nasty flabby trebles

the intonation goes out after like a month, unless i use composites, and they get flat spots.

when i feel that no amount of playing will "wake up" the guitar, and the trebles and bases dont sound good (a month or so per set) i see no reason to keep either.

I wake up my guitar by putting my cejilla 3rd fret and playing rajeo and also by just druming on the guitar to get it vibrating. if this doesnt work, i change strings.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 22:20:14
 
ToqueNW

Posts: 16
Joined: Nov. 20 2008
From: Seattle

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to HemeolaMan) 
I'll throw a second vote behind HemeolaMan's reasons for changing the entire set: I, too, after a month or so on the same set of strings just find my guitar less responsive. "Waking up the guitar" is a good way to put it. (I'll try this method, BTW: for the moment I'm not sure what I do (or fail to do) to get mine ringing. An effective and semi-consistent approach would be nice to find).

Not to derail the thread, but I'd be interested in hearing what others do to "wake up" their guitars. (Also--and in what I realize is quickly becoming a frenzy of de-threading mayhem: I've always suspected that even day to day changes in temperature and humidity have a palpable effect on tone production. Thoughts, anyone? (Caveat: I do live in Seattle: we have humidity issues here.)

Thanks,
Andy

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 23:03:45
 
at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Florian) 
[quote="Florian"]I cannot stand the Composites for some reason...( are they the ones that have the trebles white or grey instead of clear nylon ? unless i am confusing what the others are called) [/quote]

I think you're thinking of rectified trebles. They're the polished trebles that look kind of frosty. and sound really boring.

Composites are the ones by d'addario that come with two G strings, one coffee colored one made from the composite material, and one normal clear one.

I like to flip my basses after two weeks to let it wear out evenly. And it sounds almost like putting on new basses. I leave the trebles alone until after a month, then I change the whole thing. But I bet I can get away with changing trebles every two bass changes. The only reason to change the trebles, I think, is because the intonation starts to go bad. That usually happens before the tone dies, at least in my case.

Andy, I've heard of people tuning their basses down a couple whole steps then bringing them back up, which supposedly will make them sound a little brighter for awhile. Haven't tried that yet. Flipping the basses does wonders for me. That, and wiping them down.

As for humidity, I think it definitely has an effect on tone. My guitar sounds pretty dead when the humidity is high, like say on or after a rainy day.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 5 2009 23:06:29
 
John O.

Posts: 1723
Joined: Dec. 16 2005
From: Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to at_leo_87) 
Different strings work for different guitars.

I use Hannabach Silver Specials for my good guitar, which has a very bright, percussive sound.

For my old grandpa guitar with a deep, fat sound I use D'darrio basses and Savarez trebles with the yellow composite G-string. I tried the Silver Specials with it once and it sounded absolutely horrible.

If there's a difference to be heard you can usually hear it already if you cut the string a few inches shorter on the bridge side and pull down some unused string from the pegs. Just cleaning the trebles will get them pretty brilliant again too.

I get mine from the internet with a quantity discount on full packs so I just end up changing them all, no use having a bunch of unused trebles lying around...

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 6 2009 0:54:11
 
Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to John O.) 
Its a good idea to change strings when they are dead on a decent guitar.
Rusted strings wear your frets out. Those dents and flat parts in the frets are caused by playing with old strings. Its better to change your strings than the frets!

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 6 2009 2:03:39
 
gj Michelob

Posts: 1531
Joined: Nov. 7 2008
From: New York City/San Francisco

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to kovachian) 
I suppose we learn to play in such a way to husband the economy of what we have, every subtlety and nuance of the given guitar and/or given strings, while maximazing their potentials. Because of the focused approach we establish with such articles, we then might find new intruments or strings to respond poorly, but they really are reponding poorly to what could be described as a custom tailored playing pattern which is now displaced with the new strings or guitar.

I am so used to D'addario, that all else sounds dull and lacking intonation. Obviously others feel the same but coming from opposite premises.

I envy Florian's nonchalant laid-back approach that he will use whatever strings he may get his hands on. One should alwyas be careful not to fall for addiction to old-ways and fear of the new ones. I am the classic victim of both.

But i will give a serious shot to the Labella Elite Flamenco, which to me means no less than two weeks.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 6 2009 6:41:08
 
mrMagenta

Posts: 942
Joined: Oct. 25 2006
From: Sweden

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
quote:

Andy, I've heard of people tuning their basses down a couple whole steps then bringing them back up, which supposedly will make them sound a little brighter for awhile. Haven't tried that yet. Flipping the basses does wonders for me. That, and wiping them down.


While experimenting with the nut-bone (loosening strings almost entirely, replacing the nut, tuning up, repeat etc) I was surprised to hear how much my dead old basses came to life. Funny thing is, after i had filed the nut bone like i wanted it i put on fresh strings.. and they didn't sound much better to my ear, which is funny, because usually the contrast is huge. the 5th and 7th fret harmonics actually sound more muted on the new strings (listened to them a lot because of tuning/loosening the strings many times). The strings I had on were EJ45, i changed to EJ46 (normal to high tension). Any clue why the harmonics would be more muted on the new strings?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 6 2009 11:58:35
 
sig

 

Posts: 296
Joined: Nov. 7 2007
From: Wisconsin

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I rarely change my treb's but the basses about once every 3-4 weeks depending on my practice schedule. I use a combination of Labella basses and ProArte trebs, both are medium tension. I have found that the 820's last a long time without the D string unraveling like always seemed to happen with the Hannabach's and I like the brightness of the ProArte treb's. I just changed my complete set about 2 weeks ago and that was the first time in 6 months that I changed out the treb's and the only reason I did was because I could see some nicks and marks... I order my strings from Strings by Mail and have saved lots of $$$ by only purchasing basses because in the past, I would go to the store and buy a complete set of ProArte's at $8 and end up with a bunch of un-used treb's.
Sig--
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 6 2009 14:06:20
 
Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Munin) 
I rearly change the trebles. Helps tune up a new set of basses with the treble being constant.
I notice no difference.
IMO it has to be Savarez Corum Alliance, all the time.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 7 2009 4:11:57
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Jim Opfer) 
wow i cant belive u guys dont notice the difference in new trebles lol am I alone in this ? is it all just in my head ?


but i think i can feel and hear the difference in trebles that have been on for a month and fresh trebles

the fresh trebles have alot more after note...the older ones just have the note and thats it..


someone please agree with me lol ( if you feel the same ) so that i dont think i am alone...its lonely being alone

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 7 2009 5:14:54
 
HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Florian) 
i agree flo.

thats why i change the whole set all at once.

I have to play classical too, so my strings have to be able to sustain when i want them to

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 7 2009 9:38:06
 
Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to kovachian) 
quote:

I used to use Hannabach Flamenco medium tension and I hated the trebles. They had what I could've swore was a smooth and polished feel to them, and thus lent a smooth and mellow tone which I don't like in my trebles; I prefer something raspier and snappier. The basses are great though, they're pretty stable and sound nice and bright for a while. This was before I switched over to LaBella but I'm not against using some Hannabach basses if the situation calls for a string change.


Hey Kov,
Your post made me think to back in the 60's.

There were three main music shops in Glasgow, one (McCormick) just used to deal with hardcore electric, but the other two, (Biggars and Cuthbertsons) were more general and dealt in violins and pianos etc as well as guitars.

In the 60's the guitar had taken over a big pecentage of sales, so Biggars had devoted a whole basement to it, with guitars lining the walls of the entrance corridor (behind glass cabinets).

I bought a couple of guitars from there in my youth including a great 12 stringer!
They also had a great selection of finger picks and harmonicas etc.

They always had a fantastic selection of strings..full sets of every make...custom strings by guage, lite, super lite, ultra lite electric...wirewound basses, tapewound basses, recording basses.....

In fact the selection was so vast that it took up the whole wall behind the desk, with all the various options kept in dozens of small deep drawers.

When I changed my interest from steel string to Flamenco, that's when the problems started...

I went in and said I needed a set of nylon string basses E, A, D.

The guy looked at me...
"Nylon?" he said, and looked at the other shop assistant as if to say, "We've got another one of them poofs in again."

Anyway, he went to this one little miserable drawer at the end, marked "Classical" and had a rake around.

"Sorry", he said, "we've got 6's and fifths, but no 4ths....we can order it for you if you want, but it'll be a week....apart from that, there's only a full set"

Note that no specific make, guage or tension was mentioned, but just "Generic nylon".

How things have changed eh?

Another thing that's just come into my head is this..

On Saturday afternoons, folk would be down trying guitars out.
They had two sections, a big glass windowed room full of amplifiers for testing the 'lectrics and a little glass "cubicle" for trying the acoustics.

Inside the big room you could always see some long haired guy sitting on a Selmer or Vox amp testing the latest Epiphone, Guild or Rickenbacker "George Harrison" style guitars, dressed in a fancy shirt, flares and cuban heel boots, playing the intro to "I Feel Fine" at the loudest the shop would let him.

Meanwhile, in the glass cabinet, there would be a guy with short hair, horn-rim glasses, a shirt and tie, with "Stay-Press" flannel trousers and a sports jacket, holding a Classical guitar with great precision on his footstool raised knee, pinging single string octaves and harmonics with his head bent in great critical concentration.

As the years moved on, the guys in the big room would be sitting on Marshall, H&H or Soho Orange amps chewing gum, with ripped jeans and "Grateful Dead" tee shirts, playing Hendrix likks with a wah-wah pedal and distortion as loud as they could.

And in the glass cabinet there would be a guy with a sports jacket and sensible shoes......

So I guess that's how the "nylon string" set got treated by the young shop assistants....


Actually, the first person in Glasgow I ever met who was trying to play Flamenco was a guy from Lebanon (called Kamile..I think?)
He was a student at Strathclyde Uni.
I met him in Cuthbertsons trying out a guitar.
The guy behind the counter was pretty cool too.
He used to string up new guitars and them test them out by playing "Michelle" (McCartney) as an instrumental, with a chord change on practically every note.
Very impressive!

He was always very open to hearing new stuff and was very interested in my attempts at some Flamenco stuff.

Nice chap.

I wonder what Kamile is doing now?

Sorry to rant on...I've had a few beers!..

cheers,

Ron
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 7 2009 13:04:44
 
Florian

Posts: 9282
Joined: Jul. 14 2003
From: Adelaide/Australia

RE: Are treble nylon strings a scam? (in reply to Ron.M) 
quote:

bought a couple of guitars from there in my youth including a great 12 stringer!


a good time to ask...whats the deal with those ? always wondered

are those a serious instrument or a novelty one like the guitar with two necks some rock bands used to have ..

and what are tuning on those ? like whats after the 6th string ?

I am complaining about 6 strings ...i would die if i had to change 12 all the time

_____________________________
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jan. 7 2009 14:27:05
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