String questions from a mostly lurker (Full Version)

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Downing -> String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 12 2004 15:57:24)

Pat's recent "Ask A Member" thread has inspired me to post some string questions. However, since I'm secure enough to freely acknowledge that I know next to nothing about playing flamenco guitar as I grind through Dennis Kostner's book (except that I love to play it), I thought I would post my questions publicly.

Ahhh, the mystery that is strings. The brands and types out there are, to say the least, bewildering to me. So are the brand and tension preferences expressed on this and other forums by experienced players. People are all over the map.

Some strings are designated as "flamenco" as opposed to "classical" on the package and on various websites like Strings by Mail and GSI. Why? What makes a particular set of strings flamenco?

Given how hard flamenco is on the nails, shouldn't low or medium tension strings be the way to go? Is there some sound quality, like brightness, sacrificed if you do that?

I play one to two hours a day, sometimes more, switching back and forth between three guitars but mostly on my Sanchis. How often should I change strings? Right now, it's about once a month, I think.

I suspect that many of the answers will be a matter of taste, and I haven't been around long enough to develop a preference. If there was one perfect brand and tension, everyone would play only them. My teacher uses the high-tension Savarez set with the white G string. He swears by them. I dislike them if for no other reason than the G string feels like a braided rope under my fingers. Probably not the best reason but there you go.

And while I'm at it, I can't quite describe this but to me no matter what set of strings I use the G string always sounds a little off from the others. Maybe it's just me but there's just something different about the G. Am I crazy or is there something to this?

I see where some folks advocate switching basses more often than trebles. Some advocate doing some weird-sounding things to worn strings, like boiling them, to bring them back to life. Personally, I'd rather just toss on a whole new set. Strings are relatively cheap and changing them is fun, once you get the hang of it, and after they've settled down the guitar sounds just so great.



Miguel de Maria -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 12 2004 19:05:18)

Downing, hi there:

People are all over the map.
> before I go on, here in Phoenix, all gigging and pro players use D'Addario classical guitar strings. The reasons are that: 1) they are widely available, 2) they are good and last a long time.

What makes a particular set of strings flamenco?
> marketing

Given how hard flamenco is on the nails, shouldn't low or medium tension strings be the way to go? Is there some sound quality, like brightness, sacrificed if you do that?
> tough question. for the first, it is mainly the wound, thick strings that mess up your nails. Most flamencos use some kind of nail polish, glue, or get fake acrylic nails, which makes the choice of string irrelevant. As far as the sound quality, most people think you get a tighter, louder sound with harder strings.

How often should I change strings?
> when the basses lose their snappiness and tone, then you change it. As far as the trebles, who knows? Everyone has different opinons about this one.

And while I'm at it, I can't quite describe this but to me no matter what set of strings I use the G string always sounds a little off from the others. Maybe it's just me but there's just something different about the G. Am I crazy or is there something to this?
>there is, I was just talking to the professional classical/flamenco guitarist Craig Alden Dell and he mentioned this to me. He also said that in the past, it seemed to be teh "D" string that was a bit weird.

I see where some folks advocate switching basses more often than trebles. Some advocate doing some weird-sounding things to worn strings, like boiling them, to bring them back to life. Personally, I'd rather just toss on a whole new set. Strings are relatively cheap and changing them is fun, once you get the hang of it, and after they've settled down the guitar sounds just so great.
>yes, unless you're quite poor just put new ones on. Or sacrifice some cigarrettes for strings! Let's play!


[/quote]



Escribano -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 12 2004 19:57:59)

My limited experience suggests D'Addario medium for reasonable sound, feel and lifetime. Savarez Corum if you want to wake the Gods, but only for a week and your fingers could bleed[:D] Can also can depend on your guitar, of course - resonance, harmonics, materials etc.

Some luthiers suggest the high tensions will cave your neck in.



Patrick -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 12 2004 21:36:02)

quote:

I see where some folks advocate switching basses more often than trebles


Exactly. Basses last about two weeks for me. I get months out of trebles so why mess with changing them and have to wait for them to settle in. I buy a couple of full sets and a bunch of bass sets from stringsbymail.com. Saves me a bunch of dough and time.

I'll let you know when the Green is in, so you can come over and drool over it (not on it). Aaron said he has the bindings on it as of last week.

Pat



Downing -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 12 2004 22:25:15)

quote:

I'll let you know when the Green is in, so you can come over and drool over it (not on it).


That's good news because the sooner he's done with yours the sooner he can start on mine! [:D]

I'll bring a bib.

[sm=Smiley Guitar.gif]



Jon Boyes -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 13 2004 8:22:38)

Hi Downing. I agree with all Mike's answers to your questions, just a couple more points:

"Given how hard flamenco is on the nails, shouldn't low or medium tension strings be the way to go? Is there some sound quality, like brightness, sacrificed if you do that?"

The answer is yes, there is a basic rule here: the harder the tension=the thicker the string= the less bright sound. As you go up through the tensions of a particular string, the tone will get thicker and less bright.

However, the amount that brightness that may be 'sacrificed' may be neglible when weighed up against the beneifts of going up a tension *on a particular guitar*. For example, we play with very low actions, and a lower tension string may cause a little too much buzzing. Moving up a tension may remove that buzzing. Also, moving up a tension may have other beneifts - many players feel that harder tension strings have less overall sustain but greater volume and attack as Mike says, and these are very desirable in flamenco. As we play mostly nearer the bridge anyway, sacrificing a little brightness may not be that big a deal. Here is another benefit - most people find that picado and alzapua are easier if the string is firmer. try doing both these techniques an inch or so from the bridge, and then over the soundhole (where there is less tension) to see what I mean.

The other issue that affects the brightness of the strings is the material ie nylon vs carbon/composite whatever. Here, the denser the material =the brighter the sound, so D'Addario Composites are a lot brighter than their nylon counterparts for example.

"And while I'm at it, I can't quite describe this but to me no matter what set of strings I use the G string always sounds a little off from the others. Maybe it's just me but there's just something different about the G. Am I crazy or is there something to this?"

Nope, you are right. The G is normally far thicker and without going into the physics, will indeed be slightly off. Some guitarists (mainly classical, rather than flamenco, I think) compensate for this by cutting a saddle in such a way that it that increases the scale length of the G, and helps its overall intonation. For more info on this, ask one of our luthier friends.

Jon

PS I have a Sanchis too - bought it a few months back and I'm still really in the 'which string is best' phase myself, especially as I've just had it set up and the action is lower . Interestingly, it was strung with flamenco strings (black trebles) when I bought it, and I thought they sounded pants.



Billyboy -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 13 2004 13:07:19)

I find D'darrio extra hard tension too slack on my Sanchis Carpio, anyone know of a harder tension without getting those Corum trebles that make your fingers bleed?
Cheers
Dave



Jon Boyes -> RE: String questions from a mostly lurker (Aug. 13 2004 14:30:53)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Billyboy
I find D'darrio extra hard tension too slack on my Sanchis Carpio, anyone know of a harder tension without getting those Corum trebles that make your fingers bleed?
Cheers
Dave


Are you sure the guitar will take it? Thats the highest tension string D'Addario make, some lutheirs advise against very high tension strings.

Jon



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