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I like the feel of normal tension La Bella flamenco strings on a 650 scale length guitar. I have another guitar that is a 665 scale length and when I use the normal tension la bellas they feel really stiff. I was wondering what strings I could use on this guitar that would feel similar to a normal tension. I see they make a light verion and was wondering if light on a 665 would feel similar to normal on a 650 guitar.
RE: what strings will give me la bel... (in reply to Güiro)
It's fairly likely. I'm using normal tension D'addario composites on a 66 cm scale and they feel a tiny bit stiffer than what I recall on 65 cm scale lengths. It's not a world of difference to me, but noticeable nonetheless. As for light tension strings, I don't use light but I see no reason why a longer scale wouldn't contribute a bit more tension to them.
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: what strings will give me la bel... (in reply to Güiro)
The scale length should not affect the feel you describe. Examin the action both at the 12th fret and at the bridge. Can you lower the action? That will make the strings feel "softer" tension.
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Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston
RE: what strings will give me la bel... (in reply to Güiro)
Guiro--If you like the sound of the LaBella strings (are these the 2001 series?) and are using "normal" tension, which I take are medium tension strings, then I would recommend using the light tension. I once had a Conde that had a 660 scale length (or it might have been a 664) and the strings I used, Mari trebles and Luthier basses, worked well on that guitar but felt looser on a 650 scale guitar. Strings that felt nice on the 650 scale felt more firm on the Conde. As I understand the theory, an increase in scale length will make strings feel more tense.
Go to the luthier forum and then to the LaBella 820 thread. I posted string tensions for a few brands.
Posts: 15725
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: what strings will give me la bel... (in reply to keith)
I have a conde 650 negra, and used to have a 664. The 664 had an easier action, meaning the strings were a little lower to the fretboard, and the resulting feel DESPITE THE CONSIDERABLY LONGER SCALE, was the tension and feel of the same brand strings, La bella, were much softer and lighter tension. If I wanted to lower the bone on the 650, then I could get the feel the same....but I actually prefer a bit of a tigher feel then a looser one.
On guitars with a low action, I might try a harder tension string before raising the action, because an Ideal flamenco guitar will keep as low a bridge as possible. But for a guitar that is high action, before going to a LIGHT gauge string, I would first check to see if you can lower the bone. If you CAN't then, you may have a more serious problem with the guitar. It may need a refret or attention to bridge set up,etc....
But in general there should be no need to move to a lighter tension string on a guitar that is already stiff feeling with nomral tension strings.
RE: what strings will give me la bel... (in reply to Ricardo)
I have recently taken the action down a bit and the strings still feel really tight. I would like to take the action down a bit further but the strings are starting to buzz a bit so I don't want to go any further.
RE: what strings will give me la bel... (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
On guitars with a low action, I might try a harder tension string before raising the action, because an Ideal flamenco guitar will keep as low a bridge as possible. But for a guitar that is high action, before going to a LIGHT gauge string, I would first check to see if you can lower the bone. If you CAN't then, you may have a more serious problem with the guitar. It may need a refret or attention to bridge set up,etc....
I am going to try some high tension strings to see if the buzzing is reduced and if so take the action down a bit more. The guitar I am working with is a Conde negra from the Gravina shop. When you say it may need attention to the bridge set up is there something other than filing the bone that a luthier can adjust?
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