Nylon or metal strings? Many guitar players have gone through (or are going through) the complicated process of selecting strings.

Let's start with the most common metal strings. They really tempt guitarists ringing sound, excellent sustain and, most importantly, the familiarity of the sound. But you have to pay for everything. First, pain in the fingers. You can bet that I can play for hours and nothing will happen. I can do that too. But it's about learning. I personally remember very well how my fingers hurt after five minutes of playing (I studied metal).

There are many parameters that characterize strings. The main ones are the thickness of the first string and the force of the string tension. The thickness is from 0.08 to 0.15 mm (or so). Good strings ( , ) should have the diameters of ALL strings and preferably the preload (in kilograms) written on them. These numbers are important. Experiment with different types and brands of strings, don't be afraid to make mistakes. But I want to warn you: too thin strings are difficult to handle. They are easy to press, but are VERY hard to tune and can go out of tune when the string is pressed hard between the nut.

Secondly, if your goal is not just strumming in the yard (nylon is definitely not suitable for this purpose), then try to find a professional metal guitarist (of course, there are such, but they are few). The fact is that the soft nylon sound is perfect for chamber performance. And in general, the speed of the game on nylon is really higher than on metal.

metal strings less prone to aging than nylon strings. If nylon needs to be changed every two months, then metal lasts six or more. But here we need to make a reservation that in general the first two strings fail (i.e. stop building, change the color of the sound) much earlier than the rest, so you can often replace them (only if spare ones are included).

I'll say right away: nylon strings more difficult to tune, the fact is that the desired tone just has to be caught like a flea. You just have to get used to it. Nylon strings suitable for all types guitar music where you need fast passages, tremolo, vibrato or just picks. Where the rich sound of six strings at the same time is needed, nylon lies on the shoulder blades: metal strings are excellent when playing with a strike.

Now a few words about guitars. There are guitars either only for nylon, or only for metal. There is no other! St. Petersburg old guitars do not count - they really fit both types of strings, but the sound left much to be desired. What strings were at the time of purchase (of course, in the store), these should be installed when replacing. The fact is that technically a replacement is possible, but what will be the consequences? A guitar may simply not build, or its neck may bend (believe me, this is possible), the manufacturer will not wish anything bad.

As a result, I still advise you to learn to play nylon, and then make a choice. After all, it is easier for a real guitarist to switch from one type of string to another than for a beginner.

Which nylon strings to choose?

The typical choice of a professional guitarist is nylon strings high tension (High Tension) with a silver-plated winding. Beginning guitarists are usually advised by instructors to use normal tension strings, as they are easier to play, although they do not get the nuances of sound production that are available on high tension nylon. It can also be advised not to install silver-plated strings on low-quality guitars. Special attention pay attention. If the fret polishing leaves much to be desired, but you still want to use nylon strings, then the best choice is strings with a copper (or based on copper alloys) braid. They will "live" longer, although their sound is initially less bright.

When choosing "voices", the determining factor is the quality of their processing. There are polished and polished (matte) surfaces, each has its own "sound" nuances. Polished strings are the most widely used. This is due to the fact that they emit less overtones during fast passages.

Now a couple general rules for communicating with strings:

1) Never put the old strings again - it threatens with breaks and an eternally out of tune guitar.
2) After setting the strings, let the guitar lie down for at least a day (just pre-tune it) so that the strings stretch. You should not start playing right away - the strings will get out of tune very quickly - there will be little pleasure.
3) Do not play the guitar with dirty or greasy hands - the strings will deteriorate.
4) Periodically wipe the neck of your guitar along with the strings - it won't get worse, but the strings will be nice.
5) If a string breaks, it is better to replace all six - all the same, the sound of the new one will stand out from the general background.
6) If the guitar SUDDENLY stops building, do not throw it away, just try changing the strings for new ones.

Information provided- site Secrets of a Musician, author Izotov

Which I have come across throughout my career as a guitarist and guitar teacher.

In my teaching practice, I often have to change sets of guitar strings for my students, and for more than 14 years of experience, the number of strings I have replaced has already gone into the thousands. The most frequently asked question after replacement:

When should the strings be changed again?

I'll try to give a comprehensive answer.

1. Appearance. If the strings look new, then let them stand. High-quality strings retain their marketable quality for a long time. appearance. This applies even to silver-plated strings, which are the first to lose the snow-white color of the winding.
2. Strings that feel rough to the touch should be replaced as they are taken from you by the caring hands of metal corrosion (in the case of metal strings). When playing a guitar, moisture and grease from our fingers remain on the strings, criminally penetrating under the winding and reaching the cord (core). If you play the guitar irregularly (a couple of times a week or less), then you have probably noticed how hard the strings can be after a week of breaks in the game. Polymer braided strings are suitable here. They are more expensive, but due to a special coating, corrosion will not soon get to the winding, and therefore to the cord. Corrosion is also inevitable at high humidity. As you know, not a single metal without special protection can hide from water molecules hovering in the air.
3. Hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands before playing the guitar. I often see a layer of black dirt on the back of the string. In combination with the detrimental effects of corrosion described above, the strings will fail much faster. In addition, excess dirt that has not settled on the strings will foul your neck and will need to be cleaned. A simple test is to wrap a string with a white paper towel, press down and run along the string. Then unfold the napkin and look inside. If the color has not changed (which is possible only on new and well-maintained strings), then it is not the time to change. If the napkin has turned black, then most likely it is time to replace it. Although, there is a special liquid for string care. If not too lazy - wash and continue to use.
4. Sound. The physical wear of the strings directly affects their sound. Firstly, the sound becomes somehow dull and muffled. Due to the stretching of the strings, which entails an increase in the amplitude of vibrations, an unpleasant rattling of the oblad may occur. The guitar stops building, as over time, the strings form grooves from the frets, which leads to flattening and a decrease in the diameter of the strings in places of regular pressing.
5. moral obsolescence. Sometimes you just want to change the strings that have been standing for a month or two, but somehow they are not very encouraging;)
   Summing up all of the above, I recommend not to rush and not delay the replacement. Be objective, listen to the sound and wash your hands before playing.

Can you put nylon strings on a western guitar and metal strings on a classical guitar?

This question, perhaps, is in the lead among the rest. Answer: No. If you put metal strings on, then negative consequences are possible (or even inevitable). What exactly? Metal strings have a stronger tension than nylon strings, which means that the load on all string attachment points increases:

• stand (bridge) can just come off,
• it happened that the lower and / or upper nut broke,
• plastic tubes, worn on the metal parts of the pegs, where the strings are wound, were split.
• The load on the internal springs of the guitar body increases, which can deform the top deck (in the case of cheap Chinese guitars, I personally saw the top deck bent under the tension of metal strings)
• The fretboard of a classical guitar is often made of softer wood than pop, which, if played frequently with chords, wipes the fretboard down to the pits in the frets.
• Inexpensive classic frets are also made from softer alloys than western frets. Therefore, metal frets wear down almost to the fingerboard in a matter of months.

Some will say: “I have Cremona, Orpheus, Musim, etc. are metal and nothing. Let me say that during the production of "those" guitars, they did not save on materials and put solid wood and metal on the frets. The same applied not only to guitars (Mercedes, BMW, Volksvagen car bodies, produced in the 80s, still drive, while modern ones corrode faster).

Now consider the case of setting nylon strings to .

• First of all, in the case of modern westerns, you will face the real inconvenience of installing nylon strings when attaching them to the bridge area. Last years manufacturers do not make sockets for threading strings into the bridge of the “through” type, but drill holes for inserting the tip of the string into the body, followed by deepening and fixing it in the bridge with a plastic rod. In the case of nylon, you have to invent a bunch of inefficient knots that ruin the beautiful look of the bridge and take you several hours of work.
• If you do install nylon strings on a Western bridge, you will find it difficult to wind them around the tuning pegs. On the Western, unlike the classical guitar, the peg drum has a smaller diameter. Indeed, at least three thin turns are enough to tension a metal string, and 5 may not be enough for a nylon string. In order for the nylon string not to slip, again, you will have to make a bunch of turns through a bunch of knots, wrapping the drum around the drum to invisibility. After that, you will have to wait a long time and stretch and tune the strings many times until these countless turns “sit down”. 30-40 adjustments per day for the first two weeks are provided.
• If you have installed nylon strings on a western guitar, you are done! Enjoy great sound! The beautiful sound of nylon strings rattling against the fretboard and frets. Synthetic strings, unlike metal strings, have a larger vibration amplitude, and seats for pop guitar strings are lower than those of a classical one. Therefore, it will be possible to avoid rattling only in one case: if you do not play such a guitar.

So which strings should I put on? (Manufacturer, price, thickness, material, winding type, etc.)

This question is usually asked by beginner guitarists, the pros themselves know what they need. This topic is devoted to the sea of ​​articles. You can read until the brain explodes. Therefore, I will only add a little from myself to the described material.
So: what are the tasks of strings and what do you expect from them?
With strings, as with a car, socks, or iPhone, it's best when they're new. I had to play noname strings made in you know who, which cost like a couple of cans of lubricant for the nerve fibers of the soul. And I'll tell you that for the first two weeks they completely coped with the original tasks of the strings. They kept the system, sounded and were not torn. The sound faded rather quickly and in the third week the first string broke. But they kept their money. So, for a guitar of the Les-Shashlyk-Kolkhozny Punk class, I would not recommend Dunlop. A thickness of 0.11-0.12 Chinese or post-Soviet strings is enough. Unless, of course, you're going to barbecue with Eric Clapton or Kirk Hammett.
If you want to play for several hours a day, then I recommend American Ernie Ball RPS or Rock-n-Roll strings for electric guitar. I change them every 1-2 months and everything is in order. In second place I have Roto Sound Nexus for electric, then the usual nickel-plated Roto Sound. Rounding out the circle are Dunlop and Dean Markley (nickel). I play exclusively on kits 10-46. For me, this thickness is optimal. Thinner strings have worse sustain and I kind of feel bad for them. They are like "cobwebs" to me, but thicker in standard tuning make it difficult to play fast solos.
I put Ernie Ball 2047 on pop guitar (this is their article on the pack. Thickness 0.10, bronze, with a silk thread between the cord and the winding). Gives a nice soft sound. Who needs to ring cool - I recommend Elixir.
On the classical guitar I also put Ernie Ball (art. 2409. Bronze). If you like quiet dynamic shades, then I recommend silver-plated strings. Silver gives the quietest and softest sound. For romances and accompaniment in p, pp or mp - that's it. For Classics in the same dynamic shades are also suitable. But if you are a fan of playing different fingerstyles on the classics and like forte more, then it is better to take bronze. Yes, and it will keep the presentation longer, since it is not white.

Many musicians think that nylon strings are only strings for beginners who don't want to get blisters on their fingers while learning. This is a fairly common misconception, which we intend to dispel in this article.

Features of nylon strings

The first three strings are calibrated nylon line. Now they are made from various copolymers and polymers, which are based on nylon. The rest of the bass strings are made from a multifilament synthetic twist warp. Sometimes it is called filament nylon. Silver-plated is usually used as a winding. Such a coating improves the sound of dull copper and looks beautiful, but after a while it wears off. In some cases, various alloys of copper and silver with the obligatory presence of zinc act as a winding. However, it is not as practical and also more expensive. In some cases, other alloys can be used as windings, which are inferior in sound to silver-plated copper, but surpass it in durability.

What tension can nylon strings have

String tension can be set to Normal (Normal/Regular), Strong (High/Hard), or Very Strong (Extra High). In some cases, the manufacturer indicates the packaging and the thickness of the strings. Moreover, the stronger the tension and the thicker the string, the louder and richer it will sound. A thinner string will sound thinner and louder.

So all the same what to put? Nylon or metal strings?

Nylon strings are originally designed for classical guitars. Moreover, the instrument must have a glued neck, since the neck on the screw significantly worsens the sound of the instrument. This is one of the reasons why metal strings are most often used on cheap instruments. Also, many masters do not recommend putting nylon strings on western guitars (otherwise they are also called folk guitars) and dreadnought. These instruments are rated for higher tension and are unlikely to sound good with nylons.

How to choose nylon strings?

Typically, professional guitarists choose high-tension, silver-wound strings. But for beginners, teachers advise putting medium tension nylon strings, as they are easier to play. But it is worth considering that in this case, a novice musician will not be able to apply some sound extraction techniques. Particular attention must be paid to the frets. If they are poorly polished, then the best choice there will be strings with copper winding. They will last longer, but the sound will not be as bright.

The determining factor in choosing "votes" is the quality and the way they are processed. There is a matte (polished) and polished surface. Each of them has its own nuances. Polished strings are now the most common, as they create less overtones on fast passages.

As for the brands, the most famous are Martin Strings (American) and Savarez (French), as well as Pyramid, La Bella, D "Addario and many others. Choosing a brand of nylon strings is a personal matter for every musician.

In this article, I will help you answer two basic questions: what strings are best for acoustic guitar and what strings are best for acoustic guitar for beginner guitarists. I hope this material will help you choose the best acoustic guitar strings.

Due to the lack of pickups or amplifiers, guitar strings have a relatively greater impact on the overall sound of acoustic guitars compared to electric guitars. Therefore, when choosing strings for a guitar, it is necessary to carefully study their composition and gauge. Choosing the right string type for this instrument is of the utmost importance.

Depending on the material used, shape and method of manufacture, guitar strings can give different sound and different playing feel, so using the right type of strings gives the guitarist huge benefits. Likewise, when the strings on a guitar are incorrect, it can be quite detrimental to both the player and the instrument.

One of the most important criteria for choosing the type of strings for acoustic guitars is their gauge., since it is equally relevant for all types and varieties of this tool. String gauge has a huge impact on acoustic guitar playability and sound.

Guitar strings come in a variety of diameters or gauges. Gauge unit - 0.001 inch. Typically, the gauge of the thinnest string is .010 (first string) and the thickest is .059 (sixth string). Also remember that classical guitar strings are marked according to their tension.

Below are the main advantages and disadvantages of strings of different gauges that affect the quality and difficulty of playing an acoustic guitar:

Smaller gauge strings ("thin"):

• generally more comfortable to play;
• it is more convenient to do braces (bands);
• easier to tear;
• give less volume and sustain;
• can cause fret rattle;
• less stress on guitar mechanics (suitable for vintage guitars).

Larger gauge strings ("thick"):

• generally harder to play;
• harder to make a band;
• give more volume and sustain;
• more stress on guitar mechanics.

Most guitarists name string sets by their thickness first.(for example, "tenths", "elevenths", etc.). And guitar string manufacturers define their gauge in a set using terms like "light" or "medium".

Although these definitions do not always correspond to the same thickness gauges from different manufacturers, here are typical ranges of guitar string gauges:

• "extra light": 0.010 - 0.047
• "custom light": 0.011 - 0.052
• "light": 0.012 - 0.054
• "medium": 0.013 - 0.056
• "heavy": 0.014 - 0.059

A more complete table of guitar string thicknesses:

Set name	1	2	3	4	5	6
Ultra Light	0.008	0,010	0.015	0.022	0,032	0,039
super light	0,009	0,011	0,017	0,024	0,032	0,042
light	0,010	0,013	0,017	0,026	0,036	0,046
Medium	0,011	0,014	0,018	0,028	0,038	0,049
Medium Heavy	0,012	0,016	0,024	0,032	0,042	0,052
Heavy	0,013	0,017	0,026	0,036	0,046	0,056

string core

There are many more components to a guitar string than you might think at first glance., and all the individual components come together to create the "lifeblood" of the guitar sound. Through the middle of the string along its entire length, its base stretches - a metal core.

Attached to the wire core is a "ball" tip, which is what holds the string to the tailpiece. Wound around the metal core is another round wire that the guitarist's fingers feel when the string is pressed against the fretboard.

There are two main types of core shape: round and hexagonal (hexagonal).

Wound material for guitar strings

The main materials used in the manufacture of guitar strings include: steel and nickel (commonly used on electric instruments), brass, bronze and nylon. However, there are many more types of strings, since many manufacturers use different alloys and impurities in the manufacturing process, and besides, the strings may differ in design and the presence of an additional coating. Not only the sound and comfort of playing the instrument, but also the durability of the strings themselves depends on the materials of the guitar strings.

Bronze

This type of string is wrapped in 80/20 formula bronze (80% copper, 20% tin) and has a golden hue. Bronze guitar strings give a clean and bright tone, but quickly lose their positive properties due to the rapid oxidation of this alloy.

Phosphor bronze

Another type of bronze strings are phosphorus bronze strings. Due to the higher copper content in the alloy, they have a darker, reddish tint. Phosphorus increases the life of these strings, making them more durable than bronze strings.

Phosphor bronze guitar strings produce a warmer sound with a smoother upper range. This makes them particularly suitable for genres that are characterized by a soft tone, as well as for finger playing. They go well with acoustic guitars with a smaller sounding board, although many musicians playing in quieter genres prefer these strings on larger instruments.

Copper

Copper guitar strings for "acoustics" are considered a cheaper analogue of bronze ones. They also give a clean and bright tone, but they lack the characteristic “individuality”, so copper strings from different manufacturers almost do not differ in sound.

Silver plating

The silver coating of the copper strings (silver plated copper) does not make any significant difference in the sound, leaving it just as clear and bright. However, more high quality This metal makes silver-plated strings more durable and reliable, as they are less susceptible to corrosion and contamination.

However, in addition to excellent aesthetic qualities and practicality, such strings are characterized by a higher cost compared to strings made of copper and its alloys.

Brass

As a general rule, brass guitar strings always sound brighter than bronze ones. Although, oddly enough, most brass strings are made according to the 80/20 bronze principle. There is no significant difference between these two types of strings, since brass, like bronze, is 80% copper with 20% zinc added.

This gives the strings a bright and punchy character, although when used on high-end guitars, it can make the instrument sound resonant and metallic. Another feature of brass strings is their low durability, since brass tends to oxidize.

Nylon

Nylon guitar strings can be made from pure or rectified nylon. Pure nylon guitar strings are first drawn and then calibrated to ensure accuracy.

How to choose the gauge (thickness) of strings

When determining how much string to use, consideration must be given to four main factors:

1. Guitar size. The basic rule of thumb is that the smaller the volume of the body of the guitar, the thinner the strings should be, and the larger the instrument, the correspondingly thicker the strings. For example, a dreadnought with a characteristically large body sounds better with medium gauge strings that take full advantage of the acoustic qualities of this relatively large instrument. And guitars with a small body sound much better with thinner strings ("light").
2. guitar age. Vintage instruments are often less durable, so the high tension created by medium and heavy gauge strings can cause the neck to warp and the tailpiece to move. If there is no confidence in the strength of the instrument, then you should refrain from installing large gauge strings on it.
3. Playing style. The finger method is much easier to play on smaller diameter strings. For picking or picking, medium-gauge strings are likely to be the best choice, although they will be much more difficult for beginners to play. If the playing style involves a combination of fighting and fingering, then the "medium" set may be a reasonable solution. Similar sets have thicker three bass strings and standard thin strings.
4. Tone and volume. The thickness of the strings directly affects the volume and tone of the sound produced. Thus, the larger gauge strings emphasize the bass register of the guitar, creating deep and strong tones. Thin strings, on the other hand, will emphasize the high frequency range more and can be useful when playing with a pick and fighting.

How to change strings on an electric guitar with Floyd Rose

Notable guitarists and the strings they play

Ernie Ball

Jimmy Page
- Ernie Ball 10-46 and 9-46
Eric Clapton
Kirk Hammett
Slash- Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky 11-48, RPS-11 - Slinky Nickel Wound 011 .014 .018p .028 .038 .048
Steve Vai- Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky 10-46, RPS-9 Slinky Nickel Wound009 .011 .016 .024w .032 .042
Jeff Beck- Ernie Ball 2223 Super Slinky 9-42
John Mayer- Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky 10-46
Jack White- The Raconteurs - Ernie Ball 2627 Beefy Slinky Drop Tune 11-54
Aerosmith- Ernie Ball 3123 Coated Super Slinky 9-42, Ernie Ball 2223 Super Slinky 9-42
Paul Gilbert- Ernie Ball 3123 Coated Super Slinky 9-42
Buddy Guy- Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky 11-48
Steve Morse- Ernie Ball 3121 Coated Regular Slinky 10-46
Iron Maiden- Ernie Ball 2220 Power Slinky 11-48
Blink 182- Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny Top/Heavy Bottom 10-52
Brad Paisley- Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky 10-46, Ernie Ball 3121 Coated Regular Slinky 10-46
Keith Richards- Ernie Ball 3123 Coated Super Slinky 9-42, Ernie Ball 3121 Coated Regular Slinky 10-46, RPS-11 Slinky Nickel Wound 011 .014 .018p .028 .038 .048

Mark Knopfler- Fender Extra Lights 009 .011 .015 .024 .032 .040
Jimi Hendrix- FENDER "ROCK N" ROLL" STRINGS Light Gauge 010 .013 .015 .026 .032 .038
Yngwie Malmsteen- Original Pure Nickel Soft Light Ball End Electric Guitar Strings 008 .011 .014 .022 .030 .038

D "Addario

Mark Knopfler
Joe Satriani- D "addario EXL120 Super Light 9-42
Robben Ford- EKXL110 Regular Light Tremolo 010. 013. 017. 026. 036. 046

Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)- Blue Steel Electric 010 .013 .017 .030 .042 .052
Gary Moore- Nickel Steel Electric Custom 010 .013 .017 .030 .042 .052

Thomastik

George Benson- Infeld Electric Guitar Flat Wound Medium Light George Benson 012 .016 .020 .028 .039 .053

Buy strings

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to buy strings from famous brands, in this case AliExpress comes to the rescue with its affordable prices. There are strings for every taste and budget, for example, here is a set of strings for an acoustic guitar.