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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'm really digging my new used Country Artist, and it's opening a new world of playing for me and I was wondering how long a set of nylon strings typical lasts. I know they last longer than steel strings. Typically, I can make daddario exp's last three months, and dean markley tlt's about a month before going totally dead.
Thanks |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Nylon strings can last 3-6 months. Even then, you only need to change the three bass strings. The nylon treble strings can last a long time. |
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August 2002
Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | It's ultimately a personal preference. However, I'd like to defer judgment to my ears. If it starts losing the ring (subtle overtone above the fundamental) on some of the strings, most notably on the bass E & A string; I'd change them. The treble strings actually do lose their life when the sustain is getting shorter and shorter. Depending upon the weather and your hands, string lives vary. Listen and decide. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I just wanted to get a gauge of how much I'm going to spend per year on strings for this baby, but it looks like, a purchase of more than 3 sets at a time would be overkill (at least for me)
Thanks fellas. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Rick,
I recommend you try on your Country Artist a set of D'Addario Pro-Arte Normal tension Set J-45.
That is what I use as well as many other Pros.
Great tone and best lasting nylon string set I have found.
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Buy the three sets and see how long they last before you restock with more or the same. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | In the past 18 months, I've tried Daddario Pro-Arte Normal Tension, Hard Tension and Black Nylon Ball End; Dean Markley, Ball End Nylon and Ernie Ball, Ball End Nylons.
The verdict:
The best (for me) for the country artist is the Daddario Pro-Arte Hard Tension
The worst Daddario Black Nylon Ball Ends, don't even try them. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | As posted by Country Artist;
I recommend you try on your Country Artist a set of D'Addario Pro-Arte Normal tension Set J-45.
Right on. :) Hard tension strings are good also.
I usually change them about every 2-3 months. :) |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | They last a lot longer for me because I just stare at the guitar and wish I could play it. I haven't changed my 1713 strings since I bought it in May, but it's getting to be about time. |
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April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | abought time they get done streching...3-4 months, probably need to change them. I have always used Labella and tie them. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Actually, if I really wanted to make them last 6 months I could, but the moment I perceived a change, about every 3 months I changed 'em. I'm glad I did though because I found what was the best (for me). (The black nylons were terrible)
The hard tension tie-on strings were recommended by Paul Temp. Serge recommended the normal tension. I should've just picked one of them, instead of trying a whole bunch of others ... but I found out for myself.
Mark,
One thing with these guitars, about every six months you should but some mineral oil on the ebony fretboard. So now you have an excuse to change strings.
Rick |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Playadamas knows this. Strings "die when they die". Depending on how often (or how bad I abuse them), they could last three months, they could last a month. Change them often. You'll never realize how bad they were until you put a new set on. I'm partial to, and recomend the Savarez 520P1's. They are all wrapped from e to E. They have allot of mass (sustain), and you can bend them like crazy. They are very durable. The down side is they make noise every time you move you fingers on them :D
Michael, I know you don't play it everyday, but how did they work on the GC Adamas Classical? Did you like them at all? Paul was over their and didn't even notice them... I just for grins (and lack of 520P1's) tried the Hannabach 815HT's (they were given to me). Very Nice!! Not my "style" to "clean" sounding, but they are the best sounding conventional strings I can remember. The D'add Pro Arte's are nice, and if I liked them I'd try the EXP's, the basses *should* last a little longer. An interesting observation about intonality up the neck and "tension". Serge, and Schroder both like the normal tnsion on the 25 1/4" scaled guitars. Has anyone else found harmonic differnce and or intonation issues with normal tension set on their 26 3/16" scaled "Classicals"? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Somebody just emailed me and asked about the differnce between my 1674 CA and my new 1773 LX. I'm going to have to change the strings on the 1674 before I can give him a real answer.
Strings make a difference. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | I also noticed what Slap mentioned--that the strings take 3 to 4 months to quit stretching. Mine kept going flat to the point that I was worried about the neck. I'd never had that happen on a steel string Ovation. Turns out they just stretch more, but I didn't notice a loss of tone once the stretching stopped. Maybe that's because I don't play it that much to notice it. I've also been dreading the tie job I have to do on the classical strings. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Mark,
that's just been my experience....but lately, I've been travelling a lot and not playing everyday...so I notice it immediately....strings have streched octaves...
As far as tieing them.....it's just a better look. I have always used the tie strings....and as previously mentioned, I use Labella on all my Nylon stringed guitars....I like the sound. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Good tip - leave the guitar out when you put new strings on it and evry time you walk past it tune it up. 10 times a day is fine (at first they will detune in minutes) - and that way they won't take a month or more to stretch and you'll be enjoying them while they are still fresh (guitar strings being like broccoli). With a built-in tuner it need only take a few seconds each time. It really speeds the process up.
Change 'em evry 3 months at least. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | I just looked at the set I have at home--D'Addario Classic Nylon J27 silverplated wound basses. I couldn't find whether they are normal or light tension. The high E is 15.6 lbs and the low E is 13.8. Any ideas if these are any good? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Mark, those are great strings.... unless they sound bad, in which case they suck.
Trust your ears. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks. You were supposed to tell me they were bad or good before I put them on. You don't think I spend all my time here because I'm ambitious, do you? Actually, I was in Hastings looking for a CD and found these for 25% off. I took a big $4 risk. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Good advice guys ... I just learned something new by lurking in this thread. I currently do not own a nylon string guitar, but if I do, I now have some knowledge on how to properly care for them strings. :) |
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How often to change classical guitar strings
