Choosing the best classical guitar strings differs from selecting the best strings for other guitar types. While any guitar string choice will produce a great-sounding guitar, classical guitar strings are a very different type of string to compare and contrast. To choose your personal favorite, you’ll need to look at three basic aspects of classical guitar strings: tension, string material, and quality. Time, patience, and the purchase of several different sets of guitar strings are usually required in the search for the best string type for your guitar.
After the overall sound produced the guitar, string tension may be the most important factor in choosing classical guitar strings. After a short time playing the instrument, the pressure you feel when pressing on the strings will often cause you to like or dislike a particular string. You might want to go with a light string to avoid the soreness that comes with pressing a heavy string for long periods of time. It’s important to keep in mind that not all manufacturers’ strings have the same diameter, so a light string from one manufacturer might not feel the same as a light string from another. This is why, when looking for the best classical guitar strings for your guitar, you should try a variety of manufacturers.
The material the strings are made of is the next feature to check on the set of strings you’re looking at. Clear and rectified nylon are the most common materials used in the production of classical guitar strings. Clear strings are extruded and then calibrated to the proper size, whereas rectified nylon strings are extruded and then ground to produce a string that plays in tune. The ground finish has a rough texture that you may or may not like, depending on your personal taste. Once you’ve decided on a particular manufacturing process for a set of classical guitar strings, you’ll want to consider the materials used, such as carbon fiber, which is used in some types of strings to increase the treble in the sound.
The quality of the strings is the final step in your search for the best classical guitar strings. Although most guitar string manufacturers produce high-quality strings, simple processing steps can distinguish one string manufacturer from the others. Only comparing and contrasting several sets of classical guitar strings from various manufacturers will you be able to compare and contrast the strings. You’ll enjoy playing your guitar even more once you’ve decided on a favorite.