Guide to Classical Guitar Strings &
Flamenco Guitar Strings
Your Guide to Classical Guitars Strings &
Flamenco Guitar Strings
For many years at GuitarsOnline we did not sell strings.
There were multiple reasons: there are so many brands, choices in tensions and of course every player has their cherished favorite.
So it seemed too hard to keep every player happy!
Of course we used strings, replacing them on all our guitars to improve sound and tone but only stocked what worked very well across the wide range of guitars we import and sell.
Given we were asked so often about strings; which to use, where to obtain, 3 years ago we decided to start stocking and selling strings.
And so the research began.
There are so many string options that we could stock.
Over the years we have tested options, and I am proud to say we now stock the widest range of classical and flamenco nylon strings in Australia.
What This Means for You
I want to share with you some some of the things we have learnt about guitar strings.
There is no common standard for what is low tension, mid, mid-high, or high tension strongs across the brands.
This explains why when you try out a new set of the same tension and the strings are not feeling or performing the same as your favorite - there is no set standard.
We all know that first “feeling” of the string under the fingers is important.
The difference between Carbon and Nylon string performance.
Comparing modern composite monofilament strings, often referred to as carbon strings, to nylon strings, most players immediately remark on the projection, playability and durability of carbon.
The gap of loudness in nylon string sets between the bass strings and the trebles is now gone!
You have an even balance across the strings - and the problem with the nylon G string lacking in resonance has disappeared!
At the same time many players value the warmth, colour and ease of playing of nylon strings.
I often exchange nylon and carbon trebles on the same guitar especially with my favourite flamenco guitar; every time I’m switching back to nylon it feels like something is missing, almost as if some of the life was taken away.
That being said, the sound of nylon strings is what many people love as the ‘Spanish guitar sound’ and are used to when listening to classical guitar.
Moreover, in the recording demos and in the recording studio it’s much easier to record nylon strung guitars as they typically don’t sound harsh in the upper register and they tend to have fewer wild sound resonances as well.
Carbon strings often have certain frequencies sticking out, so EQing is required to restore balance.
A common problem with carbon strings is overplaying while also underplaying is also a problem. Tricky eh?
When playing on carbon strings, it is fundamental to really ‘work’ them.
When it comes to the left hand Vibrato is much harder to execute - you need to dig deeper into the strings but on the other hand be careful not to lay into the strings too hard with the right hand.
Once you start distorting the sound of carbon strings, they always sound bad.
Unlike nylon strings, where the distorted sound is more percussive and adds character to your sound.
This especially so with lattice and double top guitars where the guitar is already so powerful that overplaying can result in a muddy, shouty delivery when using carbon strings. So a little restringing can go a long way.
Common Questions
Which one to use?
Carbon:
Pros
Loud
Great tone projection
Long sustain
Cons
thin and metallic sounding 1st string (many players substitute for a nylon first)
sometimes too bright
can be harder to play to deliver some sound effects like vibrato
Nylon:
Pros
Easy to play
Beautiful vibrato
Colours are more pronounced
Cons
Tend to sound more plasticky
More loudness difference between wound basses and trebles
How do I overcome the problem of thuddy 3rd G string on nylon string sets?
If you want to stay with nylon use a higher tension third
Try a Carbon 3rd
Another option I find works well is Titanium 3rd
How can I make the 1st string sing?
· If you want loudness use carbon,
· if you want round warmth a high-tension use nylon.
Knobloch String Overview
Jiri Knobloch as a luthier and guitarist who knew he wanted to play strings that matched the quality of his guitars. So, in 1971 he created the first Knobloch Actives strings in Germany.
Today the company he started is still going strong, albeit in Spain.
That’s where Gilles Baudu, a guitarist with the same passion as Jiri, decided to restart the business. And the strings still feature the same quality as they did when first started: Well-balanced and offering resonance and a beautiful tone.
If sales are anything to go by Knobloch is the fastest growing string brand we currently stock - players just order and reorder.
Knobloch strings come in a range of tensions from 200 to 600. The most popular seems to be the 400.
How do I choose guitar string tension?
Nylon strings come in different tensions, including high, medium and low tension.
High-tension strings are ideal for players who want a louder, more projecting sound, while low-tension strings are perfect for players who prefer a softer, more mellow sound or perhaps have injured or stiffer fingers or older somewhat fragile guitars.
1. 200 are low tension.
2. 300 mid tension
3. 400 Medium High tension ( the most sold)
4. 500 High tension
5. 550 a small step up in tension between 500 and 600
6. 600 Super High tension- This set of Super High-Tension strings will meet the demand of players looking for volume and strength of delivery.
What do the string designations mean?
For instance, the designation 200ADN stands for 200 tension, D-double silver, N-Nylon
Knobloch also offers several combinations of basses and treble strings.
Bass string options
Actives have double silver wound bases that deliver punch and excellent clarity and are paired with opaque nylon trebles delivering a smooth, comfortable, and singing sound.
The Sterling Silver The high-end string for Knobloch base is the Sterling Silver (SN) range. SN features pure sterling silver bases and these can be paired with different treble string options.
This line is designed for the professional guitarist looking for a smooth, delicate, and full-bodied sound with unsurpassed durability.
They are warm offering profound delivery, superb playability being easy to play on left and right hand.
The Sterling Siliver is a set we have often found recording artists and concert live performance players ordering to get the most out their high-end guitars.
What Knobloch say about their STERLING SILVER:
They are made from pure silver sterling.
The high-quality material gives a warm and pure sound with a profound sustain AND they offer an unrivalled longevity and retain their brilliance and warmth longer than other strings.
Knobloch ERITHACUS Line Erithacus Double Silver: Natural - Round is created for guitarists who need a rounded, natural, warm, and round sound with impeccable intonation, durability, and great playability.
These strings are versatile and even warmer than the original Actives line.
I personally cannot comment so far I have had no requests for these strings
Treble strings materials and performance differences
Knobloch QZ Nylons: The QZ Nylon
In guitar forums it says: “The QZ Nylon trebles by Knobloch offer a more refined and lyrical sound. This newest generation of nylon has a slightly thinner diameter and produces a warm, sweet sound. The thinner diameter of the string doesn't affect the volume and still offers a round tone. The QZ Nylon have a velvety smoothness and perfect balance, designed for players aiming for a more elegant sound.”
Treble strings options
1. SN Nylon: Muted – Sonorous. The result is a more muted treble sound without losing the richness in the high register.
2. QZ nylon for a mellow round sound Designed for guitarists looking for a resonant and lyrical high voice.
3. CX Carbon for brilliant singing trebles Designed for guitarists looking to add volume, power and clarity to their guitar sound.
4. The ERITHACUS Line is created for guitarists who need a natural, warm and round sound with impeccable intonation, durability, and great playability. Designed for musicians wanting to use organic materials, for a natural treble sound over a rounded bass
How do these choices in pairing work?
For instance, with 600 ADN this is what Knobloch says: “This is a Super High tension set for guitarists looking to boost the projection, brightness, and clarity of the bass, without brightening the trebles.”
Sound combination:
The clarity of the Actives Double Silver basses brightens the muted yet sonorous SN Nylon trebles.
With this particular combination, it is important to balance the respective dynamic levels in the different registers, as these basses tend to have more projection than these trebles.
The result is a brilliant, resonant bass sound tapered by a more muted treble sound without losing the richness in the high register.
Treble Strings
SN Nylon: Muted - Sonorous
Bass Strings
Active Double Silver: Brilliant – Clear
What do players say?
Delightful strings
I have used 30 sets of Knobloch Actives Double Silver Hard Tension (500ADC). Liked them very much. In my opinion, the description of the 500LB in your website is totally correct. I would specially remark the intonation, superior to any strings I have tried before and the easiness of vibrato. Delightful strings.
Excellent strings!
Review by Roque A. on 24 Jul 2023 review: Excellent strings! These strings are terrific! The trebles are bright, loud but at the same time having a full warm tone. The bases are great!
Perfection in strings
Review by Andres A. on 11 Jul 2022: Perfection in strings. The Knobloch Strings gives me everything that I always search in strings development. Durability, Sound power, Comfort and the most important, Balance. 120% recommended
Knobloch Carbon Review by Celso C. on 7 Jan 2020: Knobloch Carbon - Also excellent. And brighter than the regular nylon. I would definitely use them again. Again, the Knobloch strings last about twice as long for me.
Strings Review by Dana B. on 19 Jan 2019: Absolutely amazing, the best tone for a string that I have tried yet and there's still more out there to try, give them a shot you might like them yourself.
These are great strings. Review by Alan E. on 21 Sep 2015: These are great strings. I tried these and I was not disappointed. This is a very powerful set and the projection is loud and clear with all strings being very well balanced and stable. One thing I noticed was that the D string has a bit more added punch which most sets seem to lack. The carbon trebles are not harsh or tinny but they sound very sweet without the mellowness of nylon. Even though the price is in the upper range of most string sets out there, I would say that the value is there and I will definitely have these on hand for future string changes. So far these have been on my main guitar for about a month now with an average of about 2hrs/day playing time and they are still going strong.
Wonderful strings! Review by Juan A. on 22 Feb 2024: These strings work extremely well on my Antonio Picado guitar. Well balanced between trebles and basses.
