Best Classical Guitar Strings, Best Strings for Classical Guitar & Best Classical Guitar Brands
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We all know how important good strings are for one guitar. Having a good guitar means nothing if your strings are low-quality. This is even amplified when speaking about classical guitars. The tone and feel of a great classical instrument can easily be ruined with a bad set of strings.
On the other hand, having a low-quality guitar with top-notch classical guitar strings might squeeze a good sound.
Now, having a good quality guitar is just a halfway process in making a good sound. Your next task is to find suitable classical guitar strings. In this review, we will present some of the best classical guitar strings on the market. But first, there are few things you should consider when buying classical guitar strings.
Read: Classical Guitar Accessories
What are the Best Classical Guitar Strings to Buy?
2) D’Addario EJ46 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Hard Tension
- Great projection
- Hard Tension
- Increased Resistance
1) D’Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Normal Tension
- High Quality
- Best Seller
- Multiple Protections
3) Ernie Ball Ernesto Palla Nylon Clear and Silver Classical Tie On Set
- Great Sound
- Medium Tension
- Comfortable
Things to consider when buying classical guitar strings
First of all, you need to realize the difference between nylon and steel strings. This is the most important damage-preventing thing about classical guitars. Anyhow, when you are buying strings for your classical guitar keep in mind that you should get nylon strings. Moreover, steel strings are not meant for the purpose of classical guitars, and they can easily damage the instrument.
This is actually the most important thing for a classical guitarist to know. Not only they are bad for classical guitars because of the damage they might make, but also steel strings do not provide the warmness and mellow tones that nylon strings do. Furthermore, nylon-stringed guitars produce smooth tone needed for classical, flamenco, and folk music.
Secondly, these strings are also known for being a bit “easier on the fingers” when first starting out. They are more popular with beginners rather than steel strings.
Moreover, what you should consider when buying nylon strings is tension. The tension is of high importance to the overall guitar tone. There will be tension usually listed as low (light), normal (medium), and high (or hard). Anyhow, there is not some standard amount of tension. It all depends from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Therefore, try different brands and tensions to find out which one suits you the most. Anyhow, the difference between the tensions is a great deal. Low tension strings are a bit easier to press and produce the tone. On the other hand, some higher tension strings are made for professionals who wish to reach the projection or volume that can’t be found in low/light tension.
Furthermore, high tension strings are a bit more suitable when it comes to louder volume and rhythmic style of playing. The minor disadvantage is that they are usually harder to fret, especially on the guitar with higher action.
Now, if you are a beginner struggling with which ones you should get, we suggest those with normal tension. First of all, they are a great choice because they are good all-rounders. There can be found a so-called hybrid pack that offers different tension bass and treble strings, providing you extra versatility.
There is one important thing you should look after. That is so-called the gauge of the string. It always tends to be around .028-.043 and varies slightly from one manufacturer to another.
Moreover, one of the most important things to look for in nylon strings is material from which they were made. Anyhow, in most of the cases, the material for bass strings differs from treble ones. Therefore, treble strings tend to use a variation of nylon or rectified nylon which results in rich and mellow sound.
On the other hand, there are bass strings for classical guitar, 80/20 bronze also known as “gold strings”. Along with them, there are “silver strings” with silver-plated cover, which are equally popular among musicians.
Finally, some of the brands offer amazing features of the strings. Namely, D’Addario’s range protects the strings from oil, moisture, dirt, and rust. Anyhow, these coated strings are a bit more expensive, but well worth the money you invest since they can last up to 5 times longer than regular ones.
20 Best Classical Guitar String Reviews and the Best Classical Guitar String Brands
1) D’Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Normal Tension
This one is D’Addario’s best selling set of strings. It offers a balance between volume and comfortable resistance. They come with a normal tension, laser sorted nylon treble strings and precision wound basses.
Moreover, string gauges go from .028 to .043 offering exceptional quality and durability.
The strings belong to an affordable price point category and they are good for students and beginners.
Pros and highlights:
- Great for students- Being in an affordable price point category and offering a great quality is everything you might need as a student or guitar beginner.
- Durability- These strings have multiple protections from rust, dirt, and corrosion. They will serve you for a long time.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Tuning- As any new set of strings, these ones demand persistent tuning until they stretch and adapt to your guitar.
2) D’Addario EJ46 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Hard Tension
With a gauge of .028 to .044, made in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performance, these strings will ensure great projection, volume, and resistance. There are laser sorted clear nylon treble strings and precision wound basses.
This manufacturer is well-known all around the world by its approachability and the quality.
Pros and highlights:
- Great value- For a small investment, you will get strings with top-notch quality.
- Great projection, volume- Made of finest materials with a great experience, these strings will provide rich, great volume.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Tuning every often- Anyhow, they lose tone every often. You need to be persistent with tuning.
3) Ernie Ball Ernesto Palla Nylon Clear and Silver Classical Tie On Set
These clear, silver nylon strings might be everything you need for your classical guitar. They have medium/normal tension and a tie on ends. They are made of a solid nylon filament.
When it comes to bass strings, they are made of silver-plated copper, providing a rich, smooth tone.
With these strings, you will have consistency, outstanding performance, and remarkable durability. The gauges go from .028 to .042.
Pros and highlights:
- Smooth, rich tone- Made of silver-plated copper, these strings will provide top-notch tone.
- Value- All in all, these strings excel in the field of performance along with their remarkable durability they ensure great value for the price.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Lacking sustain- The only downfall of these strings might be a lack of sustain.
4) D’Addario EJ43 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Light Tension
With the string gauges of .027 to .042, these ones will produce a bit deeper treble sound than regular ones. For consistent intonation, there are laser sorted clear nylon treble strings.
When it comes to warmness, there are precision wound basses. These strings are made in the U.S.A. providing great quality and performance.
Pros and highlights:
- Durability- Few levels of protection will secure corrosion-free strings and the overall durability.
- Warmness- In charge of the warmness of the sound, there are precision wound basses.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Volume- For the better volume, search for the higher tension strings, since these light tension strings are not meant for that purpose.
5) D’Addario EJ27N 1/2 Student Nylon Fractional Classical Guitar Strings, Normal Tension
This normal tension, ½ size classical string set is known for its optimal balance. D’Addario is a well-known manufacturer of guitar strings, and currently on the top of the market. It will provide warmth and projection.
Furthermore, these strings belong to a cheap price point category and offer great value and reliability for the price. They are corrosion resistant packaged and made in the U.S.A. for the highest performance and quality.
Pros and highlights:
- Great for beginners, students, and pro-alike- With normal tension, affordability, and the quality they offer, these strings are like custom made for beginners, students, and professional guitarists.
- Well-packaged- The package is corrosion resistant, which will keep your strings fresh anytime you open them.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Persistent tuning- When fresh, they need several tunings to adapt to a guitar and stretch a bit.
6) Savarez 500CJ Corum Cristal Classical Guitar Strings, High Tension, Blue Card
These high tension strings with crystal clear nylon trebles and silver-plated wound basses might be everything you are searching for.
Anyhow, high tension will secure outstanding volume and bass ring, while triple corrosion protection is in charge of the durability.
Pros and highlights:
- Quick response- Corum basses offer a very flexible feel while retaining a quick response.
- Durability- Several levels of protection will increase the durability of the product by a lot.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Stretching new strings- In order to fully enjoy, you will need several tunings on the beginning, since they drop out of tune easily.
7) Ernie Ball Earthwood Folk Nylon Ball End Set, Clear and Gold
These Ernie Ball Earthwood nylon strings are made of solid nylon filament. Treble ones are clear, ball end strings. Bass strings are, on the other hand golden, made of 80/20 bronze alloy wrapped around a nylon core.
When it comes to gauges, they are standard from .028 to .042.
Pros and highlights:
- Affordability- These strings belong to an affordable price point category and pay great value for the price.
- Soft, warm sound- Made of the finest material, these strings deliver high-quality sound.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Persistent tuning- In order to stretch them, you are going to need several tunings every often.
8) Dunlop DPV102B Premiere Series Ball End Classical Guitar Strings, Normal Tension, .028-.043, 6 Strings/Set
Designed to achieve the tonal balance, these strings are well-known in the classical guitarist world. The bass strings have a high-grade silver-plated copper wrap increasing that way playability and focused low end.
On the other hand, treble strings are made of DuPont Timex, providing consistency, easy tuning, and a warm tone. These strings are well-known by their durability due to three levels of moisture protection. As we mentioned as a thing to consider, the gauge goes from .028 to .043.
Pros and highlights:
- Great durability- With triple moisture and rust protection, these strings excel in the field of durability.
- Easy to tune- The treble strings are made of DuPont Timex, providing consistency and easy tuning.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Persistent tuning- Even though they are easy to tune, when new, they require frequent tuning in order to stretch and adjust to your classical guitar’s neck.
9) AUGUSTINE CLASSIC-RED MEDIUM TENSION CLASSICAL GUITAR STRINGS
This is one of the most popular classical guitar strings manufacturers on the market. These particular strings come with a medium tension, regular trebles, and high-tension basses.
Moreover, the strings are designed to offer endless possibilities that will best suit your particular needs.
Furthermore, strings belong to an affordable price point category and pay great value for the price.
Pros and highlights:
- Great value- Strings belong to an affordable price point category and the quality you get from them is more than just a worthy.
- Easy to play- Pressing those strings was never easier and more comfortable. Forget about painful fingers.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Cleaning- Once in a while, clean strings as they might produce unwanted buzzing.
10) Savarez Corum Alliance 500AJ High Tension Classical Guitar Strings
These high-tension Savarez classical guitar strings might be something you are looking for. Anyhow, if you are craving for a great volume of the strings, high-tension will provide that easily.
When it comes to gauging, it goes from .025 to .044. Bass strings are Corum, while treble ones are KF. That means bass strings are flexible with a wound nylon core. They will produce great volume.
Pros and highlights:
- Great volume- High tension will provide great volume and soft, warm tone.
- Very durable- With several levels of protection, these strings will ensure long age of service.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Hard to play- Anyhow, high-tension strings are well known by its difficulty of playing. They are not recommended for beginners as pressing them might hurt a bit more than low or normal tension strings.
11) Martin M160 Silverplated Ball End Classical Guitar Strings, High Tension
These highly affordable light tension strings are a perfect solution for beginners and students. With gauges from .028 to .043 and light tension, you will be able to easily produce tone without serious effort.
Anyhow, they are silverplated for better corrosion resistance and a clearer tone.
Pros and highlights:
- Cheap- As we mentioned, they are the affordable and perfect solution for students and beginners.
- Easy to play- Pressing strings will produce the tone without much effort.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Volume- Anyway, with light tension you won’t get high-quality volume.
12) Savarez 540R Alliance Classical Guitar Strings, Standard Tension, Red Card
Now, these strings come as normal tension strings from one of the most popular manufacturers out there. They are in the set of 6 strings, carbon trebles and silver-plated wound basses.
Therefore, Alliance trebles will offer very long life and smooth feel, along with clearness.
Pros and highlights:
- Affordable- With a place in an affordable price point category, these strings are great for students and beginners.
- Performance- For the affordable price point category, these strings excel in the field of performance. They will offer high-quality sound and clearness.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Careful while tuning- Anyhow, when tuning, carefully tune treble strings because harsh tuning might break them.
13) Albert Augustine 525A Gut Classical Guitar Strings, High Tension
These classical guitar strings with high tension come in a pack of six without ball end. This famous manufacturer never disappoints when it comes to musical gear.
Moreover, these strings are high-quality strings played by the great masters. The material used for these strings will ensure the durability that you need.
Pros and highlights:
- Durability- Made of finest materials, these strings excel in the field of durability.
- Great sound- Warmth, clearness and bright sound are guaranteed with these ones.
Cons and potential flaws:
- No ball end- Anyhow, you need to tie them to the bridge due to lack of ball end.
14) D’Addario EJ49 Pro-Arte Black Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Normal Tension
With a balance of volume and comfortable resistance, these might be one of the best that D’Addario can offer. With the gauges of .028 to .043, these strings will offer outstanding performance and durability.
They come as precision wound basses and laser sorted black nylon treble strings for consistent, precise intonation.
Pros and highlights:
- Precise intonation- When tuned, they will ensure outstanding intonation.
- Great durability- Anyhow, D’Addario is well-known by its durability. They will provide long-lasting experience.
Cons and potential flaws:
- String buzz- Anyway, after a decent amount of time, strings might produce some buzzing noise. Clean them very often.
15) Thomastik-Infeld KR116 Classical Guitar Strings: Classic S Series Rope Core Set W/Nylon Tape Trebles E, B, G, D, A, E
Used by professionals and students all around the world, this might be a fine solution for you. Anyhow, these strings belong to a high-end price point category, and we are not sure how much is it worth buying them if you are on the beginning.
Furthermore, this set includes 6 strings with high-tension strings from .016 all away to .039.
Pros and highlights:
- Excellent quality- Now, there are not many manufacturers which can offer this level of quality.
- High-tension volume- With every high-tension strings as well as these ones, you will get great, remarkable volume.
Cons and potential flaws:
- High-end- Now, if you are a serious musician than these strings might be perfect for you. Other than that, investing in these high-end strings might be just a waste.
16) Savarez 520B Traditional Classical Guitar Strings, Low Tension, White Card
These low-tension strings might be perfect for beginners. They are easier to press without hurting your fingers, and much easier to produce a tone with. This pack features Rectified Nylon trebles combined with Traditional Wound basses.
Rectified Nylon improves the control of finger placing for greater playing comfort. It limits finger slipping and decreases potential mistakes.
These strings belong to affordable price point category and pay great value for the price.
Pros and highlights:
- Great value- For the price you pay, you will get great valued classical guitar strings.
- Comfortable- Anyhow, when pressing these strings you will feel comfortable like no other. It will limit your fingers from slipping and making unwanted mistakes.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Volume- As any light tension strings, these one produce a bit lower volume than high-tension ones.
17) Godin Guitars 009350 Nylon Classical Strings, Medium
Godin Guitars is a well-known manufacturer with a long time experience in a guitar string world. What you get with this product is a durable and reliable item that pays great value for the cash.
These are normal tension classical guitar strings and they are perfect for those in the middle between beginners and pro. These high definition strings will produce a warm and soft tone. Combined with the right guitar model, these strings will produce top-notch sound.
Pros and highlights:
- Reliability- Well-known quality and durability will ensure the reliability you need in classical guitar strings.
- Affordable- These strings pay great value for the cash that you invest.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Soft- Anyhow, these strings are a bit on the soft side. If you are a lover of some higher volume, better get high-tension strings.
18) Hannabach Classical Guitar High Tension Nylon/Silver, 815-HT
Hannabach has offered a great number of classical guitar strings. These ones are high-tension strings with outstanding quality. These strings will provide amazing volume and clearness.
Furthermore, there are nylon trebles and basses which are silver coated.
Finally, strings belong to an expensive price point category. Never the less, investing a bit more than usual will save you from unnecessary costs and change of the strings every often.
Pros and highlights:
- High-quality- For the price you pay, you get high-quality strings that are reasonably on top of the market.
- Amazing volume- Thanks to high-tension, these strings will produce great volume when playing.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Difficult to play- High-tension means a lot more effort in making clear tones. But if you are a professional guitarist, high-tension is a must have.
19) Augustine AUGBLKSET Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Light
These classical guitar strings come as low tension strings. They are excellent for students and beginners. Moreover, strings belong to a cheap price point category, hence, they pay great value for the price.
Anyhow, the strings are pretty easy to tune up besides the first couple of times.
Pros and highlights:
- Easy to play- Making sound was never easier. Forget about the pain in your fingers that you might have had with high-tension strings.
- Easy to tune up- Anyway, once they stretch, strings are easy to tune within minutes.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Not for a professional use- Now, these strings are perfect for everything but a professional usage.
20) LaBella 2001M Classic Medium Tension
If you are craving for greater aural transparency and sound projection, you might find your solution. These strings have plated wound bass. The manufacturer uses advanced MAP packing technology to prevent tarnishing and secure freshness.
Moreover, these strings are extremely sensitive, producing vibrato on the slightest left-handed motion. They are a combination of a tremendous ease of playing and a high performance.
Pros and highlights:
- Plated wound bass- This will increase the durability of the bass strings and increase the bass volume overall.
- Sensitivity- Slightest left-hand motion will produce wanted vibrato.
Cons and potential flaws:
- Fret noise- Anyhow, they are not fret noise-free but they are a lot quieter than some other brands.
Choosing the Best Classical Guitar Strings from the Best Classical Guitar String Brands
Considering everything that we said about classical guitar strings, these are some of the best strings on the market.
2) D’Addario EJ46 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Hard Tension
- Great projection
- Hard Tension
- Increased Resistance
1) D’Addario EJ45 Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings, Normal Tension
- High Quality
- Best Seller
- Multiple Protections
3) Ernie Ball Ernesto Palla Nylon Clear and Silver Classical Tie On Set
- Great Sound
- Medium Tension
- Comfortable
It only depends on your intentions which one will suit you the most. Anyhow, it is of high importance to buy good quality strings as they might enchant the sound quality with great significance.
All in all, we hope that we made this choice even easier for you.