Choosing Classical Guitar Strings

How Strings Work

First, though,we will look at how all strings work. Strings work by vibrating, and then the frequency of this vibration determines the pitch [1]. While you do not need to memorize the exact details, it should not be taken for granted that this vibration creates the sound. For example, your ability to play an E on the guitar will not change whether you know the frequency of open E on the first string or not. However, knowing this fact provides more context for why things like tension and material do matter for the way a string produces sound. It is especially important to note that higher frequency vibrations cause higher pitches, and lower frequency vibrations cause lower pitches.

String vibrations on a classical guitar. From left to right, the vibrations have high to low frequencies and pitch.

Treble Strings

Close up of treble string.

To make treble strings, a machine extrudes out nylon in the exact diameter each string needs to be so that its vibration works properly for its pitch at the correct tension level [3] (which we’ll cover later). D’Addario makes these in clear nylon and black nylon [2]. Clear nylon is D’Addario’s basic, nylon polymer, and black nylon is that same base material with some black dye added in [3]. So, while very similar, the addition of black dye to nylon actually changes the string’s composition just enough for there to be differences in tone, clarity, articulation, and stretchiness [4]. However, as an overall sturdy material, both clear and black nylon can hold up against corrosion from external factors, especially moisture from a room’s humidity or your hands’ sweat. To see a side by side of these factors, see the table below.

Treble String Qualities

Every guitarist has their own preference for tone, so depending on what sound you like best, either treble option can be favored. The same thing goes for stretchiness, since this tends to be more subjective from player to player. However, clear nylon provides higher clarity and more articulation, which makes it a more high quality string for most guitarists (unless you are attached to the tone that black nylon produces).

Bass Strings

Close up of bass string. Right side shows nylon fiber bundle.

Moving on to bass strings, these strings are made by wrapping some type of metal around bundles of nylon fibers [3]. As the strings get lower, the thicknesses of the nylon bundle and wire wrap get larger. This also goes back to that idea of vibration determining pitch. The combination of the nylon core and metal wrap provides a good mass for the string to vibrate at the correct frequency for their pitch and tension level. D’Addario strings all have the same material for this nylon core, but offer mostly two types of metal for the winding: silverplated and 80/20 bronze [2]. Silverplated wound strings are made of copper that is then coated in silver, while 80/20 bronze strings are made of an alloy of 80% copper and 20% zinc [3]. The difference that material makes in bass strings is a little more obvious than treble strings, which can be shown in the table below.

Bass String Qualities

Again, every guitar player has their own personal preference for tone and stretchiness, but silverplated wound strings take the win in clarity, articulation, and corrosiveness. Since 80/20 bronze wound strings do not have that extra layer of silver, they are much more susceptible to rusting from sweat and humidity [5]. This rust can also lower the clarity of the string, since bits of rust can lead to disruptions in the vibration which lead to an unpleasant buzzing sound. This also means they need to be replaced more often. Because of how many good qualities silverplated wound strings have, they will usually be the best choice for most guitarists.

Light Tension

Light tension strings are not the most popular [2], which makes sense since they are not the most versatile. To start with the main advantage of light tension strings, they require the least finger strength out of all tension levels. Since they are so loose on the instrument, you will need less force to press down notes on the fretboard and also to fingerpick. As a result you are also less likely to develop painful calluses or blisters on your fingers, since they tend to be the most gentle on hands [9]. In addition, if you prefer a super bright sound, and do not want to hear any darkness in your strings no matter how you play, these strings will tend to be the brightest. However, light tension strings do have the most downsides because of how thin they are. They are the most fragile, the most prone to buzzing [9], the quietest, and the least articulate of all the strings that the D’Addario Pro Arté Nylon Core line offers.

D'Addario Light Tension Strings.

Normal Tension

Next up in tension level is normal tension. Normal tension strings are pretty popular due to how versatile they are [2]. These strings will require a little more finger strength than light tension strings, but they will not be completely unmanageable for most guitarists of any level. They do not have a significantly high proneness to buzz, they offer a sufficient amount of articulation, they have pretty good projection volume wise, and they are also a little more sturdy than light tension [9]. These strings also have a pretty bright tone, but they can provide a little more versatility depending on your technique [9].

D'Addario Normal Tension Strings.

Hard Tension

Going up another tension level, there is hard tension. These are also a popular choice for D’Addario buyers [2]. Hard tension strings will offer the best sound, but they tend to be a little more difficult to play. Since they are so stiff, they require a little more finger strength than lighter strings. They also are more likely to give you calluses on your left hand (fretboard side) and your right hand (fingerpicking side) if you do not play with nails. However, if you have been playing a while and you do have nails on your right hand, they will provide a great sound. They can create a variety of tones, from dolce (sweet sound, which is achieved with the right hand near the fretboard) to ponticello (close to the bridge, creating a bright sound). They also are highly articulate, not prone to buzzing, very resistant to snapping, and very projecting in volume [9].

D'Addario Hard Tension Strings.

Extra Hard Tension

Finally, the largest tension level is extra hard tension. These are not the most popular [2], as they do not offer that much benefit for the extra playing difficulty to be worth it. Of all of the tension levels that D’Addario offers, they do happen to be the strongest and loudest, but regular hard tension strings are sufficiently strong and loud enough as opposed to these.

D'Addario Extra Hard Tension Strings.

What Tension Is Best?

So for beginner guitarists, normal tension strings will be a great choice for a few reasons. First of all, while not being the easiest to play of all four tension levels, they will not be absolutely unbearable for someone who is just starting out. Especially if a beginner guitarist is working towards finger strength, having a little bit of tension will help get their fingers used to playing, and also prepare them for switching to harder strings. It will also give them a perfectly fine sound for starting out, especially for practicing.

For more intermediate to advanced guitarists though, hard tension strings will be the best choice. Since guitarists with more experience will have obtained more finger strength – and most likely play with their nails – they would be able to handle the extra difficulty that comes with hard tension strings. These will also provide a great sound that is perfect for performance and recording.