Classical Guitar Strings

When it comes to changing your classical guitar strings, there are so many choices out there. It is easy to get confused or even forget what you were looking for.

How do you know which strings are right for your guitar? Well, it depends on what style you are playing and what kind of tone you are looking for. The important thing to understand is the tensions that classical guitar strings come in: extra-light, light, medium, medium-hard, hard, and extra hard.

Another important term to know is tension. What is tension? Tension is the amount of force needed to bring a string to a certain pitch. The easiest way to understand tension is just to imagine the force that each tuning machine is using to hold each string in tune.

The thicker the string, the higher the tension. It is also important to know that the thinner the string, the lower the tension. It makes your instrument easier to play. This makes sense now doesn't it? The less tension there is on the instrument, the easier it is to play, duh.

Higher tension strings tend to have more tone, but they are harder to play. They have more tone because they are thicker. So there are both pros and cons of using certain tensions.

Before you string up your guitar with extra hard tension strings it is also important to know if your guitar can handle this change. Depending on the make and/age of your instrument, you string tension will vary. Strings with a high tension can ruin your guitar! So always check first!

Another thing to consider when buying a set of strings is to purchase a set of bass strings (EAD). Why? When you buy a full set of strings it will contain all six strings, but overtime the bass strings lose their bass. The trebles last longer than the bass strings, so buy extra bass strings and use them when the other basses wear out.