Classical string brands for Bossa Nova

[JazzNote]

One of the singers who i work with has asked me to use a classical guitar for some of the bossas. So i got myself a nice little guitar, and now i'm trying to find out about suitable nylon strings. I will (most probably) use it exclusively for bossa accompaniment, and since i do not know much about the characteristics of gauge and sound of the many available nylon string brands i'm looking for recommendations.

On my archtops i like the Thomastik Swing flatwound 0.013 - 0.053 best and usually replace the high E with an 0.014 and the B sometimes with an 0.018. So my guess is that on a classical guitar i would prefer heavy gauge too - would this generally be equivalent to high tension?.

TIA

[redwater]

I really like the Savarez Tomatitos and the Savarez Alliance Cantiga! And yes, try high Tension.

[JazzNote]

I really like the Savarez Tomatitos and the Savarez Alliance Cantiga! And yes, try high Tension.

How would you describe the difference between the two?

[swampguide]

If you are new to playing a nylon string or classical guitar I would start with more normal tension strings like D'Addario EJ45 or EJ46. The action on nylon string guitars tend to be higher than steel string instruments and the neck is bigger too, so barre chords will be harder with higher tension strings. D'Addario strings are cheap, consistent and readily available. Other brands are often 2 or 3 times the price. If you are just starting, you probably won't notice much difference between D'Addario and other more expensive strings anyway. After you've been playing for while on your nylon string then it might be worth experimenting with different brands and tensions of strings. Pro classical guitarists use D'Addario strings (e.g. David Russell), so there's nothing wrong with them even though they are less expensive.

The "Delcamp" classical guitar forum has a sub-forum for classical guitar strings you may want to check out. To be honest I can't recall seeing a question there about strings for a specific type of music. Questions from people tend to be more about what strings work best with the guitar they have.

Good luck,

Dave

PS - Never, ever put strings made for a steel string acoustic guitar on a nylon string guitar. You will wreck your guitar because of the higher tension these strings have.

[Stringswinger]

I have a top quality Classical that I used to use quite a bit. Back in the past, I strung it with Savarez Ultra high Tension strings (Yellow card). In those days, I favored 13 flats on my archtops. I am now down to 11 flats on my archtops and I use D'Addario low tension strings on the classical. HTH

[nyc chaz]

Seems like you are not looking for a strict classical sound so i would recommend GHS Muriel Anderson strings.I had these on my Cabaret and it has that Earl Klugh vibe.

[redwater]

How would you describe the difference between the two?

Tomatitos tend to have their focus more on attack, while the Cantigas do sustain longer.
Daddarios are not the best choice for Bossa...

[Jazzjourney4Eva]

Seems like you are not looking for a strict classical sound so i would recommend GHS Muriel Anderson strings.I had these on my Cabaret and it has that Earl Klugh vibe.

What amp do you like to use for your Cabaret?

[nyc chaz]

What amp do you like to use for your Cabaret?

Quilter 101,nice and clean with just a little reverb.

[Bill Eisele]

Seems like you are not looking for a strict classical sound so i would recommend GHS Muriel Anderson strings.I had these on my Cabaret and it has that Earl Klugh vibe.

IIRC, those are the strings with the purple trebles and the little knobs on the ends of those trebles. I remember really liking them but had a really hard time trying to work with the knob ends at the bridge. I would alway have excess string at the bridge. If you cut them off the trebles will eventually slip at the bridge and maybe ding the top. I found it easier to use bridge beads with the knob end strings instead of just trying to tie the strings on at the bridge by themselves. That way you can tie the knots on the bridge beads away from the guitar which just makes it easier (at least for me ). Here's an online source for them: Store — Rosette Guitar Products

[nyc chaz]

IIRC, those are the strings with the purple trebles and the little knobs on the ends of those trebles. I remember really liking them but had a really hard time trying to work with the knob ends at the bridge. I would alway have excess string at the bridge. If you cut them off the trebles will eventually slip at the bridge and maybe ding the top. I found it easier to use bridge beads with the knob end strings instead of just trying to tie the strings on at the bridge by themselves. That way you can tie the knots on the bridge beads away from the guitar which just makes it easier (at least for me ). Here's an online source for them: Store — Rosette Guitar Products

I didn't really have a problem installing them but i can understand about damaging the top.I put a strip of painters tape below the bridge when installing them.I do this even with strings without the ball ends.

[Bill Eisele]

I didn't really have a problem installing them but i can understand about damaging the top.I put a strip of painters tape below the bridge when installing them.I do this even with strings without the ball ends.

I do something similar to protect the top when installing strings in general. I think the concern with the GHS Muriel Anderson treble strings and other similar strings is that they can slip anytime after installation if certain precautions aren't taken.