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Classical Strings
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What are classical guitar strings made of?
In our Classits sets, the three treble strings are plain, clear nylon and the three bass strings are wound with silver-plated copper over a core.
Can I put steel strings on a classical guitar?
No. A classical guitar is designed for nylon strings and shouldn't be restrung with steel-string acoustic or electric strings. Using the wrong string type can damage the guitar.
What is the difference between Medium and High tension classical strings?
In our current sets, the treble gauges are the same in Medium and High tension, and High tension uses heavier gauges for the three wound bass strings. High tension sets generally feel firmer, with more resistance under the fingers, and can project a little more volume.
What is the difference between tie-end and ball-end classical strings?
Tie-end strings are the traditional classical design: the string passes through the bridge and is tied in place. Ball-end strings add a ball at the bridge end so you don't have to tie a knot.
Why is the G string on my classical guitar thicker than the D string?
Because the G string is plain nylon and the D string is wound, and the two constructions can't be compared by diameter alone.
Why do my new classical guitar strings keep going out of tune?
This is normal for new nylon strings. Nylon stretches after installation, so new strings commonly need repeated retuning before they stabilize.
What is the Classits Elite line, and can I buy single classical strings?
Elite is our premium tier of Classits tie-end sets, positioned as our studio and performance classical string. And yes, we make individual classical strings.
Can I use classical guitar strings on a flamenco guitar?
Yes. We describe our Classits sets as suited to classical, flamenco and nylon-string acoustic guitars generally, since those instruments share the same nylon-string construction and tuning.
How do I restring a classical guitar?
Change one string at a time. At the bridge, pass the new string through the hole, loop it back and tuck it under itself so it locks. At the headstock, thread it through the roller, lock it under itself, and wind. Then expect to retune often while the nylon stretches.
How long do new nylon strings take to settle?
New nylon strings usually need several days of playing and retuning before they hold pitch well. How long it takes depends on the strings, the guitar, how they were installed and how much you play.
What are the best classical guitar strings for beginners?
For a beginner on classical guitar, medium tension nylon strings are a comfortable starting point. Ball-end sets load like a steel-string acoustic, so there's no bridge knot to tie, which makes string changes easier. Our SCM101B Classits Medium Tension Ball-End and SCM101 Tie-End are both good first sets.
How often should I change classical guitar strings?
There's no fixed schedule. Change classical strings when they stop sounding, feeling or tuning the way they should. Common signs are dull wound basses, flattened or notched trebles where they meet the frets, poor intonation up the neck, and discolored windings. Players who practice daily usually see these sooner than occasional players.
Can I put nylon strings on a steel-string acoustic guitar?
Generally no. A steel-string acoustic is built for steel strings, so nylon strings sound quiet and thin, may not sit properly in the nut and bridge pins, and won't suit the way the neck is set up. If you want a nylon sound, play a classical guitar. For an easier steel-string feel, use extra light strings.
How do I tie a classical guitar string at the bridge?
Pass the string through the bridge hole from the soundhole side, bring the short end back over the tie block, slip it under the main string, then wrap it around itself and lay the final wrap against the back edge of the bridge. Give the slippery nylon trebles two or three wraps and the wound basses one or two, then pull the main string to lock the knot.
What is a 12-hole tie block, and how do I string one?
A 12-hole tie block is a classical bridge with two holes per string instead of one. The string passes through the first hole, comes back over the block, and its tail feeds down through the second hole, so the knot is trapped inside the block. It's quicker to tie, holds very securely, and keeps loose string ends off the top of the guitar.
How do I keep classical strings from slipping?
Slipping usually starts at one of two places: the bridge knot or the tuning roller. At the bridge, add an extra wrap on the nylon trebles and trap the last wrap against the back edge of the tie block. At the roller, loop the string under itself once before winding. If a string keeps going flat without slipping, it's most likely new nylon stretching in.
How do I restring a classical guitar with ball-end strings?
Feed each ball-end string through its bridge hole from the soundhole side and pull it until the ball seats against the back of the tie block. Then thread the other end through the tuning roller, lock it under itself, and wind it up to pitch. There's no knot to tie. Change one string at a time so the saddle stays in place.
Why do my classical guitar strings buzz?
Classical buzz usually comes from one of four places: string tails or loose wraps touching the top or tie block, a rattling tuning roller or worn nut slot, action set too low for your playing, or a high fret. Start with the easy checks, the string ends and tuners, before assuming the guitar needs adjustment. New strings can also buzz briefly until they settle.
Why does my classical guitar sound dull?
A dull classical guitar is most often worn wound bass strings. The silver-plated windings collect skin oils and grit, and the basses lose their ring well before the nylon trebles change. Old strings, worn nail shape, a damp environment and how you strike the string all play a part. Fresh basses usually bring most of the brightness back.
How much string should I leave when trimming classical strings?
Leave about a quarter to half an inch of tail at the bridge and a similar short tail at the tuning roller. Trim only after the string has been tuned to pitch and stretched in, ideally a day later, because nylon can draw some of the knot in as it settles. A short, tidy tail won't rattle against the top or the headstock.
How should I store a classical guitar between sessions?
Wipe the strings, then keep the guitar in its case or on a stand away from heaters, air vents, windows and outside walls. Moderate, steady humidity matters most, because classical guitars are lightly built and react quickly to dry or damp air. Leave the strings at pitch between sessions; for short-term storage there's no need to loosen them.
Why do the wound bass strings on my classical guitar wear out first?
The three wound basses wear first because their silver-plated windings trap skin oils and grit, and the frets wear flat spots into them. The plain nylon trebles have a smooth surface, so they hold their sound longer. Replacing just the basses with matching singles is a common way to freshen the guitar between full string changes.
Why does my classical guitar sound out of tune higher up the neck?
When open strings are in tune but notes above the 7th fret sound sharp or sour, the trebles are usually the cause. Worn or dented nylon, or nylon with small variations along its length, won't play in tune up the neck. Fresh strings fix most cases, and our Classits Elite sets use trebles held to a closer tolerance for better intonation.