Best
CLASSICAL GUITAR STRINGS OVERALL
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Overall: Designed for Everyone!
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Best Feature: Semi-Polished Bass Strings Offer Rich Low End With Minimal Fret Noise
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
CLASSICAL GUITAR STRINGS BEGINNERS
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Overall: Designed for Beginners!
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Best Feature: Clear nylon trebles, pure silver-wound nylon basses
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TedScore™: 7/10
Best
CLASSICAL GUITAR STRINGS INTERMEDIATES
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Overall: Designed for Intermediate To Advanced Players
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Best Feature: Strings That Are Wound In Silver Plated Copper
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TedScore™: 9/10
Do you have a classical guitar, and are wondering if you can restring it to play more pop/rock material instead of classical music?
I’m assuming that’s a yes… So this blog post is for you!
So can you put steel strings on a classical guitar?
We’ll be discussing the pros and cons, and exploring some of the best options available.
Is It A Bad Idea To Put Steel Strings On Classical Guitars?
Yes, it’s a bad idea! That’s the quick answer – but read on to find out why.
You should not put steel strings on a classical guitar. Steel strings are thicker and more taut than nylon strings. This added tension can cause the neck to warp and the action to become too intense, resulting in a broken guitar.
Furthermore, steel strings produce a brighter and crisper sound than classical guitars with nylon strings, which isn’t ideal for a classical guitar style of playing.
For these reasons, it is best to stick to nylon strings on classical guitars.
So What's The Difference Between Nylon vs Steel Strings?
The primary difference between nylon and steel strings is the sound.
Nylon strings produce a warmer, mellower sound that’s ideal for classical, flamenco, and folk music. Steel String Acoustic Guitars on the other hand, are louder and brighter and work better for rock, country, and pop music.
When it comes to construction, nylon strings are made of a softer, less dense material and are under less tension than steel strings.
This makes them slightly easier on the fingers, but also means they don’t last as long as steel strings.
Nylon-string guitars also tend to be smaller, with wider necks and often no electronics, cutaways or fretboard markers.
How Long Does A Guitar String Last?
Generally speaking, a guitar string can last anywhere from 90 days to two years, depending on various factors such as playing style, playing conditions, and how often it is played.
But to be safe, we advise you change your strings after about 100 hours of play, or three months.
Why Do Strings Break When Tuning?
When tuning a guitar, strings can easily break if the tension is too high.
This can happen if you over-tighten your strings, or if the edge of the tuning peg is too sharp, or the nut, bridge, or tuner has issues.
Do Guitar Strings Loosen Over Time?
Yes, guitar strings can loosen over time.
The constant playing, strumming, bending, and vibrating of the strings will cause them to stretch out and become loose.
This is especially true for electric guitars, which generally take 1-2 hours of constant playing to break in and settle.
New guitar strings are also nearly impossible to keep in tune until they have had time to ‘settle in’ to the tension applied to them. As the strings become looser, they can lose their intonation and become harder to keep in tune.
Which Guitar String Breaks Most Often?
The most common guitar string that breaks is the high E or first string. This is due to it being the thinnest of all the strings, making it less able to withstand the tension when it is tuned.
How Often Should I Change My Guitar Strings?
As mentioned above, the general rule of thumb for changing guitar strings is every three months or after playing a set of strings for 100 hours. This applies to classical, acoustic and electric guitars.
However, it’s important to consider factors such as how often you play, the environment you play in, and the type of strings you are using.
Professional guitarists may need to replace their strings more frequently as they play harder, and more frequently.
A complete beginner who plays for 30 minutes every couple of days will be able to push their strings to 3 months.
The Top 5 Classical Guitar Strings To Buy
DESIGNED FOR: Everyone!
STRING TENSION RATING: Normal
FEATURES: Semi-polished bass strings offer rich low end with minimal fret noise
D'ADDARIO EJ45 PRO-ARTE NYLON, NORMAL TENSION
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Reliable classical tone - D'Addario's best-selling, normal tension set
- Superb treble string intonation and consistency, from laser-controlled production
- Long-lasting, and great for the planet, with eco-friendly, anti-corrosion packaging
- NA
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginners
STRING TENSION RATING: Normal
FEATURES: String gauges .028 .029 .032 .035 .040 .043
FENDER 100 CLASSICAL NYLON CLEAR, SILVER TIE END STRINGS
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Clear and warm tone
- Made by Fender
- You pay slightly for the name
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to Advanced Players
STRING TENSION RATING: Hard
FEATURES: Strings that are wound in silver plated copper
D'ADDARIO XT SPC CLASSICAL STRINGS, HARD TENSION
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Bright sound and plenty of volume thanks to hard tension
- Exceptional feel thanks to quality construction
- High Tension Strings that are made to last
- NA
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to Advanced Players
STRING TENSION RATING: Low in Bass Strings, Regular in Treble
FEATURES: A variety of tensions, to make your guitar sound better than ever
AUGUSTINE CONCERT LOW TENSION
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Top-quality strings for your classical guitar
- Exceptional feel thanks to quality design
- Warm and rich with low-tension bass strings
- A little pricey
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginners
STRING TENSION RATING: Normal
FEATURES: A very cost-effective set of nylon strings, perfect if you're a complete beginner
CLASSICAL GUITAR STRINGS BY GEAR4MUSIC
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Very cheap
- Suitable for Most Classical Guitars
- There are better strings on the market if you have the budget
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
How Do I Change A String On A Classical Guitar?
The short summary of changing your nylon string guitar string is as follows:
Tie a new string to the bridge. Start by threading the string through the hole in the bridge. Make sure the string is secure before continuing.
Secure the string around the tuning peg. Wrap the string around the tuning peg multiple times in a clockwise direction, ensuring the string is tight against the peg.
Turn the tuning peg until the string is in tune. Using your left hand, hold the string taut while you turn the tuning peg with your right hand until the string is in tune.
Secure the bridge end of the string. Once the string is in tune, tie a knot at the bridge end of the string and cut off any excess.
Repeat steps 1-4 with other strings. Repeat these steps for each of the remaining strings, tuning each one before securing it to the bridge.
But if you’d like a more detailed set of instructions, see our dedicated article, ‘How To Change Classical Guitar Strings’.
What Is The Difference Between An Acoustic and Classical Guitar
The main difference between an acoustic and a traditional classical guitar lies in their sound.
Acoustic guitars (especially steel string guitars) are usually louder and brighter, while classical guitars are typically softer and mellow.
When it comes to the strings, acoustic guitars usually use steel strings while classical guitars use nylon strings. Steel strings give the guitar a more metallic sound, while a nylon string guitar gives a more mellow and warm tone.
And of course, they’re used for different genres of music!
Can You Put Steel Strings On A Classical Guitar?
Summary
In short, no, you can’t put a steel string on a classical guitar. The extra tension will just break the guitar.
If you want a brighter, more pop/rock sound, grab a steel string acoustic guitar instead!
I gotta say, putting steel strings on a classical guitar is one debate I see all the time. But really, it comes down to the build and intended use of the guitar. Classical guitars are built for nylon strings, so the tension from steel strings can really mess with the neck and the overall structure. You’re better off getting a proper acoustic if you like the steel string sound. But, I know some folks like experimenting. Just know it could cost more in repairs.
Putting steel strings on a classical guitar? That’s like putting racing tires on a bicycle! Haha!
Absolutely love the section on how to change a string on a classical guitar, Hugh Richardson. It’s crucial for beginners to learn the correct way to do it to avoid any damage to the instrument. I’ll be sure to recommend this guide to my students. Well done on covering the essentials while keeping it easy to understand!
I have to say that I disagree with the notion that steel strings on a classical guitar are categorically a bad idea. Certainly, the tension differences between nylon and steel strings present a real risk to the instrument’s structural integrity. However, if modifications are made properly by a professional to accommodate the change, such as reinforcing the neck and adjusting the bridge, then theoretically, one could enjoy the brightness of steel strings without undue harm to the instrument.
great outline Hugh Richardson, always wondered why my e string always gives up on me first, turns out it’s not just me then lol
Does it happen with both nylon and steel strings, or just one type?
didn’t know strings could loosen over time. good to know for tuning my guitar, thanks for the info!
Absolutely, always keep an eye on tuning before you start playing. It makes all the difference!
hey, saw the bit about steel strings on classical guitars and got worried cuz I just bought steel ones. they really bad for it?
Hey Hugh Richardson, got a quick Q about putting steel strings on a classical guitar. I get why it might not be the best idea, but has anyone tried it and actually liked the sound difference, or is it way too risky for the guitar’s neck?