Best
Classical Guitar Strings Overall
-
Overall: Designed for Everyone!
-
Best Feature: Semi-Polished Bass Strings Offer Rich Low End With Minimal Fret Noise
-
TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Classical Guitar Strings Beginners
-
Overall: Designed for Beginners!
-
Best Feature: Clear nylon trebles, pure silver-wound nylon basses
-
TedScore™: 7/10
Best
Classical Guitar Strings Intermediates
-
Overall: Designed for Intermediate To Advanced Players
-
Best Feature: Strings That Are Wound In Silver Plated Copper
-
TedScore™: 9/10
The deep, enchanting sound of a classical guitar holds a unique charm, capturing anyone who hears it. But, every guitarist understands that to maintain those delightful tunes, one must learn the art of restringing a classical guitar.
Changing classical guitar strings can be scary, especially at first. But with the right help, it becomes a nice routine that makes your instrument last longer and sound better.
In this blog post, I’ll share my tips and tricks for smoothly restringing a classical guitar. Keep on reading!
How do you know when to change guitar strings?
Here are some key signs that indicate it might be time for a switch:
The strings are discolored and have a dull, lifeless sound.
The strings have been on your guitar for more than 6 months.
You hear rattling noises coming from the strings.
The strings feel “dead” – they don’t respond to pressure or vibrate as quickly as new strings do.
You’re having difficulty getting notes to stay in tune.
Rust starts to accumulate on the string’s surface
The core of the string has become visible due to wear
The winding on the string begins to break down and unravel.
Changing guitar strings is essential for maintaining the quality of your instrument.
If you start to notice discoloration, dull sound, rattling noises, difficulty tuning notes, rust on the strings, or unraveling winding, it’s time to consider changing your guitar strings.
Replacing your guitar strings regularly helps ensure you’ll get the best sound out of your instrument and can dramatically improve playability.
What Are The Top 5 Classical Guitar Strings To Buy?
When choosing strings for your classical guitar, there are a few key factors to consider. The type of string (steel or nylon) and the gauge (thickness of the strings) can affect the sound and playability of your instrument. Here are our top five picks for classical guitar strings:
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™.
If this is not yet enough, you may check our Best Classical Guitar Strings article for a complete list of our recommended classical guitar strings.
What tools will I need to change classical guitar strings?
Changing your classical guitar strings doesn’t require much beyond the new strings themselves, but having a few supplies on hand can make the process smoother. While preferences vary, all you need is essential items around the house. Here’s a checklist of what to consider if you’re changing your guitar strings:
New Classical Guitar Strings
You can’t string your classical guitar without the right gear. You’ll need new nylon strings specifically designed for use on classical guitars.
Regular steel strings won’t fit and should never be used, as they can cause damage to the instrument.
When selecting strings, normal tension strings is a great place to start. Try a set of high-tension strings if you’re looking for more volume and projection.
Nail Clippers or Scissors
To start off, you’ll need nail clippers or scissors to cut away the old strings. It’s important to be gentle and not do anything that may damage the instrument while doing this.
Make sure you clip off as much of the old string near the tuning peg as possible so that it can be replaced easily with a new one. Using nail clippers or scissors gives you a much cleaner look than regular pliers, creating an even cut without damaging the strings’ ends.
We also recommend this D’Addario Guitar Winder and Cutter below:
COMES WITH: peg winder with a built-in clipper, bridge pin puller and string stretcher
FEATURES: Good for All Types of Guitar
D'Addario Guitar Pro-Winder
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!
- Ergonomically designed
- Compact, Easy to Carry
- An All-in-One Tool for Restringing
- None!
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™.
Cleaning Materials
Having some cleaning supplies on hand is also essential after you’ve finished stringing your guitar.
This includes microfiber cloths or swabs, which allow you to remove any dirt or grime from the bridge that may have accumulated from the string change.
It’s best to do this while the strings are still damp with oil so they don’t become too challenging to move around after they’ve been put in place.
COMES WITH: Free string Winder
FEATURES: quality cleaner and polish
Guitar Maintenance Kit
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!
- Affordable maintenance kit
- None!
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 to Change Classical Guitar Strings - Tutorial
Changing your classical guitar strings is integral to upkeep and maintenance, not just for sound quality but also for playability.
With the right tools and step-by-step instructions, it’s a task every guitarist should know how to do. The steps below will help you securely tie classical guitar strings to your instrument.
One: Tune down and remove all the strings
Using a string winder or wrench, begin by loosening each string one at a time until they are entirely slack.
Remove the strings. If you are replacing treble (E) strings with a nylon core, check that the replacement has ball ends to fit securely into the bridge.
Two: Clean the guitar
It’s essential with classical guitars since their lack of frets means more dirt builds up around the neck and bridge as you play.
Using a damp cloth, clean off any fretboard gunk or dust around the guitar body, neck, and headstock before re-stringing it.
Three: Tie a new string to the bridge
Insert one end of each string into its insertion point at the guitar’s bridge. To ensure strings stay put while playing, tie them securely on both sides of the bridge with a double knot.
Make sure there is no excess string hanging from either side before moving on to tuning.
Four: Attach the string to the tuning key
Feed each end of each string through its custom tuning key. Remember that unlike metal strings guitar, where winding goes clockwise when looking down at it from above, nylon core strings require you to wind counterclockwise so as not to over-tighten them!
Use tools like a peg winder or string winder when working on tight tuning keys for convenience and speed.
Five: Repeat with all the other strings
Attach all other strings individually, following steps three and four until all six strings are ready for stretching and tuning up.
Six: Double-Loop the high E
This is particularly important if you’re using treble e-string with nylon core because they tend to slip out under tension more than other strings.
Feed both ends through twice so that they form two loops inside instead of just one loop outside – this will help hold onto tension better during playtime!
Seven: Stretch it
Once all your classical guitar strings have been replaced, stretch them carefully using two hands (one hand per side).
Gently pull them up and down along their length multiple times until they stay tuned for longer after being tuned up. Focus on the treble strings (E, B, and G), as these will be more prone to slipping out of tune.
Eight: Trim Any Excess String
Finally, trim any excess string away from both sides of your instrument using scissors or wire string cutters so that it doesn’t buzz against anything when strumming vigorously on open chords later.
How Often Should I Change Classical Guitar Strings?
Regular classical guitar requires frequent string changes to keep your instrument in top condition. Here’s a guide to how often you should replace the strings based on the amount of time you spend practicing each day:
3+ Hours Practice per Day
If you practice over three hours daily, replace your strings at least once a month. This ensures that your guitar will remain in top condition and maintain its optimal performance.
1-2 Hours Practice per Day
Spending one to two hours each day on practice? Replace our strings every two to three months for the best sound quality and consistency.
1 Hour or Less Practice per Day
For those who practice their instruments an hour or less a day, four months between each string replacement should suffice. Keeping this schedule helps ensure the sound remains bright and vibrant.
How To Change Classical Guitar Strings
Summary
Restringing a classical guitar may seem daunting, but it’s manageable. With a bit of practice and patience, anyone can master it.
Let’s break it down to keep things easy:
- Remove old strings: Detention them and take them off
- Clean your fretboard: Great time to get rid of built-up gunk
- Attach new strings: Pull the end through the bridge hole, loop it back, and tighten
- Tighten and tune: Feed through the post, tighten, and ensure proper tuning
Remember, the more you practice, the easier it gets. Plus, who doesn’t love that fresh string sound?
Pretty standard advice on changing strings. It’s a good baseline for beginners. Seeing a lot of players come into the shop with string questions, so I’ll point them to resources like this.
I found the tutorial on how to change classical guitar strings really insightful. As someone who is still learning, it’s daunting to think about doing maintenance on my own instrument. This step-by-step guide demystifies the process and makes it feel much more approachable. I appreciate the inclusion of tools needed and the tip about double looping the high E string; it’s those small details that can really make a difference for someone unfamiliar with the process.
Interesting article, but I’ve got to question the recommendation to change strings based solely on playing hours. There are other factors at play, like humidity and the acidity of your hands. I’ve seen strings corrode much faster on some guitars in the same environment. It’s more nuanced than just time spent playing.
Both are valid points. It might help to include a section on recognizing when strings go bad beyond just timing, like visual inspection and tone changes.
You’ve got a point about humidity and acidity, but I think for beginners, time guidelines are a good starting point. It’s all about learning to listen to your guitar and knowing when the tone starts to dull.
So you’re telling me my guitar strings don’t last forever? Next, you’ll say picks go missing on their own. But seriously, good to know about the cleaning part – didn’t realize how much gunk builds up.
This is a great guide for replacing classical guitar strings. I always emphasize the importance of stretching the strings properly; it really helps to stabilize tuning faster. Many new players skip this step, leading to frequent retuning. Also, a small tip: applying a bit of graphite from a pencil in the nut slots can ease tuning and prevent string breakage.
Hey, I’m new to all this guitar stuff. How can you really tell when it’s time to swap out your strings? Got an old guitar from my uncle and thinking it might be time.