I've noticed that in several of the tutorial videos the instructors appear to be playing older Ramirez 1a's and a 2a. As an owner of a 1a De Camara and a 2a, I was curious which strings you recommend? I appreciate the excellent work that you do on this site and am looking forward to the addition of Lauro's Natalia and Farewell by Sergio Assad. Best wishes and a wonderful New Year to all, John C.
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We all use very different strings. I, Tavi like Augustine Regal Blue (Hard Tension that come in a purple package). I also like Luthier Silver Concert 30. I think Taso uses D'Addario Hard Tension with a Savarez G string and last I checked Kevin used Savarez Corum alliance in Extra Hard Tension. My personal preference is the Augustine set.
Tavi, why do you think you instructors all prefer hard tension? I know it's up to individual preference but are there general differences in sound that are true for most high vs normal tension strings?
asking because I've noticed recently that my strings feel a little too easy to bend laterally (which could be a technique problem), I have trouble with projection, and getting a bright sound from the guitar. They are the D'addario pro arte normal tension strings that came with the guitar. I'm thinking of getting a set of hard tension strings but i'm worried it will make barre chords inaccessible for me. Is that a legitimate fear?
Outstanding Tavi thank you for the information...now to experiment. Best wishes, John C.
Tavi, I took your advice and tried the Augustine Regal Blue. Do you use a different G string with these?
I have a relatively new (2nd) set of Galli titanium strings on my Alhambra which are quite difficult to find. Unfortunately the D string mysteriously broke of its own accord after I'd been playing, I came back to the guitar to find the string snapped, any ideas why?! It was difficult to find somewhere to find a single string on offer, but I found a hard tension Augustine, and while I was on the site decided to try Tavi's Regal Blue in the purple packet for when the Galli's need changing.
I've preferred all other strings I've tried to the Savarez I have on my other guitar, but the new Savarez have excellent reviews so decided to try them. The Crystal Cantiga high tension, £18.99 so about $24.50.
I was also looking at the La Bella recording strings at almost $30, have any of you tried these and is there much difference in quality for the extra cost?
I'm going to keep trying different strings but so far Galli Titanium are in the lead, love how they sound and feel to play.
Ordered a set of Pepe Romero strings, powered by La Bella. They sound really nice, had to try.
Update on Pepe Romera strings, the trebles have gone a bit tinny now but the basses are still like new. It's usually the other way around for me, basses wearing out first. I'll be changing soon to Savarez Crystal Cantiga.
The Augustine Regal blue I had on my Alhambra were very nice, but I've now sold that guitar to Cheryl, who should be joining eliteguitarist soon. Welcome Cheryl!