Introduction to Nylon Guitar Strings

Welcome, and here we discuss the Difference Between Nylon Guitar Strings.  Unless you love learning about anything and everything, you’re reading this because you most likely have a passion for nylon string guitars in some form either as a hobby or profession.  Guitarists are always searching for a little more of that “the right feel” from their gear, and the strings we use can have a major difference in that “feel”.  Tone, intonation, and ease of playing can change with each type and size of string.

There are a variety of nylon string choices and each one is tailored to meet a specific need.  Some music styles require a fast and crisp attack, others work best with a smoother, rounder sound.  This is just one example as to why there are different nylon strings in the world.   To get the best strings for your needs, we must gather all the facts to make an honest comparison.  So let’s cover all the bases when it comes to  those wonderful sounding nylon strings.

Origin of Nylon Strings

As so many other things have done, nylon strings came out of necessity.  It’s hard to say exactly when musical instrument strings were first invented, time has washed over that era so long ago the detail are sketchy.  Probably when the instruments were invented…just a guess.  What is known as fact is the primitive materials used for musical strings up until the mid 1900’s.  Animal intestine and silk.  Yes that will make you wash your hands after practice hour.  They didn’t use cats, resources were cattle and sheep from farms.  There was a method to produce lighter treble strings of gut and a heavier wrapping of silk around the gut core for the bass strings.  That was how it was for many traditional stringed instruments, not just the guitar, for a few hundred years.  Silk strings are still available for that authentic presence and feel with these “Gut & Silk 900” series strings.

As the story goes, it was around the 1940’s, and World War II was keeping the world busy.   America reduced it’s use of metal, wood, fabrics, and other commodities to supply the active military.  Silk was on the list and that meant a reduction in availability for making items such as guitar strings.   Well guitar players are gonna play, so Albert Augustine, an instrument maker from New York, began to dream of a new way to create strings.  He happened to come across some thin nylon string in a surplus store one day, and the light bulb flipped to “on”.  With some minor refinement, the nylon guitar string was accepted by players such as Segovia, and companies like DuPont, who had been creating with nylon anyway.

What is a Nylon String Made Of?

Is it actually nylon or a composite called nylon?  Yes it is actually nylon.  As far as nylon goes anyhow.  The chemical formula is (C12H22N2O2)n, in case you were curious.  Nylon comes in nylon6 and nylon66 formulations, and this is what most of the industrialized world uses for everyday products.  The three treble strings are a single long strand of nylon in most cases.  The three bass strings are a long strand of nylon with an additional winding around that with silver-bronze or copper.

 

Physical Properties of Nylon

Melting Point: 490-509°F

Amorphous Solid Material

Amorphous Density: 1.07g/cm3

Glass Transition Temperature 122°F.   Temperature where the polymer transitions from a hard, glassy material to a soft, rubbery material.

Crystalline Density: 1.24g/cm3

Molecular Weight: 226.32 g/mol

 

Nylon String Tensions

The thing that sets nylon guitar strings apart from electric or steel strings besides the material, is how they are identified.  Steel strings are labeled according to their size or gauge, and nylon strings are measured and labeled according to their tension.  There are currently three popular choices, High, Normal, and Low tensions.  But there are others such as Extra-Hard, Moderate, and even Super-Low Tension.  This can be a bit of a spin-around when you are accustomed to 9’s or 11’s for example.  Below is a description of the popular types of tension and how they affect the tone and play-ability.

This is a very subjective topic as each player will describe these string sets a little differently.  Also the instrument they reside on has a lot to do with it too.  Break angles can change string tension somewhat, so there are a lot of variables as with anything guitar.  The descriptions below are meant to be a “ballpark” interpretation to give the most understanding to the reader.  You may experience stings in a unique way.

High Tension/Hard Tension/Extra-Hard Tension

Feel- High tension has a few names given to them, and there is even an “extra-hard” tension as well.  High tension nylon strings are just that, the most stiff feeling of all the sets.  This doesn’t mean they are uncomfortable to play, they simply don’t move in an ellipse as much when plucked and this gives more resistance from the strings.  The plucking hand can feel the toughness or resistance, and the fretting hand needs good force to get a quality tone from fretted notes.  High tension strings will make you work slightly harder, but the tone and volume is greater as a result.

Tone- Tone is the most crisp and bold of all the nylon string sets.  I guess you could say they have a lot of ‘power’.  It reminds me of steel string acoustics and how the tone is very defined and pitches are very resonant.  There is lots of body to the sound.  High tension strings seem to give the instrument the slightest bit more amplitude too.  The sustain of these strings is nearly the same as the other types, but the amplitude peaks-out quicker.  In other words, the attack of a note will be quick and the main substance from the sound of that note will come and go fast with a trailing sustain not as loud as the initial attack.

Normal Tension

Feel- Normal tension has the feeling an average nylon guitar would have, light and easy plucking with a softer release than high tension.  These normal tension sets will have more rotation and movement meaning there could be more string buzz if you are a hard player or if the action of the guitar has been lowered.  They give just a hint of resistance when plucking and overall have a smooth, easy feel especially after stretching out a few days.  The fretting hand can be strong or light and still produce good quality tones.

Tone- The tone is warmer than that of high tension strings.  The sound leans more toward the buttery smooth tone of nylon.  Where high tension will have a bold characteristic in bass and treble, normal tension has a hint of the boldness, with a round, smooth presence.  The attack of a note when plucking is not very quick which fits nicely with the warmer tones.  This is a good overall tension for general playing and sweet tones.

Low Tension

Feel- Light tension strings have the gentlest nature of all the tensions.  If you were to play high tension strings and then suddenly switch to low tension, the strings would feel light as air.  These strings have very little resistance to the plucking hand and will move in an ellipse greater than the heavier tensions making these even more sensitive to low action buzzing.  The fretting hand needs a light touch so as not to de-tune a note or introduce excessive vibrato.

Tone- These are similar to normal tension strings in there overall tone.  They do ring a touch softer than the stiffer sets.  Many players like the low tension feel and use amplification as a means to increase volume.   Sustain is similar to normal tension and the attack is even shorter.

 

Types of Nylon String Sets

There are a handful of sets from a number of manufacturers.   Some are easy to find at the local music store and others will probably need ordered to get what your after.  Nylon strings have a variety of possible treble strings, and the bass strings can be made of different materials as well.  Sets can come with mixed attributes like bronze bass strings with black trebles and ball-ends such as the folk set shown below.    It can be a little interesting when finding just the specs you want.    D’Addario has a great string chart to help sort some of the differences.

 

Mixed Tensions

Some players have a preference with their three trebles and three bass strings in that they want a certain tension for each grouping.  Many string companies have a mixed set of either half normal tension and half hard tension, or light and normal.  So experimentation is an easy thing to do without buying multiple packs.

 

 

Clear Trebles

Clear treble strings are the standard format for most nylon strings in the world today.  Typically they will come with wound bass strings because for a good resonance at lower frequencies a heavier mass string is needed.   Most string brands produce a “clear treble” set as the common choice for replacement strings.

 

 

Titanium Trebles

Possibly the newest member of the nylon set family are these Titanium trebles.  They also have wound bass strings of silver/bronze as most sets do.  The treble strings are infused with titanium and nylon in a polyamide mixture, giving incredible tone and sustain.  Many players are finding these strings a very nice change.

 

 

Black Trebles

Black treble sets are sometimes known as flamenco strings, although they can be used in classical and finger-style and folk music.  Some companies claim they have a warmer tone than clear trebles but they don’t state wait materials are used in the production.  Other companies state they are simply ‘dyed’ strings.  Let’s face it, colored strings are kinda cool.  Ernie Ball has a set with gold bass strings and black trebles for even more ‘wow’ factor.

 

Bronze Wound

Here there is more interest in altering the bass side of the instrument.  This is an alternative to silver-plated copper wound bass strings.  There is a slightly brighter sound to the bronze wound strings than compared to silver/copper.  These are at home with many folk styles due to their strong tone and long life.

 

Ball Ends

There are two variety of string ends, “tie-end” and “ball-end”.  Balled ends of the strings help with tuning stability and keep the strings secure in the bridge.  No more knots!  Many folks will take a lighter and burn the end of the strings to make it bubble to a ball shape.  These stings have that done for you.  It’s yet another style of string to compliment different players needs.  The big benefit to ball-end sets is the ease of installation on pinned bridges and classical bridges.

 

Silk Strings

Silk strings are very specific for classical players.  Although anyone can use them, they are engineered to give the most authentic and traditional classical sound from today’s modern strings.  A set from D’Addario has plain steel for the two high trebles and silk/steel wound strings on the lower four.

 

 

 

Carbon

Carbon infused nylon strings are some of the brightest and boldest you can get.  It borders on steel string acoustic tones, yet it still retains the feel of nylon.  If regular nylon strings are a bit too soft and gentle, it’s recommended you string your guitar with carbon nylons.   Oddly enough carbon strings are very close to what is used as fishing line today.

 

 

Flamenco

Flamenco strings and classical strings are interchangeable.  There is a difference and it has to do with the “snap” effect.  These are some of the snappiest and quickest strings in the nylon world.   Usually a composite core is used for a very fast attack compared to straight nylon core.  If you want a sharp, percussive flamenco sound these strings are one to try out.

 

 

Can You Use Nylon Strings On Acoustic Guitars?

Well, in short, yes.  You can also wear gloves on your feet.  Some things just don’t mix.  Nylon strings tuned to pitch are much lower in tension than steel strings, and at the same time, strong internal bracing of acoustic guitars are designed to support steel string tension.  These two factors alone will cause nylon strings to sound dead and lifeless.

On the other side of the fence, putting steel strings on a classical guitar will have too much tension for the body bracing and neck joint.  When tuned to pitch (if it gets there) the end result will be a broken guitar.  Don’t experiment with this unless you don’t mind sacrificing your guitar.

Picking the Right String for You

Nylon String Price

On average a quality set of nylon strings will cost between $5-$10 US dollars.   Hannabach strings can get as mush as $34 for one full set.  These are special silver coated strings that are suppose to be very high quality.  The common household player will do great with any decent sting set and you should experiment once in awhile.  It grows inspiration.

Best Nylon Strings

The only “best” string is the one you prefer and get joy from using.  Fluorocarbon polymers have recently become an alternative to nylon treble strings.  Basically a carbon infused string.  The sound is preferred by some luthiers and players, especially for the smooth transition provided by the G string from treble to bass.  It might be a good starting point for finding the best nylon string for you.

Trial and error is the best method to discover which flavor of nylon guitar string is the right choice for you.  There are too many string options and everyone has a different set of ears.  Plus on top of that each instrument will respond in it’s own way to different strings.  Use this page as a friendly guide to narrow down what your after.    Happy playing.