Flamenco is a popular Spanish music style played by many guitarists. If you’re looking for the best flamenco guitar strings, look no further than this article.
Flamenco is a Spanish musical style that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is energetic, passionate, and emotive. Flamenco guitarists use a variety of playing styles like plucking, strumming, and picking, creating the perfect sound for this genre of music. There are various styles of Flamenco guitar strings that are compatible with different techniques, such as rasgueado and fast picado.
Flamenco players usually use nylon strings, but there are lots of other factors to take into account when choosing the best set. In this article, we will review the best flamenco guitar strings and go through everything you should take into account when choosing your next set, as well as give you some tips and tricks on how to take care of your instrument.
Recommended: The Best Acoustic Guitar Strings
Best Flamenco Guitar Strings – In-Depth Review
Table of Contents
- D’Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings
- Savarez Corum Alliance 500AJ High Tension Classical Guitar Strings
- La Bella 820 Red Classical Guitar Nylon Strings
- Hannabach 652917 Series 827 Flamenco Classic Low Tension String Set
1. D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings
D’Addario Pro-Arte Classical Guitar Strings are made for classical guitar players who want to make their instrument sound its best. D’Addario is a leading manufacturer of strings for classical and steel-string acoustic guitars. Their strings are designed to be the finest in quality, and they are manufactured under strict quality control standards.
Product Specifications
- Gauge: 028-043
- 85.85 Tension
- Full-Bodied Tone and Consistent Intonation
- Material: Nylon and Silverplate Copper Winding
Pros
- D’Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings are made specifically for classical guitar players but will work very well for flamenco guitarists.
- The high tension set is great for classical guitarists who want to play with a full-bodied tone and favor a loud sound.
- The strings are made from nylon and silverplate copper winding which provide a very clean sound.
- D’Addario strings usually have great durability.
Cons
- The high tension set gives the strings a bright sound, which may not be preferred by all classical guitarists.
Conclusion
The D’Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Guitar Strings are highly recommended by many classical guitarists. The high tension from these strings will give you excellent playability for flamenco styles. It sounds a bit brighter than other strings though, so it may not be the best option for some guitarists.
2. Savarez Corum Alliance 500AJ High Tension Classical Guitar Strings
Savarez is an Italian company founded in 1770, based in Paris, France. The brand has been around for quite a while and is favored by many flamenco players. This set, in particular, has high tension, so we recommend it for guitarists who are playing live due to its loud sound and projection.
Product Specifications
- Gauge: 025
- High Tension
- KF Trebles, Corum Basses
- Material: Nylon
Pros
- On this particular set, you have the bass strings wound with steel over a multifilament nylon raw core that will provide excellent playability and a deep bass sound.
- Similarly, the KF nylon trebles have an excellent mid-range to high response.
- Many different gauge and tension options are available.
- Great durability, even though the strings are made out of nylon.
Cons
- Expensive.
Conclusion
The Savarez Collum Alliance is a great set of nylon strings for flamenco guitarists that already know what kind of strings they like better. Since this is a set that is more expensive than other options on the list and isn’t very affordable for beginners, we would recommend it to more advanced and experienced players.
3. La Bella 820 Red Classical Guitar Nylon Strings
The La Bella 820 acoustic guitar strings are made especially for flamenco players. The red nylon, silver plated set offers a medium tension and is hand-wound for better tone. The price is surprisingly affordable as well, considering the value and quality you get with these strings: $12, by the time this article was written.
Product Specifications
- Gauge: 029-042
- Medium Tension
- Packaged with MAP Technology
- Material: Nylon
Pros
- These strings are packed with the modified atmospheric pressure technology, ensuring they stay as fresh as the day they were made.
- The medium tension is excellent if you prefer something in between playability and sound projection.
- They are very affordable and you get a lot of quality for the price, which is great if you’re a beginner or just starting out.
- Made out of high-quality materials. The company is very transparent about what’s used to make these strings.
Cons
- Not as much sound projection as other options on the list.
Conclusion
The La Bella 820 Red may be a great choice for flamenco players of all levels of experience, but especially for those who like to have a great balance between playability and sound projection. If you’re a beginner, for example, this set of strings could be a great way to know which tension you prefer, since they have medium tension.
4. Hannabach 652917 Series 827
The Hannabach 652917 Series 827 Flamenco Classic Low Tension String Set – Green are made out of nylon with a silver round wire wound and tarnish protected bass strings. They have a low tension, which makes them ideal for both beginners and intermediate players. They’re are not the most affordable set on the market, but it is justified by the high quality of the product.
Product Specifications
- Super-High Tension
- Treble Strings: Orange-Red Precision Round Nylon
- Silver Round Wire Wound and Tarnish Protected Bass Strings
- Material: Nylon and Silver Wire
Pros
- The strings are made out of the best materials and have a low tension, which makes them ideal for beginners or those who favor playability.
- The bass strings are tarnish protected, meaning they have excellent durability.
- Hannabach offers lots of different product ranges so it is worth it taking a look at other sets from the brand.
- Excellent sound projection, even though these strings have low tension.
Cons
- None.
Conclusion
This set of Hannabach spanish guitar strings are excellent. With a low tension, they have great playability without sacrificing sound projection. We like the fact that the company is very transparent about the materials used to make these strings so you know you are getting something with very high quality.
How to choose the best flamenco guitar strings?
Gauge
The gauge of a guitar string refers to its thickness. The lower the gauge, the thicker the string. A thicker string is more durable and produces more volume. On the other hand, a thinner string provides a brighter tone and is easier to play.
The gauge has an important effect on your guitar’s tone, playability, and durability. Therefore, it is crucial that you choose the right gauge for your instrument – one that will offer you both playability and sound quality.
The ideal guitar string gauge depends on your personal preference as well as your playing style: if you are a beginner or prefer to practice at home, you might want a lighter set for easier playability; if you are an advanced player who performs live often or in front of an audience, you might want a thicker set for more volume and better durability. The gauge also plays a role in the string’s life cycle: the thicker the strings, the longer they will last.
High vs Normal Tension Strings
High tension strings are thicker and more durable than normal tension strings. They provide a brighter tone and more volume with less finger pressure. On the other hand, they require regular tuning to keep them in tune, as they tend to lose their intonation quickly. Extra-low tension strings are thinner and less durable than low-tension ones. They produce a softer tone with more pressure on the fingers, but they also keep their intonation longer than high-tension strings.
The best choice will depend on your particular use case. There is no fast rule, but we would recommend low or normal tension strings for beginner players.
Durability
It is important to take into account the durability of your flamenco strings. For example, if you play very often, you might want a thicker set for more volume and better durability. The gauge also plays a role in the string’s life cycle: the thicker the strings, the longer they will last.
While the nylon strings favored by flamenco players won’t last as long as steel strings, the durability will greatly vary from brand to brand.
Price
You can find great flamenco and classical guitar strings at pretty much any price range, but the most affordable sets are usually priced at around $5. If you’re a beginner only playing at home, you can get away with buying cheaper strings, but season and live players may want to invest in a high-quality set because they will probably last much longer.
Also Read:
Tips to Take Care of your Flamenco Guitar Strings
Storing and caring for your flamenco guitar/strings is an essential part of making sure they last as long as possible, but there are a few things you can do to extend the life of your strings:
- Always wipe your fretboard with a clean cloth after every session.
- If your instrument allows, you can also use a special product such as lemon oil.
- Keep your instrument in a dry area with minimal sunlight.
- Take your acoustic guitar to a luthier frequently so that you have it always adjusted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference between Classical and Flamenco Guitar Strings?
Are Flamenco Guitar Strings Made of Steel?
Can You Play Flamenco on a Steel-Stringed Acoustic Guitar?
Are Flamenco Strings High Tension?
This tension, however, may vary. There are strings that range from extra-low to low, to normal, to high tension.
Can You Put Classical Strings on a Flamenco Guitar?
Is Flamenco Guitar Harder than Classical?
Verdict
As you can see, choosing the right flamenco guitar strings is very important to achieve a clear and punchy sound. Keep in mind the different factors you should take into account when shopping for this kind of product: gauges, tension, etc. In the end, choose a high-quality set that fits your budget and you’re good to go.
Remember that nylon string guitars require special care from the player to sound their best, so make sure that you wipe clean your instrument after every session and replace worn strings frequently. It is also important to have your guitar frequently adjusted by a luthier, especially because we are talking about aggressive playing styles.
How to Buy
If you’ve found the perfect flamenco acoustic guitar strings for you on our list, their respective links are at their titles. We hope this article was helpful. If you’re a guitarist, make sure to read the related posts on our website. If you have any questions or suggestions for AudioAssemble, feel free to contact us. Happy playing!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.