which strings for a cordoba Cadete?

allif · #1 01-23-2018, 01:34 PM

Hi all
We just bought a Cordoba Cadete and it's got some buzzing on the bass strings. I'm going to bring it to the shop and have them check it out, but I want to replace the strings no matter what. Any recommendations?
I see the Pro Arte EJ46's seem to be a popular choice for this guitar. Anything else?
I'm also going to have the saddle replaced, the action is low. Not sure how much this will help the buzzing, but I hope it will help the overall sound.
What else should we look at/check out?
And are strings like tires - best to replace them all at the same time? My son is happy with the treble strings....
Thanks for any thoughts!

TKT · #2 01-23-2018, 09:36 PM

Hi! Congrats on the Cadete, I love mine!

I have Oasis GPX Carbon classicals on it, probably normal tension. I think they are fine, not floppy or tubby, but YMMV. I happen to prefer carbon over nylon. I think it's clearer with more ring. That may be my older ears.

I had the opposite issue, I had to shave my saddle to get the action down. Mine is circa 2007 and was a beater when I got it, but it's too much fun and too pretty to let it go, even though it is what led me to the Cordoba C10 Parlor I have now, with which I'm also pleased. They sit side by side in my office.

jsanfilippo5 · #3 01-23-2018, 10:05 PM

i always liked the La Bella 2001's

allif · #4 01-24-2018, 09:59 AM

Thank you both!
I'm happy to have some options - I wouldn't know how to narrow it down otherwise! If I knew what tone I was looking for it might be easier, but I don'r have that kind of ear.
Thanks TKT - I'm really enjoying the ease of play. The size in nice too (I'm pretty small). I wouldn't have thought to raise the action but I had a luthier look at it and she made the rec. My teacher seconded that opinion, so I guess it's what I need to do. Both said change the strings too, but neither could advise, so here I am.....
I don't know the difference between carbon and nylon in the context of strings, but I'll see if I can somehow compare them. Maybe I can find something on Youtube?

Thanks again!

ameriken · #5 01-24-2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allif

I don't know the difference between carbon and nylon in the context of strings, but I'll see if I can somehow compare them. Maybe I can find something on Youtube?

Uros Baric does a great comparison

allif · #6 01-25-2018, 08:18 AM

That's awesome, thank you!

TKT · #7 01-25-2018, 02:17 PM

Also in regarding action, nylon strings are usually a little fatter than carbon, and that could make an incremental difference in how you have the guitar set up. I think carbon are also a little softer feel under the hand, but maybe you want that hair thicker string under your fingers.

allif · #8 01-26-2018, 11:08 AM

Thanks, TKT. I would have to feel them side by side to know.
The local shop doesn't stock carbon strings so I picked up what they had - the Pro Arte EJ46s. BUT.....the guy at the shop also fiddled with the truss rod a bit. I think he loosened it to lower the neck? So the action is higher and the strings sound brighter. I was advised to just play it as is for a bit, so that's what I'll do.
Maybe eventually I'll know what sound or feel I'm after.

Thanks again for the advice!

ameriken · #9 01-26-2018, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allif

Thanks, TKT. I would have to feel them side by side to know.
The local shop doesn't stock carbon strings so I picked up what they had - the Pro Arte EJ46s. BUT.....the guy at the shop also fiddled with the truss rod a bit. I think he loosened it to lower the neck? So the action is higher and the strings sound brighter. I was advised to just play it as is for a bit, so that's what I'll do.
Maybe eventually I'll know what sound or feel I'm after.

Thanks again for the advice!

Be prepared to (maybe) experiment with a few sets. Strings that go well with one guitar may not be as great on another. You've just gotta try a few to find what sounds best for that particular instrument. And equally important (maybe even more important) is finding what feels best to the guitarist who's playing them.

Guitar Slim II · #10 01-27-2018, 01:21 AM

For almost any Cordoba, I would go with hard-tension strings regardless of brand. The EJ46's would be my first choice, but of course opinions vary.

I'm fond of the lower-priced Cordobas, they can have suprisingly mature tone for entry-level guitars. But the necks can be buzzy and feel a little floppy -- as you're discovering. If you've already got hard tensions on the instrument and are still getting significant buzz then, yeah, have it checked out and adjusted as needed.

Dogsnax · #11 01-27-2018, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitar Slim II

For almost any Cordoba, I would go with hard-tension strings regardless of brand.

I've owned a Cordoba C5, C9, C10, and C12 and I had excellent result with medium tension EJ-45s on all four guitars. There's so much variance in tension between brands and a player's preference is also subjective. I noticed very little loss in volume and I prefer the ease of play in lighter tension strings.

If a guitar is brand new, sometimes it's recommended to go with higher tension strings for the first few months to help break-in the top.

Light...medium....hard tension. They're all good and it's best for each person to try the different brands and tensions.

That's my 2 cents!

allif · #12 01-30-2018, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the thoughts, Dogsnax.
I am a bit concerned that the hard tension strings will make it less fun
to play. Glad to know that the medium tension might be a good option.

Cheers!

OMCountryBoy · #13 02-04-2018, 09:27 PM

Use hard tension strings. On a guitar with that short of a scale, the hard tension strings will feel more like medium tension, and on that short of a scale, the medium tension strings will feel slackened. Medium tension might also be more prone to buzzing. I use D’Addario EJ46 on mine. If you find that the treble strings are to big in diameter, try a carbon HT set like D’Addario EJ46FF.