String suggestions and video recommendations for learning

[TBman]

I will be opening the box of my first "real" classical on Christmas day, a Cordoba C5.

What are your favorite strings and what do they add to the color/tone of your guitar?

I don't know how to play classical and I don't think that after 50+ years of steel string playing that I am going to start to learn the full blown technique. I'll probably look up how to play rest strokes vs free strokes and see if I can tell the difference when I do them,

I have "Pumping Nylon" and a couple of Frederick Noad's books. I think that's probably enough printed resources for now. What video lessons are out there you recommend? (Youtube, Truefire, etc)

Thanks.

[Carey]

I think Bill Kanengiser's instructional DVDs are good- 'Effortless Classical Guitar' and 'Classical Guitar Mastery' are the titles, though they're not recent.
He has some good free stuff on YT, including a nice bit on vibrato, which is
one of the keys to a relaxed and fluent left hand.

Edit: here'a link to the vibrato lesson:
https://hooktube.com/watch?v=e2vePA2NT6Y

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Carey

I think Bill Kanengieser's instructional DVDs are good- 'Effortless Classical Guitar' and 'Classical Guitar Mastery' are the titles, though they're not recent.
He has some good free stuff on YT, including a nice bit on vibrato, which is
one of the keys to a relaxed and fluent left hand.

Edit: here'a link to the vibrato lesson:
https://hooktube.com/watch?v=e2vePA2NT6Y

Thank you!

[Carey]

You are welcome. As for strings, I think those coming from steel-string tend
to like carbon trebles- they're thinner than nylons, and generally a little
higher in tension. Of the carbons trebles I've used, I like the Knobloch Actives CX best. For nylons, I like the old standby D'Addario EJ45s, though some
people say they sound boring, so YMMV.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Carey

You are welcome. As for strings, I think those coming from steel-string tend
to like carbon trebles- they're thinner than nylons, and generally a little
higher in tension. Of the carbons trebles I've used, I like the Knobloch Actives CX best. For nylons, I like the old standby D'Addario EJ45s, though some
people say they sound boring, so YMMV.

Thanks again!

This is the tone I'm looking for:

[Carey]

Lush-sounding. I'm guessing there's at least a little signal processing in there,
but to move toward that kind of sound I'd first try some sustainy, even metallic
sounding high-tension bass strings- Savarez Corum or Cantiga come to mind- and some nylon trebles like Augustine Classic or maybe Imperials; plus playing
way toward the soundhole (that last part is obvious, I guess); all on a basically warm, cedar guitar.

YMMV.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Carey

Lush-sounding. I'm guessing there's at least a little signal processing in there,
but to move toward that kind of sound I'd first try some sustainy, even metallic
sounding high-tension bass strings- Savarez Corum or Cantiga come to mind- and some nylon trebles like Augustine Classic or maybe Imperials; plus playing
way toward the soundhole (that last part is obvious, I guess); all on a basically warm, cedar guitar.

YMMV.

The guitar shipped with Savarez Cristal Corum in High Tension 500CJ so maybe I'll be good right out of the box on 12/25/19.

I had the idea in my head that all treble strings are alike (being a steel string player), I guess not! I'll have to experiment.

Thanks for the info!

[Paraclete]

The Savarez Corums your guitar has will likely be quite good. Keep in mind that the sound you are looking for from that recording is not just strings but guitar and technique. So much of classical tone comes from a lot of practice and proper playing technique. I recently went down the classical string rabbit hole, tried out a whole stack of different strings. What sounds great on one guitar might sound and play horribly on another. For example, a lot of players rave about Daddario nylons. They make my Ramirez sound like a muted cheap pawnshop guitar and play horribly. I prefer the Savarez Cantiga creation mixed tension strings at the moment (which is a mix of three different sets).

As for instruction, if you PM me, I’ll tell you about another option (can’t discuss it on an open thread on AGF).

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Paraclete

The Savarez Corums your guitar has will likely be quite good. Keep in mind that the sound you are looking for from that recording is not just strings but guitar and technique. So much of classical tone comes from a lot of practice and proper playing technique. I recently went down the classical string rabbit hole, tried out a whole stack of different strings. What sounds great on one guitar might sound and play horribly on another. For example, a lot of players rave about Daddario nylons. They make my Ramirez sound like a muted cheap pawnshop guitar and play horribly. I prefer the Savarez Cantiga creation mixed tension strings at the moment (which is a mix of three different sets).

As for instruction, if you PM me, I’ll tell you about another option (can’t discuss it on an open thread on AGF).

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it!

[dkstott]

just some thoughts

As others have posted, a LOT of the YouTube videos and CD's have added reverb or delays. It's very tough to achieve the sound on them & you can get stuck in a rabbit hole of chasing string types & guitar tones.

All of my Cordoba's came with high tension strings. My left hand just did not like it at all. My preference is for medium tension strings. What I sacrificed in volume from high tension is replaced by finger comfort.

What you'll soon discover is that all those years of heavy left hand thumb sounds in finger style steel string will need to be replaced by a much lighter touch on the bass strings.

Same changes in store for your right hand. A LOT of the tone comes from pushing through the string instead of plucking it & the placement of the right hand with respect to the bridge.

My preference right now is for Savarez normal tension Cantiga bass strings paired with Savarez Alliance normal tension trebles.

You'll find that bass strings can last 2-3 times longer than trebles.

Strings By Mail is my preferred source, because they sell bass sets and trebles separately.

Dave

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by dkstott

You'll find that bass strings can last 2-3 times longer than trebles.
Dave

That would not be the norm I don't think. Are you sure you didn't mean the opposite?
I always go through a few set of basses before changing out the trebles. Also, fresh trebles take a lot longer to intonate, which then works out well all around.

Originally Posted by dkstott

Strings By Mail is my preferred source, because they sell bass sets and trebles separately.
Dave

+1 to the Strings By Mail recommendation. They are a great resource for strings, and are fast and responsive. Also, if you're on their mailing list, they always have a bunch of well done learning videos by excellent artists. Good folks.

Barry, congrats on your new XMas present. I hope you post some pics on the big day.

[dkstott]

Yes, you're absolutely right. My mistake. Bass strings need to be replaced more frequently than trebles.

Thanks

Dave

[TBman]

Lots of great information, thanks to all. Hopefully I will have the patience to relearn how to play, There's a whole world of great music to learn so there's my incentive.

[jaymarsch]

When I played nylon, I always preferred the Hannabach Goldins with a Savarez Alliance for the G string. I also tried the Savarez Corums but for some reason they took a lot longer to settle in. Congrats in advance on the Christmas Day Cordoba!

Best,
Jayne

[TBman]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

When I played nylon, I always preferred the Hannabach Goldins with a Savarez Alliance for the G string. I also tried the Savarez Corums but for some reason they took a lot longer to settle in. Congrats in advance on the Christmas Day Cordoba!

Best,
Jayne

Thanks Jayne!