Anyone know what strings Julian Bream uses?

[Olly Carson]

Hiya, does anyone know what strings Julian Bream uses?

[arby]

Augustine, not certain, though I think he says so in his DVD.

[avoz]

He values consistency and has been known to run them through a micrometer. avoz

[mpferreira]

Augustine, not certain, though I think he says so in his DVD.

I'll try Augustine and see if I sound like him.

(Sorry, I just coudn't resist this hopeless idea).

[Charlie De]

It will work as long as you don't play more than one note!

[alainc99]

I believe that he used to use Augustine (that was the only good string back then), but now he uses LaBella. I've heard it from a number of sources, but if you need proof...http://stringsbymail.com/serselect.asp?tCat=1&tMan=8&dMan=LaBella.

It says under the Professional series, " Labella's Professional series strings are acclaimed by concert guitarists, luthiers, and conservatory professionals. Preferred by a whole generation of great artists including: Julian Bream, Laurindo Almeida, Sabicas, and Rey del la Torre. "

I've never tried Labella strings, but I haven't heard many good things about them from any of the guitarists I know. Give them a try and see if you like them. Everyone has different taste in strings. If you try the Labella and don't like them, I would highly suggest the high-tension Savarez Corum Basses with high-tension KF trebles (500 AJ). The new Corum set with the new high-tension Cristal Trebles (500 CJ) may be quite good as well... I have yet to try them. In my experience, nothing has come even remotely close to the Savarez Corum basses for tone quality and longevity. All of these strings are available in regular or low tension if you prefer lighter strings. I hope this was helpful!

All the best,
Alain

[popeye doyle]

It will work as long as you don't play more than one note!

Sorry, but not even close to being true...

[wolfgang]

It will work as long as you don't play more than one note!

Sorry, but not even close to being true...

Well then let at least the pauses between the notes sound like Bream's, ok?

[mpferreira]

It will work as long as you don't play more than one note!

Sorry, but not even close to being true...

Well then let at least the pauses between the notes sound like Bream's, ok?

I don't think I will sound like JB -- not even for a single note.

And I find that making the pauses sound like his is even more difficult. Damping the strings is one of the most difficult aspects of CG playing, in my humble opinion.

[Derry]

guess if they say Bream used them, perhaps he did,, really do not know,,

I used LaBella 850Bs many years ago and decided to try them again on both of my Rubios,, have to say they do not sound as good as I remember them sounding on my two earlier CGs,, presently using Galli genius GR45s and love them,,

[Nick Payne]

Well then let at least the pauses between the notes sound like Bream's, ok?

Well if you play the opening of Britten's Nocturnal you'll get the effect. I can remember one of my teachers had an almost irrational dislike for this piece of music. He claimed it was like random notes with random pauses.

[ghenson]

Well if you play the opening of Britten's Nocturnal you'll get the effect. I can remember one of my teachers had an almost irrational dislike for this piece of music. He claimed it was like random notes with random pauses.

An unfortunate misunderstanding of a great piece of music.

[petersuki]

I don't know. But I'd chip in with the suggestion that maestro Julian is using a lower tension than is now fashionable. Listen or watch him playing Bach (You Tube BWV 998 etc). He's getting a lot of tonal vaiety to make some great counterpoint. Overall I'd say he's chosen quite low tension for these...

[ken]

I have come to realise that all recording even with the best equipment and live performences with incredibly expensive mics all produce a little bit different sound than what you will hear live without amplification. Performances with amplification should not be compared with what any set of strings you put on your guitar and sit down and play in your living room. That being said I personally prefer the sound of a good un-amplified classical guitar anyday. I also think the big name professionals are doing the same thing we are doing. That is trying out different strings and evaualuating the results even though they may endorse a certain brand. Many changes and improvements have been made starting in the 50' and continue. Strings and guitars. MHO

[AndrewF]

I've never tried Labella strings, but I haven't heard many good things about them from any of the guitarists I know.

I just typed labella into the Amazon search box and the first hit made me chuckle:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/La-Bella-Strings-GUI-Guitarron/dp/B000EEJGZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368188266&sr=8-1&keywords=labella