Am I maverick?

[Vlad Kosulin]

I read a lot here about how other players love (or hate) their strings, and how much effort and how long time it took them to find the 'perfect' combo.
Myself, I have played many different makes and models, and have to say that I love most of them!
Some may have shorter sustain, some may have intonation issues, but soundwise they are all different and all lovely!
So far, I am positive only about my tension preferences, D'Addario NT or slightly higher is best for me and my guitars.
In theory, I always preferred deep mellow sound, but at the same time I play spruce 99% of time during last couple years (after I bought Stenzel).
I do not know, may be it would become just boring if I always played, say, Augustine or D'Addario. But I always switch make/model when changing strings, and it really refreshes my mind and feelings.
I do not want to find some 'perfect' combo and stick to it (even two combos for, say, Baroque and Spanish).
Anybody in the same boat?

[bushweek]

Hi Vlad - I think you are right - I'm a bit fickle when it comes to choosing a favourite string too. Most of the main string brands these days seem to be impressive quality with their own charms. But I always seem to return to a set of D'Addario EJ46 after a while... so I must like that as the standard reference sound on my guitar (it helps they are so reasonably priced!). That said - I'm sure my Ramirez, or your Stenzel play a big part in the strings sounding good too

Have recently put a set of Hannabach Goldin 725 trebles on... wow!

[Cary W]

Vlad, you're a guitarist on the edge!

I like to stick to the same strings...I have been playing Savarez 520R for four years now...
Every time you try different strings, you throw off your technique a little...not so good for an amateur player with limited time to practice...

Cary

[oski79]

I kind of agree with you Vlad. I've probably tried a couple dozen different strings over the years, and I've liked most of them. There are only a couple I would never use again. I have pretty much decided on my "go-to's," but that is of course subject to change!

I'm sure you're enjoying that Stenzel. I played it, and it is one sweeeeet instrument!

[Dons]

I'm with you Vlad. I don't have time to worry too much about my strings though I usually get the D'Addario Pro Arte hard tension. I often play my work/teaching guitar which cost $140 and is a beat up Yamaha and I enjoy playing it almost as much as my good guitar.
D

[Kent]

Vlad,
You have a great attitude! Yes I have spent years looking for the perfect string, and have come to the conclusion that most are pretty good. My search has ended with med tension Hannabach trebles and La Bella Silver basses. I am just astonished at how long the strings perform. more expensive but worth it.

Over the years I have tested the Carbon fiber Chromium Crystal cold rolled UV treated Titanium inter weaved specials, and they are horrible. The treble strings quickly shed and become scratchy. The sound is less warm and rather harsh. Maybe by accident, Segovia and Augustine established a perfect material for classical guitar treble strings. Warm and durable Nylon. It's the best to this day.

[robin loops]

Have recently put a set of Hannabach Goldin 725 trebles on... wow!

I like to change strings from time to time too. In my case, most sound great but I end up wondering if something might sound better and end up trying something different. Sometimes settling on ones that didn't sound good to me before. Most strings probably sound good to most people most of the time but it's the 'wow' factor that we end up changing strings combinations a thousand times in search of. Once discovered I think most stop looking, at least until it fails to wow anymore. Some guitars are more finicky too and sound much better with one string or another. For those lucky enough to have a guitar that sounds great with any string (or many strings) changing up from time to time is a good idea. Things like nail shape/condition or changes in humidity or even changes in our technique, right hand position, etc. or even just aural boredom can change the way things sound to us. So sometimes a string that didn't work before may suddenly jump out and sound awesome. Plus while new strings with slightly different character may cause variations to technique, this variation probably helps train hands & brain for more control over the sound in the long run.

[Kenbobpdx]

Vlad, you are definitely a wild and crazy guy I have been trying out various string combos after using J45s for nigh on 30 years. I agree with you that most are quite good and a new set always sounds good when you put them on. For me there is an elusive quality that I come across most with the Augustine/Dogal combo or with Hannabach 815s. Right now I am playing with D'Addario Dynacore/T2s and my guitar is really singing so who knows.

On this note I was at the NW Handmade Instrument Show yesterday. It was wonderful to see so many beautiful instruments and to talk to various luthiers. One very talented up and coming luthier had his most recent instrument with him and he strings up with J45 basses and Goldin trebles. I found that an interesting combo but he feels the combo yields the most tonal range on his instruments. Of course, he optimizes the saddle for this combo, too. Unfortunately, I won't be back today to hear it played by a very talented local pro. BTW, it was a beautiful spruce/African blackwood guitar.