galli strings

[keith]

hey ngiorgio--another convert to galli strings. are you having the same results? folks, these strings are great. check ut rcp1716 and his buzzing problems.

[NGiorgio]

Haven't tried the Galli's yet. I have 'em, probably going to put a set on tonight. I'll check in with the results. Installed a set of Mari's on a 660 Flamenco. When they settle in I'll report on those as well.

[portlandgreg2]

I've had Galli's on my GV Rubio Hauser for about 5 months. Thy are everything I have searched for in a string. I tried half a dozen or so different string manufacturers, tried even more frontmarks within those brands, different tensions, etc.

Galli strings, at least for my guitar, are the perfect match. They really have to be tried to be believed. I formally used Hannabach premium silver strings, but the Galli's rose far above even a fine string like that.

One note; I use normal tension on all the strings except the D, in which I use a high tension string. Perhaps kind of odd, but that combination works best for my instrument. I found the normal tension string produced a strange buzzing undertone on my guitar. The high tension does not. It's probably an issue particular to my guitar.

[NGiorgio]

Nice to hear from another GV Rubio owner. I have been considering another guitar by Rubio. Did you try his Torres model? If so, how did it compare with the Hauser model? I would assume that you made other comparisons as well. I would like to hear your opinions.

My experience with Rubio's instruments has been limited only to his Flamenco's. I would think that his Classical's also have that mellow sweetness to the tone as the Flamenco's do, only more so.

[keith]

hey ngiorgio--e-mail at prattk@vinfen.org

got some info for you

[portlandgreg2]

Hey, NGiorgio,

Email me at greg@sandstromdesign.com and we can discuss GV Rubio. I really respect his build quality.

Greg

[NGiorgio]

Tried the Galli normal tension strings on my spruce top Classical. Wow. Now I know what the raves were about. It seems as though they totally transform the instrument to another level. Strong and warm basses with clear and penetrating trebles. G string is really nice. I'm impressed and suggest that anyone who would like to improve the tonal quality of of their guitar, should give them a try. Would probably be outstanding on a cedar top guitar.

Has anyone tried the hard tension Galli's?

[keith]

boy, thank goodness richard at stringsbymail took the big chance and began selling them. :D

they are great on cedar. and that 'g' string. tubby it be not.

[Rich W]

I put hard tension Gallis on my spruce/Brazilian Fleta copy about a week ago. I felt just a bit of trepidation, because I had heard very mixed reviews, but I was almost immediately favorably impressed by these strings. I may try another set on my '69 Ramirez 1A.

Rich W

[snetzley]

Hi all.

I put a set of Galli normal tension strings on my Ramirez yesterday. I'm totally amazed at how good they sound! Now I'm going to practice so that my playing lives up to that beautiful tone. :lol:

Sharon

[keith]

hey sharon--you converted too? 8) the last time i talked with you you were a d'addario user. stringsbymail that wonderful cyber strings dealer (and you can buy separate basses, etc. :D ) really took a chance with galli strings and the benefits are paying off--for them as well as us.

those old d'addario strings are good for something--i have a 'g' string holding up my shower curtain--i figured a tubby sounding string should be in the vacinity of the tub. yuk yuk :P

[NGiorgio]

Tried a set of Galli medium tension on my cedar topped flamenca negra. I have had this instrument for two years, and cedar topped guitars don't change all that much as they age. Have gone through lots of different brands of strings and the ones which worked the best, were D'Addario J-46 hard tension. The Galli's sound better. Almost hard to believe. I was very happy with the J-46's but the Galli's bring out more tonal colors in this guitar. I may try a brighter bass set next, as it is a flamenco, but the trebles are just plain unbelievable. The Galli mediums are very close in both tension and diameter to a set of D'Addario hard tension. They are just slightly lighter on a couple of strings, so the feel is very similar to the J-46's but the sound is totally different. I am impressed, again.

[keith]

hey ngiorgio--here the reply to your question from steel strings vs.... . richard at stringsbymail says the lower tension, suitable for flamenco, will be ready soon (date to be announced i guess but soon is the operative word). :D

as to flamenco basses--i find the hannebach (low tension 815--or superlow when the lower galli come out) or the labella 2001 to have that nice metallic sound. the luthier 20 basses or also very good and should pair nicely with the lower tension galli. of course, since one can buy just trebles from stringsbymail, and pair them with basses of choice, one has the best of all worlds. 8)

[Scott]

Based on the various threads decided to try Galli's and sbm. Don't have the strings yet, but Richard is great to deal with.

Will let you know how the strings go.

[keith]

hey scott, you will love them. what guitar do you use that will receive the gallis? yes, richard is a very nice guy--and goes the extra mile :D --a quality rare among businesses these days.

and of course, stringsbymail has the used guitar advertisements which is free and a great service.

had to mention that: i am known for my shameless plugs to sell my guitars in hopes of getting enough money to buy a professional level flamenco. let us know how the gallis work.

[Scott]

The Galli's are going on my Bernabe M30 cedar top. I have been playing the Hannabach 900/200 so am looking to see how the Galli's do. Also, have a Kohno Special spruce top that I recently got that am going to try the Galli's on - Richard also suggested the Aranjuez Concert 400. "The basses should yield a warm sound like the Galli, and the trebles will be
a little less bright and could come through as nice and sweet on the Kohno."

[NGiorgio]

A quick update on Galli medium tension on my cedar top flamenco negra. Installed them on the 9th of Nov. Have had trouble putting the guitar back in it's case. The basses are about gone. That's how much I have played it . Still like the Galli's. Superb trebles. I will try different basses, not because I don't like them, but just for a different, more flamenco tone on this particular guitar.

[steve v]

I've tried the Galli's on two of my guitars, and the trebles have a very clear tone with a lot of depth; it's almost liquid. I'm not as sold on the basses, however, as they seem a bit more muddy.

One problem I had is that the 4th string on one of the sets snapped after being on for just two days. It's been a long time since I had strings with 4th strings that were prone to breaking (I previously used D'Addario Pro Artes and Savarez). Has anybody else had problems with the Galli 4th string, or was this just an isolated incident?

[NGiorgio]

I have had no problems with the 4th strings on two guitars.

Did the string break at the bridge saddle?

[steve v]

Yes, and while I was holding it (although not playing). It's a strange noise when it happens. I've never had a problem with other strings breaking on that particular saddle, so I don't think it can be attributed to a tiny rough spot on the saddle.

[NGiorgio]

Which end of the string did you fasten to the tie block?

[steve v]

The less-flexible end. I've always done it that way, don't ask why.

[NGiorgio]

The flexible end usually causes it. Since you did not use the flexible end, are you looping once or twice around the tie block, or just once at the back of the block?

[steve v]

I loop twice, so it looks like twisted licorice.

[NGiorgio]

That's the way I tie them. They shouldn't break at the saddle when installed in that manner. Probably just a bad one.

I'd like to hear which basses work out best for you with the Galli trebles.

[edwardcav]

I have just ordered some Gallis for my Ramirez 4e! I am so excited, I am hearing all good things!

I ordered some Hannanbach 728 basses as spares. The idea is to change basses once after full installation of gallis, then change basses, then full set, etc. How do you guys operate in terms of regularity of alternation of bass strings and full sets? Also, what are some really responsive, semi-loud, clear sounding medium tension basses out there? What medium tension basses are the best for classicals - do you guys reckon?

Also, this thread is an indication to GSI how popular these strings are becoming....

[NGiorgio]

Ed.

I usually change trebles only three or four times a year. If I'm experimenting with a new guitar, then I'm changing trebles until the best ones are determined. Trebles will eventually wear from contact with the frets. They can also show wear from your nails, depending on your style of attack. This wear is hard to see.

As for basses, you have to try many different sets before the best ones for your guitar can be found. Keep experimenting with the basses.

Sometimes I'll go through a set of bass strings in two weeks. Most times, I will get three or four weeks from a set of basses.

Enjoy the Galli's.

[keith]

i saw a cordoba 30F at guitarcentre with galli strings. and since cordoba is the g.s.i. "housebrand so to speak" maybe they are secretly using them. by far, the best place to get them is at stringsbymail (just type it in your search engine or add the " dot com")

[steve v]

Ed,

I usually change the basses twice after putting on a full set. Can't help you out on the recommendation for a medium tension bass set, as I've been using high tensions (and some extre-high tensions, but I'm moving away from those).

Ngiorgio,

I'm still playing around with basses. Right now, I think I'll end up with Hannebach's, although which one is open. And I still like D'Addario Pro Arte basses, although the trebles are far from desirable. Sometimes I think the search for the right combination is half the fun. I do know that after having heard the Galli trebles, I'll never be happy with the D'Addario trebles again. I still had 3 sets of the D'Addario hard tensions, so I put a set on my Contreras cedar double-top after getting it back from a local shop here in Dallas that was dressing the frets, and those trebles just have no musical quality to them whatsoever when compared to the Galli's. The Galli trebles just sing, and are very clear without being too bright.

[NGiorgio]

Steve,

I agree. It seems like the Galli trebles work well on just about any guitar. I also find the D'Addario basses work well for me. I have fun with the experimenting as well, but I really hate changing trebles. It is also easier to experiment with the basses on a cedar top guitar. It won't change from month to month as a spruce top does.

[edwardcav]

Got a set of Gallis now. Ngiorgio, you are online. How do you restring the guitar with gallis? On one end of the srtring, it is less wired, more flimsy string and the other like normal string. (for the basses).

Which end goes where? Anyone?

thanks

[edwardcav]

Found three tutorial websites... One says to se the loose end at the tuners, the others say to use the loose end at the bridge/tie block. I'm confused.

[NGiorgio]

Ed.

I use the more flexible end to tie at the bridge on 6th and 5th but not for the 4th. I prefer to tie the D string with the non flexible end. I have found that it will be less likely to break at the saddle when tied in that manner.

[edwardcav]

Thanks. I will try that.

[keith]

if you use the flex end be careful, sometimes the thin part will cut into the string. most bass strings have this and from the sources i have used, all say use the flex end at the tuners NOT the bridge. i do and have not had any problems (i use the double wrap like the trebles). however, others may say doing so cuts into the tie block. this would be a good g.s.i. question--which end to use?

[RDS]

The flexible part should not be used at all, it is left over form the production of the string. Put the strings on so that section will be cut off. Rick

[NGiorgio]

Yesterday, I matched the Galli normal tension trebles with a fresh set of LaBella 2001 Flamenco hard tension basses on a cedar topped flamenca negra. A really good combo on that guitar. The tension (on the whole set) of the LaBella flamenco is slightly less than the tension of the Galli's, but is very close. The LaBella's work well with the Galli's, they impart a brighter tone, which I wanted on this instrument. Anyone who has tried the Galli's with a cedar guitar and desires a bit more brightness to better match the trebles may want to try LaBella basses.

Here is a interesting bit of info on the LaBella's. It seems that the basses of the classical 2001's and the flamenco 2001's, are the same. Only difference if the packaging. I picked this up from a quote by luthier Aaron Green.

[keith]

hey ngiorgio--you are correct in the sense that the formulation of the bass strings is the same. however, the tension of the strings is different for a specific describer (low, med. etc.). medium tension classical 2001's have a slightly lower tension in the "d" string and slightly higher in the "a" and low "e" than the flamenco medium tension. i got the information from labella. if you want i can send you the specifics.

i prefer the med. classical 2001--the "d" string is slight easier to ligado--and that is a big ligado string. you are correct, they do brighten the tone. the aranjuez 200 do an good job also--sold by you know who. i match either one with mari flamenco trebles--of course, galli's go on my classical.

oh by the way, aaron green was commissioned to do a guitar for labella. his guitar is on the 2001 (and others i think) package. check out his website to see it.

[NGiorgio]

Yes, I would like to see those spec's on the LaBella's. I have been to Aaron Green's website. I like his flamenco's.

[keith]

here be the specs from labella--all 2001 strings/basses--in kg.

2001 med. classical d=5.6 a=6.0 e=6.0
2001 med. flamenco d=6.4 a=5.8 e=5.7

2001 light classical= the same as flamenco med. guage
2001 light flamenco=the same as flamenco med. guage

2001 hard classical d=7.3 a=6.7 e=6.5
2001 hard flamenco d=6.85 a=6.7 e = 6.5

and finally 2001 classical med. hard--no flamenco in this tension
d=5.6 a=6.7 e=6.5

hope this helps

[NGiorgio]

Keith,

It does.

Thanks

[james]

No thanks folks. Sure, Galli strings sound OK, but they are as hard as nails. And mis-labeled IMHO. Galli's "normal" tension strings are really a higher tension than most string makers high-tension sets. Their high-tension strings must be like steel cables. Almost every luthier I have talked to does not recommend high-tension strings for their guitars, and Galli's are extremely high tension. I tried them on my '78 Velasquez, and, after realizing how hard the tension was, couldn't take them off fast enough.

[NGiorgio]

James,

The Galli normal tension are about equal to D'Addario Hard tension. The Galli hard use the same trebles as their normal, but with slightly stronger basses. Unfortuately, there is no uniformity in tensions, from brand to brand. Galli may have a lower tension available soon.

You are very fortunate to have a guitar by Manuel Velazquez. His guitars sound great with just about any set of strings.

[steve v]

Another broken bass string with the Galli's, this time an A-string. That's two broken strings in about three weeks on two different guitars. I like the trebles, at least on my cedar Rodriguez, but the basses leave something to be desired, both from a sound standpoint and from a longevity/quality control standpoint. I doubt that I'll ever buy a full set of Galli's again.

[keith]

i prefer the trebles and for other reasons did not care for the basses. what is great though is that you can buy just trebles and match them with bass strings of your choice. but the trebles are superb--especially the "g".

as to breakage--jose oribe says in his book that the best bass strings are those strings that are always on the verge of breaking---that is his opinion, but given his status, i respect it.

[edwardcav]

Hi all.

Just thought I'd report on my strings.

I installed a set of gallis about a month ago, and after a week I realised that the trebles where something special.

After about two weeks, I realised that the basses weren't.

I installed a set of Hannanbach medium tension basses. The result is amazing. Far and away the best combination of strings I've ever come across.

[TJ]

To me, the best string is the one that reveals the inherent tone and characteristics of the guitar itself. For example, I like the Savarez Corum Alliance, but the carbon trebles can be harsh and shrill. The Galli Genius has very clear smooth trebles, but the basses seems thin and narrow in their depth of tone. Both of these strings have such a strong tonal signature that it is almost as if the guitar's tone becomes secondary to the string's tone. On the other hand, Hannabach Silvers (815HT) awaken the gypsy Granada spirit of my Santiago Marin, and the D'Addario Pro Arte Composites (46's) pull the rich Madrid warmth and liquid power from deep within my Bernabe PB. My point is that my chief criterion for a string has become: Which set will draw from the guitar the full scope of what the maker intended, and what the guitar wants to say to me and the audience? Some strings make me aware of the string, others tell me about the guitar.

[ilf]

James,

The Galli normal tension are about equal to D'Addario Hard tension. The Galli hard use the same trebles as their normal, but with slightly stronger basses. Unfortuately, there is no uniformity in tensions, from brand to brand. Galli may have a lower tension available soon.

You are very fortunate to have a guitar by Manuel Velazquez. His guitars sound great with just about any set of strings.

I use galli strings also . I dont find the tension to be very hard, though the string feels a little stiff under the fingers , What I like is their clear and bright tone compared with the relative thick diameter, the string that compare most in tone quality of what I tried is Savarez alliance, but I cant get used to the thin diameter and find they have a higher tension.

It is not easy to find a bass string that equals savarez corum but they dont work well with the galli trebles, so I use the basses also though I miss the smothness and flexibility of the savarez corum.

[dennis]

I put a set of the high tension strings on my guitar about a month ago. They took a little longer to break in than other strings, especially the basses, but I've been pretty happy with the clarity of the strings, they do seem a bit higher in tension than other high tensions, but I ordered a set of the mediums and will try those after these wear out.

[ilf]

It is not easy to find a bass string that equals savarez corum but they dont work well with the galli trebles, so I use the basses also though I miss the smothness and flexibility of the savarez corum.

I have to take my words back, i normally always use savarez corum basses normal tension and they dont work well with Galli normal.

But on occasion i put on high tension corum basses , and they work ext -remly well with the galli normal trebles. :roll: :D

[jsilva]

Time to chime in on the Galli's.
I just received a set of the high tension an put them on my Ramirez 4E Friday. I need to qualify my next comment as it has been about a year since I changed strings (new baby in the house, didn’t get to play much.) I find the playability to be excellent. It has been less than 3 days, and they are already holding their tune. I usually use Savarez, and they take a week or so to get where the Galli’s are. The trebles are sweet and the basses are deep and rich. (that could change as I have heard others comment, but today they sound great.)

I hope this is something GSI starts to carry.
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