Help a beginner pick new strings

[DWPC]

As a rank beginner playing a "budget" guitar (Sigma CS-1; cedar/mahog.), I'm completely flummoxed by choosing replacement strings from the many brands and types out there. Though I like my guitar to sound kind of bright, at this point I am quite happy to simply play the exercise notes correctly and not quibble about tone. I have D'Adarrios now which have seemed kind of dull. I'd welcome any suggestions on selecting replacement strings for a beginner.
I've done a search, but it seems most string-related posts are way beyond my level. :?

[adrian]

Hello DWPC, and welcome to the forum. We began offering our String Sampler Packages precisely for your situation; for a good price, you get to sample five very different brands of strings. They're available in high or normal tensions:

:arrow: http://guitarsalon.com/store.php?it=STSTRXX-01611 (high tension)
:arrow: http://guitarsalon.com/store.php?it=STSTR0X-02482 (normal tension)

Cheers.
Adrian,
GSI

[snetzley]

I'd recommend you stick with normal tension strings. The two brands I like, in order of preference are Galli and D'Addario.

Just my two cents.

[Gus]

My vote is for D'Addario and Augustine....normal tension .

[M. Stephenson]

I think that the sampler pack is a great idea. However, I would like to see a set with carbon trebles included (perhaps there is and I missed it).

I think that carbon trebles give added brightness and they also are skinnier. Up until recnetly carbon trebles were on all of my classicals, but they are not cheap and I have migrated to less expensive strings (I have 4 classicals of varying quality that get played regulerly). I had to go thru an adjustment period to get used to the fatter strings.

All that aside, I think the sampler pack is a great way to start. Be sure to keep the packaging and write the date the srings were installed and removed as well your thoughts about the strings (were they harder or easier to play, how was the tone, how well did they stay in tune, did a string break or go bad, etc.). Think of collecting string packs as being very similar to collecting wine labels.

There is no substitute for experiencing the different strings yourself.

[snetzley]

What a good idea to keep the string labels and write down the date they are installed and thoughts about them! Hate to admit it, but I never thought of that. I've only got one guitar (at the moment) that I have to keep up with, but that still can be a challenge. I just changed my trebles last weekend after spending a couple of weeks with intonation problems. It finally occurred to me that I hadn't changed the strings since right after Christams. DUH! :oops: The most organized I've been is keeping the label from the current set of strings. Your method is great!

Thanks!

Other than trying a composite G, I haven't used a whole set of composites. Do you really like them that much better?

[ilf]

If you are a complete beginner I like sharon suggest normal or even lighttension strings , my best recomandation would be savarez corum basses new crystal line normal tension compared to other the are low in tension .and so easy to play with good tonecolour.
I play a mix of Savarez basses and galli trebles, but the gallitrebles are a little higher in tension.

as a beginner I would forget carbon or any other thin composite string, they are compared harder to play.

[DWPC]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The sampler pack seems to be a good solution that will let me experience a variety different string characteristics, even mix 'n match between the sets!

[Pepe Vergara]

As a rank beginner playing a "budget" guitar (Sigma CS-1; cedar/mahog.)........ I have D'Adarrios now which have seemed kind of dull. I'd welcome any suggestions on selecting replacement strings for a beginner. :?
I presume the dullness may not come from the strings, but from the guitar. However, with that combination of cedar/mahogany, you may be producing a more folkish sound, not classical. I recommend ERNIE BALL strings. THey have a website, try and tell me if I was wrong or not! THey come in colors too. Read the informaiton on them. I will stay away from other than nylon, especially if you are a beginer.

[Ed A.]

We were all beginners once and as such like to think that our newly acquired guitar is the best one in the world and should have the best strings possible. I remember buying a set with solid silver wound bass strings for ny $60 Mexican guitar feeling that it was really special.(waste of money)
I had an instructor once who said to use Savarez basses with Augustine trebles. (actually not a bad choice) He eventually started recommending plain old D'Addario J45's saying that for all practical purposes they were as good or better than just about anything (at the time).
The D'Addario J45 set is about as close as you can come to being the standard of comparison for all other brands and tensions. I'm not saying they are the best but simply a good reference by which to judge others.(bonus is that they are among the least expensive) As such this is the ideal string set for a beginner to develop a sense for the guitars capability. As one gains experience , branching out to other makes and tensions will then provide a more meaningful experience.
Among my favorites are the D'Addario J48 (bronze wound basses high tension) and am currently using the Savarez 500CRJ Corum/New Cristal set. These have high tension basses and normal tension clear nylon trebles. These have a nice bright sound and so far I really like them.
Ed