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5 Must-know Things about Nylon Guitar Strings

Are you a new guitarist or someone learning to play guitar for the first time? One of the crucial things you should know is the importance of using the right strings. Stringed instruments like violins, cellos, and classical guitars were, at one time, strung using gut strings. But nowadays, Nylon has taken the place of gut strings as the choice material for strings. This is due to its resilience, affordability as well as ease of manufacture. They are also easy on the fingers, incredibly lighter than other options, and last for a long time.

Nylon guitar strings are, of course, made from Nylon. In most cases, the treble strings of a guitar are made with 100 percent pure nylon. The bass strings, however, are made heavier by wrapping them in metal.

But when it comes to nylon guitar strings, there are several things you need to know about them. This will enable you to be highly  knowledgeable about those strings you strum on your favorite guitar. And you will also know what to do to make them last for years.

Without further ado, therefore, here are 5 must-know things about nylon guitar strings:

  1. Nylon Guitar Strings Are Not Always Entirely 100 Percent Nylon

Do you know that nylon guitar strings are not made of 100 percent nylon? This is true; the 3 treble strings on a particular set of nylon strings are pure Nylon.

But the A, D, and E strings are wrapped entirely in metal. In a general sense, the metal winding that comes with bass strings gives them a bit more weight. This ends up producing lower-pitched sounds.

As a beginner, you may erroneously believe that someone has messed with the strings and replaced 1 part of nylon strings with a nice set of steel alternatives.

  • Nylon Guitar Strings Are Perfect For Newbies or Beginners

Steel guitar strings are notorious for their high tension which ultimately results in uncomfortable or painful fingers. First-time guitar players won’t find it funny at all as these strings can become unbearable after a while.

Switching over to nylon strings is the best option for you since they are usually super-soft and great for chords. This is why many guitar schools use nylon-stringed instruments for their new students.

  • Nylon Guitar Strings are Highly Durable

Research has shown that nylon-made products are highly durable, i.e. they last for an extremely long time. The same holds true for nylon guitar strings; it takes an incredibly long period for them to get into tune after stretching.

But as soon as they have been fully stretched out and thoroughly worn-in, the nylon guitar strings can last for an unbelievably long time. They have been known to last up to a year, and that is because they are not open to rust, unlike steel strings.

  • Nylon Guitar Strings Are Perfect for Fingerstyle

Nylon guitar strings are softer to play as pointed out earlier. And they are perfect for guitar players who prefer fingerpicking when playing songs.

Most classical guitars have wide necks, and since they mostly come with nylon strings, it becomes easier for you to play interesting chords.

  • Nylon Guitar Strings Should Always Be Tied or Wrapped onto Your Guitar

Nylon stringed classical guitars are generally constructed somewhat differently from steel-string guitars. And since such strings don’t have bridge pins or ball-ends, you need to tie the nylon guitar string onto the bridge.

Experts highly recommend that users of these strings should slide them through the bridge. And then wrap each string around twice in order to secure the nylon strings into place.

As soon as you are fully done with the first loop, loop the nylon strings around once again to secure it. Bear in mind that nylon-stringed instruments generally have their respective strings wound through the center of the headstock.

Therefore, try to wound the nylon guitar strings such that they are towards the back of the headstock. Carefully ensure that the strings are firmly in place in the middle of the pole for better tone and tuning.

Conclusion

So, there you have it: keeping these 5 must-know things about nylon guitar strings will be of profound benefit to you if you are a newbie. 

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