Quickstep192 - Posted - 12/07/2019:  11:21:59

I want to try non-steel strings on my open back.

I’ve found a couple of nylon sets, but I don’t see any carbon strings available.

Do they exist?

I tried looking at carbon guitar strings to see if I could just match gauges, but it seems most string mfgrs don’t list gauges for their classical strings.

mike gregory - Posted - 12/07/2019:  11:33:38

It might be possible to buy nylon "leader Line" from a fishing supply company.
And since it's sold in fairly big spools, you won't have to do it often.
They tell you the gauge, right on the spool.

Shall I send you samples of what I use?
PM me your address.

jfhascall - Posted - 12/07/2019:  11:47:43

I'm finding classical guitar sets work very well. My favorites are the D'Addario Titanium strings, but I have tried the Carbons as well. I buy a Normal tension of Hard tension treble set and then an additional 1st and a wound 4th. They are really pretty cheap so just give it a try and see how you like them.

Quickstep192 - Posted - 12/07/2019:  11:59:45

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Originally posted by jfhascall

I'm finding classical guitar sets work very well. My favorites are the D'Addario Titanium strings, but I have tried the Carbons as well. I buy a Normal tension of Hard tension treble set and then an additional 1st and a wound 4th. They are really pretty cheap so just give it a try and see how you like them.

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I was thinking of using guitar trebles, but I was looking at labella nylon banjo strings which are 19-22-28-25w-19 where guitar trebles seem quite a bit larger, something like 24-28-33  

Edited by - Quickstep192 on 12/07/2019 12:03:13

csacwp - Posted - 12/07/2019:  12:11:19

Buy singles from Strings by Mail or a similar company. Savarez and Pyramid offer them.

csacwp - Posted - 12/07/2019:  12:12:29

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

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Originally posted by jfhascall

I'm finding classical guitar sets work very well. My favorites are the D'Addario Titanium strings, but I have tried the Carbons as well. I buy a Normal tension of Hard tension treble set and then an additional 1st and a wound 4th. They are really pretty cheap so just give it a try and see how you like them.

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I was thinking of using guitar trebles, but I was looking at labella nylon banjo strings which are 19-22-28-25w-19 where guitar trebles seem quite a bit larger, something like 24-28-33  

 

 

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Because of the substantially higher tension of Carbon strings, you'll want to downsize the gauges. .016'', .018'', .021'', .025w, .016'' is a good starting place and will have far more tension than the LaBella set you mentioned.

MacCruiskeen - Posted - 12/07/2019:  12:13:06

I've got Pyramid PVF lute strings on my Stewart (with a wound fourth), and they work well. You can get them in singles in a wide range of gauges from Strings by Mail. (the gauges I am using are about what Joel suggests above).

Edited by - MacCruiskeen on 12/07/2019 12:14:58

Quickstep192 - Posted - 12/07/2019:  12:20:28

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Originally posted by csacwp

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

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Originally posted by jfhascall Because of the substantially higher tension of Carbon strings, you'll want to downsize the gauges. .016'', .018'', .021'', .025w, .016'' is a good starting place and will have far more tension than the LaBella set you mentioned.

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That is what I was thinking, but I haven’t found any carbon strings in .016 or .018 (or even nylon for that matter)

csacwp - Posted - 12/07/2019:  12:28:33

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

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Originally posted by csacwp

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

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Originally posted by jfhascall Because of the substantially higher tension of Carbon strings, you'll want to downsize the gauges. .016'', .018'', .021'', .025w, .016'' is a good starting place and will have far more tension than the LaBella set you mentioned.

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That is what I was thinking, but I haven’t found any carbon strings in .016 or .018 (or even nylon for that matter)

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Savarez and Pyramid both make carbon strings going down to sizes smaller than .016''. Check Strings by Mail or String Direct. As for LaBellas (what I use), order them directly from LaBella's website under the early instrument singles category. If a period sound and feel is your goal, skip the carbons and order nylon LaBellas in the following gauges: .017, .019, .023, .024w, .017. I personally use a slightly altered set: .016, .019, .024, .024w, .016.

MacCruiskeen - Posted - 12/07/2019:  14:36:34

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

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Originally posted by csacwp

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

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Originally posted by jfhascall Because of the substantially higher tension of Carbon strings, you'll want to downsize the gauges. .016'', .018'', .021'', .025w, .016'' is a good starting place and will have far more tension than the LaBella set you mentioned.

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That is what I was thinking, but I haven’t found any carbon strings in .016 or .018 (or even nylon for that matter)

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Pyramid strings go down to .011 if you want that. 

Quickstep192 - Posted - 12/09/2019:  09:10:16

I found Pyramid carbon lute strings on StringsByMail.

I’m going to try those and the LaBella and see what happens.

I guess I’m going to need to enlarge the nut slots, right?

mikehalloran - Posted - 12/09/2019:  10:51:10

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Originally posted by Quickstep192

I found Pyramid carbon lute strings on StringsByMail.



I’m going to try those and the LaBella and see what happens.



I guess I’m going to need to enlarge the nut slots, right?

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Probably. It depends on the width of the nut slots. Fluorocarbon strings are thinner than nylon at the same tension but larger than steel.