What strings for a short scale classical guitar?

[Dizi]

I'm trying to help a friend setup a really old short-scale classical guitar. I don't know much about classical guitars, and am lost on what to do for strings. I had him buy a pack of nylons from the local guitar shop, and they are crap. Plus, being a short-scale, tuned to pitch the string tension is really weak and sloppy. What are some decent, thicker strings I could use for a guitar like this?

[garymaddox]

I have a short scale classical and I use just normal classical strings on it. It is smaller than 3/4 scale. I tune it to pitch and the tension is similar to my full scale classical.

[Al Watsky]

Hi,
If the set up is correct a regular set of hard tension classical strings should do fine.
Remember the action of a Classic Guitar is higher than a steel string or electric.
Norman height for a Classic is, 8/68 for the hi-E and 10/64 for the Low.
You may need a new saddle ? Hard to say without the guitar in hand.

[Dizi]

Originally Posted by Al Watsky

Hi,
If the set up is correct a regular set of hard tension classical strings should do fine.
Remember the action of a Classic Guitar is higher than a steel string or electric.
Norman height for a Classic is, 8/68 for the hi-E and 10/64 for the Low.
You may need a new saddle ? Hard to say without the guitar in hand.

Thanks mate. You mention hard tension strings, and I think thats the piece of info I needed. The string height is fine, I did shape a new bone bridge saddle for it. Just loose and sloppy strings.

[brandt]

For a short scale or smaller classicals you might want to try lower tension strings as well. It might sound different (maybe better, maybe not) but it's worth a try.

[Dizi]

Originally Posted by brandt

For a short scale or smaller classicals you might want to try lower tension strings as well. It might sound different (maybe better, maybe not) but it's worth a try.

Hey thanks for the suggestion. It has light tension strings on it now, and its not fun to play. Way too loose and sloppy. It really feels like it wants higher tension strings.

[brandt]

that's strange - it shouldn't be too floppy - is it tuned to concert pitch 440 - dumb question sorry. If it's too loose then definitely go for the higher tension strings - just watch your bridge especially if it's an older guitar.

[Dizi]

Originally Posted by brandt

that's strange - it shouldn't be too floppy - is it tuned to concert pitch 440 - dumb question sorry. If it's too loose then definitely go for the higher tension strings - just watch your bridge especially if it's an older guitar.

Actually no, its tuned a half step up, in an attempt to tighten the strings a bit. Didn't help, and not willing to tune higher. Thanks for the tip on the bridge, tho. I will definately keep an eye on it as I tune up the higher tension strings. The guitar was made in Mexico in 1933.

[brandt]

that's an old guitar and most definitely made with hide glue. before you put on the new higher tension strings make sure the bridge, bridge plate and the braces on the inside of the guitar is solid and not loose. You may want to tune the new strings a step lower to start with then go to 1/2 step lower to see how the guitar handles the higher tension.

[Dizi]

Good advice, and I really do appreciate it. I am comfortable working on my Strats, but not alot of experience with acoustics. Thank you.

I'm usually one to expect pics anytime a guitar is discussed, so here is one crappy cell phone pic I took, just to show the owner after installing the new bridge saddle. I'll take more detailed pics next time its in my hands.

[jefrs]

What is the string length? - 3/4 scale would be about 19-in, about 5th fret on a full size one. I suspect it is a tenor rather than a student's 3/4 size (the age, the cutaway, the extended fb)

Try using good quality strings (expensive) but normal tension and tune up to GCFBbDG, it may want to go to ADGCEA. Make sure you get a good break angle at the saddle, the timber-hitch is not always the best knot to use because it lifts the string off the saddle. It should start to sing as you bring it up to its correct pitch. That should place it at normal tension, nylon strings exert much less tension than steel, even so high tension are a bit thicker. Action should be as low as possible, at shorter length and higher pitch the string excursion is less and the action can be lower.

[Joe-Bob]

Try D'Addario Pro Arte extra hard tension strings.

[jefrs]

A tenor Ukulele has a scale of 17-in and is tuned GCEA (guitar 5th fret), I gather D'Addario Pro Arte SP Light or Savarez Alliance are suitable. Tuning to GCBbDG at ~19-in should be possible. Nylon strings do stretch and stretch before they get to pitch, if you are used to steel strings you may think they are going to snap. Aquila Nylgut are nice, too much info here http://www.aquilacorde.com/faqi.htm

A baritone ukulele has a scale of 19 to 20-in and is tuned like a guitar, looks like one too... 6-string versions too, Aquila make 6-string baritone ukulele sets. Maybe...

[garymaddox]

Originally Posted by Dizi

Good advice, and I really do appreciate it. I am comfortable working on my Strats, but not alot of experience with acoustics. Thank you.

I'm usually one to expect pics anytime a guitar is discussed, so here is one crappy cell phone pic I took, just to show the owner after installing the new bridge saddle. I'll take more detailed pics next time its in my hands.

Oh, that's not a guitar, it's a requinto. You want to tune that up five steps. The 6th and 1st strings are "A" not "E".

[garymaddox]

You can get requinto strings. I wasn't sure so I did a search and found several companies make them. http://www.juststrings.com/requinto.html

[Dizi]

Thanks for the info, Gary. I think you are right about it being a requinto. I never heard of them before, so I did some searching on Google and saw a few others.

Good call on juststrings.com, I've been their customer for years.