[sergiost8]

Which are better to play with? Which are better to record with? I was listening to Damien Rice and seeing the way he strums a lot with his fingers, especially his thumb, and I was wondering if there are any big names (Dave Matthews?) that also could use nylon strings instead of metallic ones because of the versatility of the nylon ones (besides the fact they dont hurt as much)

[MakoMako]

Which are better to play with? Which are better to record with? I was listening to Damien Rice and seeing the way he strums a lot with his fingers, especially his thumb, and I was wondering if there are any big names (Dave Matthews?) that also could use nylon strings instead of metallic ones because of the versatility of the nylon ones (besides the fact they dont hurt as much)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as I know, Dave Matthews uses steel-strings, not nylon strings. From my experince, Nylon strings can sound very useful for some situations, but for the most part, I prefer steel strings. I like the crisp noise that they have, and you would be amazed at how little it hurts to strum and pick with your fingers. I only find myself getting sore after about an hour and a half of fingerpicking on steel strings, and that's when I'm trying to play loudly.

Also, the biggest issue is, if you have a classical guitar with rollers, don't EVER use steel strings.

[The_buffalo]

Most people find steel strings more versitile - most people you listen to on the radio or MTV use steel strings. Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed are two artists who record with nylon strings. (Aside from classical & flamenco players).

[LooPbacK]

Nylon vs Metalic...
I hate nylon strings...

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

Hurting as much stops with experience. After a while of getting used to it, you don't notice any pain, you just notice hitting the strings.

By the look of the post, it seems like you are considering putting nylon strings on a steel stringed guitar. Don't. Guitars are designed and built to use certain types of strings, and changing that is asking for trouble. So if you have a nylon stringed guitar do not put styeel strings on it, the chances are the neck will not be able to handle the extra pressure and will end up damaged.

[rasav]

If you're really on the fence you could always get a Jazz set silk and steel w/ Nylon lower and streel trebles. (It sounds like crap the other way.)

[wishiwuzhendrix]

if you think your fingers hurt, pick up a bass for a week or two, then go back to your guitar. You will feel nothing, plus your fingers will be much stronger. My guitar feels like a toothpick, because It was in the shop so i played only my bass for a week, then I finally got it back, and i could play it for hours. I love my acoustic so much, and now I was finally able to play for a long time. And yes, nylon are much easier on the fingers, but calluses with develop, and then you will play steel like nylon.

[K-Brad]

I broke a two strings on my guitar and all I had was metal strings.

I put them on the E and A and they didn't hurt at all.

But I think metal are better.They sound better when you bend them.

[sergiost8]

Im not planning on putting nylon strings into my acoustic guitar! Despite the fact that metal strings hurt a bit sometimes, I still prefer their sound much better than the nylon ones, at least for the music I like to play. I was just wondering cause I see some artist playing the strings with such ease and versatility that it amazes me they're metal strings, like Dave Matthews and some of the stuff he does. I think it's all about practice.

[MakoMako]

Im not planning on putting nylon strings into my acoustic guitar! Despite the fact that metal strings hurt a bit sometimes, I still prefer their sound much better than the nylon ones, at least for the music I like to play. I was just wondering cause I see some artist playing the strings with such ease and versatility that it amazes me they're metal strings, like Dave Matthews and some of the stuff he does. I think it's all about practice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is really it. Trust me, no matter how hard you try, especially with Dave Matthews songs, it's not always going to sound the exact same. It's not because you're doing thigns wrong, or even because you have the wrong strings, but the specific guitar comes into play.

With Dave's sort of playing, I think it's best to use Metal Strings, since some out there are really smooth and make it easier to slide around like he tends to do on songs like "So Much to Say" and "What Would you Say", both of which are rather complicated, but good none the less.

Edit: Left a few words out.. ^^;;

This post has been edited by MakoMako: 08 November 2005 - 02:23 PM

[superfudge93]

nylon strings are better for classical guitar but otherwise metal is probably better.

-end-

[Catcher In The Rye]

I use metallic. I think it sounds better. I have an acoustic with nylon though, and one with metallic.

[LooPbacK]

I hate nylon strings...
Used them for a week on one of my acoustics and sounded terebly wrong...
Metal would be a much wiser choice...

[john_p12]

I hate nylon strings...
Used them for a week on one of my acoustics and sounded terebly wrong...
Metal would be a much wiser choice...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

there's no choice to be made, neither string is better than the other.

nylon strings are found on guitars made for nylon strings, you cannot put nylon stings on an acoustic, and you can definitly not put steel strings on a classical guitar. you simply buy two different guitars. (although i acknowledge the fact that there could be specially made guitars or strings to be switched around, somewhere, i dont really know.)

you choose what sounds better to you, or what you like, or what suits your style, whatever. music is about what sounds good, right?

[Catcher In The Rye]

Did your acoustic come with metallic or nylon?

[LooPbacK]

Yup it was an acoustic made for steel strings...yet i don't like the sound of nylon strings even on a clasical guitar...
I tried puting metal strings on a guitar designed for nylon and sounded better...
I'm set against nylon...can't do much to change that

[john_p12]

what's the point of putting steel strings on a classical guitar?
that'll damage the guitar. just use your steel acoustic. your guitar is a cross-dresser man.

[Catcher In The Rye]

You can't put nylon on a metallic string guitar...

[drakus_maximus]

nylon strings deffinately