A normal-tension nylon set for classical guitars. Normal tension is the middle of three grades, and it is the one to fit unless the instrument or the player asks otherwise.
D'Addario Pro-Arté Normal Tension
A normal-tension nylon set for classical guitars. Normal tension is the middle of three grades, and it is the one to fit unless the instrument or the player asks otherwise.
Material
Nylon
Tension
Normal
Instrument
Classical and concert guitars
End type
Tie end — for a classical bridge
Amazon reference
B000EEL6J6 (identical on 6 markets)
EAN
0019954121266
Normal tension is the safe default: enough volume, without loading the neck
Sold on all six Amazon stores at near-identical prices
Tie-end strings take longer to fit than ball ends, and the knot has to be learned
Best for: A classical or concert guitar — and no other kind.
Nylon strings are what a classical guitar is designed around: lower tension, a warmer sound, and a great deal less pain for fingertips that have never played.
This is a normal-tension set, which is the middle of the three grades and the right default. High tension gives more volume and pushes harder on the top and neck; low tension is easier to press but can buzz. Normal sits where most instruments are set up to be.
The one thing to know before ordering is the end: classical strings are tie-end, knotted at the bridge, not ball-end like steel strings. It takes a few minutes longer and a video the first time.
And the rule with no exceptions: nylon on a classical, steel on a steel-string. Fitting steel strings to a classical guitar can damage it beyond economic repair.
The questions players ask
Can I fit these to a steel-string guitar?
No. A steel-string bridge takes ball ends and the guitar is built for steel tension; nylon on it sounds dead and sits wrong. String type follows the instrument, not the preference.
Why will they not stay in tune?
New nylon stretches for several days. Tune, play, retune, repeat — it settles. This is normal and not a fault of the strings.
The only pure nickel strings on this shelf and the only ones with silk-wrapped ends, in ultra-light 9-42 for electric guitar — on a listing that prints one of its five bullets twice.
Instrument
Electric. This shelf also holds three acoustic sets and one classical nylon, and none of the three is interchangeable
Gauge
Ultra light, 9-42 — the lightest gauge published on this shelf, against 12-53 on the three acoustic sets
Wrap wire
Pure nickel, which Gibson states gives a smooth warm tone that still delivers a punch — the only pure nickel on this shelf
Ends
Silk-wrapped, stated to reduce ambient noise — the only silk ends on this shelf
Made in
American made, in Gibson’s words — one of four strings here to publish a country
Core
Gibson puts nothing in writing on this. Three strings on this shelf publish a hexagonal high-carbon core
Quantity
One set. Two packs on this shelf contain three
Listing repetition
Bullets three and four are identical: *Silk-wrapped ends to ensure the least amount of ambient noise*, printed twice. Five bullets become four
Amazon reference
B0002D0CC6
EAN
0711106532080
The only pure nickel strings on this shelf, which is a warmer alloy than the usual nickel-plated steel
The only silk-wrapped ends here, which Gibson states reduce ambient noise
One of its five bullets is printed twice, so there are really four
Best for: An electric with a set-up for light strings, where a warmer nickel voice is wanted over a modern bright one.
Three sets of light-gauge 80/20 bronze at $6.66 a set — the lowest price per set on this shelf — in the bolder and brighter of the two acoustic alloys, created in the 1930s.
Quantity
Three sets — which works out at $6.66 a set, the lowest price per set on this shelf
Gauge
Light, 12-53 — the same gauge as the two phosphor bronze sets here, so the comparison is purely about alloy
Wrap wire
80/20 bronze, which D’Addario states gives a bold, bright sound with crisp projection — the other acoustic alloy, against phosphor bronze’s warmth
Core
A hexagonal high-carbon steel core, precision wound
Origin
Created in the 1930s by John D’Addario Sr. and the guitar maker John D’Angelico — the earlier of the two dates published on this shelf
Made in
The USA, drawn at D’Addario’s New York facility
Packaging
A recyclable VCI bag with a Players Circle code
Instrument
Acoustic. Not for the electric or classical guitars this shelf also serves
Amazon reference
B0783QYRV5
EAN
0019954255855
The lowest price per set on this shelf — $6.66, against $8.30 and $9.99 for the same gauge
The same 12-53 gauge as the phosphor bronze sets here, so the only variable is the alloy
80/20 bronze is brighter and loses its brightness faster than phosphor bronze
Best for: A played acoustic whose owner has decided they want bright rather than warm, and wants a year of strings.
A mixed pack of twelve picks in five materials and several thicknesses. Pick material and thickness change tone and grip more than most beginners expect, and neither can be judged from a photograph.
Count
12
Materials
Ultex, Tortex, Jazz III, Gator Grip, Max Grip
Use
Electric and acoustic guitar, bass
Amazon reference
DE B0752N9XTL · US B07H277CDP · GB B0752N9XTL · FR B0752N9XTL · IT B0752N9XTL · ES B0752N9XTL
EAN
0710137102491
Answers the thickness question in one afternoon instead of over months
Grip materials included, which matter more than tone for anyone whose hands sweat
No US offer at the time of writing
Best for: A first month with a guitar, or anyone who has only ever used one pick.
A two-inch polypropylene strap with stitched leather ends and an extended end that carries three picks. It adjusts to 72 inches — the longest on this shelf — and the picks are a separate purchase.
Length
41 to 72 in — 104 to 183 cm (40.9 to 72 in). The longest maximum on this shelf; the other three straps here stop at 60, 60 and 56 in (maker’s bullet)
Width
2 in polypropylene webbing, stated for comfort and durability (maker’s bullet)
Ends
Quality black leather, securely stitched to the webbing (maker’s bullet)
Pick holder
An extended leather end holding up to three picks, on the lower front of the strap (maker’s bullet)
Picks
Not included, stated twice in the listing. One of two items on this shelf that contains no picks at all (maker’s bullet)
Pick gauges
Ernie Ball puts nothing in writing on this, because no picks are supplied. Three listings on this shelf publish millimeter figures for the picks they include
Load rating
Ernie Ball puts nothing in writing on this. No strap on this shelf publishes a load or a breaking strength
Color
Black (from the title)
Manufacturer reference
P04039
Weight
91 g (3.2 oz) in the product record
Amazon reference
B07N28MVG5
EAN
0749699100263
Seventy-two inches is the longest adjustment on this shelf — a bass worn low, or a tall player
Stitched leather ends rather than molded plastic, on the two points that actually tear
No picks supplied, where four items on this shelf include between four and twelve
Best for: A bass or an electric worn low, by a player tall enough that most straps run out.
Fifty one-inch foam panels with triangular grooves, 300 double-sided adhesive squares supplied, and the only fire claim on this shelf — which on foam glued to a bedroom wall is the line that matters.
Quantity and size
50 panels at 1 × 12 × 12 in — the largest quantity on this shelf
Profile
Triangular grooves, which Focusound states absorb noise better than a flat face
Adhesive
300 double-sided adhesive squares supplied free — six per panel
Fire
Focusound states strong fire resistance and that the foam stops burning to prevent a hidden fire hazard — the only fire claim on this shelf
Material
High-density foam. Focusound states that if it does not return to shape it can be soaked in water and air-dried
Thickness
1 in — 2.5 cm. One panel on this shelf publishes 5 cm (2 in), and its page notes thickness is what reaches lower
Absorption
Focusound publishes no NRC figure. No panel on this shelf publishes one
Air permeability
Stated as good, alongside the fire resistance
Coverage
50 square feet in total
Manufacturer reference
FS0302C
Amazon reference
B0832DPMYR
EAN
0658848729111
Fifty panels, the most on this shelf, with 300 adhesive squares included — six per panel
The only panel here to publish anything about fire, and it says the foam stops burning
One inch of foam treats echo and not bass, as the page for another panel here states
Best for: Covering a lot of wall at once, where the fire claim and the adhesive count matter as much as the foam.
