Nylon Ball End String - Recommendations for a Parlour Please

Chiliwailer · July 2021

Hi folks, I’m keen to get your string recommendations...

I have a Martin Parlour, from the 19th century, which (unfortunately) has a modern bridge for ball ends. In keeping of the guitar I use nylon strings.

Because it’s old, I’m interested in low tension strings.

Cheers

malcolmkindness · July 2021

In nearly 60 years of playing I have never come across nylon strings with a ball end, but of course they may exist.
The best alternative would be Dr Thomastik silk and steel, or Newtone Heritage in a very light gauge.

TheMadMick · July 2021

What's wrong with tying a big knot in the end of the string? Might need to pass the loose end through the knot a couple of times to stop slipping for the plain strings but that should work methinks?

rpr · July 2021

Rotosound do them - https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/string-sets-c865/acoustic-guitar-c33/rotosound-cl1-superia-nylon-ball-end-classical-guitar-strings-normal-tension-p2336. ;

Chiliwailer · July 2021

malcolmkindness said:

In nearly 60 years of playing I have never come across nylon strings with a ball end, but of course they may exist.
The best alternative would be Dr Thomastik silk and steel, or Newtone Heritage in a very light gauge.

Yeah, they do exist, bizarrely!

. I’m trying to stay from steel, which is a shame as I love Thomastik bass strings - but now you say it, I think I’ll check their website... cheers.

Chiliwailer · July 2021

TheMadMick said:

What's wrong with tying a big knot in the end of the string? Might need to pass the loose end through the knot a couple of times to stop slipping for the plain strings but that should work methinks?

You got me thinking there... cheers.

Chiliwailer · July 2021

rpr said:

Rotosound do them - https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/string-sets-c865/acoustic-guitar-c33/rotosound-cl1-superia-nylon-ball-end-classical-guitar-strings-normal-tension-p2336. ;

Cheers, I’ve tired them before but wondered if anyone knew of any ‘secret’ high end ones...

rpr · July 2021

Chiliwailer said:

rpr said:

Rotosound do them - https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/string-sets-c865/acoustic-guitar-c33/rotosound-cl1-superia-nylon-ball-end-classical-guitar-strings-normal-tension-p2336. ;

Cheers, I’ve tired them before but wondered if anyone knew of any ‘secret’ high end ones...

IIRC it should be possible to thread any strings thru the end bits.....

Chiliwailer · July 2021

rpr said:

Chiliwailer said:

rpr said:

Rotosound do them - https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/strings-c1/string-sets-c865/acoustic-guitar-c33/rotosound-cl1-superia-nylon-ball-end-classical-guitar-strings-normal-tension-p2336. ;

Cheers, I’ve tired them before but wondered if anyone knew of any ‘secret’ high end ones...

IIRC it should be possible to thread any strings thru the end bits.....

Nice one, think that might open more options so I’ll look into it

DavidR · July 2021

Google "string tie beads". I have never tried them and always thought they looked a bit clunky but another option.

Here's some on amazon Black Classical Flamenco Acoustic Nylon Guitar String Tie Alba Guitar Beads Blocks : Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments & DJ

Also, as others have said, a knot. No reason not to do this, just looks untidy.

An Alternative Method of Tying Off Strings at the Bridge – Classical Guitars Plus (classical-guitars.plus)

Some people seem to want to stick a little bead under the knot!
Alternate stringing method for classical guitars - KieselGuitarsBBS.com

Hope all helpful. Have fun experimenting.

ToneControl · July 2021

please send a photo of the bridge
I thought about those bead blocks too, look like the easiest answer

drofluf · July 2021

I use string tie beads - pic here https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/210392/faith-lyra-nylon-strung-hybrid-guitar#latest if you zoom in. But if you have a pin type bridge they may be too big?

Chiliwailer · July 2021

Thanks to all for the replies, appreciated.

The current bridge is like one found on a typical steel string guitar - think your average acoustic bridge. It’s a a blooming disgrace that someone put that on a 1840s Martin, and I’m hoping soon to finally have an original pyramid style bridge put on.

So I need to have something you can use with bridge pins for now - perhaps I should have been clearer.

crunchman · July 2021

I got some Martin Nylon strings with a ball end a little while back.

Leiversalone · July 2021

Martin m260 are pretty good, they are normal tension, I believe high and light are also available, check the bay or amazon.

Chiliwailer · July 2021

Cheers for the responses - will check them out.

more · July 2021

Chiliwailer said:

Hi folks, I’m keen to get your string recommendations...

I have a Martin Parlour, from the 19th century, which (unfortunately) has a modern bridge for ball ends. In keeping of the guitar I use nylon strings.

Because it’s old, I’m interested in low tension strings.

Cheers

Some string manufactures make ball end nylon string sets, intended to be use on guitars made for steel strings . Mostly they are called Folk Strings . Personal ,I think the best is La Bella 830 Folk Singer . I would not worry about the tension of any nylon string. It will always be on the low side compered to steel .

Chiliwailer · July 2021

more said:

Chiliwailer said:

Hi folks, I’m keen to get your string recommendations...

I have a Martin Parlour, from the 19th century, which (unfortunately) has a modern bridge for ball ends. In keeping of the guitar I use nylon strings.

Because it’s old, I’m interested in low tension strings.

Cheers

Some string manufactures make ball end nylon string sets, intended to be use on guitars made for steel strings . Mostly they are called Folk Strings . Personal ,I think the best is La Bella 830 Folk Singer . I would not worry about the tension of any nylon string. It will always be on the low side compered to steel .

That’s a great recommendation, they do lovely high end bass strings. Cheers, I think that’ll be my next set,

meltedbuzzbox · July 2021

Low tension nylons might be a bit like rubber bands?

Even high tension nylon are nowhere near acoustic or electric guitar string tension.

Adji · August 2021

They are a reasonably popular string for acoustic guitars surprisingly.
We (D'Addario) make a couple sets.

https://www.daddario.com/products/guitar/classical-guitar/folk-nylon/

ICBM · August 2021

Missed this earlier, but if knotting the strings themselves isn’t sufficient (if the pins are too loose in the holes) you just need to keep the ball ends from an old set of steel strings, which you can remove with a pair of small wirecutters.

Simply put the nylon string through the hole in the ball and tie a knot behind it. You don’t need to loop it round the groove in the edge. I’ve done this whenever I’ve needed to restring an old pin-bridge nylon string guitar.

I could be wrong but I think the original Martin bridge would have been a pin type anyway, even though the guitar would definitely have been made for gut strings - steel wasn’t used until the 20th century, so don’t put them on (even very light ones).

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Nylon Ball End String - Recommendations for a Parlour Please

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