Ball-end Nylon strings?

[Oldskool Texas]

I don't play classical guitar, but a friend brought over an old one in need of a string change. Can one use ball-end nylon strings on any classical guitar, or is there a certain bridge that accomodates them? The guitar in question curently has tied-ends.

 

Thanks!

[Cripes]

Martin makes a set I have used. They can be used on any classical guitar. Being a simple person who pursues function over form, I wish all nylon string manufacturers gave that option. They are much easier to install and save one heck of a lot of time. I don't mind tying off at the bridge because it should be a learned skill with classical, and the strings I use are not offered in ball-end. A feature of one of my steel string guitars is a through-bridge design eliminating bridge pins. I like it and there's no futzing to ensure the ball ends are nested against the bridge plate.

[Oldskool Texas]

Martin makes a set I have used. They can be used on any classical guitar. Being a simple person who pursues function over form, I wish all nylon string manufacturers gave that option. They are much easier to install and save one heck of a lot of time. I don't mind tying off at the bridge because it should be a learned skill with classical, and the strings I use are not offered in ball-end. A feature of one of my steel string guitars is a through-bridge design eliminating bridge pins. I like it and there's no futzing to ensure the ball ends are nested against the bridge plate.

 

 

Thanks for your help!

[Joe Vocht]

You will occassionally have a problem with the high 'e' string breaking at the ball end.

[zenbu]

I`ve also had the string slip through the " ball " on the high E...now I slide the ball up and tie a couple of extra knots over the existing one...works well so far.

[F-holes]

You can usually find the ball after it's been launched across the room!

[Terry Allan Hall]

Willie Nelson (hallowed be His name ) uses LaBella "Folksinger" ball-end nylon sets.

[pharmboyjoe]

Willie Nelson (hallowed be His name ) uses LaBella "Folksinger" ball-end nylon sets.

Amen

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/labeel830and.html

[garthman]

To the best of my knowledge there are three manufacturers who make ball-end nylon strings: Martin, D'Addario and La Bella.

I've tried all three and prefer the La Bella. These are a high tension set and have bronze wound on nylon filament bases and black nylon trebles. I used these on the dreadnought (with traditional bridge pins) that I fitted with nylon strings and they worked great. Unfortunately, these strings are very hard to get hold of in the UK so now I use La Bella 850HT - these are plain end but I just tie knots at the end and they work fine with the bridge pins. (BTW, La Bella also do a "Superfolksinger" set - these are similar to their standard "Folksinger" except the G and B strings are nylon filament cores roundwound with nylon - interesting!)

On my classical (tied on strings) I use La Bella 900. These have bronze roundwound bases that have been ground and polished so are much smoother than traditional nylon bases and produce virtually no finger noise.

[Verne Andru]

I used Martin ball-ends and each set I used the balls broke off. I'm back to tying. Takes a bit longer, but once they're on they don't come off.