# What kind of strings do I need for a Yamaha G-55-1 Classical Guitar?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-strings-do-i-need-for-a-yamaha-g-55-1-classical-guitar/583391>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 27, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-strings-do-i-need-for-a-yamaha-g-55-1-classical-guitar/583391 "2011-05-27T03:14:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-strings-do-i-need-for-a-yamaha-g-55-1-classical-guitar/583391/1 "2011-05-27T03:14:20Z")

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Picked up one of these in cherry, near perfect condition this afternoon. Is apparently[a well regarded instrument](http://www.harmonycentral.com/products/125102). What kind of strings do I need for this guitar? Best to buy locally or on the net?

As a side note what would one of these guitars go for on on ebay in excellent condition? I see sold net prices from $60 to $300. No sold prices on ebay.

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**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-strings-do-i-need-for-a-yamaha-g-55-1-classical-guitar/583391/2 "2011-05-27T03:53:29Z")

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Happy New Guitar Day!

You need nylon strings, most commonly called ‘classical’ or ‘flamenco’ strings. I’d recommend either the [D’Addario Pro Arte Normal Tension](http://store.daddario.com/category/146041/EJ45_Pro-Arte_Normal_Tension) or the [Hannabach Low Tension Flamenco Strings](http://www.georgeheinl.com/products/view/827lt-hannabach-flamenco-guitar-string-set-low-tension). Savarez are also good strings, but their normal tension is higher than either D’Addario or Hannabach. I don’t think the D’Addario composites are necessarily going to improve the sound of your guitar enough to justify the extra expense.

Once you and the guitar are used to each other and the guitar seems to be settling in well, you could experiment with higher tension strings if you wanted to. I wouldn’t recommend starting out with high tension strings, though - you don’t know how well the previous owner looked after the instrument. D’Addario has a good [guide to changing the strings](http://www.daddario.com/DADMediaDetail.Page?MediaId=31) on a classical guitar on their website.

I’d be surprised if anybody would pay as much as $300 for one - the laminate top really limits its usefulness as an instrument. It is a solid, well built tank of a guitar, and a decent starter instrument or a beater but the fundamental sound will never improve. I still have mine, which I bought used for $50. CAD in 1976. I keep it for sentimental reasons.

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-strings-do-i-need-for-a-yamaha-g-55-1-classical-guitar/583391/3 "2011-05-27T17:48:55Z")

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Thanks!