Strings for a Mark V classical?

[maxr]

Any recommendations for strings on a Mark V classical? I think it's from sometime late 70s, probably Indian rosewood and a Cedar top, quite heavily built for a classical with a reasonably thick looking finish. Sound with standard nylon strings is to my ear a little more round and unfocused than I'd like, it could do with a bit more presence and clarity.

Thanks, Max

 

[twocorgis]

I use hard tension strings on mine, D'Addario Pro-Arte at the moment. I think they sound great. My '74 is not what I would consider to be heavily built at all.

 

[maxr]

Thanks twocorgis - well, maybe what I meant is, it isn't light for a classical I just looked inside and this one has Nov 82 ink stamped on the 'slipper' (?) style neck block, sn CD100131.

 

[Uke]

I use D'Addario regular/normal tension Pro-Arte. I used to use Savarez High Tension ("Yellow Card"), but I have older fingers now, and have read that high tension strings can also do weird things to a guitar neck, especially if the guitar is older. Been happy with D'Addario brand for both classical and steel string guitars. I have used Savarez regular tension strings ("Red Card"). but find they are not so good for the intonation on my guitar (a high end Yamaha classical).

 

[twocorgis]

Thanks twocorgis - well, maybe what I meant is, it isn't light for a classical I just looked inside and this one has Nov 82 ink stamped on the 'slipper' (?) style neck block, sn CD100131.

That one you have is very close in serial to my old ’82, which was CD 100119. It had a spruce top, and my Best guess is that yours most likely does, too. My ‘74 has a cedar top, confirmed by Hans.

 

[Brad Little]

I've used the Savarese Red and Yellow cards in the past, but, as Uke said above, my fingers are getting older, so I've gone to lighter strings. Still trying different brands and different materials, carbon fiber trebles, for example. As to the weight, my '74 is not as light as my luthier made Hauser copy, but I wouldn't call it heavy. Oh, and BTW, the > the 'slipper' (?) style neck block< is usually called a Spanish foot or just foot, so slipper is close!

 

[maxr]

Thanks Brad. 'Slipper' - I was close, but no cigar So do these Guilds have the sides fixed into slots in the side of a one piece neck/heel block with wedges as the foot might suggest, or is there a steel string style mortice joint in there to hold the neck on?

 

[Brad Little]

Thanks Brad. 'Slipper' - I was close, but no cigar So do these Guilds have the sides fixed into slots in the side of a one piece neck/heel block with wedges as the foot might suggest, or is there a steel string style mortice joint in there to hold the neck on?

AFAIK, yes, but somebody else will probably have exact information. Can't see any reason for a Spanish foot with a different joint.