Guide to Classical Guitar Strings: Buying in the UK

Your Complete Guide to Buying Classical Guitar Strings in the UK

Last updated: January 2026

Finding quality classical guitar strings is essential for maintaining your instrument's tone and playability. Whether you're looking for guitar strings in London or shopping online across the UK, knowing where to find reliable retailers and which brands to trust makes all the difference.

Specialist Music Shops in London

London offers excellent options for purchasing classical guitar strings in person. London Guitar Studio specialises in classical guitar and maintains a comprehensive selection of strings from major manufacturers. Their staff can provide expert guidance on choosing the right strings for your instrument and playing style.

Chimes Music, with locations in both the Barbican and Kensington, stocks a wide range of classical guitar strings. Their convenient central London locations make them ideal stops for guitarists attending concerts or lessons in the area, and their knowledgeable staff can help you select appropriate tension and materials.

Schott Music at Oxford Circus offers classical guitar strings alongside their extensive sheet music collection. As one of the world's leading music publishers with their own retail presence, they provide access to premium string brands and can advise on compatibility with different guitar types.

Guitar Strings Outside London

Outside the capital, Forsyth's in Manchester stands as one of the UK's premier music retailers. Established in 1857, this landmark store on Deansgate maintains an extensive classical guitar strings selection and serves musicians throughout the North of England with expert advice and quality products.

Guitar Guitar, with multiple locations across the UK including Birmingham, Newcastle, and Glasgow, stocks classical guitar strings alongside their extensive guitar inventory. While primarily focused on acoustic and electric guitars, their stores carry essential classical guitar supplies and provide convenient access for players outside major cities.guitar

Edinburgh Music Centre in Edinburgh offers excellent classical guitar strings options for Scottish guitarists, with comprehensive stock from leading manufacturers and knowledgeable staff who understand the specific needs of classical players.

Online Guitar Strings Retailers

Several online platforms specialise in guitar strings for UK customers. Strings Direct focuses exclusively on strings for all instruments, offering competitive prices and a comprehensive classical guitar catalog. Their website makes it easy to search by brand, tension, and material type.

Thomann, the European music retailer, ships classical guitar strings to the UK with competitive pricing and an enormous selection. While based in Germany, their UK delivery is reliable and their bulk-buying options can reduce costs for regular string changers.

Popular Classical Guitar String Brands

When shopping for classical guitar strings, you'll encounter several trusted manufacturers. D'Addario Pro-Arté strings are widely popular for their consistency and reliability, offering various tension levels to suit different playing styles. Savarez strings, particularly the Alliance and Cantiga ranges, are favored by many professional players for their rich tone and longevity.

Hannabach strings, made in Germany, are known for their precision manufacturing and balanced sound across all six strings. Augustine strings represent one of the oldest nylon string manufacturers and remain popular for their traditional tone and feel. Knobloch strings have gained significant recognition among professional classical guitarists for their premium quality and innovative designs. Their Actives and CX Carbon series are particularly praised for their projection, clarity, and exceptional longevity.

For guitarists seeking alternatives to nylon, Aquila Nylgut strings provide a different tonal character, while carbon fiber trebles from various manufacturers offer brightness and projection.

Choosing the Right Tension

Classical guitar strings come in various tension levels: light, normal (medium), hard (high), and sometimes extra-high. Light tension strings feel easier under the fingers and produce a softer, warmer tone but with less volume. Normal tension offers a balance between playability and projection, making it the most popular choice for general use.

Hard tension strings provide greater volume and brightness but require more finger pressure and can strain lighter-built and older guitars. Consider your guitar's construction, your playing style, and your tonal preferences when selecting tension.

Your guitar's action (the height of the strings above the fretboard) is a huge factor in deciding the correct string tension. Guitars with high action benefit from lower tension strings, which are easier to press down and reduce hand fatigue. Conversely, guitars with low action can accommodate higher tension strings without excessive finger pressure, allowing you to take advantage of the increased volume and projection they offer.

Many players experiment with mixed tension sets, using different tensions on individual strings to achieve optimal balance. This approach allows you to customise your setup to your specific instrument and playing needs.

How Often to Change Guitar Strings

Classical guitar strings should be changed regularly to maintain optimal tone, playability and intonation. Professional players often change strings weekly or before important performances, while amateur players typically change them monthly or every 1-3 months depending on playing frequency.

Signs that strings need changing include loss of tonal clarity, visible discoloration or wear, difficulty staying in tune/not staying in tune longitudinally (intonation), or a dull, lifeless sound. Bass strings typically wear out faster than trebles due to the wound construction that accumulates dirt and oils.

TIP: If your bass strings sound dull but aren't ready for replacement yet, try tuning them down significantly and 'slapping' them firmly with your fingers. This technique can help dislodge accumulated debris from between the windings and temporarily refresh their tone. While not a permanent solution, it can extend the playable life of your bass strings between changes.

String Maintenance Tips

Extending the life of your classical guitar strings saves money and maintains consistent tone between changes. Wipe down your strings after each playing session with a clean, dry cloth to remove oils and perspiration. This simple habit can significantly extend string life.

Wash your hands before playing to reduce the transfer of oils and dirt to the strings. While some players use string cleaning products, a dry cloth after playing is usually sufficient for classical guitar strings.

Supporting Local Music Shops

While online shopping offers convenience and competitive pricing, supporting local music shops helps maintain the classical guitar community. Physical stores provide opportunities to discuss your needs with knowledgeable staff, discover new products, and connect with other local guitarists. Some of these stores include The Music Cellar in Preston or Frets in Cleveleys (our Artistic Director is from the North West - hence the bias!)

Finding the Right Strings for Your Guitar

Every guitar responds differently to various string brands and tensions. What works beautifully on one instrument might sound dull or overly bright on another. Don't be afraid to experiment with different manufacturers and tensions to find the combination that brings out the best in your specific guitar.

Your guitar's natural tonal character should guide your string choices. Brighter guitars tend to be rounded off and balanced with traditional nylon treble strings, which soften the tone and add warmth. Conversely, darker guitars (usually cedar topped) can handle the brightness and projection of carbon strings, such as Savarez Alliance trebles, without becoming overly harsh or shrill.

Consider seeking advice from your guitar teacher or luthier, as they often have experience with how different strings perform on various guitar types and can guide you toward appropriate options for your instrument.