I’ve tried most string brands at some point — usually several times — so I thought I’d comment on the different strings I can remember, in the hope that it might be of use to some. If not, it is at least useful for me, helping to clarify my thoughts about strings.

In terms of sound, the thing I like most about a string is a strong fundamental note. I don’t want the overtones to be too strong. I find that strings with strong overtones, like carbons, work better when playing with nails, which I do not. In fact I like strings that others may find too dull or woody.

In terms of feel, I prefer thick strings (which usually helps give more of the fundamental note as well). When playing without nails, it is satisfying to be able to feel a good amount of string under the fingertip. I do also like a rough service for grip (both for right-hand plucking and left-hand slurs), though I can and do play with smooth nylon as well. I like a tension that’s not too low, especially on the bass strings. Usually I go for medium tension trebles and high tension basses.

So with this is all in mind, here are my views on various strings. I should also note that these are how I find the strings on my main guitar (Pierre Alexander Bellest, spruce). Guitars are temperamental creatures and strings can sound radically different depending on the guitar.

Strings I’ve tried, in no particular order:

La Bella Pepe Romero Rectified. These are brilliant — my new favourite rectified strings. In fact, if you are looking for an alternative to gut, I think these are better than Aquila Ambra. A strong, round, characterful sound. I currently prefer the high tension version.

Knobloch carbon strings. These are incredible if you play with nails. A loud brilliant sound, but also capable of more delicacy than other carbons. However, for me they do not work without nails — too thin and overtone-heavy.

Knobloch SN nylons. The trebles are too dull-sounding, even for me.

Knobloch Bionylon. These trebles, however, are very lovely. They are currently my go-to nylon strings. (I now prefer the Knobloch QZ trebles, though bionylon are nearly as good.) Knobloch string tensions tend to be rather high, so I go for the low tension trebles (which are roughly equivalent to D’Addario’s normal tension and Savarez’s high tension). The basses were surprisingly powerful as well; unlike the trebles, I like them in high tension.

D’Addario XT. I wear out bass strings in no time (I’m very lucky if they haven’t begun to die within 5 days). XTs claim to be long-lasting basses; I can get nearly a week and a half of regular practice out of them, which for me is quite something. But they’re very expensive and D’Addario don’t sell the bass strings separately. So I have stuck with normal basses. There are certain tricks I’ve picked up — chiefly, detuning and cleaning my bass strings, which can extend their life a bit. But often I just play with them on the deader side of dying; it’s not a bad sound, even if it lacks some brilliance.

D’Addario EJ30. These are excellent — my go-to rectified strings. The surface is only very slightly rough, and sometimes I use 1200 grit sandpaper to roughen the surface a bit more. The trebles sound slightly better to my ears than EJ45s, which sing less well for some reason (other players fare better with them than me).

Hannabach 815. Great strings. The trebles are quite as good as Knobloch QZ, but close. Strong, firm basses.

Bow Brand gut harp strings. Okay, these aren’t actually guitar strings but they work great on guitar if you want try out gut strings without breaking the bank (you might break a string though — gut is much more vulnerable than nylon). Can be ordered varnished or unvarnished. No-nailers tend to prefer unvarnished as they have more texture, but I don’t mind either.

Aquila Gut & Silk 800. Superb strings. I use them on my early 19th century guitar. The gut is varnished, which some no-nailers don’t like. But they work for me and they sing beautifully. They also seem more durable than other gut strings I’ve used.

Aquila Ambra 900. These are great (as long as you are not looking for a gut substitute — in which case they are a disappointment). They have a clear fundamental tone and a satisfyingly rough texture under the fingertip, if you like that. Aquila used the specifications recommended by Emilio Pujol in method, and the consequent tension is extremely high. I find this more of a problem for my left-hand than my right (contrary to what many think, playing high tension strings without nails is not necessarily a problem, unless you’re a beginner) — vibrato, barres and slurs become very hard to use effectively, and musical expression can therefore suffer.

Aquila Ambra 800. The 900s are meant for 20th century guitars, the 800s for 19th century guitars. However, I find the 800s work perfectly on my guitar. By the standards of most modern strings they are normal tension (if not still a touch high), and they tune to 440hz comfortably. These are currently my favourite strings. [Now I prefer La Bella Pepe Romero rectified — see above.] I tend to just buy the trebles, though, and pair them with Knobloch basses, or whatever else I have lying around; I’m much less fussy about basses than trebles.

Aquila Rubino. Too bright.

Aquila Sugar. Again too bright, but also enjoyably loud.

Aquila Perla. These are among the best, richest basses I’ve tried.

Aquila Alabastro. An even sound but unremarkable.

Aquila Orchestra. I tried the Low A strings, which give you a tuning a fifth below standard tuning. Incredible! The depth and fullness of these strings is so remarkable, and when returning to standard tuning, although one of course gains certain qualities, especially clarity, I definitely felt that I was missing something in the lower range.

Augustine strings. A classic, historic company, but I don’t like any of the sets I’ve tried — an unremarkable sound. I also had repeated problems with false strings, more than any other company. Maybe others fare better.

La Bella. I think I had the Professional set. I quite liked the trebles, but not the basses.

Savarez Cantiga basses. Beautiful and deep singing quality.

Savarez Corum basses. These might sing slightly less than Cantiga, but they have an astonishing attack — very precise and responsive — that wins me over.

Savarez Alliance trebles. Good sound for carbon strings, but lack the range of Knobloch carbons.

Savarez New Cristal trebles. Not to my taste, even with nails — just too bright.

Savarez 520 trebles. These are quite good, and there are a lot of flesh players who use them, but like all Savarez strings I find them a bit too bright. The tension is also quite low, so I tend to go for the high tension set.