 D'Addario ENR70 Half Rounds Bass Strings Super Lt Long Scale Standard US $24.99 
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 D'Addario XLB080 Nickel Wound Electric Bass Single String US $6.49
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 D'Addario EXL220SL Super Light Nickel Wound Super Long Scale Bass Strings US $17.99
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 D'Addario ProSteels EPS170-6 Regular Light 6-String Bass Strings Standard US $24.99
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 D'Addario EXL165-6 XL 6-String Bass Soft/Regular String Set US $23.99
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 D'Addario EPS170-6SL Pro Steels Regular Light Super Long Scale 6-String Bass US $29.99
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 D'Addario EPS165-5 Pro Steels Light Top/Medium Bottom Long Scale 5-String Bass US $21.99
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 D'Addario EXL170S Short Electric Bass Strings US $17.99
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 D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Soft/Long Bass String US $17.95
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 D'Addario EXL170-5 XL 5-String Long Bass Strings US $19.99
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 D'Addario EXL170SL XL Soft Super Long Bass Strings US $17.99
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 D'Addario ECB81SL Chrome Bass Soft Super-Long Strings US $29.99
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 D'Addario ENR70 Half Rounds Bass Super Lt Long Scale US $24.99
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 D'Addario ENR71-5SL Super Long Scale Light Bass 5String US $37.99
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 D'Addario XLB080 Nickel Wound Electric Bass Single US $6.49
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 D'Addario EXL220SL XL Bass Super/Soft Super/Long String US $17.99
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 D'Addario EXL165-6 XL Bass Soft/Regular Strings US $23.99
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 D'Addario ProSteels EPS170-6 Light Bass 6-String US $24.99
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 D'Addario EXL220-5 Long Scale Bass Strings .040-.125 5-SETS US $98.95
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 D'Addario ProSteels EPS170-6 Regular Light 6-String Bass Strings US $24.99
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 D'Addario EPS165-5 Pro Steels Light Top/Medium Bottom Long Scale 5-String Bass S US $21.99
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 D'Addario EPS170-6SL Pro Steels Regular Light Super Long Scale 6-String Bass Str US $29.99
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 D'Addario EXL170S Light Nickel Wound Short Electric Bass Strings US $17.99
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 D'Addario EXL170-5 XL Nickel Round Wound 5-String Long Bass Strings US $19.99
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 D'Addario ENR71-5SL Half Rounds Super Long Scale Light 5-String Bass Strings US $37.99
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 D'Addario EXL220M XL Bass Super Soft/Medium Scale Bass Strings US $17.99
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 D'Addario ENR70 Half Rounds Bass Strings Super Lt Long Scale US $24.99
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 D'Addario EXL170SL Regular Light Nickel Wound Super Long Scale Bass Strings US $17.99
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 D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound Bright Round Wound Electric Bass Strings US $17.95
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 ★ NEW D'ADDARIO EXL170-5 BASS Guitar 5-String Set NEW ★ US $17.85
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 ★ NEW D'ADDARIO EXL170-5SL BASS Guitar 5-String Super Long Scale Set NEW ★ US $20.75
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 ★ NEW D'ADDARIO EPS170 ProSteels BASS Guitar 4-String Set NEW ★ US $14.60
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 D'Addario Bass Strings EXL280 Long Scale Piccolo .020-.052 x 1 Set US $12.99
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 D'Addario NICKEL BASS STRINGS SUPER LONG EXL220SL 40-95 US $14.99
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 D'Addario ECB84 Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings US $27.99
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 D'ADDARIO EXL170-5 XL Nickel 5-String Bass Strings (45-130 Gauge Long Scale) US $17.99
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 D'Addario ProSteels EPS170-6 Regular Light 6-String Bass Strings G IS MISSING US $18.00
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 D'addario Bass XL Set 45-100 Long US $37.95
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 D'Addario XL Nickel Electric 6-String Bass Strings NEW US $18.95
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 D'Addario ECB80 XL Chromes Flat Wound Bass Strings US $29.99
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 D'Addario ECB81M Medium Scale Chromes Bass Strings US $25.19
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 D'Addario XL-5 String BASS Strings SOFT/Regular US $31.95
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 D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound Long Scale Electric Bass Strings (5 Pack) US $59.99
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 D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound Long Scale Electric Bass Strings (10 Pack) US $119.99
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 D'addario XL Electric Bass Strings EXL 165 US $21.95
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 D'addario XL Electric Bass Strings EXL170 US $21.95
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 D'Addario EXP160 Coated Nickel Round Wound Bass Strings US $28.95
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 D'Addario ECB81 Long Scale Flatwound Bass Strings Light US $31.75
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 TWO SETS (2) Bass guitar strings - d'addario & Alice for 4 string bass FREE SHIP US $24.50
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 NOS D'Addario XL Reds Electric Bass Strings Copper Coated Super Soft R350 US $30.00
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 NOS D'Addario XL Reds Electric Bass Strings Copper Coated Super Soft R340 US $30.00
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 D'Addario EXP170-5 EXP Coated Soft 5-String Bass Strings US $34.99
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 D'addario XL Electric Bass Strings US $32.99
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 D'Addario ENR71 Half-Round Bass Guitar Strings, Light US $24.99
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 D'Addario EPS160-5 Long Scale 5-String Bass Strings .050-.135 5-Pks US $104.98
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 D'addario HALF ROUNDS BASS STRINGS ENR73 - 55-110 US $23.99
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 D'Addario ECB81 XL Chromes Flatwound Bass Strings US $24.99
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 D'addario ECB81-5 5 FLATWOUND BASS STRINGS 5's 45-132 US $32.35
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 D'ADDARIO EXL170 ELECTRIC BASS STRINGS 45-100 US $19.95
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 D'Addario Bass Strings EXL160-5 Long Scale .50 - .135 US $18.95
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 D'Addario EXL170SL Nickel Wound Reg Light Bass Strings US $19.89
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 D'Addario EXL160 Bass Strings US $13.44
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 D'addario Bass XL 50-105 Long Scale US $37.95
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 D'Addario Bass Strings EPS170S Short Scale .045-.100 x 1 Set US $14.99
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 D'Addario Bass Strings EXL190 Long Scale .040-.100 x 1 Set US $14.99
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 D'Addario EXL170-5 Nickel Electric Bass 5 Strings Long Scale 45-130 US $21.48
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 D'Addario Bass Strings ETB92-5 Set Long Scale 5-String 50-135 5-SETS US $174.95
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 D'Addario EXL1705SL 5-string Super Long Scale 45-130 Electric Bass Strings US $21.89
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 D'Addario Long Scale Bass Strings, New, Musical Instruments US $18.99
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 2 sets D'Addario ENR71 Half Round Electric Bass Strings US $41.39
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 D'Addario XL-6 String BASS Strings SOFT/Regular US $31.95
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 2 Sets D'Addario EXL170 5 String Electric Bass Strings US $29.99
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 D'Addario ENR71-5 Half Round Electric Bass Strings US $28.79
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 D'Addario EXP165 Coated Bass Strings 5 - full Sets US $139.95
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 D'Addario EXP170 Coated Bass 5 full-Sets US $139.95
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 2 sets D'Addario EPS190 ProSteels Electric Bass Strings US $31.49
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Addario Bass
D'Addario bass strings
Flamenco Guitars and Strings
Do you need a special type of guitar?
The simple answer is No! For a beginner, any (nylon stringed) classical guitar will do the job.
Having said that, there are 2 points of confusion that are worth mentioning. They may seem obvious to most people, but I'm here to tell you they are not obvious to everyone.
1) Any guitar with steel strings on it is NOT suitable. There was a time when certain styles of Country and Western and jazz guitars were advertised as "Spanish guitars" for some unknown reason. (I think because they have roughly the same shape as a classical / flamenco guitar). If you look hard enough you may even find a few books of the 1920's , 30's, and 40's which have plectrum style music for these "Spanish guitars". The equation seems to be: Flamenco = Spanish music = let's play it on my grandpa's Spanish guitar. Now where did he put those plectrums? Or something like that.
2) Another common misconception is that the bass strings on a classical guitar are steel. On the outside they look the same as their steel brothers but that's where the similarity ends. Classical guitar bass strings have many fine strands of nylon woven together inside the copper winding. If you look closely you will see these strands poking out of the end of the string.
3) The action needs to fairly low without producing excessive string buzz.
4) A solid wood top produces a better tone than a factory laminated wood guitar.
5) A tapping plate (golpador) needs to be attached on the top of the guitar. Genuine flamenco instruments already have these but any decent guitar repair shop or Luthier can stick one on for you. Right hand tapping techniques can certainly damage the guitar if this protection is not there.
6) Flamenco guitars are generally lighter in construction. I personally don't like heavy guitars. For me a guitar must feel comfortable and "user friendly". Heavy wood guitars like some classical guitars don't do it for me.
7) When I was learning I bought cheap guitars only. Mainly because I could not afford to pay $500 or more for a expensive hand made guitar by a respected luthier. That doesn't mean a second hand non-flamenco factory made guitar is no good. For example, I think Yamaha makes good beginner classical guitars that are more than suitable for learning flamenco with an attached golpe plate. I was pretty rough on my guitars so I never got precious about an instrument. When my guitar needed replacing, I just visited the local second hand guitar shop and spend an hour trying out different classical style guitars. A guitar does not have to be expensive; it just needs to "speak to me". What I mean is that it needs to feel comfortable and have a strong tone.
One consideration that I think is important is whether the strings maintain good tone even if they are fairly worn. This has more to do with the guitar than the strings themselves. That's why trying old guitars in a second hand shop is a good idea if you just want a cheap beginners instrument. I would try those with worn strings first. The problem is that many guitars sound all terrific and sparkly with band new shiny strings but quickly lose their tone after a few days.
Strings - Which brand? What tension?
A brand of strings that suit one guitar may not suit another. The best way to determine which is best for your guitar is through experiment. Some popular brands are Savarez, La Bella, Augustine and D'Addario. If you're not sure about tension choose normal tension.
Extending string life
1) Bass strings will naturally wear as a result of contact with the fret wires. Before this wear becomes excessive, loosen the string and pull it through the hole at the saddle about a centimeter or so. The idea is to shift the worn section so it appears over the spaces between the frets when you tighten it back up again.
2) Reverse the bass strings when they become worn so that you end up with a fresh section over the sound hole.
3) Use a cloth impregnated with lemon oil before and after playing.
Brighten up dull strings
1) Perspiration on the hands may dull the resonance in the bass strings. If this occurs, loosen the strings and tighten them up again.
2) Another, more radical method is to wipe the tightened string with a cloth soaked in methylated spirits. Lift the string a couple of centimeters at the 12th fret and let it slap back to the finger board. This should loosen and shake some of the gunk out of the strings.
Changing strings
It is always a good idea to change the strings one at a time in order to maintain a constant tension on the neck and bridge. Tune each new string up to concert pitch before removing the next old one.
About the Author
Sal Bonavita's website, "Sal's Flamenco Soapbox" has been instructing beginners since 1998. Download free tutorial ebooks, guitar lesson videos and articles relating to flamenco. Visit www.herso.freeservers.com
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