Dogal Maestrale Classical Guitar Strings Reg Tension NR168B, Full Set

I have tried many strings on my instruments over the years, and these are currently ranking number one for me. They have so much nuance and sustain! The trebles are similar in clarity to Hannabach Goldins, but they have more color and harmonic complexity, not as pure and bell like as the Goldins (which are my second or third favorite trebles now). The basses are on par with the top of the line hannabach and knoblochs. Bright, punchy, lots of volume. Very balanced set overall, I might experiment with changing the G to a higher tension of the same type string, but it might throw it off. Overall I’m happy I steered away for an experiment from the $60+ knobloch sets I had been playing for some years now. These are strung up on a spruce solid top with modified fan/lattice bracing.

One of the more interesting sounding string sets I've played, unique in both sound and feel. Out of the package the trebles feel like wire. The basses are surprisingly supple by comparison. Bringing the trebles up to pitch seemed to take forever. I think my knots may have been slipping on the E¹ and B². Basses installed and tuned much like any others I've used.


Early Impressions
I installed them on a recently acquired cedar-topped Esteve Adalid (build date March 2023). This instrument's voice is evolving and maturing. Once the Maestrales held their tuning and I could actually listen to them I liked what I heard. Basses have a pleasant ring to them with good sustain. The trebles have a solid fundamental but slightly weaker partials than previously installed Savarez Alliance carbons. (Think less trumpet, more flute.) Sustain isn't quite what the Alliance carbons delivered but still satisfactory. Intonation seems fine.


The smooth-as-glass glossy finish on the blue trebles under my nailless right hand feels different than the carbons I'm accustomed to. I also noticed a barely audible high pitched squeak if I slide a finger tip lengthwise on a treble the string. My left hand easily skates noiselessly up and down the neck on them. Windings on the basses will let you know if you get sloppy.


Second Impressions - Weeks 2 & 3
Tuning stability is no better or worse than other strings I've used. Overnight and while playing they hold their pitch well and require only minor touchups. I'm still liking their sound. Not overly bright but very much alive. Maestrales seem to bring out the best in the Adalid's cedar top. I have no reason to think they won't last a month (my usual string refresh interval) at which point I plan to restring with a second set of Maestrales to confirm my thoughts.

I have tried pretty much every possible brand out there, Dogal Maestrale are for sure one of the very best, the basses are in the same league as Knobloch or Labella Argento, the trebles are really uniques, the material is similar to d' addario composite G or Aquila Rubino, but without the intonation problems of the Rubino since they are thicker, the sound is bright without being harsh because the material glide under the nail, i would strongly recommend them on spruce guitars and for baroque repertoire such Bach or Scarlatti.

Very nice strings . They sound different on my double top , but not really better. A little bit punchier trebles , but the double top is already punchy enough . They feel a wee bit higher tension than my usual Pro Arte ej45 , but not by much. I don't think they are worth twice the price. The EJ45's have a transparency and sweetness in the trebles that works for my ear. I could see how some ears and guitars could like these strings , but they did not do anything for me.

Best strings I’ve ever played. Great tone and volume.