Thomastik-Infeld KR116 Flat Wound Classical Guitar Strings, Full Set - Ball ends

I just ordered two more sets. After putting these on my old nylon string classical, I can’t put it down! The tone quality and playability is off the charts!

I bought these strings for a concert I was playing with an orchestra. The guitar was amplified, and finger sliding on the strings was distracting to the piece and the rest of the ensemble. I needed flat wound classical strings, and these are the only ones I found.

When I got the strings, I was surprised to see they were ball end, not tie end like every other classical string I have ever seen and used. The ball was also solid, so I couldn't thread the string through it to "tie" it on the bridge. I managed to tie them on anyway, but the blue ball ends look ugly.

That said, the sound of these strings is wonderful -- bright and cheery across the range, even though I play with my fingers pads, not my nails. The flat winding led to very little finger noise sliding around, even when amplified.

Better yet, compared to nylon core strings, they didn't need any stretching time. They kept tune with just minimal work over the next few days, and were still good for our performances. No more two weeks of stretching!

I would buy these again in a heartbeat, although I'm reserving the last star for when they come out with a longer tie end version.

Excellent Strings

These are strange and wonderful strings. Expensive, but lots and lots of tone, great feel, low tension, flat wound, and so far seem to last nearly forever, justifying their price.

I am currently using these on a very old ladder-braced parlor guitar and they are excellent. Planning on trying them on other guitars soon.

These strings are sticker-shock expensive, and...a bargain. Everything I have fantasized about nylon strings became reality. I am SOLD. No turning back.