[Bob Weisenberg]

I have not tried Lisa strings. The website is very interesting, especially since I did visit Granada when I was in Spain.

[Astion]

A "word two" for D'Addario, here.

At the moment, I'm using theic J27 Classic Nylon guitar stings, because I quite like a warmer sound. My last set lasted me for about two months, and I'm quite an aggressive player.

[Frontera]

I have used Lisa strings. Good more for classical than flamenco IMO. They are made in USA and sold by Lisa. I am not sure they are still available, but if any one wants to try some, I have 6 sets I will sell as the guitar that sounded good with them was sold a few years ago.

I use LaBella 820 med tension both red and black. Red on my 2004 Andres Dominquez blanc and black on the 1974 Negra I made. I used Saverez back in the 70's but they don't sound as good as the LaBella on either of my current guitars. Also the LaBella outlast and other string I have used. Tried Hannabach and didn't care for them. They didn't last or hold their tone long. I didn't like the LaBella 2000's. They are not near as good as the 820's.

I don't care for the feel or bright tone of a wound G. I like the large smooth G take advantage of it being duller than the other strings by doing a lot of manipulation on it, vibrato, etc. With a wound G the B note on it sounds more like the B string open. Since I prefer Moron and old school flamenco and the G string B note is used frequently, having a different brightness or lack thereof, adds to the sound I am trying to get. I also find the smooth string easier to ligato with my old stiff fingers. Try this comparison...

-------------------0----------0----------------------0---------0
----------------------------0------------------0-------------0--
---------1-4-------------1-------or---------1--------------1----
--3-2-3---------------2--------------3-2-3--------------2------
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------0----------------------------------0------------

the effect of the 1st is different than the second. Ending on the smooth G string B note with a little bend before the remate, adds a little extra dynamics.

[Bob Weisenberg]

Very interesting that you are able to show the tablature so clearly in text, or is that an image of some sort?

[Frontera]

no just use your -- key to make lines, use shift bar for next line and make 6 lines this way, then go back and insert numbers.

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[falseta]

Great post Frontera! Maybe we should start a tabs/falseta forum... hmm... what do you all think?

[ncsolea]

This is my first post to the forum. I am a classical guitar player, new to flamenco, but find it to be strangely addictive. Since this thread has to do with strings, just want to mention that I have been very pleased with

stringsbymail.com

Their delivery is extremely fast (at least to NC), and they have a large variety of strings. I believe they have the Savarez 520F set that was mentioned.

I have the first two volumes of Dennis Koster's method. Any opinions on this? Of course I love the well know virtuosos: Paco (Pena and de Lucia), Vicente, Sabicas, etc. But after reading this forum I looked for Diego del Gastor on YouTube. Last night I found one where he was accompanying Fernanda in what appeared to be an informal gathering. Near the end, persons would get up to dance briefly, sit back down, to be replaced by someone else. I must say this was probably the most compelling flamenco I have experienced. Still love the big names of course, but there was just something...

Anyway, glad to be part of the forum.

[Bob Weisenberg]

Hi. Welcome to the forum.

Yes, the Moron style is a revelation. If you're not familiar with them already, you will enjoy:

YouTube - Joselero con Diego de Morón
(Joselero and Dieguito in a mind and emotion-blowing Soleares--the closest thing I've found to what I experienced when I lived in Moron in the early '70's. Pretty good sound quality, too, unlike most of these Moron videos.)

Diego del Gastor
(Diego Gastor site. Lots of good links here, too.)

The Art of Flamenco (the original definitive book on traditional flamenco, by Donn Pohren.)

The Wind Cried (book by Paul Hecht about his discovery of traditional flamenco.)

Check out the Moron thread here at falsetta.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I discovered this music in 1969 and I haven't been the same since.

[Bob Weisenberg]

Forgot to mention the modern version of the Moron style--Son de la Frontera:

See Son De La Frontera // pagina oficial and the MySpace and YouTube links there.

[ncsolea]

Thanks Bob. I have checked out the Diego del Gastor site. There is a very interesting observation by Nino Recardo in the "personal reminiscences" section. I look forward to seeing the Joselero youtube this evening.

I do have a rather simple question concerning guitar technique. I tend to favor a four stroke rasqueado (amii) rather than five stroke (eamii). Is there a reason I should try to master the five stroke as well? Please remember I am very new (not to guitar, but to flamenco).

On another note, just this past weekend I picked up a new Yamaha cg171sf. I consider it to be a very fine instrument, especially for the price.