Review: Savarez 520R Normal Tension

As mentioned in my other Savarez string reviews, the company dates its history back to 1770. Yeah, that was a long time ago. They were obviously focused on gutstrings at the time. The 1930s brought the likes of Django Rheinhardt and his exclusive use of the strings on his Selmer Maccaferri guitars. The 1950s brought the rectified nylon string and pushed string development towards its current technology. This Savarez 520R string set is relatively the same string with minor developmental changes. On another interesting note, it was the first of its kind to allow the player to choose between different tensions.

Savarez’s Take On The Savarez 520R

As always, let’s get the specifications out of the way. The Savarez website gives very general descriptions as to how their strings are made. They also offer little that helps a researcher to tell what makes them different from other manufacturers. This string relies highly on its history.

The biggest claim to fame for this string is the idea that a guitarist could choose the string tension:

Savarez came up with a solution to a problem which nobody had solved before: how to give guitarists the means to play in tune and to choose the ideal tension for strings and guitar to give of their best.

savarez.com

They use the rectified process invented by another manufacturer, but apparently “perfected” by Savarez. The materials that actually make the strings are proprietary “NEW CRISTAL” nylon. Again, not sure how this really helps me understand why it is better than another brand.

When it comes to the bass strings, this set uses their traditional bass strings. Again, not much information to glean from their website and description. I’ll get more into my thoughts below.

A Little Comparison Between Two Classical Guitar String Sets

As you can see in the charts below, the Savarez 520R Normal Tension has a bit higher tension overall when compared to a set of EJ45 Normal Tension strings from D’Addario. You should be aware that many sellers mark the Savarez 520R as high tension when in reality the Savarez 520J is the rectified high-tension strings. The gauges of the Savarez are equal to that of the D’Addario. All of the Savarez treble strings and the 4th string have higher tension. The 5th and 6th strings have higher tension on the D’Addario.

I am not sure whether it is the materials of the Savarez or the tension/gauge that creates a brighter tone overall. I am sure it is a combination of the two. Due to this brightness of tone, I do prefer the Savarez over the D’Addario. However, I am not a fan of the rectified feel. I’ll get to that shortly

I do not feel that I have had to wait for a “break-in” period to get a superb sound from the Savarez. They seem to be extremely lively right out of the pack. The balance is much more fluid between the bass and treble than the D’addario overall. Also, the G string intonates incredibly well so far. I have had trouble in the past with the intonation of the G strings from D’Addario.

Savarez 520R Normal Tension Specifications

Item #	Note	Gauge (in.)	Tension (lbs.)	Material
521R	E/1st	.0280	17.40	Rectified Nylon
522R	B/2nd	.0325	13.20	Rectified Nylon
523R	G/3rd	.0400	12.85	Rectified Nylon
524R	D/4th	.0300	16.24	silverplated copper wound
525R	A/5th	.0335	14.54	silverplated copper wound
526R	E/6th	.0430	14.43	silverplated copper wound

D’Addario ProArte EJ46 String Specifications

Item #	Note	Gauge (in.)	Tension (lbs.)	Material
J4501	E/1st	0.028	16.230	clear nylon
J4502	B/2nd	0.0322	12.040	clear nylon
J4503	G/3rd	0.0403	11.880	clear nylon
J4504	D/4th	0.029	15.620	silverplated wound
J4505	A/5th	0.035	15.890	silverplated wound
J4506	E/6th	0.043	14.190	silverplated wound

Rectified Critique of Savarez 520R

Unlike many reviewers, I cannot enjoy playing the rectified strings. Savarez claims, “The surface texture of rectified nylon limits finger slipping and improves the control of finger placing for greater playing comfort.” I can agree with this due to a tactile issue. However, the scratching I get from the shifting of position drives me up a wall. When playing fast movements up and down the first three strings it really takes away from the musicality of the instrument. I should not need to focus so much on the sound of the shift which does not happen with any non-rectified treble string.

Conclusion On The Savarez 520R

All in all, there is a consensus that the Savarez 520R continues the Savarez tradition of a pretty high standard for sound and quality. As with any product, there is bound to be someone that is disappointed. Unfortunately, I am one of those few. It isn’t the sound of the string played in isolation, but the sound as one shifts position. If you want to blame my technique, then fine. However, I do not believe my technique is to blame. As with any opinion on guitar strings, you need to check them out for yourself and for your guitar to see if they might just be what you would enjoy playing.