I tried out a new string from Spanish string maker Knobloch. It is named as “DUO ASSAD“, this string was developed by the owners of Knoblock in response to the musical demands of the Assad brothers.
The following article summarizes this blog’s string ratings/reviews/feedback/information articles:
The “DUO ASSADl” suited to the musicality of the Assad Brothers
The DUO ASSAD model of Knobloch came about because Mr. Beaudoux, the owner of Knobloch, had a good relationship with the Assad Brothers.
The strings were developed to meet the musicality demanded by the Assad brothers, and they were endorsed by the Assad brothers.
Knobloch has previously developed a model to commemorate Leo Brouwer’s 80th birthday.
Will they continue to develop guitarist series like this?
Treble strings are bionylon, bass strings are triple silver
The direction of development is to create strings that sound natural and can be played smoothly with the right hand.
For this purpose, the treble strings are bionylon, newly introduced in Erithacus.
However, it does not seem to be the same bio nylon and is named “DA BIO Nylon”.
The sound is natural and pure.
The bass strings are “DA Triple Silver”. These strings have a long life and are characterized by their generous resonance and pure tone.
Usually “double silver” is used for Knobloch strings. I asked them about the difference between this and triple silver, and they said it’s due to the thickness of the silver layer.
Even the regular double silver is said to be of higher quality than other companies’ bass strings, but the DUO ASSAD model aims to be even better than that, and to be in between the pure silver models of Knobloch.
For more information on Knobloch products, please see this article:
Luxury packaging
Here’s what the packaging looks like for the DUO ASSAD model.
The thick paper package with the image of the Assad brothers, lettered in gold, gives it a luxurious look.
On the back are the string specifications. The total tension is written as 34.5kg, but I felt the actual tension is much stronger as described here.
When you open the package, you’ll find more details.
Interestingly, it says that “changing the direction of the wound strings reduced the noise in the right hand“. Such a Columbus’ egg-like ingenuity.
Or, have all wound strings on classical guitars, including the strings of other companies, been wound in the same direction until now? I’m curious about a lot of things.
The strings are all combined together in one airtight package.
The red color on the 2nd and 5th strings means that identifying the strings is not a problem. but I can’t find about the description anywhere on the packege….
Overall, gorgeous sound
I felt that the overall sound was gorgeous.
Knobloch’s concept is “natural and pure sound”, and I think the sound is without any plasticity or metallicness.
However, it is not a small sound, but a large scale sound.
I don’t feel the problem of the high position of the treble strings being hard to sound on this DUO ASSAD model, which bothered me on the Erithacus. I wonder if different strings are used even though they are made from the same bionylon?
The bass strings sound especially gorgeous with the wound strings sounding strong. I have the impression that the wound strings are resonating rather than the core strings.
It may be said that it is recommended for those who want a gorgeous sound with a large scale rather than a sweet sound.
Tension is strong, right hand noise is rather loud?
On the other hand, I felt the string tension was strong.
The total tension is said to be 34.5kg, but it clearly feels stronger than the number, about medium high to high tension.
It can be said that this product is correct since it is named “High Tension” in the first place…
Also, the noise reduction effect of “changing the direction of the wound strings”, in my case, the noise rather increased when I played with my thumb.
Come to think of it, there are many different ways to use the right thumb in classical guitar. So, for some people such as the Asad brothers, the noise is reduced. But for others, the noise may be worsened.
Another thing I noticed was the noise on the 3rd string. As you can see in the video below, there is a “squeak” sound when I touch it with the flesh part of your thumb.
This noise, I had the same sound when I tried the Aquila Sugar before.
Sugar strings are made from sugar cane. Do strings made from bionylon or other plant-based materials sound like this?
Good strings with poor availability from Japan
The Knobloch DUO ASSAD model is a nice string with a gorgeous sound with a large scale.
Although I felt the strong tension and right hand noise, it is a fun string to play because it sounds loud.
However, availability from Japan is not good.
Japanese shops don’t sell it at all, and even Strings by Mail doesn’t have it at the moment.
It’s a bit of a hassle to have to order directly to Knobloch.
It’s also not cheap, costing €19.83 at the official Knobloch price.
It’s supposed to have a long life, so if this is true, it may not be that expensive…
Fans of the Assad brothers, as well as anyone looking for a gorgeous sound on a large scale, should give this a try.
