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There are many choices when it comes to buying acoustic guitar strings. This article can help you decide what’s best for you.
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Acoustic guitarists know that the kind of guitar strings they use can make a big difference in the ease of play and the sound of the instrument. There is no universal “best” type of acoustic guitar string. A player needs to find what’s best for him or her based on individual preference.
There are literally hundreds of choices, and choosing the best can be a daunting task.
There are two basic kinds of strings: Steel and nylon. A steel-string guitar produces a bright, resonant sound, while a nylon string (classic) guitar has a more mellow sound. For purposes of this article, I will concentrate on steel strings.
Factors to consider when buying steel acoustic guitar strings are: gauge (diameter), string variety and manufacturer.
Gauge
Gauge (string width) is the most important factor in choosing guitar strings. The three principle gauges are heavy, medium and light, although there are other in-between gauges available.
- HEAVY gauge strings are thick and produce a louder sound than medium or light gauge. They also tend to hold a tune longer. But they’re harder to chord and bend, and they put more stress on the guitar neck. You should never use heavy gauge strings on an older model guitar.
- MEDIUM gauge strings are a popular choice, because they combine the good qualities of heavy and light gauge strings. They’re easier to play and put less stress on the guitar than heavy gauge, but provide the louder sound that many guitarists prefer.
- LIGHT gauge strings are easiest on the fingers, because they’re easiest to play. They put less stress on the guitar neck and are preferred by guitarists who like to play acoustic leads and bend a lot of notes. But they don’t hold a tune as well as heavier gauges and tend to break more frequently. You’ll probably need to change light gauge strings more often, and some say the tonal timber is weaker than heavier gauge strings. I personally can’t tell that much difference in tonal quality, and light gauge strings are my preference.
String variety
- Bronze wound strings are steel, with the four low strings wrapped in bronze wire. These are the most commonly used steel acoustic guitar strings.
- Phosphor bronze wound strings have a higher alloy composition and offer a brighter tone when new than regular bronze wound strings.
- Silk and steel wound strings are quieter and more mellow in tone than the other two. They’re steel strings with the lower four strings wrapped with silk and nickel. Silk and steel wound strings are somewhat easier to play and are sometimes used by beginners.
Manufacturer
There are numerous string manufacturers; popular brands are D’Addario, Dean Markley, Martin, Gibson, and Ernie Ball. It’s impossible to recommend what’s best for any individual; one needs to experiment to find what’s right for him or her.
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