This article will give you the information you need about different types strings for acoustic and electric guitar. Next we will talk in detail about the thickness of the strings, the types of strings for acoustic guitar and electric guitars, about coated and uncoated strings, about nylon strings, flatwound and roundwound strings, about the materials from which strings are made and their effect on sound.
String thickness
Strings vary in size, and more specifically, in thickness. It is usually measured in thousandths of an inch. As a rule, the thickness of the strings in a set is indicated by the first string. Sometimes you can hear guitarists say something like: “I play ten.” This means they use a set of strings where the first string is 0.010 inches thick.
Acoustic guitars typically use strings ranging from 9 to 13 gauge. The most common are very light gauge strings, 10 gauge, and light gauge strings, 11 gauge. Thicker strings produce a richer, louder sound, but are more difficult to play. These will work well for you if you like your acoustic guitar to sound really tight and loud. Using thin strings will make playing easier, but you will sacrifice volume and fullness of sound.
Electric guitar string gauges range from 8 to 13 gauge. Thicker strings can be found, but they either come with flatwound or are made for baritone guitars. Most electric guitars have 9 or 10 gauge strings. For jazz and hard rock, thicker strings are used. Thick strings are also useful if you play in low tuning.
The thickness of the strings is indicated on the packaging
Acoustic guitar strings: bronze and phosphor bronze (Bronze, Phosphor Bronze)
Bronze strings are characterized by a more sonorous and bright sound compared to phosphor bronze. Their golden color is given by the alloy from which they are made: 80% copper and 20% tin. Bronze is softer than steel and also resists corrosion well, which is useful in humid climates.
Phosphor bronze strings have a soft and warm sound, unlike regular bronze. Many guitarists believe that this makes them better suited to fingerpicking. As for color, they have a red, copper tint. The composition of phosphorus bronze is similar to ordinary bronze, but it contains a small proportion of phosphorus. It prevents rapid oxidation of the metal. Approximate composition: 92% copper, 7.7% tin, 0.3% phosphorus.
Bronze (left) and phosphor bronze (right)
Electric guitar strings: nickel plated, pure nickel and steel (Nickel Plated, Pure Nickel, Stainless Steel)
Nickel plated strings are probably the most common type of electric guitar strings today. The winding on their thick strings is made of nickel-plated steel, i.e. nickel plated steel. The steel from which the string is made is highly magnetic and ideal for magnetic pickups, while the nickel plating helps balance its bright sound. Nickel also makes the string smooth on your fingers and protects it from corrosion. It is softer than steel, so nickel and nickel strings will wear less on the frets than steel strings.
Pure nickel strings have a softer, warmer sound than steel and nickel-plated strings. If you play blues, jazz or classic rock, then you will truly appreciate the fat sound of pure nickel. Nickel resists corrosion very well and is well suited for magnetic pickups.
Steel strings have the brightest and most sonorous sound of all types of electric guitar strings. They also retain their sound over time because... made of stainless steel, which resists corrosion well. Stainless steel actually feels different to the player than other strings. Some say they feel "dry" and are not as slippery as nickel. Steel is a fairly hard metal, so frets with these strings will wear out a little faster, but if you want bright, ringing sound, then it's worth it.
Nickel plated strings
Strings with and without polymer coating (Coated, Non-Coated)
Polymer-coated strings have a kind of film on the surface that prevents oxidation and corrosion of the string, and also prevents dirt from getting between the turns of the winding. This helps the string sound like new for a long time. Such strings are about 2 times more expensive than uncoated ones, but if you don’t want and don’t like to change strings often, then they will be worth the money. They retain a fresh, new sound for about 3 times longer than uncoated strings. These are best for you if your hands get sweaty, you play a lot, or you live in a climate with high humidity.
Uncoated strings are cheaper, but retain their original sound for a shorter period of time.
String with polymer coating (left) and without it (right)
Nylon strings
Nylon strings are designated and graded by tension, rather than by fractions of an inch like metal strings. There are 3 tension levels for them: medium (Normal), strong (Hard) and very strong (Extra-Hard). Medium tensions are fairly easy to play, but can feel too floppy if played loudly and quickly. Strong in tension nylon strings better suited for playing loud and fast music, but O A higher tension force may negatively affect the comfort of play. Strings with very high tension are needed to perform even faster and loud music. They cause more discomfort on your fingers when playing than other nylon strings.
There are two main ways to attach nylon strings to the bridge of a guitar: with balls and knots. Usually, if you look at a guitar with nylon strings, you will see knots in the fastenings. They require a little more work when changing strings, but they are more popular.
Nylon strings attached with balls have a small plastic or metal ball at the end, a reel, thanks to which you do not have to tie a knot to attach to the bridge. These strings are less popular and more difficult to find.
The strings are attached to the bridge classical guitar nodes
Fastening strings with balls
Round and flat winding strings
Round wound strings are what most of us see when we think of a regular guitar string. The winding usually has thicker three or four strings (the winding is around the steel cord) and on the strings of this type, as the name implies, it has a round shape in diameter. The sound of such strings is louder than that of flat wound strings.
Flatwound strings have a warmer, softer sound. This is why they are commonly used in jazz and some types of blues.
Their winding is, accordingly, flat, reminiscent of flattened wire. These strings are more durable because there are fewer crevices on their surface where finger dirt can get trapped.
Round winding string (top) and flat winding (bottom)
How to determine when it's time to change strings to new ones
There are three factors that can be used to determine whether strings need to be replaced: their sound, appearance and how they feel on your fingers when playing. Of course, the most important of these is the sound of the strings. If you think the strings sound quite good, then there is no need to change them. If you think that they sound dull, unclear and dull, then it would be a good idea to replace them with new ones.
As for feeling the strings with your fingers, then good strings should be smooth and clean, there is no need to change them. Strings that are dirty, rusty or dry to the touch should be replaced.
They should look shiny, as if glossy. Dull, stained, rusty strings also need to be replaced.
The strings wear off on the frets
How often should you change strings?
It depends on many things: how often you play, what climate you live in, how sweaty your hands are, and how you keep your strings clean can all affect the lifespan of your strings.
Some guitarists change their strings every week or even after every gig, while others play with the same ones for months. How often you play will determine how often you change strings.
How to extend the life of strings
There are several rules that will help strings not lose good sound for a long time. First, wash your hands every time you play the guitar. Thanks to this, less dirt from your hands will accumulate between the turns of the winding, and sweat will not corrode them.
Secondly, after playing, wipe the strings with a rag or a special polishing cloth for strings. These two things will help you reduce the cost of new strings.
Where do you get new ones guitar strings? Personally, I prefer to buy them in regular music stores, feeling them live, while exchanging jokes with the sellers there who have known me for a long time. However, you can order guitar strings online without any worries.
Wandering through the expanses of online stores, you probably noticed that the types of guitar strings offered for sale are quite numerous. Of course, after this the question could not help but arise: how to choose strings for a guitar, how not to make a mistake with the choice when purchasing? These issues need to be sorted out in advance.
Types of strings based on material of manufacture
There are three main types of strings:
- Organic Gut (Catgut) – Traditional strings made from animal gut and wrapped with wire. Despite their short service life, many guitarists still prefer to install only gut strings on their instruments.
- Nylon strings are held in high regard by classical guitarists. They are soft and pliable, and therefore suitable for beginners. The three tenor strings (lower) are made of nylon fishing line, and the three bass strings are nylon strings wrapped in gold or silver-plated wire.
- Steel is the most popular view strings The sound of the instrument with such strings has a bright and ringing timbre. The winding of steel strings is made from the most different materials: nickel, phosphorus bronze, brass and others.
About different types of string windings
Let's talk in more detail about the winding, or as it is sometimes called, the braid of the strings. The wire covering the core of the strings can be made in several versions.
- Round braid is the cheapest to make, which means the cost of guitar strings will be lower. Main disadvantages: squeaking of fingers on the strings when playing, rapid wear due to contamination of the sinuses of the braid.
- Flat braid eliminates unnecessary sounds. These strings are used on a guitar for studio recording. Main disadvantage: less bright sound than round wound strings.
- Semicircular braid is a hybrid that includes both the pros and cons of the two previous types.
What is string tension?
Before choosing strings for your guitar, find out what their tension is: light, medium or heavy. The tension force is influenced by several factors: their length, weight, tuning frequency, diameter, winding material and core size.
It is believed that the stronger the tension, the louder and brighter the instrument sounds. If it is light, the instrument is quiet and melodious. Another caveat is that strings with heavy tension will not be so easy to press on the frets, and therefore for beginners it is recommended to take the lightest strings to make playing easier.
The most popular manufacturers and prices of guitar strings
The D’Addario and LaBella companies have long been producing a large line of a wide variety of strings for classical and acoustic guitars. They are considered the most popular manufacturers - all of their types of guitar strings have excellent characteristics and are sold at not such a high price (about 10 USD).
The strings from the French manufacturer Savarez stand out separately. They are made of high-strength materials, have excellent sound properties, and therefore their cost is high (from 20 USD).
The most popular manufacturers of strings for electric guitars and bass are Elixir and DR. Their prices are very affordable: for electric guitars - from 20 USD, for a four-string bass - from 70 USD.
Why can't a classical guitar have steel strings?
The mechanics of the pegs and the stand in a classical guitar are made of lightweight materials. Therefore, only nylon strings can be used on this type of guitar - they are soft and not very stretched, which means they are not capable of breaking and damaging the instrument.
Steel strings are used on guitars with a reinforced structure, such as acoustic six-strings. Well, if you try to put nylon strings on an electric guitar, you will see with your own eyes that the pickup simply cannot detect sound vibrations from them.
Conclusion
So, when choosing strings, you need to focus on the instrument itself, its strength or, conversely, softness, the level of your technical skill (tight or light tension), the practical purpose of the instrument (educational, concert, studio, etc.), well and on the traditions that have developed in guitar schools (preferences for materials of one type or another).
Of course, one of the most important criteria, and for some the main one, is the cost of guitar strings. And yet, also pay attention to the packaging of the strings - it should contain not only the characteristics of the product, but also the basic data of the manufacturer. Attentiveness will protect you from buying a fake.
Check out other posts on the guitar topic. You might also be interested in . Subscribe to site updates to receive new articles directly to your email inbox - the subscription form is located at the very bottom of this page.
Many guitarists, both beginners and more experienced, are preoccupied with the search for the best sound, as a result of which they subject their instruments to various kinds of modifications.
Musicians replace stock pickups, potentiometers and other electronics, replace the saddles with brass, bronze or bone, and sometimes even replace such significant parts of the instrument as the soundboard or neck in the hope of changing the type of wood to change the tone (and we talked more about wood types in article).
These manipulations certainly affect the sound of the guitar, but often such drastic measures are unnecessary, because it was possible to get closer to the desired tone by simply changing the gauge and alloy of the strings, but for some unknown reason many guitarists neglect such a simple and inexpensive procedure.
It is for this reason that in this article we will talk about various types strings, both for electric and acoustic guitars, we will consider various alloys and coatings, type of winding, manufacturing technologies, calibers and the most important effect of all this on the sound.
String gauge
First of all, all strings vary in size, usually for standard tuning the thickness of the first string in a set can range from 0.008 to 0.012, and for lowered tunings often reaches 0.013-0.014 inches.
The thickness of the strings primarily determines the richness of the tone and volume of the instrument, because the thicker the string, the richer the overtones and louder the sound, especially for acoustic instruments, but as the law of equal exchange says: if you want to get something, then you need to sacrifice something - then equivalent to this, in in this case we directly sacrifice the convenience of play, because the thicker the strings, the more physical effort is required when playing.
In this regard, it is not surprising that virtuoso performers whose music primarily focuses on filigree technique use sets with a caliber of 0.8, as is the example of Yngwie Malmsteen.
Braid
Round braid
Round braid is easy to manufacture and affordable, making it the most popular solution for both acoustic and electric guitars. It is a round wire in cross-section wound in a spiral on a round core. It has a ringing tone and medium tension.
Due to the rough surface, making slides is a little more difficult than on strings with a flat braid, but easier than with a hexagonal braid, and in terms of fret wear, the round braid is located exactly in the middle.
Flat braid
Flat-wound strings have complex production technology and a fairly high price. The braid of such strings is wound around a round core, but the wire itself has a square cross-section with rounded corners.
Strings with this type of braid have a rich, velvety tone with a beautiful low end and smooth top end, often used by jazzmen. It should also be noted that the use of flat winding has a beneficial effect on the service life of the frets. However, if you want to use an overdriven guitar sound, these are not the strings for you.
Hexagonal braid
Making strings with hexagonal braid is not much more difficult than with round braid, and their price is about the same. The design consists of a hexagonal core with a wound braid, most often round, with a hexagonal cross section.
The tone of such strings is very bright and expressive due to the tighter fit of the braid to the core. Durability is also excellent. However, the rigidity and sharp edges of the braid negatively affect the life of the frets and can cause discomfort when playing.
Types of strings for acoustic guitar
To begin with, it should be noted that despite the general term “acoustic guitar”: classical-Spanish and western (jumbo) are essentially two different instruments, which should be equipped with different strings to avoid damage.
Classical Guitar Strings
Strings made from sheep intestines are often called gut strings. Nowadays, they are no longer as widespread as in the past, but there are enthusiasts who bring these strings to our country in small quantities. They are usually used by folk music lovers.
Synthetic strings (nylon)
Synthetic strings, launched in the 40s in the USA, quickly replaced intestinal strings from the market, as they were cheaper and had greater wear resistance.
The basis for such strings is nylon, and copper alloys are used as the outer metal winding, which are durable and have a matte sound.
Western Guitar Strings
Bronze strings
As you might guess, the braid of such strings is made of bronze, or rather 80% copper and 20% tin, as a result of which the color of such strings is very similar to gold. Such strings are durable and have good anti-corrosion properties. The sound can be described as ringing and bright.
Phosphor bronze strings
Phosphor bronze strings differ from bronze ones in the presence of phosphorus 0.3% and a large amount of copper (about 90-92%). Due to the amount of copper in the alloy, the strings have a red tint. The sound of such strings is very soft and warm, not as bright as pure bronze.
Types of strings for electric guitar
Due to the fact that an electric guitar transmits not acoustic, but electromagnetic vibrations to the pickup, it is impossible to use strings for acoustic guitars on it, but there is no problem with this, since there are simply a huge number of types of strings for electric guitars.
Steel strings
Steel strings are made entirely of steel, both the core and the winding. They have a bright and piercing sound, but they have great rigidity and very mediocre (especially without a polymer coating) anti-corrosion properties; add to this the severe wear of the frets from such strings and it becomes clear why they are not particularly popular.
The winding of such strings consists of nickel, they are much softer than steel, wear out the frets less and have a soft but rich tone. However, nickel strings quickly lose their acoustic properties and stop sounding within 2-3 weeks active play, but despite this they are the most popular electric guitar strings in the world.
How often should you change strings?
First of all, it depends on the intensity of the game, professionals change the strings before each performance, but most guitar lovers keep the strings fresh for 1 to 1.5 months, of course, if you limit playing the instrument, you can increase this period.
However, there are several factors that will help you know when to change your strings. Some of the advice is taken from the course by Mikhail Rusakov:
- First of all, there are visual signs of wear, such as breaks in the winding, dents in the strings and corrosion.
- The second is the sound, if your instrument begins to sound not as bright as usual or downright dull.
- And the last thing is the tuning, if it floats, tuning the guitar becomes uncomfortable or even impossible, you should change the strings.
Results
Such an abundance of different alloys and gauges suggests that there are no ideal strings. Therefore, you need to think about what it means for you highest value: brightness of tone, ease of play, durability or even appearance and make your choice based on this.
Usually you can find a long article of several pages, which describes all the intricacies of string selection, but in reality, the choice comes down to several essentially identical options.
What strings to choose for an electric guitar? The choice of strings for an electric guitar depends on your task. If you just need high-quality strings, or you are a beginner musician, start with the main manufacturers, market leaders: American Ernie Ball, La Bella (this company is worth special attention - for example, they invented the same strings for the electric guitar, and they have a huge assortment) or D "Addario. The most popular gauges are 9-42 (softer, will be comfortable for a beginning guitarist, easier to play solo), 10-46 (usually installed on Strats and similar guitars, generally the most popular caliber) and 10-52 (installed by default on LesPaul, they sound a little lower than 10-46 and a little stiffer), and if the guitar is a 7-string, start with 10-56. Traditional materials are Nickel wound steel strings, start with those for a warmer feel. For a (vintage) sound, choose a winding made of pure nickel (Pure Nickel), for a brighter sound - a steel winding (Stainless Steel wound). We advise rock musicians to pay attention to Ernie Ball and Dunlop - with them it is easier to achieve a harsh sound, and they cope better with rough handling. :) Strings with an increased service life due to a special coating - for example, Elixir will last 3-4 times longer, this is very convenient if the guitar is not used very actively - if idle, the strings will not be exposed to the environment for a long time. Next, pay attention to products less large manufacturers- such as Curt Mangan or Kerly, which have their own characteristics and production technologies - you may find the most suitable strings with them!
What strings to buy for a bass guitar? For beginners, and for most, strings of standard gauge with soft or medium tension are suitable: 45-100 or 45-105 (40-125 or 45-125 for a 5-string guitar) from any manufacturer, with traditional nickel-plated winding. Often the choice is made in favor of steel-wound strings - they have a brighter sound with an extended low range. If you need strings with an extended service life, choose coated strings, such as Elixir or other manufacturers. In our catalog, similar strings can be easily found by noting “Extended service life” or “Protective coating” in the product filters. Better, richer sound is offered, for example, by the D"Addario NYXL and Ernie Ball Cobalt series.
What strings to buy for a classical guitar? First of all, if you are just starting to play, we recommend medium string tension, this will make it easier on your hands and fingers. A tighter tension will produce a richer, louder sound, but these strings are a little more difficult to play. Classical guitar strings are made primarily from nylon and silver-plated copper windings. Similar strings good quality at a low price are offered by the well-known American companies D "ADDARIO and ERNIE BALL, or inexpensive series from the German HANNABACH - they are suitable for a beginning musician or for everyday amateur playing, and will never disappoint you. If you are seriously learning to play the guitar and want to get excellent sound and make the learning process more enjoyable - try SAVAREZ strings, which are recommended by most music schools and teachers. Find the strings that will maximize the sound of your guitar and be comfortable for you!
What strings to buy for an acoustic guitar? For beginners, we recommend calibers 10-47 or 10-50, which have a softer string tension, this will make it easier on the hands and fingers, making learning easier and more comfortable. 11-52 or 12-54 have a tighter tension, but also a more powerful sound output - choose these strings if you already have experience playing the guitar. Second important criterion- this is the material. 80/20 Bronze Alloy sounds brighter, Phosphor Bronze sounds warmer and richer, and strings with a special coating (Ernie Ball Everlast or Elixir) will last especially long. There are other alloys, such as Aluminum Bronze or Nickel Bronze, which are brighter in the mid-high range, and are more resistant to corrosion even without a special coating. Whatever you choose, they will not disappoint with their quality.
When choosing guitar strings, the happy owner musical instrument must take into account the whole a number of parameters: manufacturer, material, coating, type of winding. One of the most important indicators is string thickness, or, to put it differently, their caliber.
String gauge defines two important points: sound and playability. The thicker the string, the richer and louder the sound will be, but they are more difficult to pinch. Thin strings are easier to handle, which is why beginners often prefer them. In general, the choice of caliber depends on what and how you want to play and what you are willing to sacrifice: sound or convenience.
String thickness most often expressed in fractions of an inch. The kit packaging indicates the thickness of the 1st and 6th strings separated by a hyphen. It looks something like 9-42, 10-46 and so on. In slang - “nine”, “ten”, etc. Acoustic guitar strings typically come in gauges of .009 or higher, while figure eight strings are used primarily for electric guitars.
What thickness of strings should I choose?
The most thin strings they are chosen either, as already mentioned, by beginners, or by virtuoso guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen. Also thin strings They are better suited for all kinds of bends (“pull-ups”), so blues lovers will also like them. The most popular 1st string gauges are 0.010 and 0.011. More thick strings are used less frequently, but with them you can achieve a richer and denser sound. They will come in very handy, for example, in jazz. Also, large gauge strings are often used for playing in low tuning (Drop D or even Drop C). In addition, thick strings are better suited for scratching.