The thinnest strings for an acoustic guitar. Types of strings and their effect on the sound of a guitar

18.04.2019

The strings on an electric guitar have a huge impact on the sound and playability of your instrument. If you look at the assortment of any online store, you will probably see the variety of strings they offer. Keep reading and you can easily decide which strings you need and whether they suit your guitar and playing style.

All about string thickness

Their main characteristic of any strings is their thickness, which is measured in thousandths of an inch. The thinnest strings are usually .008 (commonly referred to simply as “eight” by guitarists) or the thickest .56 (or simply “fifty-six”). The thickness of the strings has a big impact on the playability of the guitar and the sound in general.

Thin strings:

They are usually easy to play
Allows you to easily do pull-ups
Very easy to tear
Sounds quieter and produces less sustain
Tend to hit the frets, which gives a very unpleasant sound
Have the least impact on the neck of the guitar, which is a safe choice for vintage guitars

Thick strings:

They are usually more difficult to play
Requires a lot of effort when clamping and playing bends
Generate louder sound and sustain
Preferred for low tunings such as
Puts more pressure on the neck of the guitar

String thickness designation

Most string manufacturers define string thickness using terms like “thin” or “extra thick.” While the exact thickness may vary slightly among manufacturers, I want to give you typical string size ranges for an electric guitar:

Basic string thicknesses

Incredibly super thin: .008 .010 .015 .021 .030 .038
Super thin: .009 .011 .016 .024 .032 .042
Thin: .010 .013 .017 .026 .036 .046
Medium thickness: .011 .015 .018 .026 .036 .050
Thick: .012 .016 .020 .032 .042 .054

The set of strings is determined by the thickness from the thinnest string, which is below all the others, to the thickest, which is above all. For example, for an average set of strings, the first string (the thinnest) will have .011 inches, the second .015, the third .018, and so on.

Factors to consider when purchasing electric guitar strings

Most important factors upon purchase are:

Your playing style and music genre
How often do you play
The character of the sound and the tone you want to achieve

Things that influence these factors:

String thickness
The material from which the strings are made
String winding method used
The presence of a protective coating on the strings

Now knowing all these factors, we can choose the most suitable solution for you.

We have already discussed above that thinner strings are easier to play than thicker strings. If you're looking to play fast, technical solos and intense rhythm parts, then you might want to look at thinner strings. Although, on the other hand, if you play metal and use lowered tunings, then your choice should fall on thicker ones.

Guitarists who play genres such as blues or rock and use bends often prefer medium gauge strings, which make bending easier to play and generate a richer, fatter, darker tone. Jazz guitarists most often use the thickest strings, since they practically do not bend and have a great need for a wide range of tones.

Most beginners prefer super-thin and thin strings. Once you have mastered the basic technical skills and your fingers become more flexible and strong, you will be able to move on to thicker options (due to their specific benefits that we discussed above).

To find the right string thickness for you, you should rely solely on your playing style and experiment as much as possible. Try the strings different sizes, brands and you will probably find the ones that are most “attractive” to your fingers and ears.

Difference between different types strings can be quite “thin” and at first glance incomprehensible to you. The only advice I can give you is to listen to your personal taste and choose what is comfortable for your fingers and ears.

Also keep in mind that the transition to new type strings may require you to adjust their height above the fretboard and also entail Negative consequences for your equipment.

String durability

I have a question for you: how often do you play the guitar? If you're a guitarist who plays say a few times a month and has a penchant for playing with a "light touch", then you can safely buy less expensive strings and not worry about the fact that they will come to an end in, say, a couple of weeks. On the other hand, if you play often and hard, then you should buy more expensive strings as they will remain playable for quite a long time. Most guitar manufacturers price their strings based on their durability, which depends on the materials from which the strings are made.

Materials

All electric guitar strings are made of steel, nickel or any other magnetically conductive alloy. Why magnetically conductive? Because these alloys are excellent for transmitting vibrations generated by strings directly to pickups, which use a magnetic field to capture sound (I wrote about this in more detail in the article:). The type of cladding or coating applied to a steel alloy has significant influence to the sound of the strings. Here are some tonal characteristics of the most common materials used in guitar strings:

Nickel plated steel: Has balanced brightness and warmth with more attack

Pure Nickel: has slightly lower brightness compared to nickel-plated steel and with more pronounced warmth

Stainless steel: It has a bright, crisp tone with sustain, as well as anti-corrosion properties.

Chromium: has a characteristic warm tone with less resonance. Jazz and blues are very often preferred by guitarists.

Titanium: has a bright tone and excellent durability

Cobalt: Has a wide dynamic range with outstanding brightness

Polymer coating: has less sustain compared to uncoated strings, but at the same time is resistant to corrosion

Color coverage: some coatings have color dyes, which gives visual appeal

Types of string braid

The first, second, and sometimes even the third strings do not have a “wire” braid wound over the string. The rest, or as they are also called, bass strings, have it. Below are the types of braids and how they affect playability and tone:

Round braid: most popular view braid, which has a noticeably ribbed structure and produces more sustain, attack and bite. Also this type The braid wears out the neck and frets quite a lot.
Semicircular: has a smoother texture and produces a darker tone and less attack compared to round.
Flat braid: It has a very smooth tactile quality, as well as a fairly dark tone. Popular among jazz and blues guitarists.

Signs that it's time to change strings

Setting up and maintaining an instrument is becoming more and more difficult;
You see that rust has appeared on the strings and it has begun to fade or has already faded;
The braid of the bass strings seemed to begin to “unravel”;
Dissonance and instability appear even in the way you tune the instrument;
You can't remember when last time changed the strings;

How often should you change your strings?

Unfortunately I don't have an exact answer to this question, but there are some factors that shorten the life of your strings:

Sweating. When you play a lot, your fingers produce a lot of sweat, which simply corrodes the strings.
You play very aggressively, i.e. use a lot of bends and a hard attack when playing.
Frequent playing of the instrument will also wear out the strings.
You use different guitar tunings and often change the instrument.

Some guy from Fender shows how to properly change the strings on his electric guitar

Keep your strings clean. After each gaming session, take the time to take a dry, clean rag and simply wipe them from your sweat, pieces of skin from your fingers and dirt. This procedure will allow you to significantly extend the life of your strings.
Wash your hands before each play on the guitar, which will slightly slow down the oxidation process of the strings.
Invest in a tool for winding strings onto pegs. It will help you significantly reduce your time when changing strings.
Buy strings in 5-10 sets. This way you will save your money by buying them at wholesale prices.
You may need to urgently replace a broken string at a rehearsal or performance, so keep a spare set or individual strings in your case or case.

Choosing strings by brand

One ideal choice would be to purchase a set of strings depending on the brand. For example, if you have a guitar, then the strings from this manufacturer will sound great; for many companies that produce guitars, this is good additional income, which they do not want to lose at all, therefore, this product will have at least the same quality as the instrument itself (example: Gibson strings). In addition to such large brands as, there are companies that specialize exclusively in the production of strings, this includes Elixir(read the article about this manufacturer), Dunlop, YesDario and others.

A huge number of positive reviews from string Elixir, however, for the last few years I have personally been using the brand YesDario and have never regretted it yet. All of these companies typically have their own proprietary coverage ( Elixir – Nanoveb), which has served faithfully for a long time. The prices of these brands vary by somewhere around 20 percent. If you are still a student and don’t have much money, you can go to the Aliexpress website and order several sets there YesDario, last time one cost two dollars, which is much cheaper than in the store, but you will have to wait a little (up to a month). Moreover, they say that all the products of this brand are fake, but of quite high quality; in general, it’s up to you to decide.

Resonant substance

I would like to write metal, however, acoustic guitars are often used nylon strings, which give a rather soft sound (ideal for classical music). Therefore, if you have an acoustic guitar and are preparing to enter the Gnessin College of Music, then you will be fine good choice exactly nylon. If you play other music, from blues to grindcore strip metal (no matter what guitar), then you will have to choose between steel strings and nickel(all this is conditional, in addition to steel and nickel there may be up to 20 other metals). Steel gives a characteristic sound, however, like nickel, in defense of steel it can be said that such strings last a little longer. For comparison, take Dunlop nickel and metal, buy whichever you like best, replace this brand with any other. It is worth adding that strings for electric guitars and bass are made with the addition of ferromagnetic alloy, which creates a magnetic vibration that is picked up by the pickup, so acoustic strings won't bother your monster with two humbuckers

Thickness

Everyone knows that distance measurements are measured in mm, with strings... that's not true at all, they are measured in inches. On sets they usually write 9-42 or 10 -46 or 8 -40, this means that the first string from the 9-42 set is 0.009 inches, and the last (we have six strings) sixth is 0.042 inches.

In general, thickness is also a very important string parameter, regardless of which it will be quite problematic for you to communicate with your guitar. Example - you play jazz and buy GHS signature strings by Zach Wylde where the last string is 56, in general, you tighten them and if the wood on the guitar is crap, then you get either a bent neck or, if everything is really bad, then a cracked neck. Depending on the music, on the configuration of the guitar, you can choose the thickness of the strings, basically, most people use 9-42, 10-46, these two sets are suitable for 90 percent of all styles of music. The Fender eight lasted exactly three days, then the 6th string broke, then the 4th, and then I bought another set

Options for perverts

Some strings have a phosphor coating, which allows them to glow in the dark, sometimes even spectacularly. Let's add that there are sets with different colors, for example, each string has its own color, but without phosphorus

When to change strings

If you see traces of corrosion on the coating, this is the first sign that it is time to replace it. You can hear from the sound the fact that the strings no longer ring...at all, and the sound has begun to change, which also means that the replacement process is very close.

How to change strings

As a bonus, you can tell us one way that will quickly and without complications allow you to change a new set. There is a rule according to which there should not be more than five turns on the tuning axis; in general, for bass strings this is a completely followed rule (more fraught with poor tuning and lack of aesthetics), for the first three it is quite possible to make 7 or even 10 turns. By tensioning the string depending on the headstock, you can press the string to the quill, thereby, without reinventing the wheel, give a tension that will not allow the formation of unnecessary turns on the tuning axis, this is very convenient if you have a Fender Stratocaster quill, for Les Paul you just take the strings and lift them above the bar and pull it.

Any guitarist sooner or later has to change the strings on his instrument, either due to wear and deterioration in sound, or in order to get a slightly different sound from the instrument. The acoustic guitar is a wonderful instrument that sounds great in concert hall, and in a cramped apartment, and in the courtyard among multi-story buildings, and, of course, in nature around the fire.

It is no longer possible to change the acoustic properties, which depend on the type of wood, the composition of the varnish, and the quality of manufacturing of the parts. But it is possible to achieve the desired timbre and sonority by replacing strings.

Nylon or metal?

If we consider what types of guitar strings there are, we can divide them into two groups that have their own varieties: nylon and metal. Each has its own characteristics, advantages and some disadvantages.

If we talk briefly about the main properties, then nylon ones are softer and their sound is duller. Metallic ones are characterized by brighter, ringing sound, but they are tougher - it is from them that guitarists develop rough calluses on the fingertips of their left hands.

Soft and quiet

As already mentioned, nylon strings are softer. They are essentially nylon fishing line, or at least that's what the first three look like. Only the thickness of the line from the first to the third increases accordingly. Thick basses consist of a bundle of nylon threads that are wound with copper (most often), silver or brass.

There is also such a thing as the degree of tension. For beginners, it is usually advised to choose a normal tension - it is very difficult and painful to press High Tension nylon lines to the frets. Although they are easier to play, there are some nuances of sound extraction, known to masters, will remain unavailable.

Experts believe that if the guitar was purchased with nylon strings, then when replacing it it is better to choose the same ones. The same goes for metal ones. Nylon is usually placed on the classic spanish guitar, and for an acoustic sound a loud, rich metallic sound is more suitable. However, there are exceptions and special opinions among guitarists on this matter.

By the way, it happens that nylon strings are more difficult to secure to the pegs (very slippery), more difficult to tune (it is difficult to “catch” the desired pitch). Professionals advise that after re-stringing and tuning, let the instrument sit for a day so that the nylon stretches, and then finally tune the guitar.

Loud and loud

This is exactly what is perfect for an acoustic guitar. Juicy sound of chords, ringing tremolo, bright strumming - only metal is capable of all this. No matter what metal strings are strung on an acoustic guitar, they will still sound louder than synthetic ones.

There are several varieties of them:

Based on monolithic (piano steel) with round winding. The first two strings are wire made of high-strength special steel, the third can look different: either like the first two, or have a thin metal winding. The sound with it is more velvety and pleasant, however, due to its thinness, the braid breaks very quickly. And in this case, replacement is already necessary.

There is one note: if one string fails, then it is better to change everything at once: the sound of the new one will still be out of tune with the overall timbre. It’s better not to skimp and choose the entire tool kit as a replacement.

With steel base and flat winding. IN in this case The difference from the previous type is only in the winding: it is flat on the outside.

Steel core with synthetic shell. The sheath can be a thin Teflon winding, or steel wire is encased in plastic. This protection increases their service life: they do not get dirty from contact with your fingers, and do not wear out, even if the frets on the guitar are not well polished. However, the special iridescent sound characteristic of a metal core with a round winding will not work here.

More about the winding

In general, the sound of the bass and the ease of moving your fingers along it depend largely on the winding and, first of all, what its shape is. As already mentioned, the metal winding can be round in diameter. In this case, you can get a very ringing, rich, shimmering sound. But the sliding of fingers on such an uneven surface is accompanied by a characteristic squeak, or, as they also say, a whistle, and this extraneous noise is sometimes perfectly audible to the audience.

Flat or semicircular winding is good because it gives an ideal smooth surface. The fingers of the left hand glide along it easily and almost silently, without encountering any obstacles. And for beginners, pressing on such a surface is not so painful. However, the sound, although sonorous, loses that special iridescence that was mentioned above. On the bass it has a "matte coloration" compared to the richer sound of the thin first strings.

The material from which the outer braid of the bass is made is, as a rule, copper, less often brass, silver or other alloys. Copper is naturally cheaper, silver is more beautiful. But you shouldn’t put this expensive miracle on a cheap guitar with poorly polished frets. You won’t achieve any particularly beautiful sound here; the silver shell will quickly break, and you’ll just have to change the entire set.

Diameter and tension

The boxes with the kits always contain numbers indicating the diameter and tension. At least, reputable companies that produce quality products (such as D’Addario, La bella) must write this information on the packaging. The thickness of the first string can be from 0.08 to 0.15 mm, often this figure is indicated in inches. Thick, low-tension basses may rattle when played against the frets. To avoid this, lower the bar.

As a rule, guitarists, experimenting with various parameters and brands of manufacturers, choose the most successful option (or options) that satisfies them in terms of sound and ease of sound production. Knowing the basics and patterns, you can personal experience choose the best strings.

We hope this article helped you choose good strings for your guitar.

Subscribe to the music community "Anatomy of Music"! Free videos lessons, educational articles on music theory, improvisation and much more.

The strings on an acoustic or classical guitar have a huge impact on its sound and playability. If you have looked through the assortment of any online stores, then you have probably seen that they offer a huge variety of strings. Which strings to choose? What to look for? What does the price depend on? This article should answer all these and other questions.

Acoustic guitar strings

Because the typical acoustic guitar has no pickups and is not connected to an amplifier, its strings play a very fundamental role in how it sounds. Therefore, we must carefully consider the structure of the strings and their thickness.

Acoustic guitar and classical guitar: what is the difference?

First and most significant difference The difference between acoustic and classical is that a classical guitar has nylon strings, while an acoustic guitar has metal strings. In most cases, metal and nylon strings are not interchangeable, as they are designed for a specific musical style. For example, metal strings are intended for rock, blues, and country, while nylon strings are for classical, flamenco, and folk. If you use metal strings on a guitar that was designed for nylon strings, you may cause serious damage to your instrument. Neck and body classical guitar simply not designed for the high tension that metal strings create. Using the wrong strings can also cause damage to both the frets and the bridge of your instrument.

All about the thickness of guitar strings

Before we get into the specifications of the different types of acoustic and classical strings, let's talk about string thickness as it applies to both types. Strings are manufactured in a range from the thinnest to the thickest. Thickness is usually measured in thousandths of an inch. The thinnest strings are usually .010 inches (or simply "ten"), the thickest are usually .059 inches. The thickness of the strings greatly affects the sound of the instrument.
Thin strings:

They are usually easier to play
Allows you to play bends with less effort
Sounds quieter and produces less sustain
Tend to hit the frets, which gives a very unpleasant sound
Puts the least amount of tension on the neck, which is a safe choice for vintage guitars

Thick strings:

They are usually more difficult to play
Requires a lot of effort when clamping the string and playing bends
Sounds louder and generates more sustain (compared to thin strings)
Places more tension on the bar

String thickness designation

Most string manufacturers define their thickness as either “super thin” or “thin.” While the exact sizes may vary among manufacturers, I want to give you the most typical sizes used.

Typical String Sizes

Incredibly super thin:.010 .014 .023 .030 .039 .047
Super thin:.011 .015 .023 .032 .042 .052
Thin:.012 .016 .025 .032 .042 .054
Average:.013 .017 .026 .035 .045 .056
Thick: 014 .018 .027 .039 .049 .059

Metal strings for acoustic guitar

Thickness of metal strings

Let's consider the following factors in order to decide what string thickness to use:

Playing style: Let's take finger playing as an example. Playing with your fingers requires a lot of effort when producing sounds, so it makes much more sense to use thin strings. If you only want to play with a pick, thick strings will sound much better than thin strings. Okay, but what if you want to play with both a pick and your fingers? (after all, that's what most guitarists do). Your choice should be directed towards strings of medium thickness, as they will be the golden mean between ease of play and sound. If we talk in simple words, then I will say this: if you are a beginner guitarist, then give your preference to thin strings. It will be easier for you to learn to play on them and you will gradually be able to switch to thicker options. Eventually, you will be able to switch to thick ones completely and get the most benefits from them.

Desired sound: As you might have guessed, thick strings emphasize the bass register of the instrument and create deeper, stronger tones. On the other hand, thin strings will highlight high-frequency notes, which will give a sharper, crunchy sound.

Instrument age and condition: Rare guitars are often quite fragile, so thicker strings can simply move the neck, which will lead to problems with tuning. Therefore, if you have an old instrument, then play it safe and use thinner strings.

Materials used in the manufacture of metal strings

Bronze: It has clean, ringing and bright tones, but is very susceptible to wear due to its tendency to oxidize.

Phosphor bronze: It has a warmer and at the same time darker tone. Adding phosphorus to the alloy significantly extends the life of the strings.

Aluminum Bronze: Produces pronounced bass and crisp highs compared to phosphor bronze.

Copper: It has a bright, ringing metallic tone.

With polymer coating: Resin coated strings have less sustain and brightness than uncoated strings. A significant advantage is the fact that coated strings have anti-corrosion properties, which significantly extends their life.

Jon LeeVaughn of D'Addario Strings shows you how to properly change strings on an acoustic guitar.

Electric-Acoustic Guitar: Do I Need Other Strings?

Majority electroacoustic guitars, including models with nylon strings, are equipped with piezo sensors that allow you to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal using a built-in preamplifier. This type of pickup does not use magnets (like most electric guitars), so the materials used to make the strings have less impact on the sound. Some manufacturers produce strings specifically for electric-acoustic guitars, and you may want to compare their sound with standard strings, but for some reason it seems to me that you won’t hear much difference.

If the electric guitar is equipped with a piezo pickup, a microphone or a magnetic pickup above the sound hole, then I would advise you to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer of this pickup rather than the advice from users.

Nylon strings for classical guitar

Characteristics of nylon strings

Typically, nylon strings are used in such musical genres like: classical, flamenco, bossa nova and folk. Their soft, gentle tone is preferred by many guitarists including jazz and country.

Many beginning guitarists think that nylon strings are easier to play than metal strings due to their soft material and lighter string tension, which is generally true. However, all beginning guitarists experience pain in their fingertips to one degree or another, regardless of whether it is an acoustic guitar with metal strings or a classical one with nylon strings. All these inconveniences will pass when your body adapts to them. Calluses on the tips of the fingers appear quite quickly, within about a month or two, and after this time, the pain in the tips of the fingers will cease to be such a significant problem. I highly recommend that you do not choose a nylon string guitar just because it is a little easier to play. This choice should only be made in accordance with your musical preferences, namely: if you want to play rock, blues, country, then metal strings are your everything. If you prefer classic, spanish music, flamenco, folk, then you can’t do without nylon strings.

Also, nylon strings need to be constantly adjusted (much more often than metal ones), especially new ones that have just been installed. All this is due to the fact that they tend to stretch and are very sensitive to atmospheric influences (changes in humidity and temperature).

Materials used in the manufacture of nylon strings

Calling nylon strings nylon strings is a bit of a misnomer. As will be described below, during manufacture of this type strings are used various materials, so it would be more correct to call them simply “classical guitar strings.” You will also notice that the principle of making bass strings is a little different from the rest.

And now a little history. Before the 1940s, classical guitar strings were made from cow or sheep intestines. The bass strings (E, A, D) had a core of silk thread on which animal intestines were wound. The rest, the so-called high-frequency strings (E, B, G) were made from pure guts (without the use of other materials).

Modern manufacturers use pure nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic threads to make high-frequency strings. Bass strings have stranded, nylon cores with various metals or nylon wound around the top.

Materials and tonal characteristics of high-frequency strings

Pure Nylon: The most popular material, which is made from pure nylon monofilament. Much appreciated for its rich, clear tone.

Refined Nylon: It is also made from pure nylon, which is then sanded to create a smooth surface along the entire length of the string. It has a gentle, even tone than pure nylon.

Black nylon: Made from a different nylon composition. It has a warm, clear sound with prominent high-frequency overtones. Very popular among folk performers.

Bass String Materials and Tonal Characteristics

As stated above, bass strings have stranded cores that wrap around different kinds metal windings.

Bronze 80/20: Made from 80% copper and 20% zinc. This alloy has a pronounced shine and projection. Some manufacturers call these strings “gold”.

Silver Plated Copper: The material is very smooth to the touch and produces a fairly warm tone. Some manufacturers call such strings “silver”.

Some guy shows how to properly change strings on a classical guitar

Signs that it's time to change strings

It is becoming increasingly difficult to tune and maintain an instrument
You see that there is rust on the strings
The braid of the bass strings seemed to begin to “unravel”
Dissonance and instability appear even in the way you tune the instrument
You can't remember the last time you changed your strings

How often should you change your strings?

Unfortunately there is no definite answer to this question, but there are some factors that shorten the life of your strings:

Sweating. When you play a lot, your fingers produce a lot of sweat, which simply corrodes the strings.
You play very aggressively, i.e. use a lot of bends and a hard attack when playing.
Frequent playing of the instrument will also wear out the strings.
You use different guitar tunings and often change the instrument.

Keep your strings clean. After each gaming session, take the time to take a dry, clean rag and simply wipe them from your sweat, pieces of skin from your fingers and dirt. This procedure will allow you to significantly extend the life of your strings.
Wash your hands before each play on the guitar, which will slightly slow down the oxidation process of the strings.
Invest in a tool for winding strings onto pegs. It will help you significantly reduce your time when changing strings.
Buy strings in 5-10 sets. This way you will save your money by buying them at wholesale prices.
You may need to urgently replace a broken string at a rehearsal or performance, so keep a spare set or individual strings in your case or case.

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 are set to 9 or 10. 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 available 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 tone 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 a bright, ringing sound, 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. High-tension nylon strings are 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 of a classical guitar by knots

Fastening strings with balls

Round and flat winding strings

Round wound strings are what most of us see when we imagine regular guitar string. The winding usually has thicker three or four strings (the winding is around the steel cord) and on this type of strings, as the name suggests, 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 the feel of the strings with your fingers, good strings should be smooth and clean, without the 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.