There is nothing like grabbing your guitar after it has had a nice, fresh set of new strings.
The look, the feel, and most importantly the sound you get out of them are always a clear reminder of why we love to play these beautiful instruments. Wether you be a beginner venturing into the world of string changes, or interested in dusting off an old guitar that needs to be tuned up, or even a seasoned player looking for something new to try, which strings you buy are always a weighted choice. Now, I will say this as a player of 20 years, the decision is like most other things guitar, very much based in personal preference. The way each string plays and how our hands and fingers adapt is going to vary from player to player, so let’s explore your options for an educated choice.
Types of Strings:
The first thing to consider is what kind of guitar you are working with. Electric guitars
tend to need strings that are designed for them, as you will get a more appropriate sound that way. The same can be said for acoustic guitars or nylon string guitars, so knowing what to kind you are looking for is the first step. Another important factor to consider is of course, the brand. Some brands specialize in certain types, while others are all-encompassing. Gauge and material will play a part in the choice as well, as different sizes and different materials used to make the strings, such as nickel or bronze, will affect how the strings feel and sound beneath your fingertips. For example, lighter gauge strings tend to be easier to bend and have a much brighter tone to them, while heavier strings can be less flexible, but offer a deeper and more dynamic tone. The numbers on a string gauge refer to the millimeter thickness of the diameter of each string. So 10’s are 10mm thick on the 1st or high E string. The final thing to consider too is price. Some of us will be changing our strings frequently, while others may find they don’t need to as much. Be it a profession or a hobby, strings are always a need as a guitar player and how much you need them, as well as how much you want to spend
will be a driving factor.
Let’s dive in!
Electric
Electric guitar strings seem to have the most variance among them. There are tons of different brands, styles, and sizes that are marketed to players of different genres.
One of the most commonly found string manufacturers for electric is Ernie Ball. Their
brightly colored packages can be seen at the counter of almost any music store. Their signature line of “Slinky” strings is hard to miss, and it offers many varieties for each player. The “Regular Slinky” is the standard having the 10-46mm gauge, which is the general standard for electric guitars. They are pretty flexible and they offer a bright tone throughout. They are a favorite of beginners, rock guitarists, and aficionados of many other styles.
If you are looking for a lighter feel, then go for their “Super Slinky” set, which offers a thinner gauge of 9-42mm. These strings are far more flexible, and contain a much lighter sound. These can be great if you like to use a lot of bends, or if your hands are smaller or if you are brand new to the instrument. If you are seeking more of a combo of each, then look for their more specialty brands like the “Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom” which are loved by metal players or the “Mondo Slinky” which offer a variety between the higher and lower strings. They do offer heavier gauges as well, such as the “Not Even Slinky” line which is 12-56mm. Overall, Ernie Ball is a great buy. They are inexpensive and easy to find, and offer a wide variety. The only cons are they are known to either break easily, or wear out more quickly, which can be a headache if you are gigging or playing more frequently. Other electric brands that are reputable include Elixir, DR, and Dean Markley which also offer a variety of styles and gauges. The price point of these brands tends to be a little higher, yet the value of them can be seen as comparable. You might find that these brands last longer and keep their newer feel beyond just a few days.
Acoustic
When it comes to acoustic strings, there are two main styles: steel & amp and nylon.
Steel strings are much like electric guitar strings with the key difference being that they are typically made of bronze rather than nickel. The tone of these strings can vary from brighter to darker depending on some of the same factors as before, such as gauge and material. While some of the aforementioned brands such as Ernie Ball and Elixir also produce acoustic strings, one notable manufacturer is Martin. Martin & Co. has a reputation in the guitar world for making some of the finest acoustic guitars around, having been in the business since 1833. The US based company also makes some of the finest strings, ones that are known for having a beautiful sound, but also holding their tone for a long time. They are affordable and easy to find at any retailer, and come
in all of the varieties any player would need. When it comes to nylon strings, the variety is a little less. Most major retailers such as Guitar Center tend to carry more steel string acoustic or electric guitars, so their selection for those who seek out the deeper tones and softer feel of nylon strings is limited. Nylon strings are commonly used for classical, flamenco, latin, and folk styles of guitar playing, but offer a great chance for beginners as they are easier to the touch and hurt less for the un-calloused fingers. Notable manufacturers such as Cordoba are in the business of making nylon strings, but are
harder to find. It’s rare to see much of a variety for nylon strings even among online retailers.
Something For Everyone
Perhaps the most recognizable brand of stings, across electric and steel/nylon acoustic strings is D’Addario. D’Addario has a reputation among guitar players for being durable, flexible, and sounding great. For their electric strings, they offer several varieties such as “Nickel “Wound" which contain a more grooved texture across the string and a lighter tone, to flat wound or “Chromes” as they are marketed, which are a smoother, softer feel with a deeper and darker tone, typically beloved by jazz players. If you can’t decide between those two, they also offer a hybrid of the two, known as “Half Rounds” which offer a unique middle ground for both preferences. They carry the same level of variance with their acoustic strings too, having every gauge imaginable, as well as different textures such as 80/20 bronze, phosphor coated bronze, and nickel bronze which are more akin to electric strings. For nylon strings, they offer varying gauges from “Light Tension” to “Extra Hard Tension” with durable strings that are easily found amongst brick and mortar and online retailers. The affordability and accessibility of D’Addario makes them a top choice for any type of guitar, and they even offer a “Players Club” rewards system which lets you accrue points with each pack of strings purchased that can then be redeemed later on. It makes it worth it when you want to treat your guitar and fingers to new strings often.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what feels most comfortable to your fingers. There is such a variety of strings out there, that it’s worth exploring as many as you can. In my 20 years of playing I have tried many different sets, gauges, and brands and am still curious as to what else is out there. I, like may other players have found sets of strings I feel work for me and I tend to stick to that, but I still I wonder about changing it up from time to time. Changing guitar strings can seem like a nuisance or an annoying routine task, but it can also be a thrilling chance to see how something seemingly so minuscule can greatly enhance or impact the way you play. For those of you looking for the first time, this is a great place to start. For those of you who have your usual set of strings, don’t be afraid to try something new. Whatever it be, we are fortunate to be
guitar players and this is one of the many ways to have fun with it!
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