Strings are a fundamentally important element for playing many musical instruments, including guitars. In fact, they are the ones who determine the quality and richness of the sound. But for some reason sometimes even when choosing good tool, the quality of the strings is the last thing people pay attention to. Getting the perfect sound on an acoustic guitar is a combination of great equipment, talent, technique and practice. But without good strings and their correct tuning, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve a good sound.

Beginning musicians most often buy strings exactly those recommended by the seller, choose according to an inexpensive price category, or are guided by the colored packaging of the strings, thinking that the brighter it is, the better the quality of the strings.

But guitar strings are such an element of a musician’s equipment that, when correct selection may be the golden mean in finding and creating your own sound.

Become a certain “trick” of a specific performer. There are some fundamental factors to consider when choosing strings. Each of them is equally important.
Therefore, what should you pay attention to when buying strings for acoustic guitar?

You will need:

String choice: nylon or steel

When buying strings, pay attention to what kind of guitar you have. Because there are two types of guitars - acoustic and classical. Out of ignorance, many people generalize them and believe that they are all the same guitar, but this is not the case. There are special nylon strings for classical guitars, and the neck fastening is different from acoustic guitars, so installing steel strings on a classical guitar will damage the neck, move it and, with intense playing, may even crack at the base.

Therefore, there is a clear rule: for acoustics - steel, for classical - nylon.

Select the thickness (caliber) of the strings

Each musician selects the thickness of the strings to suit his playing style. String thickness is measured in inches. The diameter of the first string, which ranges from 0.008 to 0.013 inches in different sets, determines the subsequent thickness of the entire set. Most professional musicians play and advise starting to learn by installing a set of strings with a diameter of the first string of 0.009 (from nine).

The higher the gauge of the strings, the louder, richer and longer they will sound.

Thick strings have a variety of overtones, they are less bright, but they are much more difficult to play, especially for beginners, since a lot of effort is required to press the strings, and when playing for a long time, this is a big strain on the hands.

Select string winding material

The thicker the string, the thicker the winding on it. Winding is a layer of wire that is wound along the entire length of the string. Depending on the hardness of the material from which the winding is made, the strings will have different stiffness. This affects not only the finger feel, but also the sound of the guitar.

There are several types of winding:

• Copper

Quite a common winding. Often used on acoustic amateur guitars. It is not very expensive, so under good loads it quickly breaks and tears.

• Silver plated

These strings are more practical for concert performances due to their aesthetic qualities. They do not fade over time, do not rust, do not accumulate dirt and dust, and as a result do not leave dark fingerprints on your hands while playing. But the sound qualities of such strings are not much different from copper ones.

• Brass or phosphor bronze

This counts best strings, many performers prefer them. Because they have a more colorful and lively sound. Several times more durable than with copper winding.

Select winding type

There are two types of winding on strings: round and flat. 80% of guitar strings installed are round wound. It is very common and popular, since flat is considered more studio-specific and narrowly focused for specific styles and techniques of the guitarist.

Round wound strings have a ringing and colorful sound.

But still, after some time after their installation, it gradually decreases, the strings lose their properties, and sound more natural and monotonous.

Flatwound gives the strings a more stable and slightly muted sound. The sound is unusual with a characteristic matte sound. A good quality of a flat winding is the absence of whistling when the fingers slide.

Solve the system of equations:

Nylon strings >classical guitar

Classical guitar=nylon strings

For the humanists, let us clarify: the use of nylon strings is far from limited to the classical guitar. They give a soft, warm sound to acoustics and, due to greater sensitivity than metal strings, allow for better intonation, which is valuable in different styles music - jazz, folk, country.

On the contrary, we strongly recommend using exclusively nylon strings on a classical guitar. This is due to the structural features of the classic: the neck glued to the soundboard experiences strong stress when the metal strings are tensioned, which can lead to damage to the instrument.

Below we will talk about the main characteristics of nylon strings, which we hope will help you with their choice.

Many beginners choose nylon strings because initial stage they cut less on rough fingers. Due to the softness of the material and weaker tension, this is indeed the case. But nylon strings should be chosen for their sound, and not for ease of play, because the sooner a guitarist gains firmness in his fingertips, the easier it will be for him.

Because nylon strings stretch more easily, they require more frequent tuning than metal strings, especially if installed recently. They are also more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

Tension

The main characteristic when choosing nylon strings, which determines their sound, is Tension. There are strings of low tension - Low Tension (you can also find the markings Moderate or Light Tension), medium tension - Normal Tension (Medium Tension) and high tension - High Tension (Hard/Strong Tension).

Due to their greater pliability, low tension strings are easier to play, especially on guitars with more space between the strings and the neck. But their sound is not ringing, they lack depth and brightness, and it is difficult to change intonation when playing. These strings are well suited for playing in the Legato technique.

Strings with high tension, on the other hand, are less pliable; their sound is as close as possible to metal ones - ringing and bright. But their minus is greater load on the fretboard, which is not always justified, especially on older instruments.

The golden mean is strings with medium tension; they combine all the advantages of the two previous categories.

Some manufacturers produce strings with very low tension (extra-light tension) and very strong (extra-hard tension); there are also average sets, for example semi-hard - medium-hard tension and sets with different tensions of 3 first and 3 bass strings. In any case, the division of strings by tension is arbitrary and may not be the same for different manufacturers. Therefore, first decide on the manufacturer and material and then experiment with different tensions.

A good way to reduce stress on the fretboard when strings are under high tension is to store the guitar with the strings slightly slack and tune them immediately before playing.

String material

Calling nylon strings “nylon” is only partly correct, since they differ both in the base material, that is, it may not be nylon, and in the material of the winding of the bass strings. By the way, until the 1940s, classical guitar strings were made from the intestines of cows and sheep. The unwound strings were simply gut strings, the bass strings were silk thread with a gut wrap.

The modern set of strings are the first strings made of pure nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic material and bass strings having a base of interwoven nylon threads with metal or nylon winding.

Strings without winding can be directly transparent nylon fishing line cast in the desired caliber - this is the so-called Clear Nylon. These strings are the most common and give a clear and ringing sound. There are strings that, after casting, are additionally calibrated with a laser (Rectified Nylon), this allows you to achieve strict compliance with the diameter along the entire length of the string, the surface of the strings is slightly rough, and the sound is more velvety. Many manufacturers have models made of black nylon, they differ in color, and there is an opinion that the dye in their composition gives the strings a warmer sound.

Twisted nylon thread is sometimes used as a transition between unwound strings and bass strings as a G-string.

Bronze wound bass strings - 80/20 copper and zinc alloy - produces a bright ringing sound. Some manufacturers label bronze wound strings “gold”.

The most common way to wind classical guitar bass strings is Roundwound. Many manufacturers sand the surface of the strings, making it smoother, which is more pleasant to the touch and reduces finger noise.

Most classical strings have straight ends and are knotted to the bridge. Balls at the ends, the so-called ball ends, are rare, so if this is not indicated on the packaging, consider the strings to have straight ends. There are tons of videos on the Internet on how to change nylon strings, and the process is actually quite simple, so we won’t dwell on it.

Nylon strings fail more often than metal ones - that's a fact. This is due to the fact that the steel base of metal strings is much stronger than nylon, and manufacturers do not add materials to the alloy winding of nylon strings that slow down its oxidation. If the guitar keeps in tune less and less well and is difficult to tune, the winding has changed color, the bass strings have delaminated where they are attached to the bridge and their base is visible, the sound has become flat and dull - these are signs that it is time to replace the strings. Dirty, sweaty hands, playing with a cigarette or in smoky rooms, frequent changes in tuning contribute to the rapid aging of any strings.

There is no single correct answer to the question of the best strings for a classical guitar - the choice is very individual! The only thing is that you should start with more universal nylon strings; there are manufacturers who call these lines “Student Classic”. With experience, you will understand what sound you are looking for and what string characteristics can give you it.

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?

The first and most significant 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. The neck and body of a classical guitar are simply not designed to handle the amount of 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 various types strings for acoustic and classical, 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
• Require great 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 thickness of strings 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 make strings specifically for acoustic-electric guitars, and you might 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, 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, in the manufacture of this type of strings they use 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

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

In this lesson we will look at 2 questions:

• When should strings be changed?
• What strings to put (choose) on an acoustic guitar?

The data is approximate, since the strings are different and the duration of training is also individual for everyone.

For intensive exercise (from 2 hours per day) - change once every 2-3 months

When practicing up to an hour a day - once every 3-5 months

If you rarely play, listen to the sound and check the wear of the strings. About once every 10 months. — 12 months

What strings to choose for an acoustic guitar?

You can’t say unequivocally: “These are the best strings for a guitar” - after all, everyone chooses their own sound, and selects it for themselves (for their playing, their style). But if you are a beginner, then you do not have experience yet, and we will recommend you popular brands of strings for acoustic guitar.

If you have good guitar, a lot of money, have some experience playing the guitar (at least half a year) and you plan to practice long and hard, then we recommend Elixirs ( Elixir). There are different elixirs in stores, with different alloys, coatings - each is good in its own way, read the descriptions and choose what you find interesting, you can start with bronze, as many do. Many guitarists stop at elixirs, but for beginners we do not recommend taking these strings, they are expensive, plus you will not feel the advantages of these strings over others. For beginners, we recommend that you try to play elixirs (if possible) a little later, as soon as you complete the entire acoustic playing course, which is posted on our website.

Here are two popular brands that will suit you perfectly: Dadario ( D"Addario) martin ( Martin) - also bronze ( phosphor bronze ). These strings are full positive feedback. These guitar rigs are reasonably priced, sound good, and last a long time. A good choice for both experienced and beginners. We recommend buying your first strings at a regular retail music store; talk to the sellers - they will tell you a lot of interesting things and recommend them.

Which string gauge should I choose?

String gauge is the thickness of the strings in fractions of an inch. You've probably already heard such names as nines, tens - this is the caliber. It is always present on the package of strings. For example, in this form: 8−38 (eights - called by the thickness of the first string) - the thickness of the first and sixth strings is indicated here.

There are 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 gauges. Eights are the softest, thinnest strings. 13 - The hardest, thickest strings. The sound is also very different, for example eights sound quieter than others, their bass is less pronounced. But the next gauges are 9, 10 - here the sound is denser, louder, but it is also more difficult to clamp them, since the tension of the strings also increases with increasing gauge. Based on this, we recommend that beginners start with eights; with them you will quickly master the basics. Then after a few months you can try nines, then 10, 11 and from this choose what you like best, what suits you best. Listen to how the sound changes with gauge and how difficult it becomes to clamp the strings.

As soon as you switch from eights to larger calibers, it will be unusual, it will hurt - this is normal. It takes a few weeks for your fingers to get used to it. We recommend increasing the caliber gradually. Our final “average” recommendation is tens.

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 harsher), and if the guitar is 7-string, start with 10-56 Traditional materials are. steel strings with Nickel wound, start with them. For a warmer (vintage) sound, choose a Pure Nickel winding, for a brighter sound, choose a Stainless Steel wound. Have you already gotten the hang of it and know the caliber you need? Try strings with improved qualities: Austrian Thomastik provides excellent rich sound. We advise rock musicians to pay attention to Ernie Ball and Dunlop - it is easier to achieve a hard sound with them, and they cope better with rough treatment.:) Strings with increased service life due to special coating - for example, Elixir, will last 3-4 times longer, this is very convenient if the guitar is not used very actively - when idle, the strings will not be exposed to the environment for a long time. Next, pay attention to the products of smaller manufacturers - such as Curt Mangan or Kerly, which have their own characteristics and production technologies - you may find the most suitable strings from 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 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 they offer 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 an 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. The second important criterion 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.