Acoustic Guitar String Guide: Explained For Every Player

The strings on your acoustic guitar are more than just a functional component; they shape your instrument’s voice and playability. The right set of strings can elevate even a modest guitar, bringing out its best tones.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, our acoustic guitar string guide will help you navigate the choices and find the perfect strings for your sound and style.

Key Takeaways:

• Different materials like bronze, phosphor bronze, and nylon offer unique tonal characteristics.
• String thickness can affect your playing comfort and sound, especially for different genres and styles.
• From fingerpicking to strumming, the right strings can enhance your preferred playing style.
• Don’t be afraid to try different strings to discover what best complements your guitar and musical taste.

Acoustic Guitar Strings Guide

In this guide, I’m going to discuss in-depth what makes up guitar strings, helping you understand the key factors that influence your instrument’s sound and playability. By the end, you’ll be able to pick the right set of strings for your acoustic guitar with confidence.

It’s important to note that not all strings are created equal. You can’t just take and slap any set of strings on your guitar and expect great results. While they may look similar to an untrained eye and ear, each type of string has unique characteristics that suit different guitars and playing styles.

Now, let’s explore different types of strings for acoustic guitars to get a clearer picture.

Types of Acoustic Guitar Strings

Choosing the right strings can be like finding the perfect pair of shoes—comfort, style, and fit matter! But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with a simple breakdown of the main types and what you can expect from each.

1. Steel Strings

Steel strings are the most common type you’ll encounter. They’re known for their bright and clear tone, making them a favorite for genres like rock, country, and folk.

Within this category, you’ll find different alloys like bronze, phosphor bronze, and brass, each bringing its own flavor to the sound.

Bronze strings deliver a bright and ringing tone but can age quickly due to oxidation. Phosphor bronze strings offer a warmer, more mellow sound, perfect for fingerpicking. Brass strings are bright and jangly, great for cutting through in a mix.

2. Nylon Strings

Nylon strings are typically used on classical and flamenco guitars and produce a soft, mellow sound. They’re softer on the fingers, making them ideal for fingerstyle playing and is a blessing for beginners with sensitive hands or those transitioning from steel strings.

However, nylon strings lack the sustain and projection of their steel counterparts, which might not suit all playing styles.

Some guitarists experiment with nylon strings on their steel-string acoustic guitars to achieve a unique sound. This can be done, but it may require adjustments to the guitar’s setup, such as changing the nut and bridge or adjusting the truss rod.

3. Coated Strings

These are essentially steel strings with a thin layer polymer coating that helps resist corrosion and prolongs their lifespan.

While they may lack a bit of the brightness found in uncoated strings, their durability and consistent tone make them a popular choice, especially for players who perform frequently.

Coated strings are a bit smoother to the touch and can reduce finger noise, making them a good choice for recording or performing.

4. Hybrid Strings

Some manufacturers offer hybrid sets, mixing materials or combining different string gauges. These strings typically feature heavy bottom strings (usually thicker) and light treble strings (relatively thinner).

The combination allows you to enjoy both the broader tones of thicker strings and the flexibility and brightness of lighter ones. If you’re looking for versatility, hybrid strings might be a great choice.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for easy playability or a seasoned player seeking a specific sound,
Each type has its own vibe and feel, so understanding and experimenting with different types of guitar strings can help you find the perfect fit that matches your style and guitar.

Acoustic vs Classical Guitar Strings

Before you start experimenting with different string types, you need to be acquainted with the difference between acoustic and classical guitar strings.

Though acoustic and classical/flamenco guitars look similar, they use completely different types of strings. Acoustic guitars generally use steel strings, while classical/flamenco guitars use nylon strings.

A common misconception is that you can simply swap one type for the other. But due to the construction difference between these two types of guitars, they require different strings. Classical guitars just aren’t built tough enough to withstand the tension of steel strings.

This means that acoustic and classical guitar strings are not interchangeable and doing so can cause serious damage to the guitar’s neck and body. So, it’s crucial for beginners to know the difference between these strings to avoid damaging their instruments.

String Gauges

The string gauge is basically its thickness. Gauges are denoted in thousandths of an inch, e.g. a 13-gauge string has a thickness of .013 inches. String gauges typically range from .010 to .059, and the sound varies widely across the gauges.

Lighter Gauges

The thinner lighter gauges are generally easier to play, which is why they are more suitable for beginners who don’t yet have sufficient finger strength.

In addition, it is much easier to bend notes and do fretting on them since they aren’t as rigid as heavier strings.

Lastly, light gauges exert less tension on the guitar’s neck, which makes them safer to use with weaker necks and possibly with vintage guitars.

On the other hand, lighter-gauge strings break easier and are more prone to buzzing, especially in guitars with low action. And they overall produce less volume and shorter sustain than heavier gauge strings.

Overall, light-gauge strings are suitable for:

• Smaller-body acoustics.
• Fingerpicking or subtle strumming.
• Producing treble notes.
• Older, frailer guitars.

Heavier Gauges

Heavy-gauges pretty much mirror the features of light gauge strings.

Heavy strings are more rigid than light strings, which generally makes them harder to play. Usually, heavy-gauge strings aren’t used by newbies. Instead, they are chosen by more experienced musicians who need more volume and sustain and who have the strength to play on such strings.

On the other hand, heavy gauges exert more tension on the guitar neck. This means that you would need to make sure that your guitar’s neck is strong enough to support heavy-gauge before buying them.

Heavy-gauge guitar strings are suitable for:

• Larger and more durable acoustics.
• Producing accentuated bass.
• Hard strumming.

Acoustic Guitar String Gauge Chart

Every acoustic guitar manufacturer is going to designate their string gauges in their own way. It is going to vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but here is the typical gauge range for acoustic guitar strings:

	E	B	G	D	A	E
Extra light	.010	.014	.023	.030	.039	.047
Custom light	.011	.015	.023	.032	.042	.052
Light	.012	.016	.025	.032	.042	.054
Medium	.013	.017	.026	.035	.045	.056
Heavy	.014	.018	.027	.039	.049	.059

Choosing the Right String Gauge

Choosing the right string gauge for your acoustic guitar is always a balancing act, influenced by several key factors, and it’s all about personal taste. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you navigate this guitar strings guide.

Player Experience Level

For beginners, lighter gauge strings (like .010 or .011) are usually a good starting point. They’re easier on the fingers, making those early chords less painful and novice players can build their skills without feeling discouraged.

More experienced players might prefer medium gauge strings (around .012 or .013), which offer a richer tone and more volume, ideal for when you’re ready to experiment!

Though I appreciate how heavier strings can provide greater sustain, but I also recognize they can be challenging for those just starting out.

Guitar Body Size

The size of your guitar’s body can also influence your choice. Smaller-bodied guitars, like parlors and OM models, tend to resonate well with lighter strings, while larger bodies like dreadnoughts and jumbos can handle the tension of medium or even heavier strings.

I remember trying heavier strings on my smaller body guitar once, and it felt like trying to run a marathon with weights strapped to my legs!

Playing Style

Your playing style is another key factor. If you’re into fingerpicking, lighter strings can be more responsive, letting you pluck those delicate notes with ease. I love the way they respond to a gentle touch, producing a sweet, melodic sound.

On the other hand, if you’re a strummer who loves to belt out chords, medium gauge strings might give you the punch and sustain you’re looking for especially in genres like rock or bluegrass.

Sound Preference

Sound is where it gets really personal. Consider what tone you are trying to achieve: mellow, rock, soft, bluesy, purely acoustic, or country?

Lighter strings offer a bright, crisp tone, great for genres like folk and light rock. They bring out the treble, making your guitar sing sweetly.

Medium gauge strings, however, offer a fuller, more balanced tone, ideal for bluegrass, rock, and anything where you want a bit more “oomph” in the low end.

These are some considerations that you have to make. When in doubt ask your local guitar tech or guitar shop employee. Also, you always have Google and YouTube to take advice from. There are tons of tutorials online.

String Materials

When it comes to acoustic guitar strings, the material they’re made from can dramatically influence your sound. The most common materials used are:

Bronze: Bronze strings are the classic choice for many guitarists. They impart a bright and ringing tone to the strings.

However, they age relatively quickly due to bronze’s tendency to oxidize. This oxidation can dull the brightness over time, but for many, the initial lively sound is worth the trade-off.

Phosphor Bronze: Phosphor bronze strings are a popular alternative to traditional bronze. The addition of phosphor gives these strings a bit warmer tone than bronze yet still retains a good level of crispness.

Phosphor bronze strings are known for their durability, as the phosphor helps to resist corrosion, extending their lifespan.

Aluminum Bronze: For those looking for a more pronounced bass response and crisper highs, aluminum bronze strings are a fantastic option. They provide a unique tonal balance that can make your guitar sound richer and more dynamic.

If you play in genres that benefit from a bit of extra punch, like blues or fingerstyle, aluminum bronze might be the way to go.

Silk and Steel: These compound strings have a steel core wrapped with silk, copper, or nylon on the lower strings.

The result is a more delicate, mellow tone that’s gentle on the fingers. This makes them popular among finger pickers, folk players, or anyone playing a style where a more nuanced sound is desired.

Polymer-Coated: Polymer-coated strings offer the benefit of added corrosion resistance, making them a durable choice for players who want their strings to last longer.

While the coating can slightly reduce the brightness and sustain compared to uncoated strings, many players find this a fair trade-off for the longevity and consistency they provide.

Brass: Brass strings are known for their metallic and bright character. They offer a distinct sound that can really make your guitar sing, especially in genres like country or bluegrass where a lively, bright tone is desired.

Brass strings are great for adding a bit of sparkle to your sound, making them a fun option to experiment with.

Steel and Nickel: Nickel-plated steel strings have a steel core with a nickel wrap on the low E, A and D string. These strings will have lesser tension than bronze strings and may exhibit a brighter or even livelier tone.

Nickel strings are known for their smooth, rich tone. They are perfect for rhythm sections and often used in various musical genres, including rock, metal, and country. They offer a nice balance of low-end response and clarity, making them a versatile choice for many players.

Nylon: Nylon strings are typically found on classical guitars, but they’re not just for classical music. These strings have a warm, laid-back tone that’s perfect for genres like pop, slow rock, and love songs.

Nylon strings can feel a bit different to play if you’re used to steel strings, as they have a softer, fuller sound. They might not have the same level of tonal richness as steel string guitars, but it’s got a fuller sound that a lot of guitarists love.

Each string material offers its own unique tonal qualities and playing feel, so the best choice depends on what sound you’re after and what feels comfortable under your fingers.

Difference between Coated and Uncoated Strings

Well, really simple, uncoated strings or otherwise known as plain strings do not have any additional layer of protective string coating.

Coated strings, on the other hand, are then treated with a layer of polymer. It’s applied on core wire, wrap wire, or an entire string.

Coated strings have corrosion resistance that can prevent premature degradation. As we all know, a lot of things can cause your electric or acoustic guitar string to degrade namely, oil, sweat, dirt, humidity, and the climate in your area.

The buildup will for sure speed up that degradation process. Coated strings will have an extra layer of protection against such factors. But, coated strings are not as perfect as they seem.

Uncoated strings are more responsive and do not have dampened tone compared to coated ones. Uncoated strings even feel better at least for most guitar players and retain the integrity of their tone throughout their service life. Also, coated strings get a bit slippery to play on at times.

But of course, due to the abundance of choices and the improvement in guitar string technology nowadays, standards can change and so the quality does too.

A pro tip, listen to an artist whose sound you like to replicate, research their gears including string choice and take it from there. Sometimes, whether you’re using coated or uncoated won’t even matter. It just takes time to practice your ear and practice your musical aesthetic.

String Winding

The core of the string is wound with a wire in one of the three methods:

• Flat wire is used to create a string with a smooth surface. Flatwound strings deliver warmer sound, shorter sustain, have a longer life, higher string tension, less grip for bending, and generally cause less fret wear. These strings are generally better for jazz.
• Round wire is used to create a string with a textured surface. Roundwound strings typically have a shorter life, lower tension, brighter sound, longer sustain, more grip for bending and cause more fret wear. These strings are more suitable for music like rock n roll.
• This is a mix of the previous two techniques, with the round wire flattened only partially.

Among these techniques, the most popular and the cheapest is the round wound. Half rounds are the least popular, and most people should just disregard them when looking for strings.

String core

There is a solid core wire beneath the outer winding of the bass strings. This wire can be of two types: round-core or hex-core.

The first guitar string cores have been all made round. But one day, D’Addario introduced hex strings to the market. In a short time, hex-core became the industry standard for the majority of manufacturers.

The reason for the popularity of hex cores is that their sharp edges grip the outer wire very well, which prevents slippage. The hex shape also allowed to make machine winding more accurate and consistent. Partly due to their inconsistency, round-core strings are very commonly assembled by hand nowadays.

Overall, hex cores:

• are stiffer.
• deliver a consistent, modern, and brighter tone with less sustain.
• have a stronger attack.

Conversely, round-core strings:

• are more flexible.
• deliver an inconsistent, vintage, and warmer tone with more sustain.
• have a gentler attack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can Shorten the Life of Strings?

Dirt, grime, oil, and sweat buildup are only a few things that can degrade the quality of your guitar strings and ruin it prematurely. That’s why simple yet gold advice seasoned guitarists give to beginner guitarists is to wipe their guitar’s fretboard after every session. That goes a long way for your strings and your fretboard in general.

Don’t play your guitar with wet hands and store it properly. Even improper playing of the guitar can cause the string to break prematurely.

What is the Difference Between 80/20 and Phosphor Bronze?

The main difference between these two types of guitar strings is in tonality. 80/20 bronze offers a brighter as well as a bell-like tone to it while phosphor bronze offers a warm tonality to your guitar playing.

Fun fact, 80/20 bronze strings are actually a misnomer as these strings’ metal wrap is actually 80% copper and 20% zinc.

What is the Best Gauge for Acoustic Guitar Strings?

There’s really no such thing as the best gauge for acoustic guitar strings because music is not a fixed or definite art form. So, it would depend on your playing style, tone, and genre. For newbies, you may try light or custom light gauge and take it from there. Refer to our chart above for gauge sizes.

Do Thicker Guitar Strings Sound Better?

Not necessarily. As mentioned, it’s really based on the genre you’re playing and your personal preference. It’s all about tone and feels. Guitar strings with a thicker gauge will naturally yield more bassy tones and are perfect for heavier music like rock or metal.

They are perfect for power chords but maybe a bit hard to play with more tension. Thicker strings are also ideal for down tuning for heavier metal or rock songs. They are versatile for sure but you’ll trade away some mids and highs for it. Probably not suitable for mellower song genres.

Final Words

This is pretty much everything you need to know about acoustic guitar strings to get started. I’ve gone pretty deep in this acoustic guitar string buying guide, but it doesn’t mean that you should start looking for the right wind as a beginner, for example. Only go as deep as your playing style requires.

Related Articles:

• Top Rated Acoustic Guitar Strings For Beginners
• How Often Should You Change Guitar Strings?
• Can You Buy Single Guitar Strings?