How to Select Guitar Strings

There are so many types of strings on the market today that it can get quite confusing for the beginning guitar student. Here's help with picking the right strings for your type of guitar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar Amplifiers
• Guitar Cables
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitar Strings
• Guitars

1. Keep in mind that the string you select depends on the type of guitar you play, the sound you want to create and your preferences for ease of playing.

2. Go to your local music store and look at its selection of strings.

3. Get nylon strings if you are a beginner. They have a soft, mellow tone and are easy on the fingers. You will stay with them if you decide to play classical guitar.

4. Pick ball-end nylon strings, frequently called "folk nylon," if you want to become a folk guitar player. They are a little heavier than regular nylon and take vigorous strumming.

5. Get Monel strings if your fingers are strong enough to handle metal strings. They have a much sharper and louder tone than nylon. The thickness varies according to the type of set purchased; medium-light gauge is recommended for beginners. Do not use them on classical or electric guitars!

6. Select silk and steel for finger-style playing. They are much easier on the fingers than the regular metal strings. Do not use them on electric guitars because they will not pick up electricity.

7. Pick bronze strings for fingerpicking on a folk guitar. They provide brilliance in sound. Select light gauge for finger-style playing, heavy gauge for strumming.

8. Buy a set of brass strings if you want your tone to be sharp and harsh; they are usually more brittle than bronze.

9. Get flat-polished strings if you desire ease of playing. They are easier on your fingers than standard metal strings. These strings come for both acoustic and electric guitar.

10. Select flat-wound strings for any electric guitar. They are comfortable to the left hand and give a smooth tone when amplified. This string is preferred by many jazz guitarists.

Tips & Warnings

• As you can see, selecting the right set of strings for your guitar is a highly personalized decision involving many considerations. After trying different sets, you will know which ones are right for you.
• Replace old strings on your instrument. When a string gets old, it sounds dead. Beginning students can start looking for wear after about five weeks. When in doubt, ask your guitar teacher.
• Never use metal strings on a classical guitar - the neck is not built to sustain the tension and may warp quickly.

[PabloKris]

on 10/6/2009 How about nickle plated strings, what are the pro's and con's of using those types

[Lanzera]

on 11/16/2008 I just bought some cheap strings from here: http://www.buyguitarstrings.com ...best deal I could find...are these going to okay for long term use?

[bluesguyjon]

on 11/19/2007 I've always liked D'Addario XLs. When I was starting out, I actually started with 9s, and kept those through the first two years, went to 10s for another year, and I've recently started with 11s.

I've heard that Stevie used anywhere from 11s to some pretty crazy numbers (one guy said 18s, I don't think they make those). The most agreed-upon number I've heard is 14s.

on 9/24/2006 Not really a fan of the sound on the medium gage John Pearson strings. I thought I had them on my guitar the last time I changed my strings, but I guess not. The sound is too high pitched an has a funky ting to it. Stay away from those. They are inexpensive though and easy on the fingers, but the sound quality is bad.

on 6/30/2006 I've been playing electric guitar for years. I'm no expert, but my best experience with strings is the Ernie Ball Super Slinky strings. OK, they don't stay tuned, but they are very easy to play. The stainless steel Super Slinky's seem to stay tuned better though. I had these on a 12 string, and they were the only strings that I could keep tuned. Now I only have a 6 string acoustic. I tried the Dean Markely Blue Steel strings. I personally don't like Phosphor Bronze strings, because they are too hard on my fingers. The Cryo treatment makes the Dean strings even tougher to play. For my playing style, the 80/20 or silk and steel strings are a better choice. I tried putting the Super Slinky steel strings on a nylon guitar once. It was great to play, but the intonation was way off. I just want my acoustic to play like the electric that I'm used to. The action on the acoustic is also a lot higher than I'm used to. Also, I used to have one of the first Ovation guitars.

I replaced the factory strings on it with Phosphor Bronze strings, because they sounded high tech. Big mistake. These strings were twice as hard to play as the factory strings. My experience with Phosphor Bronze is very painful.