Guitar Strings roundup
Guitar Strings: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing guitar strings involves matching gauge, material and brand to your instrument and style. Here are specific recommendations for acoustic, electric and classical playing.
Buying guitar strings involves choosing the right gauge, material and brand for your instrument and playing style. This guide covers the key decisions and recommends specific options for acoustic, electric and classical instruments at each price tier.
Acoustic String Options
For acoustic playing, phosphor bronze guitar strings are the most widely recommended option — the D'Addario EJ16 (light gauge, 12-53) and Martin MSP4100 are the benchmark choices at mid-price. They are warmer and longer-lasting than 80/20 bronze alternatives at a minimal price premium. If you play lightly or are a beginner, extra-light acoustic strings (11-52) are worth considering; they are significantly easier to press and bend, especially on instruments with higher-than-ideal action. Ernie Ball Earthwood and GHS Bright Bronze are other well-regarded phosphor bronze options at a similar price point.
Electric String Options
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (10-46) and D'Addario EXL110 (10-46) are the most widely used electric guitar strings at this gauge — both are reliable, consistent and affordably priced. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (9-42) are the most popular light-gauge option; they are easy to bend and suit most rock and blues styles. For players who prefer a vintage sound, Fender Pure Nickel strings produce a warmer, smoother tone than standard nickel-wound. GHS Boomers are another consistently recommended option at the mid-price tier. For heavier styles, 11-49 or 11-54 sets provide the tension needed for lower tunings without floppy feel.
Coated Strings
Elixir guitar strings — NANOWEB coating for acoustic, OPTIWEB for electric — are the market leader in coated strings and offer genuinely extended life over uncoated alternatives. They are more expensive per set but significantly cheaper per hour of use for players who would otherwise change strings frequently. D'Addario's EXP (acoustic) and NYXL (electric, enhanced core) lines are the main alternatives. Coated strings have a slightly different feel from uncoated — some players find them less responsive on the high E and B strings. Worth trying if strings cost is a significant ongoing expense. For a full explanation of string types, see our explanatory guide.
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