Acoustic Guitar Strings

An acoustic guitar is made to be played, and even the best acoustic guitar strings take a beating with constant use.

Why Change Guitar Strings?

There are a number of reasons that one would choose to change their guitar strings. There is, of course, the accidental reason, for guitar strings are not impervious to life’s little tribulations, and every now and again a string will simply snap. Then of course there is the fact that over time oils and dirt from your fingers build up on one’s guitar strings causing them to tarnish and the sound of your guitar to become dulled. If this happens, it is in one’s best interest to change your guitars strings.

In fact, even brand new guitars sometimes could stand having new strings. If you have recently bought a guitar and have found that you just don’t like the feel or tone of the strings, it is a fairly simple matter to change out your strings. But which strings should you choose?

The Best Acoustic Guitar Strings

Before you change the strings on your acoustic guitar, you need to be aware of the fact that there are three basic kinds of strings. They are not interchangeable since the strings for different kinds of guitars having different tensions. So it is important to know which type of string your guitar is strung with so you won’t mix them up. The three types include steel-string, 12-string sets and classical.

Telling them apart if fairly simple; especially for the 12-string sets because they will have (drum roll) – 12 strings. A steel string guitar’s strings are made of metal, and classical guitars will have strings that are made up of three nylon strings and three metal strings.

In short, the best acoustic guitar strings for your guitar are the kind of strings (12-string, steel string or classical strings) that your guitar was meant to play. But beyond types of strings are, within each type, different weights of guitar strings that can give your guitar a different sound.

The weight or “gauge” of a guitar string determines the fullness of the guitar’s sound. The thicker or heavier the gauge, the fuller and richer the sound. But the fullness of sound comes with a price, heavier gauge strings are usually harder to play. The lightest gauge strings are usually used by guitarists who are focusing on their ability to play a lot of notes without a lot of pressure on the fretboard.

Some of the Best Acoustic Guitar Strings

When considering guitar strings, it is important to do your research. To help you with that we have listed five different kinds – or brands – of strings of different weights for you to look at. Keep in mind that each of the brands has different weights of strings available, and the weight you select will depend on your own personal preference.

Elixir. Elixir guitar strings have an excellent reputation for awesome tone and a long string life. The string featured here is of medium weight, which would give it good tone without being too difficult to play.

Martin. Martin Guitar strings have the strength of Martin’s reputation behind them, and they take pride in the quality of their product. The strings featured here are light (though Martin makes all weights). The lighter strings do not have the richness of tone of the heavier strings, but they do allow the player to be able to play more notes more quickly.

D'Addario. D’Addario guitar strings are considered to be an excellent choice when considering guitar strings; they have a great variety of types and coatings as well as weights. The heavy weight strings featured here provide a rich and full-bodied sound, though they are harder to play.

Dean Markley. Dean Markley Acoustic Guitar Strings provide a well-rounded tone and offer a wide range of types and weights. The custom light strings featured here are considered to be the easiest types of strings to play, and are excellent when a lot of finger work is being featured in one’s playing.

Ernie Ball. Earnie Ball acoustic guitar strings are considered to be an excellent choice when it comes to choosing strings for your acoustic guitar. The extra light strings featured here are not as light as the custom light strings, but they are lighter than the light strings, providing for more flexibility.