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ALL ABOUT STRINGS - Focus on Acoustic & Electric Types

If you are a new student to guitar, you probably know nothing about guitar strings, so here is some useful information to help you select the proper strings for your guitar.

Strings are packaged according to TYPE and GAUGE. By Type, I mean Acoustic, Electric, or Classical. The Gauge refers to the thickness of the string in inches. Acoustic and electric strings are packaged Light, Medium, Heavy, and Custom. For example, a Light gauge number one string for an Acoustic guitar would be .012. For an electric, the gauge may be .008, .009, or .010. The acoustic string is thicker than the electric string. The reason is that the acoustic guitar needs more steel to produce more volume. Also, the acoustic guitar is played differently than an electric. The electric is played with techniques that require a thinner string. Such as “bends”. The “pick-ups” produce the volume for the electric guitar.

Acoustic and Electric strings start out as a plain silvered piece of wire, then they are wrapped on the outside with an alloy. Acoustic strings are generally wrapped with Bonze, while Electrics are wrapped with nickel steel. The alloy helps the strings to produce clear and bright tones.

 

Most guitar manufactures recommend a Light gauge set for acoustic guitars.

Sample set: (#1) .012 (#2) .016 (#3) .025 (#4) .032 (#5) .042 (#6) .054

 

The same holds true for electric guitars.

Sample set: (#1) .010  (#2) .013 (#3) .017 (#4) .026 (#5) .036 (#6) .046

 

You can always ask for help at your favorite music store.