Classical guitar strings for beginners. How to choose guitar strings

Acoustic guitar strings

Nylon strings

What does a beginner need to know?

When size matters

How much material?

How often should the strings be changed?

Conclusion

String Gauge

String manufacturers

String coating

Choosing the Right Guitar Strings

What to look out for when choosing strings

Best Acoustic Guitar Strings

What strings to buy for acoustic guitar?

Best Bass Strings

What strings to buy for bass guitar?

Best Electric Guitar Strings

What strings to buy for electric guitar?

The best strings for classical guitar

What strings to buy for classical music?

String types

Strings for beginners

Pros and cons of nylon strings

Pros and cons of metal strings

Which strings to choose

How to change strings on an acoustic guitar

Best Strings

Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Strings

Strings D "Addario 80/20 Bronze Acoustic

Elixir NanoWeb Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Bass 50-105 Strings

Strings D "Addario Nickel Wound Bass 50-105

Strings Elixir NanoWeb Bass 45-105

Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Strings

Elixir NanoWeb Strings

Strings D "Addario Nickel Wound

Strings D "Addario Classic Nylon Normal

Ernie Ball Earthwood Folk Nylon Classic Strings

Strings D "Addario Classical Coated

Acoustic or classical guitar

String Gauge

Caliber designation on acoustic guitar string sets

Choosing an Acoustic Guitar String Gauge

Acoustic Guitar String Materials

Why are electric acoustic strings special?

Characteristics of nylon strings

Nylon string tension

Nylon string material

Materials of treble strings for classical guitar and their sound characteristics

Wrap Materials for Bass Strings for Classical Guitar

Signs it's Time to Change Your Strings

How often do you need to change the strings

Friends, in this article we will talk about acoustic guitar strings, learn how to understand them and choose the right kit.

If your guitar sound isn't as bright as it used to be, and it's not very comfortable to play, then it's time to change the strings!

So, look at your guitar. Pay attention to the thickness of its neck and the strings that are or were on it before. The neck is narrow and the strings are metal? Now take a look at the guitar in our picture. Does your guitar look like it?

Most likely, you have just such an acoustic guitar. So you can safely take a set of D`ADDARIO EZ900 strings. These strings are suitable for beginners, they are thin, do not cut fingers and are convenient for mastering all playing techniques. By the way, if you got an old guitar from the factory to them. Lunacharsky and decided to remember their youth, then this set of strings is also suitable.

If you still have doubts and you can’t figure out the type of your guitar on your own, then tell the seller (in the Pop Music store;)) the model name indicated on the label under the strings. One of the most common mistakes buyers make is asking for "regular" strings for a "regular" guitar. It's like a red rag for a bull :)

And some buyers try to put the first strings that come to hand on the guitar. We want to warn you right away that electric guitar strings will sound very bad on acoustics. You will not hear the sound of a guitar, there will be an unnatural ringing of strings in your ears and nothing more. Nylon strings won't work either, they're too soft and not tight enough to get the right resonance from the body. So, first things first.

What affects the sound of a guitar? Of course, your experience. In addition to it, the wood from which the guitar is made, the quality of the assembly, as well as the parameters of the strings - thickness and material, have an influence. We will consider the last two factors, since we are talking about strings in our article.

String size is in inches and can be found on the package. For example, 10-50, where 10 is the thickness of the first string and is equal to 0.01 inches, and 50 is the thickness of the last string of 0.05 inches. The most common sets are six strings, but there are also seven and twelve strings.

Thin strings (10–50) are convenient at the initial stage of learning, they are easy to press, fingers do not get tired even with an aggressive playing style, and the guitar sounds and pleases. Thick strings are more difficult to play, but their timbre is richer and they are able to "shake" the body of the guitar. The wood begins to resonate, and the musician manages to extract much more nuances of the sound.

By default, the manufacturer puts 11–52, 12–53 strings on guitars (this is an average value), because their main task is to demonstrate the instrument before selling it from the best side, and then you decide what thickness to choose based on your preferences. In general, if you change strings, keep an eye on their pitch. Adjust the neck sag if necessary with a truss wrench, or contact a nail technician or dealer for help. Too high - it is difficult to play, the fingers will "get stuck", too low - there will be extra "jingling". The setting is done by experience.

Acoustic guitar strings are made of bronze, nickel, phosphorus, steel, silk, and aluminum. Bronze is mainly used with various additives, which allows you to achieve a certain shade in the sound. On the websites of string manufacturers you can find a very handy guide on the brightness scale (bright - mellow). Bronze strings are the brightest. You will be heard in a duet of two guitars. Try, for example, ERNIE BALL 2004.

For guitars with a pickup, the GHS WB-XL kit works well. These strings reduce unnecessary overtones that occur when sliding along the fretboard and unnecessary ringing.

The combination of bronze with nickel or phosphorus will give the sound softness and intimacy. Perfect for guitar + vocal combination. One of the models of such strings is D`ADDARIO EJ16.

Silk and steel give a soft and rich sound for jazz, lounge and similar styles. For all this, the D`ADDARIO EJ40 model is suitable.

In addition to the material, the braid on the strings affects the sound. The most common type is the round wound, which is used to achieve a bright and resonant timbre. Tape wound is suitable for jazz, blues, slide playing (consider D`ADDARIO EFT15 as an option).

Many guitarists choose to use nano-coated strings to protect them from dirt, grease, and other foreign matter on their surface. For example, ELIXIR's POLYWEB strings are durable and feel like they slide across the fretboard when played. ELIXIR NANOWEB series strings are similar in properties to strings with a standard round braid.

If you are a happy owner of a 12-string guitar, then there are special kits for you. All of the above about material, braid and coating applies to them as well.

The main criteria for replacing strings are their wear and dull tone. If you are just learning to play the guitar and spend a lot of time playing scales and chords, then we recommend changing the strings every three months. Many professional musicians change strings before each concert.

Despite the protective coatings, the strings will retain their original tone for longer if properly cared for. Apply special care products and you will extend their life.

As soon as you remove the strings from the guitar, you will see the “dark side of music” on the fretboard: particles of skin, grease, metal oxidation. Wipe the neck with PLANET WAVES PW-LMN Lemon Oil. It will also protect the fretboard from drying out. Remember, lemon oil should not get on the strings, otherwise oxidation cannot be avoided.

After each playing the guitar, wipe the strings - use a napkin or a special tool FORCE ACE 30 BLACK.

Sometimes a sudden change in humidity affects the coating of the strings, making it difficult for the fingers to slide from fret to fret. Sweaty hands before a responsible concert also leave their imprint on the strings. Use the GHS FAST FRET A87 conditioner. Remember, air conditioning will not extend the life of your strings, it will only help you play a concert without "extra graters"

Do not forget to wipe dust and fingerprints from the case with a special cloth. Love your guitar!

To date, there are a lot of different strings on the market, as they say, in taste and color. Amateurs and professionals have plenty to choose from. Before you opens a huge field for experiments with sound. Follow our recommendations and act!

Hello to all electric guitar lovers. In this article, we will try to answer such an interesting question: “How to choose strings for an electric guitar?”. And sooner or later such a question will arise and the correct answer to it is the key to success in mastering the technique of playing the instrument. So let's figure out which strings are best for electric guitar.

Since the strings of a guitar are the direct source of sound, any change in the characteristics of the string will invariably affect the sound. More or less experienced musicians already know what strings they need, but what about beginners who have just purchased their first electric guitar? I hope this article helps you.

I want to remind you right away that after buying a new musical instrument, you will need to immediately think about changing the strings, because. the strings that are installed on the guitar in the store are demonstrative. It is not possible to play on them, and even more so to study. For example, when I bought my first electric guitar, I decided to keep the old strings. And after two weeks the first string "ordered a long life." Even if your guitar was just lying in a case and you didn’t play it, get ready to change the strings in six months, because. the old strings are already worn out.

The first and most important, in my opinion, moment is the thickness of the strings or their caliber. As a rule, string gauge is indicated in inches. The manufacturer indicates the thickness of the first and last string on the package. For example, for a six-string guitar, the packaging will show .008-.038, which means the first string is 0.008 inches thick and the sixth string is 0.038 inches, respectively. Such strings, for convenience, are usually called “eight”, strings 0.009 “nine”, etc.

What affects the thickness of the strings? First of all, the comfort of the game. Thin strings (eight and nine) cannot boast of their sustain and sound density. The main advantage of such soft strings is that a novice guitarist can easily perform various playing techniques, such as bends and vibrato, without harming their fingers. This is true for a novice guitarist, since their fingertips have not yet grown stronger.

Strings with a first string thickness of 0.010 can be called the "golden mean". They have a fairly dense sound with a small thickness. These strings are best suited for electric guitars, both for beginners and more experienced guitarists.

Thicker strings 0.011, 0.012, 0.013 are suitable for playing in heavy directions: metal, hard rock. You should not start learning on such strings if your fingers are dear to you.

The next thing to pay attention to is the manufacturer. Before choosing strings for an electric guitar, you should be aware that there are many manufacturers of strings and the price can be very different from each other. You should not be fooled by the low price of a set of strings from an unknown manufacturer. Such strings can nullify the fine tuning of the instrument and run the risk of breaking from any touch. There are several proven manufacturers: D'Addario, GHS, Ernie Ball, La Bella, Dean Markley. The strings of these manufacturers are best suited for your electric guitar. A set from these manufacturers will cost you from 300 to 500 rubles.

On the packaging of guitar strings, the manufacturer indicates the presence of a special coating for the winding of thick strings. You probably noticed that the third (not always), fourth, fifth and sixth strings are wound. To protect the winding from the effects of the external environment, this special is applied to it. coating.

Nickel-plated strings are the most common. Such strings are characterized by a softer and warmer sound, suitable for most musicians. There are strings without coating at all, i.e. both the core and the winding are made of steel. It is customary to play heavy rock and metal on such strings. Because they sound very harsh and aggressive.

There are strings with other coatings, but they are rare, and the cost of the kit will cost more than one thousand rubles.

Summarizing all of the above, let's summarize. If you start to notice that the sound of your favorite electric guitar has changed, the tuning has begun to break, the strings have lost their shine and become dirty, then you need to think about buying new strings.

An unequivocal answer to the question, “what strings are best for an electric guitar?” you will not find, because every guitarist only by trial and error chooses the strings that suit him best.

Now you have learned how to choose electric guitar strings. Try to play on the strings of different manufacturers and over time you will find exactly what you need. Thank you for your attention! Good luck to all!

For many, both beginners and quite professional guitarists, the process of choosing the best strings for their own guitar becomes a real problem. For your own money, you certainly want to get something of very high quality, durable, comfortable and sounding good. And in this article we will try to consider absolutely all aspects of selecting strings for various types of guitars, as well as tell you about the most popular brands and models, the choice of which is always a good decision.

It takes a lot of experimentation to find out which guitar strings are best for you. It's all very much a matter of style and preference, as different windings sound very different, and even string gauge matters a lot. Nevertheless, it is worth starting your search with really worthy and popular models in order to immediately feel the maximum quality and be able to further compare it with products from other famous manufacturers, forming your own unique taste.

Before you choose the best guitar strings, you should pay attention to a number of parameters. Not all of them may be important at one level or another of your game. If you are a beginner, then the comfort and convenience of the game should be at the forefront. This means that thinner strings with traditional windings will suit you without much frills. It is important to understand that in order to extract a unique sound, for example, from thick silver strings on an acoustic, you need to have certain skills and master advanced techniques, such as fingerstyle. Well, an uninitiated young musician with such strings is more likely to face a number of difficulties that are not needed at this level.

Also, do not chase cheapness, making deals with conscience, acquiring conditionally cheap strings from unknown Chinese manufacturers. All this will only lead to the fact that you yourself will be dissatisfied with the sound, and low-quality products will very soon require an early replacement. It is worth remembering that strings are not an element that can be neglected and saved on, because the most important thing in an instrument is sound, and strings play one of the most important roles in its formation.

The acoustic guitar is an extremely popular and widespread instrument, and its sound largely depends on the correct selection of strings. And in the process of choosing them, you should rely on:

a number of technical characteristics and features,
your current skill level,
available budget,
preferred play style.

Why this model? For a sonorous, clear and at the same time very warm and deep sound, characteristic of a high-quality bronze winding.

Characteristics. Bronze braided thick strings on a steel core, a wide variety of diameters available.

Advantages and disadvantages. Great sound, which you will be very difficult to refuse in the future. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the rather rapid wear. With active play, a replacement may be required after a few months.

Why this model? For the characteristic rich sound achieved due to the bronze circular braid.

Characteristics. Round bronze braid, large selection of different calibers.

Advantages and disadvantages. Classic acoustic sound ideal for a variety of playing styles. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting not the longest service life. After 2-3 months, the strings will begin to gradually lose their properties.

Why this model? For a warm and deep bronze sound, and impressive durability, which is achieved using proprietary manufacturing techniques.

Characteristics. Phosphorus bronze wound strings. A wide range of available gauges and a proprietary fluoropolymer protective coating to prevent any negative effects and not adversely affect the strings in terms of sound.

Advantages and disadvantages. Amazing durability, smooth sounding and low maintenance. The disadvantages include a significantly higher cost, for which, however, you get strings that live 5-6 times longer than usual.

Obviously, when choosing the best strings for an acoustic guitar, you need to build on such parameters as the thickness of the string, its winding, and its type itself. For beginners, thinner and softer 0.010" strings with flat copper or bronze windings are fine, while pros should take larger gauge round wound models for the most rich sound with good depth and maximum overtones.

Choosing the best bass strings is a very responsible process, because they are not changed as often as on ordinary guitars, they are more expensive, and therefore the set you have chosen will become your faithful companion for quite a long time.

Why this model? For a distinctive and recognizable sound, chosen by thousands of professional bass players around the world.

Characteristics. Strings with a round nickel-plated steel braid on a hexagonal steel core. Large range of available diameters.

Advantages and disadvantages. Signature clear and sonorous sound, high level of comfort when playing. The disadvantages include the average service life and the need to care for the strings with the help of special cleaning solutions at regular intervals.

Why this model? For a classic, slightly vintage sound with distinctive accents.

Characteristics. Classical bass strings with a round nickel-plated winding on a hexagonal steel core.

Advantages and disadvantages. High quality, excellent balanced sound and affordable price. The disadvantages include the average service life.

Why this model? For amazing durability, great sound that is unaffected by the protective coating, and maximum playing comfort.

Characteristics. Circular nickel-plated strings on hexagonal steel cores with proprietary fluoropolymer polymer coating. Wide range of calibers available.

Advantages and disadvantages. Excellent protection against any impact, and a service life measured in years. The disadvantages include the high cost, which not every novice musician can be ready for.

Whatever the case, the best bass strings are the ones that last for many months or even years, so you don't have to change them too often. Of course, this is a matter of taste and skill, but it’s better to immediately invest in models with a protective coating, forgetting about replacing for a long time. It is also worth emphasizing that the bass guitars themselves are both 4-string and 5.6-string, and for each of these models, you will have to look for specialized strings.

The best strings for electric guitar combine quality deep sound, high durability and reliability. But at the same time, they necessarily have some kind of proprietary sound feature that distinguishes a particular model from many other options.

Why this model? For the unique sound achieved by combining super-thin bottom strings with thick top ones.

Characteristics. Thick nickel wound strings on a hexagonal steel core. Thin strings are made of high carbon steel, which makes them durable.

Advantages and disadvantages. Gorgeous and varied sound, great for different styles of music and playing techniques. The disadvantages include relatively quick "aging", and the need to regularly care for the strings with the help of special tools.

Why this model? For a pleasantly balanced sound and decent protection, which means versatility of use in any situations and circumstances.

Characteristics. Nickel-plated string winding on a hexagonal steel core. Thick strings have a protective fluoropolymer coating, while thin strings are coated with a special anti-corrosion compound.

Advantages and disadvantages. The highest level of durability, almost complete immunity to any negative impact. The disadvantages include a rather high cost and a slight muffled sound compared to unprotected strings.

Why this model? For beautiful, clear and balanced sound. It is not for nothing that this model is the most popular in the line of the D'addario brand, and it is regularly chosen by eminent professional guitarists around the world.

Characteristics. Nickel-plated steel round braid around a hexagonal steel core. Large range of possible calibers.

Advantages and disadvantages. Great sound and affordable price. The disadvantages include the relatively short life of the string, since after a few months of active play you may need to replace it.

Choosing the best electric guitar strings is not that difficult. Many famous manufacturers will gladly provide you with their own models, among which you can easily find something ideal for yourself. It remains only to spend a little time and effort on the search itself.

Classical guitar strings are traditionally made from polymer materials, in some cases with some metal added. However, it is interesting to note that even 50-70 years ago such strings were created from animal tendons, soaked and aged in a certain way. Classical strings are very soft, and therefore they are most often recommended for use in the learning process. However, classical and western guitars are actually two completely different instruments, and it's not just the strings that distinguish them.

With the choice of classical strings, there are almost never any particular problems, since there are not so many options available on the market, and the varieties presented vary greatly in price, so the choice is often made precisely on the basis of this parameter.

Why this model? Due to the stronger and more resonant type of nylon used, the quality silver-plated braid delivers perfect sound with precise picking.

Characteristics. Thicker rectified nylon, wide range of diameters available, medium tension and silver-plated thick strings.

Advantages and disadvantages. Excellent value for money, high durability of the model. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the specific sound of the winding, which may not please everyone, especially with a certain playing rhythm. The most suitable option for experienced musicians.

Why this model? Because of the rich and deep sound, achieved through the use of a bronze winding with a small addition of copper. The model is a true classic, which many musicians have chosen over the years, without changing this bright and characteristic sound.

Characteristics. Thin strings and thick cores are made of nylon. Thick strings have a bronze winding. The model has many diameter options.

Advantages and disadvantages. It has a warm and deep sound, well suited for both beginners and pros. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the rather rapid wear, due to the fact that bronze is a soft metal, quite susceptible to corrosion.

Why this model? A great solution for those who don't want to change strings too often. It combines high-quality sound and a proprietary polymer coating that protects the string from any negative external factors for many months of active play.

Characteristics. Nylon strings with a silver-plated braid and a special protective EXP coating. The model has many diameters, for almost every taste.

Advantages and disadvantages. The product has the highest durability, easily lasting 4-5 times longer than conventional strings, and at the same time will delight you with the characteristic deep sound of individual notes. Of the minuses, it is worth noting the higher cost and the fact that the silver winding is not suitable for all styles and types of play.

Choosing the best strings for classical guitar, you should focus solely on your taste and financial capabilities. All of the options presented are great. Some are more suitable for beginners, have an affordable price, but will require regular tuning, while others are made for performances, and therefore will easily give you stability and rich sound, but will also cost accordingly.

Being able to play the guitar has always been an honor. Even having learned a few chords, you can already play simple songs in the yard or near the fire to raise your mood and morale. But there are times when, due to negligence or from prolonged use, the strings on the guitar are torn. In order not to interrupt the holiday, you should always have a spare set of strings with you. This is where the main question arises: "But how to choose the strings for an acoustic guitar?"

For an acoustic guitar, there is a choice: to install nylon or metal strings (on the same electric guitar it is possible to install only metal ones). These are two opposite camps. There is still debate about which strings are best for acoustic guitar. In fact, it all depends on the person. Acoustic guitar strings sound different. That is why there are so many of them. There are a lot of different kits that differ from each other in various parameters that affect the sound and quality of the game. Don't forget that, among other factors, playing is also influenced by the acoustic guitar itself. What strings are best for beginners?

The first steps in mastering the guitar are always difficult. It is very important that from the very beginning a person enjoys playing the guitar, otherwise he will soon give up this business. Since the strings are the main element of the guitar, the approach to their selection should be in the first place. For beginners, nylon ones are best, since they have all the parameters that are useful to them.

For beginners, nylon strings are best, as synthetics are much easier to play. Metal is a much harder material than synthetics, so it's more difficult to strike your first chords on such strings. Synthetics, in turn, are a softer material, so learning to play on it will be many times easier.

For untrained fingers, the first loads will be quite large, so you need to do everything possible to reduce the load on them. In addition, synthetics are not so detrimental to the skin: although at first it will hurt to clamp the frets, but then you quickly get used to it.

But everything is not as simple as it seems. Synthetics are a soft material, which is why it is prone to deformation. Because of this property, acoustics need to be constantly adjusted as the strings stretch. They are also less durable, so you should be careful and try not to tear them.

Nylon on the guitar does not sound as loud as metal. Its sound is more muffled, but soft. Therefore, when playing "forte" you need to put more effort.

Metal strings are made of a stronger material, which gives them such strength. They are more durable and unpretentious to other conditions. They also don't deform as much. This makes it possible to keep them taut (no need to adjust them every time). The best acoustic guitar strings are metal. They are rightfully considered as such, because their sound is more sonorous and loud.

But they have a number of disadvantages. Due to their strength, metal strings are made thinner. Especially for beginners, this results in thick calluses on the left hand. If, out of a spiritual impulse, you re-study, then you can erase your fingers into the blood, and these are not just words. That is why it is important for yourself to choose the norm, several hours a day, in order to avoid overwork and bloody blisters. In addition, it will be much more difficult to pinch chords than on synthetics, since metal is a harder material. Here you need to apply all your strength to make a sound.

So what are the best strings for acoustic guitar? Well, for this it is worth considering all the factors. If a person is just starting to play music, then it is better to put nylon strings, since it is easiest to learn from them, if with experience, then metal ones, because they have a more beautiful sound.

If suddenly the purchased guitar turned out to be with a set of metal strings, but nylon ones were required, it does not matter. The question of how to change the strings on an acoustic guitar is solved very quickly.

The first step is to buy a new set of strings. They are sold in any music store, and there are plenty of them on the Internet. After that, it remains only to remove the old ones and fix the new ones.

Old strings need to be removed starting from the pegs (things that are attached to the headstock). By reducing the tension, you can easily untangle them with your fingers and remove them from the peg. Then the knot on the bridge (the base on which the strings are attached near the right hand) is simply untied. Then, having done the reverse procedure, they put on new strings, starting from the lower bridge and ending with the pegs.

Valuable advice: the strings for an acoustic guitar are best changed not according to the principle from top to bottom, but from the sides. That is, first the sixth and first strings are put on, then the fifth and second, and only then the fourth and third. The headstock is designed so that pairs of pegs hold the strings in that order. The farthest pair of pegs is responsible for the first and sixth. Same with the middle and third pair of pegs.

In fact, there is nothing complicated here, you just need to practice a little.

You always want to have something very high quality and reliable. The same applies to strings. As a rule, acoustic guitar strings installed at the time of purchase do not shine with quality. That is why it is recommended to change the strings after buying an instrument. The best option would be the famous brand dedicated to guitars, Fender. He collected the best in himself. This pleasure is more expensive than other strings, but it's worth it.

Acoustic or classical guitar strings make a big difference in the sound of your guitar, so it's worth choosing from the widest range of strings on the market to find the perfect fit for you and your instrument. This guide will help you choose the right strings to best suit your guitar and playing style.

Since there are no sound effects or amplification in an acoustic guitar, the strings are key to its sound. Thus, the material and gauge of acoustic strings must be carefully considered, and the type of winding is also an important factor.

The first thing that determines the choice of strings is the type of instrument - classical or western guitar (it is most often called acoustic). In most cases their strings Not interchangeable. Using metal strings on a guitar designed to use nylon strings can seriously damage the instrument. The design of the neck of a classical guitar is not designed to withstand the pressure from the tension of metal strings. Using the wrong strings can also damage the bridge and nut.

Before we dive into the specific characteristics of the different types of guitar strings, let's take a look at string gauge as it applies to both of them. Strings come in various thicknesses or gauges. Caliber is indicated in thousandths of an inch. The thinnest acoustic strings are usually 0.010 gauge and the thickest 0.059 gauge. The gauge of the strings greatly affects their playability and sound.

Note that classical guitar strings also vary in tension. Below we discuss the effect of tension on the sound and playability of classical strings.

Thinner strings (smaller gauge):

- it is easier to clamp the strings and play with brute force;
- break faster
- their sound is less deep and long;
- can cause fret buzzing, especially on guitars with a small distance between the fretboard and strings;
- exert less pressure on the neck of the guitar and are safer for older instruments

Thicker strings (larger gauge):

- require a lot of effort to pluck the strings and play chords;
- the sound is deep and long;
- cause more pressure on the neck.

Most manufacturers label the gauge of a set of strings with labels such as "extra light" or "heavy" on the package. Although string gauges of the same markings may vary slightly between manufacturers, the following are the standard string gauges for acoustic guitar:

When deciding which string gauge to choose, consider the following factors:

Type of shell: the general rule is that on guitars with a smaller body, that is, with less resonance, it is better to put strings of a smaller gauge, on guitars with a larger body, thicker strings. Thus, large dreadnoughts (western dreadnought) or jumbo, as a rule, sound better with medium gauge strings: thanks to the large soundboard, the sound resonates well and turns out to be balanced deep and loud. Folk and grand audience guitars will sound better with thinner strings.

Playing style: Fingering is much easier on strings with a smaller gauge. If you prefer fighting, it is better to choose medium-gauge strings, although they may seem stiff to beginners with not hardened fingers. If you're playing with a mix of picking and pounding, light-medium gauge strings can be a good choice. Such sets consist of the thinner bottom three strings and the thicker top three.

Desired tone: As you may have guessed by now, large gauge strings produce a deep low sound with a pronounced bass. On the other hand, thinner strings give a bright and sonorous sound to high notes, making picking very effective.

Instrument condition and age Note: Vintage guitars are often brittle and high tension on thick strings can cause the neck to change and damage the bridge. If you are unsure how large a gauge is safe for your guitar, contact the manufacturer or luthier.

Below are the features of the sound of strings with different materials of the winding of their basses.

Bronze: the strings have a clear, sonorous and bright sound, which, unfortunately, quickly goes out due to the tendency of bronze to oxidize.

Phosphor bronze: the sound is lower and warmer, but still quite resonant, the phosphorus in the alloy increases the service life.

aluminum bronze: Sounds cleaner than phosphor bronze with punchy bass and crisp highs

Copper: The strings have a bright, ringing, metallic sound, but get dirty and oxidized very quickly.

polymer coated: less resonant and brighter than equivalent uncoated strings, sounding warm and deep; resistant to corrosion.

With silk wrap(Silk and Steel): A steel core with silk, nylon, or copper wrap on the lower strings, giving them a softer feel and sound. These strings are popular with folk and fingerstyle players.

Most electroacoustics are equipped with a piezoelectric pickup (or simply a microphone) located inside the soundboard, which converts the sound vibrations of the strings and soundboard into an electrical signal using a built-in preamp. Because piezoelectric pickups are unaffected by the magnetic properties of the string materials, regular acoustic or classical guitar strings are fine for acoustic-electric guitars.

If electroacoustics is equipped with an electromagnetic pickup, you should be guided by the recommendations of the guitar or pickup manufacturer when choosing strings.

Nylon strings are typically used for classical music, flamenco, bossa nova and folk music. However, their soft, rich sound with excellent touch sensitivity is used by guitarists of other styles, such as jazz or country.

Some beginners choose nylon strings because of the belief that they cut their fingers less. This belief is true, since nylon is a softer material and the tension of nylon strings is weaker than metal ones. However, all beginners must go through a roughening of the fingertips, and with proper tuning of the guitar, it passes quickly. Nylon strings should not be chosen for their initial ease of playing, but for their sound.

Since nylon strings tend to stretch more than metal strings, they require more frequent tuning, especially if the set is new. They are also more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.

In addition to the caliber, on the packaging of nylon strings, manufacturers indicate the tension of the set. Unfortunately, there is no single scale for determining it, so to find the strings with the ideal tension for you, you need to change several brands. The choice is complicated by the fact that there are sets in which the strings have different tensions, while only one value is indicated on the package. Below are the most common tension designations and their audio features.

Lowtension(Low Tension alsoModerate orlight tension)

- it is easier to pick the strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the strings and the neck;
- the sound is less sonorous and juicy;
- the sound is soft, without pronounced intonation;
- more suitable for legato technique;
- prone to buzzing frets.

Averagetension(Normal Tension/Medium Tension)

- is usually the sweet spot between low and high tension performance.

hightension(High/Hard/Strong Tension)

- more force is required to clamp the strings, especially on instruments with a large distance between the neck and strings;
- the sound is louder and brighter;
- the sound is expressive, more abrupt;
- more suitable for rhythmic searches;
- can cause damage to the neck, bridge and pegs on fragile instruments.

Some manufacturers produce strings with Extra-light tension and Extra-hard tension, and there are also sets marked Medium-hard tension. In order to select the string tension that best suits your playing style, we advise you to first decide on the manufacturer and material of the bass winding. After that, try sets with different tensions in the selected line.

To reduce pressure on the instrument when using strings with a high tension, it is recommended to loosen them after playing, store them in a slightly deflated state and tune them immediately before playing.

First of all, the very definition of “nylon strings” is somewhat erroneous. There are several materials from which strings are made, which would be more correctly called “strings for classical guitar”. The structure and materials of treble and bass strings in one set also differ.

Until the 1940s, classical guitar strings were made from the intestines of cows and sheep. The trebles were made from simple gut, and the bass strings were made from silk thread wrapped with gut.

Discants of modern classical guitar strings are made from nylon, fluorocarbon or other synthetic threads, basses are a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various materials.

Clear Nylon : the most common strings are transparent nylon line, cast in the right gauge, have a sonorous and bright sound. The strings are smooth to the touch.

Calibrated Nylon (Rectified Nylon) : are also a nylon line of the desired gauge, which is then processed by a laser in order to achieve the most accurate compliance with a given diameter along the entire length of the string. They have a warmer, velvety sound. Matte and rough to the touch.

Black nylon : In addition to its appearance, it has a soft and clear sound with a predominance of high notes.

Nylon with titanium : Smooth to the touch with a brighter tone than normal nylon strings. They are often used on low-pitched guitars.

Combined : woven from several threads, have a bright, loud sound. Strings of this structure are often used as G-strings, as a transition between treble and bass strings.

Bass strings for classics are a core of twisted nylon thread with a winding of various metals. The most common are listed below.

80/20 bronze : alloy contains 80% copper and 20% zinc. The sound of the strings is sonorous and bright.

Silver plated copper : Silver plating makes the strings feel smooth to the touch, copper gives a warm sound. Some manufacturers label such a winding “silver”.

Round winding (Roundwound) bass is the most common for classics. Some manufacturers sand the surface of Roundwound windings to smoothen the surface, which makes the strings smooth to the touch and reduces finger noise.

Most classical guitar strings have straight ends (tie-ends) with which they are tied to the bridge.

- the guitar is increasingly out of tune, and it becomes more and more difficult to tune it;
- the strings have rust or they have changed color;
- at the points of attachment to the bridge, the winding has stratified and the base of the bass strings is visible;
- the sound of the strings is flat and deaf;
- You don't remember the last time you changed the strings.

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There is no single answer to this question, but the following are the reasons for the shortening of string life:

- You play in a hot room, sweat when playing;
- You play aggressively with loud combat;
- You play often;
- You often change the tuning of the guitar;
- You smoke or play in smoky rooms.

- Have a clean cloth handy to wipe down the strings after playing.
- Wash your hands before playing.
- Get a stringwinder, they are inexpensive and will make changing strings much faster.
- Write down the date of replacement on the packaging of the strings, put the packaging in a guitar case, so you can compare which strings last you longer.
- Buying strings in bulk can be cheaper, especially if you use thin strings that break easily.
- Pay attention to the packaging: it is better to choose polyethylene - it will protect the strings from corrosion during storage.
- Keep a spare set or single first, thinnest strings in your guitar case for emergency string changes.